Springbank 16 Years Old 1997 Cask #232 (Glenscoma)

This is a Springbank single malt, chosen and bottled by Glenscoma matured to 16 year old from 1997, drawn from cask 232 and bottled at 54%. Only 162 bottles were released. Springbank has distilled in Campbeltown since 1828, a byword for traditional Scotch whisky making. The whole process, malting included, is carried out by hand on the one site.

It was distilled the Springbank way, two and a half times from floor malted barley, and slowly worm tub cooled. A Rum cask shaped it, lending brown sugar and a tropical lift. By this age the maritime weight rounds into a richer, fuller malt. The hands on, small scale working shapes a spirit of real individuality. Today just three distilleries survive in the old Kintyre whisky town. The maritime warehouses by the sea lend the malt its briny, oily depth. A 1940s Porteus mill and an open iron mash tun are part of the old setup. The Mitchell family has held the distillery for five generations.

At a full 54% it is bold and oily. Oily orchard fruit, salt and a wisp of peat ride on brown sugar, banana and a tropical lift. It is rich and layered, the fruit and salt well matched. The finish runs deep, briny and warm. This is the flagship malt of old Campbeltown.