Springbank Longrow 21 Years Old (40.5%)

This Longrow, an official release matured to 21 year old and bottled at 40.5%. A release of 282 bottles. Springbank has distilled in Campbeltown since 1828, the most traditional distillery in Scotch, malting all its own barley. Hedley Wright's family has kept the distillery independent for the best part of two centuries.

It was run twice through the stills from heavily peated malt, and condensed in traditional worm tubs. Maturation in a sherry cask laid dried fruit over the maritime malt. At this age it is rich and complex, the fruit folded into a waxy, briny body. Worm tub condensing and an oil fired wash still build the rich, oily texture the distillery is known for. The town and the sea run through every cask of the make. The sea loch at the foot of the town shapes the coastal character of the malt. Demand far outstrips the small output, and bottles are keenly chased. Springbank, Longrow and Hazelburn each show a different face of the one distillery.

At 40.5% it is clean and characterful. Dried fruit and a walnut richness from the cask underpins a tarry, maritime smoke. Beneath it run oily fruit, salt and a coastal depth. It finishes deep, complex and maritime. This is a robust, smoky Campbeltown whisky.