Springbank 28 Years Old 1975 Cask #1891 (Ian Macleod)

Ian Macleod bottled this Springbank, aged 28 year old from 1975, drawn from cask 1891 and bottled at 50.5%. Only 186 bottles were released. Springbank, run by J and A Mitchell since 1828 in Campbeltown, is run much as it was a century ago. The cult around Springbank has made it one of the most collected of all malts.

This was distilled around two and a half times from floor malted, lightly peated barley, then condensed through worm tubs. Maturation came in ex-Bourbon wood, with vanilla under the oily fruit. Long ageing brings an oily depth, candied fruit and a mellow coastal salt. The hands on, small scale working shapes a spirit of real individuality. Kintyre's damp, mild climate suits a long and gentle maturation. The old town of Campbeltown once rivalled Speyside as Scotland's whisky heart. Quality and tradition, not volume, have always been the watchwords here.

At 50.5%, undiluted, it is deep and powerful. Vanilla, honey and coconut from the cask underpins brine, wax and a light peat note. It is rich and layered, the fruit and salt well matched. A long finish smoulders on salt and oil. This is a hand made Campbeltown single malt.