Springbank Longrow 21 Years Old (43.8%)

An official Longrow single malt, aged 21 year old and bottled at 43.8%. Only 252 bottles were released. Springbank, founded in 1828 in Campbeltown, is a survivor of Campbeltown's great whisky era. Each bottling is filled and labelled in Campbeltown rather than shipped away.

This was made by double distillation of heavily peated Campbeltown malt, then cooled slowly in worm tubs. Ex-Sherry wood suited the heavy make, adding a dried fruit richness. Long ageing brings an oily depth, candied fruit and a mellow coastal salt. Refill oak lets the distillery character lead, all oily weight and coastal salt. Demand far outstrips the small output, and bottles are keenly chased. Springbank, Longrow and Hazelburn each show a different face of the one distillery. The open larch washbacks are a rare survival in modern Scotch. The distillery has become a place of pilgrimage for whisky enthusiasts. Kintyre's damp, mild climate suits a long and gentle maturation.

At 43.8% it is supple and briny. Heavy smoke over brine and wax sit over dried fruit and a walnut richness. The texture is rich and oily, the salt threaded through. A warming, oily finish lingers long. This is the peated face of Campbeltown.