Springbank Local Barley 31 Years Old 1966 (53%)

An official Springbank single malt, aged 31 year old from 1966, drawn from cask 1966 484 and bottled at 53%. Springbank has distilled in Campbeltown since 1828, a family distillery that malts and bottles every drop on site. Campbeltown was its own protected whisky region long before the revival.

It was made by Springbank's singular two and a half times distillation, and slowly worm tub cooled. It rested in ex-Bourbon oak, the wood adding a light honeyed sweetness. At three decades and more it is rich and oily, tropical fruit, beeswax and salt in a deep, old malt. The slow loss of the angel's share concentrates the oily, complex core over time. 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%, it is rich. A vanilla and toffee sweetness meets a salty, waxy depth with a whisper of peat. It is rich and layered, the fruit and salt well matched. The finish runs deep, briny and warm. This is a hand made Campbeltown single malt.