Springbank 11 Years Old 1996 (Authentic Collection)

This is a Springbank single malt, chosen and bottled by Cadenhead's, an 11 year old Campbeltown malt from 1996 and bottled at 56.3%. A release of 640 bottles. The Springbank distillery, a family distillery since 1828, is famous for doing everything on site, from floor malting to bottling. Campbeltown was its own protected whisky region long before the revival.

The make was given Springbank's unusual two and a half times distillation, and slowly worm tub cooled. Maturation in a sherry cask laid dried fruit over the maritime malt. Still young, the malt is oily and robust with a coastal lift. The oily, robust make carries cask flavour while holding its own character. 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. Demand far outstrips the small output, and bottles are keenly chased.

At 56.3%, undiluted, it is deep and powerful. A coastal, waxy spirit with gentle peat sit over raisin and a sweet nuttiness. The mouthfeel is oily, the fruit carried on a salty body. Salt and oily fruit see out a long finish. This is the flagship malt of old Campbeltown.