Springbank 1997 Vintage

A distillery bottling of Springbank, aged 11 year old from 1997 and bottled at 54.9%. Established in 1828, Springbank is a survivor of Campbeltown's great whisky era. Little has changed in the way the spirit is made for the best part of a century.

The spirit was drawn off after two and a half distillations of gently peated malt, and worm tub cooled in the old way. A sherry butt held it, the wood lending raisin and walnut. Younger here, it keeps a vigorous, briny freshness over the oily body. Refill oak lets the distillery character lead, all oily weight and coastal salt. 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. 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.

Bottled at a cask strength 54.9%, it is rich. Brine, wax and a light peat note sit over dried fruit and a walnut richness. The mouthfeel is oily, the fruit carried on a salty body. Salt and oily fruit see out a long finish. This is the most traditional malt in Scotch.