Springbank 14 Years Old 2000 (Authentic Collection)

This Springbank was from the independent bottler Cadenhead's, a 14 year old release from 2000 and bottled at 49%. Just 234 bottles were filled. Springbank is a Campbeltown distillery founded in 1828, a cult Campbeltown distillery with a devoted following. Each bottling is filled and labelled in Campbeltown rather than shipped away.

It was distilled two and a half times from lightly peated, floor malted malt, then cooled slowly in worm tubs. A refill American oak cask held it, keeping the distillery character to the fore. Past a decade the oily spirit deepens, fruit and salt knitting with the oak. A patient maturation suits the rich, complex Campbeltown spirit. 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 its natural 49% it is concentrated. Oily orchard fruit, salt and a wisp of peat ride on vanilla, honey and coconut. It is rich and layered, the fruit and salt well matched. A long finish smoulders on salt and oil. This is the cult Campbeltown malt from J and A Mitchell.