Springbank 25 Years Old ElD The Single Malts of Scotland Director’s Special (Elixir)

From Elixir Distillers comes this Springbank, a 25 year old and bottled at 55.5%. 284 bottles in all. In Mitchell family hands since 1828, Springbank is run much as it was a century ago. Production is tiny by modern standards, a fraction of a large Speyside distillery.

The spirit was made by Springbank's singular two and a half times distillation, and run into cast iron worm tubs. It was matured in refill ex-Bourbon oak, lending vanilla and honey. Beyond twenty years the malt grows waxy and deep, tropical fruit and salt over an oily base. 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.

At a hearty 55.5% it carries real weight. Vanilla, honey and coconut from the cask underpins brine, wax and a light peat note. It is deep and complex, the maritime spirit shining through. Sea salt and fruit draw out the close. This is Springbank's rich, oily, maritime style.