Scapa Glansa Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

'Glansa' which is Old Norse for "shining storm-laden skies" is a gently smoky Scapa initially aged in first-fill American oak casks, then finished in casks that previously contained peaty whisky. Compared to the unpeated Skiren, you get more of a saline / ocean breeziness to the nose; the peat is earthy but slight, the barley defined by orchard fruits; It's also fuller and spicier than its sibling, the peat adding an extra layer, weaving its way through the honeyed malt, followed by hints of sweet tea biscuits and baked fruits through the sprightly, tangy finish. This presents a dainty, airy kind of smoke, akin to Ardmore, or Scapa's famous neighbour - a good thing, as the distillate's finer points could easily be smothered. This has been sensitively handled. The result is a delicious 'aperitif' island style, possibly unique to Orkney. 40% Alc./Vol.

Other reviews… A delightful whisky which could be raised several notches in quality if the influence of the caramel is diminished. 91 points - Jim Murray's Whisky Bible 2022

...Madeira notes on the nose, with vanilla, honey, and pears. Richly fruity on the palate, with cocoa powder, vanilla, caramel, and mild wood smoke. Dark berries emerge from the background. The dark fruits continue through the lengthy finish, where smokiness increases. 87 points
- whiskyadvocate.com, reviewed by: Gavin Smith (Spring 2017)

[+/- 2021 bottling]...With an NAS at 40% vol., we don't speak much. It seems that this is finished in ex-peaty-malt casks, which is just in-cask blending in our book. They should call these (many do that these days) blended malts, no? Colour: gold. Nose: there, naturally, this rather works, with a feeling of Ardmore and some rather lovely whiffs of meadow flowers and lighter compost. I'm even finding notes of fino sherry (that mineral smoke) and fermented plums. Oh and bandages and ointments in the background. Mouth: a blended malt, rather on smoked coffee, with some cigar ashes and, once again, a rather smoky kind of sherry. We're extremely far from Scapa's light honeyed floralness, but indeed it's a fine drop. Good blended malt. Finish: I'm also finding a little mustard in this fine blended malt. More fino, that's great. Comments: congrats to the blenders, very fine piece of work. At 46% vol., this well-crafted in-cask blended malt would be a killer. And then, again, who am I. 84 points - whiskyfun.com