Springbank 11 Years Old (53.1%)

This Springbank, an official release matured to 11 year old from 2006 and bottled at 53.1%. Only 9000 bottles were released. In Mitchell family hands since 1828, Springbank is run much as it was a century ago. Uniquely in Scotch, every drop is floor malted, distilled, matured and bottled on the one site.

The spirit was given Springbank's unusual two and a half times distillation, and run into cast iron worm tubs. Maturation came in ex-Bourbon wood, with vanilla under the oily fruit. At this age the spirit is vivid and oily, the fruit and salt to the fore. Years in oak deepen the fruit and the maritime character together. 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.

Bottled at a cask strength 53.1%, it is rich. Vanilla, honey and coconut from the cask underpins oily orchard fruit, salt and a wisp of peat. It is deep and complex, the maritime spirit shining through. Sea salt and fruit draw out the close. This is the cult Campbeltown malt from J and A Mitchell.