Springbank 2000 Calvados

This official Springbank single malt, aged 12 year old from 2000 and bottled at 52.7%. The outturn was 9420 bottles. Springbank, run by J and A Mitchell since 1828 in Campbeltown, is the most traditional distillery in Scotch, malting all its own barley. Bottles are released in small batches, often through ballots to meet the demand.

This was distilled the Springbank way, two and a half times from floor malted barley, the vapour cooled in worm tubs. An ex-Bourbon barrel shaped it, gentle American oak beneath the spirit. Past a decade the oily spirit deepens, fruit and salt knitting with the oak. Worm tub condensing and an oil fired wash still build the rich, oily texture the distillery is known for. 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 52.7%, undiluted, it is deep and powerful. Vanilla, cream and light coconut from the cask underpins oily orchard fruit, salt and a wisp of peat. Soft fruit and brine sit behind the cask sweetness. The close is rich, fruit over a saline depth. This is a revered Campbeltown single malt.