Scapa 16 Signature Range (2024 Release)


We're diving into a new release (well, resurrected release) from Scapa distillery, the Scapa 16yo.

Scapa 16 Signature Range (2024 Release)

Region: Highlands

ABV: 48.0%

Price: £99.95 

This is the middle release in Scapa’s new signature range—a series comprising 10-, 16-, and 21-year-old single malts. This trio of age-statement whiskies marks the first permanent range from Chivas Brothers-owned Scapa since the distillery was established in 1885. The 16-year-old small batch is a vatting of American oak casks and serves as a nod to the previously discontinued 16-year-old expression. 

Nose

The nose opens with light tropical fruit notes, we're finding mango, pineapple, freshly squeezed orange juice, poached pears and vanilla fudge. There's also a bit of preserved lemon, a sprinkle of sea salt and shortbread fingers. It's got that typical bourbon cask Scapa nose, the mixture of coastal salinity, salt and sweet oak, alongside the tropical, esthery fruit aromas. Going back, we're finding a real butteriness, buttered white bread with a sprinkling of caster sugar. The alcohol is in good balance, although there's a bit of white pepper spice appearing for us. 

Palate

The palate opens with lemon curd, vanilla sponge cake, alongside lots of caramel and toffee sweetness. The tropical fruits from the nose are still very much here, with roasted pineapple and dried mango being most prominent. There's a fair bit of warm, white pepper spice that underpins the palate, more than we'd expect for the ABV, however it's still quite drinkable. The palate is a little thin for our liking, there's a light syrup-like texture here but we'd expect a bit more. The finish has a good length with sweetened lemonade and shortbread.  

Nose (with water)

The reduced nose brings forward more of the esthery, tropical fruits alongside an enhanced yeast and shortbread aroma. There's lots of lemon and vanilla, sweet oak and fudge. It's not too dissimilar to the unreduced nose, perhaps with a little less spice than before. 

Palate (with water)

The reduced palate doesn't change too much, we're getting a lot of vanilla sponge, salted caramel, fudge, some orange peel and lemon water. It's slightly less tropical, with more oak, vanilla, and a bit of additional bitterness on the finish. Unfortunately, the spice hasn't really mellowed much. We'd probably avoid water here, it's more interesting without it. 

Conclusion

We're big Scapa fans and this addition to their new range puts a smile on our face. It's got all of the characteristics that we want from a bourbon matured malt from this distillery, but it's a tad rough around the edges. It's a good (re)addition to the distilleries offerings, and we'd happily buy a dram if we're out and about.

Score: 7/10

Value

A slightly lower price would have been welcome, but honestly, we’re just excited to have Scapa back in our lives.

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  • 10 - Perfection. One in a million
  • 9 - Outstanding. Exceptional whisky.
  • 8 - Great. Would seek this out.
  • 7 - Good. Quality whisky.
  • 6 - Above average. Happy to have a dram.
  • 5 - Average. Drinkable whisky.
  • 4 - Below average. Passable.
  • 3 - Flawed. Noticeable negatives.
  • 2 - Defective. Significant faults.
  • 1 - Offensive. Pour it out.

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