Springbank 12 Years Old 1996 NC² Range (Duncan Taylor)

This Springbank was from the independent bottler Duncan Taylor, aged 12 year old from 1996 and bottled at 46%. Springbank, run by J and A Mitchell since 1828 in Campbeltown, is one of only three distilleries left in Campbeltown. Each bottling is filled and labelled in Campbeltown rather than shipped away.

This was floor malted, lightly peated and distilled two and a half times, then cooled slowly in worm tubs. It was matured in refill ex-Bourbon oak, lending vanilla and honey. Around the mid teens the malt gains depth while keeping its oily salt. The oily, robust make carries cask flavour while holding its own character. 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.

At 46% it is supple and briny. A vanilla and toffee sweetness meets an oily, maritime character with light peat. The texture is rich and oily, the salt threaded through. A warming, oily finish lingers long. This is the cult Campbeltown malt from J and A Mitchell.