Hazelburn 2005 (Authentic Collection)

From Cadenhead's comes this Hazelburn, a 13 year old release from 2005 and bottled at 54.6%. Just 192 bottles were filled. Springbank is a Campbeltown distillery founded in 1828, still owned by the Mitchell family, five generations on. Uniquely in Scotch, every drop is floor malted, distilled, matured and bottled on the one site.

It was run three times through the stills from unpeated, floor malted barley, and run into cast iron worm tubs. Ex-Bourbon casks held the spirit, soft oak that lets the make lead. Around the mid teens the malt gains a fuller fruit while staying soft. The cool, damp Campbeltown air gives a slow, even maturation. The maritime warehouses by the sea lend the malt its briny, oily depth. 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.

Bottled at a cask strength 54.6%, it is rich. Soft pear, cream and light spice meet creamy vanilla and oak sweetness from the cask. The mouthfeel is light and creamy, the fruit clean. A gentle, creamy finish lingers. This is a delicate, triple distilled Campbeltown whisky.