Springbank 28 Years Old 1974 Cask #1162 (Ian Macleod)

From Ian Macleod comes this Springbank, a 28 year old Campbeltown malt from 1974, drawn from cask 1162 and bottled at 56.5%. A release of 504 bottles. The Springbank distillery, a family distillery since 1828, is one of the last working distilleries of old Campbeltown. Production is tiny by modern standards, a fraction of a large Speyside distillery.

The make was drawn off after two and a half distillations of gently peated malt, and run into cast iron worm tubs. A sherry butt held it, the wood lending raisin and walnut. Long ageing brings an oily depth, candied fruit and a mellow coastal salt. The slow loss of the angel's share concentrates the oily, complex core over time. The spirit is filled to cask and matured within the distillery walls. Few distilleries keep so much of the old craft alive under one roof. Campbeltown was once the whisky capital of the world, with more than thirty distilleries at its peak.

At cask strength 56.5% it is muscular. A briny, oily depth with a hint of peat are layered with dried fruit and a walnut richness. A waxy weight and a saline tang give it real body. The finish runs deep, briny and warm. This is Springbank's rich, oily, maritime style.