Springbank 20 Years Old BD The Awakening Series (Best Dram)

Single malt Springbank, an independent Best Dram bottling, a 20 year old Campbeltown malt and bottled at 54.6%. 107 bottles in all. The Springbank distillery, established in 1828, is a family distillery that malts and bottles every drop on site. The distillery sits in the heart of Campbeltown, near the head of its sea loch.

The make was distilled the Springbank way, two and a half times from floor malted barley, with the spirit condensed in worm tubs. A sherry butt held it, the wood lending raisin and walnut. Long ageing brings an oily depth, candied fruit and a mellow coastal salt. Sea air works into the warehouses, lending a saline thread as the whisky breathes. 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 a hearty 54.6% it carries real weight. Dried fruit, fig and walnut meets an oily, maritime character with light peat. It is deep and complex, the maritime spirit shining through. The close is rich, fruit over a saline depth. This is the cult Campbeltown malt from J and A Mitchell.