Scapa 16 Year Old

I really like the Scapa 16. It's honey smooth and sweet with hardly any peat. At 80 proof there's no burn so it doesn't need water, which depending on the purity of the water can negatively affect the taste. I find no comparison to Oban or HIghland Park. In fact I just did a taste comparison. Oban has much more peat and although it's 86 proof has significantly more burn. The peat gives the Oban a longer finish. If you want peat then Scapa is a poor choice. When I want a smooth after dinner sipping scotch Scapa is my choice.

12th February 2015

I really like the character of this whisky but I don't like the fake coloring, the chill filtering, and the low ABV. As for the 16 years, yes, awesome. I'm so glad it's still labeled and not NAS. I love the not too sweet biscuit-y goodness. Wish I could taste a higher ABV purer version some time.

28th January 2015

everything is accurate except the length & the finish, which imho falls short. don't get me wrong, he's very enjoyable but lacks a punch & overall character you'd like for that bottle price. think back to your French exchange trip when you were young, enjoying the freedom of an experience abroad, Stella Artois in hand with some fond memories.. is it still a story you share when you're having a dram with friends, no. Scapa 16yo aspires to be the older brother who drives, is of the drinking age & occasionally relishes a creamy cigarette, that's Highland Park 18yo; just fork out a little more & be impressed. it's really not bad but it's not £50 worth of "great".

24th January 2015

This is a pleasant highland style whisky with a surprising long finish. It's only bottled at 40% and is chill-filtered. The tasting notes are accurate but it's just in not worth £50. Shame about the price, but I suspect its geared for the duty-free gift market where its designer box and marketing are the main agenda.

22nd January 2015

I'm not a whiskey drinker (fair warning), but there are a few whiskeys I like because of the smoothness. This has a great aroma of honey and caramel, with a light-medium amber color. However, I found it a bit harsh on the finish.

22nd December 2014

I bought a bottle of this after a trip to the Orkney Islands and I cannot fault it at all. So smooth with a lovely aftertaste and a great addition to any whiskey collection. My everyday whiskey is the HP 12 yr, however this is nicer, and worth the extra £15-20.

11th October 2014

For someone trying to acquire the taste this is a great start, smooth and not overwhelming. For the experienced it is great late in the evening, or early in the evening for that matter. My "go to" beverage.

14th August 2014

very nice whisky, the notes spot on for me. Would certainly buy another, although would be interesting to see how their 14 yr bottle tastes like in comparison.

5th June 2014

I'm normally a Highland Park fan, however, I thought I'd give this a go. I have to say I'm very impressed, lovely aroma, very smooth with a sweet taste and a nice finish. Although it is around £15 a bottle more than the HP 12yr it is very different and a worthy addition to my cabinet. Also, introduced a non whisky drinker to this and they were impressed with it!

28th May 2014

I find it dry, crisp, a bit like oban but smoother, its delicious!

13th May 2014

My expectations where really high on this one, the first time I drank I didn't dislike it, the second time, it was getting better, the third time, wow such smooth very malty, the fourth time I was with some friends there were some ladies, and you know you can't give them any berreta. All in all, a normalized scotch with childish after notes, just for the standard guy like you and me.

6th May 2014

If you're not in the mood for an Ardbeg or a Lagavulin, this dram is perfect. This is the smoothest single malt I have had. Don't add any water. Either drinking out of a cold fridge or add stones. It reminds me a lot of Oban 14, the culprit that got me hooked on single malts 4-5 years ago. It's smoother than Oban 14. Be careful with this dram, I have yet to be content with just one in a sitting.

2nd May 2014

A fantastic dram which is absolutely tremendous, once tasted the main concern is to purchase another; a true legend, I have yet to taste a better dram. Well done Scapa......Full marks.

4th April 2014

one of the best drams I have ever tasted, absolutely tremendous, once tasted the main concern is to make sure that you purchase another for the best interest of enjoyment; I have yet to taste a better dram. Well done Scapa a true legend.

4th April 2014

I find it hard to understand some of the negative feedback on Scapa. I was recommended it by a family member. Soon as I raised the Golden liquid to my nose, my senses filled with joy. Upon tasting my mouth exploded with happiness, I knew then I had found the perfect Whisky...... This isn't smokey (there is only the slight hint) and peat has been no where near this. Its fruity, Spicy and has a lasting enjoyable flavor.

28th January 2014

I loved the G & P Scapa with a passion, so was very disappointed to discover that this is just a standard whisky, and certainly not worth the extra £20 on the above-mentioned, superior version. What a shame. They're obviously more concerned with their posh, modern marketing and the fact that they're in Orkney.

15th December 2013

No one seemed to notice an intense nose of apple cider. A delicious dram (PS I like all styles of scotch!

6th September 2013

Great stuff underrated, better than highland park 12 and as good as the 15 and similar price. Worth a try. Also great with smoked salmon.

13th July 2013

One of my personal top five drams, flavours really stand out on this great drinking whisky don't add water and try to avoid ice (chill trek whisky tastes great)

Must get more but on to the 14 year old now which is also very good indeed.

13th July 2013

i'm used to drink harder, i'm a fan of smoked & tough, hard boiled flavour, Caol Ìle cask strength u know... but sometimes i like to change, and scapa is a great escape. luv from italia

4th June 2013

I have to admit, the box looks great.

The nose is sweet and mellow - like the Jura 10yo. The palate is spicy, rich, again sweet and mellow with a strong hint of oak. The finish is dry, warm and full with oak.

I have to mention that I usually really appreciate a dry, warm, oak and gently smoked finish. On the other hand the Scapa 16yo can't fulfill my 55 euro Single Malt expectations. To me this is more like a daily dram...

5th December 2012

Being an eccentic I always drink whisky with food. Scapa is uniquely
well suited to this experience because of her deeply penetrating taste but smooth somewhat non-scottish savour. For Sundays only perhaps. Bu what can these distillers buy more precious than the wares the sell?

28th June 2012

Having enjoyed the 14 year old, I wondered if the 16 year old would live upto expectations. This is indeed a decent dram, but in the reviewers humble opinion is not worth the layout.

24th May 2012

My son takes me to fish the river Findhorn each year ( lucky me ) and Scapa 16 is our truly special and celebratory 'end-of-day' dram. No fish? Who cares?
It's worth going just for the Scapa.

19th January 2012

I enjoy this expression before dinner with some aged cheese, salami slices, and water crckers. No water needed! I give it an 89/100 as is. Higher ABV would bump it up a few points. Excellent dram!

6th June 2011

Fabulous unique whisky. Smooth and delicious.

6th November 2010

DO NOT ADD WATER! Then it will be a great whisky for ralaxing evening sipping.
The closest comparison to this noble dram is Oban 14yo.

22nd July 2010

What a disappointment. I wanted to enjoy this and initially the nose and flavour were as advertised - sweet, honeyish and a bit of spice in the finish. However, add a spot of water and the whole experience is spoiled with a rather bitter taste. It's only 40% so I suppose it's easy enough to drink neat but I'll be saving £30 and drinking Highland Park 12yo!

10th April 2010