Springbank 15 Years Old 2003 No. 112 (Maltbarn)

This Springbank was from the independent bottler Maltbarn, a 15 year old Campbeltown malt from 2003 and bottled at 48.9%. Just 157 bottles were filled. The Springbank distillery, a family distillery since 1828, is a survivor of Campbeltown's great whisky era. Concerto barley is malted on the floors and kilned in the distillery's own kiln.

The make was given the part triple distillation unique to Springbank, then cooled slowly in worm tubs. Ex-Bourbon casks held the spirit, soft oak that lets the make lead. Mid age brings a fuller fruit and a deeper coastal complexity. Refill oak lets the distillery character lead, all oily weight and coastal salt. 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. Today just three distilleries survive in the old Kintyre whisky town.

At 48.9%, undiluted, it is deep and powerful. An oily, maritime character with light peat sit over a vanilla and toffee sweetness. The texture is rich and oily, the salt threaded through. A long finish smoulders on salt and oil. This is the flagship malt of old Campbeltown.