Springbank 17 Years Old 1996 Old & Rare A Platinum Selection (Hunter Laing)

This Springbank was from the independent bottler Hunter Laing matured to 17 year old from 1996 and bottled at 54.2%. 270 bottles in all. Springbank has distilled in Campbeltown since 1828, a survivor of Campbeltown's great whisky era. Each bottling is filled and labelled in Campbeltown rather than shipped away.

It was distilled the Springbank way, two and a half times from floor malted barley, then cooled slowly in worm tubs. Ex-Sherry wood suited the heavy make, adding a dried fruit richness. Past a decade the oily spirit deepens, fruit and salt knitting with the oak. Years in oak deepen the fruit and the maritime character together. 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. The sea loch at the foot of the town shapes the coastal character of the malt.

At a natural 54.2% it is full and oily. A coastal, waxy spirit with gentle peat sit over dried fruit and a walnut richness. It is deep and complex, the maritime spirit shining through. A long, oily, coastal finish lingers. This is the cult Campbeltown malt from J and A Mitchell.