After reviewing two old fashioned, diluted Scapas, I am now going to dig into a new fashioned very high-ABV Scapa. Part of Pernod's long-running Distillery Reserve Collection (of which I still have never acquired a bottle), this nearly coffee-colored whiskey appears to be a sherried beast, though hopefully there will be some complexity to it. I advance with pipette in hand...
The nose starts well, with Cherry Coke, shoe polish, and marzipan. 15 minutes in, dried cherries and mulled wine appear, followed by beef stock and baklava, thirty minutes later. The palate is So. Damned. Hot. It tastes of grapes, anise, lime juice, and burning. Took a while to find the finish, thanks to my numbed tongue. But I eventually found oloroso and tart citrus.
Water please...
DILUTED to ~50%abv, or 1½ tsp of water per 30mL whisky
On the nose there are grapes and cherries, juices and jams, and a dose of Chambord. The palate feels thicker and is more approachable. It's very sweet, with Luxardo cherry syrup, oak spice, and oranges. It finishes tangy, tannic, and sweet.
More...
DILUTED to ~46%abv, or 2¼ total tsp of water per 30mL whisky at bottling strength
The nose shows cinnamon, cocoa powder, and toffee up top, almonds and brine underneath. The palate's becalmed sweetness makes way for more nuts, salt, and tartness. Ginger and in-season cherries also appear. That ginger+cherry note mixes with PX in the finish.
WORDS WORDS WORDS
Firstly, this isn't my preferred whisky style. Featureless spirit smothered by an aggressive cask, and bottled at an unpalatable strength, doesn't do it for me, but the style has been very prevalent on the market for several years now. So, people like it. You may like it, if you is people.
After my first sip of this stuff, I brought over another high-powered sherried beast that I actually like, and because its palate was very nuanced (and tasty), it whupped this Scapa. And I think I'll review that whisky next.
As for this Scapa, the nose registers well at all strengths. Water does rescue the palate, and further dilution may improve it more. But at no point does it set itself apart from hundreds (or thousands) of other distilleries casks bottled in the 2020s. Approach at your own risk.
Availability - Sold out?
Pricing - £90
Rating - 83 (with water)
