Scapa

With approximately 70 remote islands making up the Orkneys and a highly different climate and terroir to the other coastal islands around Scotland’s coastline, it’s no surprise that the whisky produced there is going to be unique.

Alongside Orkney’s other distillery, Highland Park, Scapa, founded in 1885, produces a distinctly light and characterful spirit, thanks to the installation of its unusual Lomond still. Scapa has long been described as a hugely underrated malt and there are some absolute gems to discover.

Scapa single malt has a fresh fruitiness, with a distinct, sweet, buttery undertone making it a very approachable malt indeed. It is also one of the most intriguing distilleries to visit: The view from the stillhouse across Scapa Flow is one of the finest in Scotland.