Springbank 20 Years Old 1995 Cask #42 (Glenscoma)

Glenscoma selected this Springbank, a 20 year old from 1995, drawn from cask 42 and bottled at 53%. 537 bottles in all. A family distillery since 1828, Springbank is prized for its rich, oily, hand made spirit. Small output and a cult following keep its bottles allocated and keenly sought.

The spirit was made by Springbank's singular two and a half times distillation, the vapour cooled in worm tubs. A wine cask gave a fruity, spiced depth to the make. At this age it is rich and complex, the fruit folded into a waxy, briny body. Long maturation suits the heavy, characterful make, the cask knitting slowly with the spirit. 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. Springbank, Longrow and Hazelburn each show a different face of the one distillery.

At its natural 53% it is concentrated. A salty, waxy depth with a whisper of peat meet plum and red berry from the cask. Soft fruit and brine sit behind the cask sweetness. Sea salt and fruit draw out the close. This is the most traditional malt in Scotch.