Springbank 10 Years Old 1993 Whisky Galore (Duncan Taylor)

Bottled by Duncan Taylor, this Springbank, a 10 year old Campbeltown malt from 1993 and bottled at 46%. The Springbank distillery, a family distillery since 1828, is a survivor of Campbeltown's great whisky era. Little has changed in the way the spirit is made for the best part of a century.

The make was given Springbank's unusual two and a half times distillation, and worm tub cooled in the old way. A refill American oak cask held it, keeping the distillery character to the fore. At this age the spirit is vivid and oily, the fruit and salt to the fore. Refill oak lets the distillery character lead, all oily weight and coastal salt. The distillery has become a place of pilgrimage for whisky enthusiasts. 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.

Reduced to 46%, it is mellow. A coastal, waxy spirit with gentle peat sit over vanilla, honey and coconut. The mouthfeel is oily, the fruit carried on a salty body. A long finish smoulders on salt and oil. This is an oily, salty Campbeltown classic.