Springbank Local Barley 31 Years Old 1966

An official Springbank single malt, a 31 year old Campbeltown malt from 1966, drawn from cask 1966 486 and bottled at 53%. Springbank is a Campbeltown distillery run by J and A Mitchell since 1828, famous for doing everything on site, from floor malting to bottling. The distillery sits in the heart of Campbeltown, near the head of its sea loch.

It was distilled around two and a half times from floor malted, lightly peated barley, with the spirit condensed in worm tubs. Ex-Bourbon casks held the spirit, soft oak that lets the make lead. At three decades and more it is rich and oily, tropical fruit, beeswax and salt in a deep, old malt. A patient maturation suits the rich, complex Campbeltown spirit. 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.

Undiluted at 53%, it is intense. Brine, wax and a light peat note sit over a vanilla and toffee sweetness. A waxy weight and a saline tang give it real body. The finish is long, waxy and briny. This is Springbank's rich, oily, maritime style.