Springbank Private Bottling 21 Years Old 1993 (53.6%)

This Springbank, an official release, a 21 year old release from 1993, drawn from cask 18 and bottled at 53.6%. 218 bottles in all. Springbank has distilled in Campbeltown since 1828, one of the last working distilleries of old Campbeltown. Uniquely in Scotch, every drop is floor malted, distilled, matured and bottled on the one site.

It was given the part triple distillation unique to Springbank, and run into cast iron worm tubs. Ex-Bourbon casks held the spirit, soft oak that lets the make lead. Past twenty years the spirit turns waxy and profound while keeping its character. Sea air works into the warehouses, lending a saline thread as the whisky breathes. A 1940s Porteus mill and an open iron mash tun are part of the old setup. The Mitchell family has held the distillery for five generations. The town and the sea run through every cask of the make.

At cask strength 53.6% it is muscular. An oily, maritime character with light peat are layered with vanilla, honey and coconut. It is deep and complex, the maritime spirit shining through. It finishes deep, complex and maritime. This is the cult Campbeltown malt from J and A Mitchell.