Springbank 17 Years Old

An official Springbank single malt matured to 17 year old from 1997 and bottled at 52.4%. Only 168 bottles were released. Established in 1828, Springbank is famous for doing everything on site, from floor malting to bottling. The family owner also holds Cadenhead's, the oldest independent bottler in Scotland.

The spirit was drawn off after two and a half distillations of gently peated malt, with the spirit condensed in worm tubs. Maturation came in ex-Bourbon wood, with vanilla under the oily fruit. Past a decade the oily spirit deepens, fruit and salt knitting with the oak. A patient maturation suits the rich, complex Campbeltown spirit. Springbank, Longrow and Hazelburn each show a different face of the one distillery. The open larch washbacks are a rare survival in modern Scotch. The distillery has become a place of pilgrimage for whisky enthusiasts. Kintyre's damp, mild climate suits a long and gentle maturation.

At a full 52.4% it is bold and oily. Brine, wax and a light peat note sit over vanilla, honey and coconut. A waxy weight and a saline tang give it real body. Salt and oily fruit see out a long finish. This is Springbank's rich, oily, maritime style.