Springbank 2004 Gaja Barolo

This official Springbank single malt, a 9 year old Campbeltown malt from 2004 and bottled at 54.7%. Only 11000 bottles were released. The Springbank distillery, in Mitchell family hands since 1828, is prized for its rich, oily, hand made spirit. Bottles are released in small batches, often through ballots to meet the demand.

The make was distilled two and a half times from lightly peated, floor malted malt, the vapour cooled in worm tubs. A wine cask shaped it, the fruit and tannin meeting the oily spirit. At a youthful age the make is lively, salty and full of character. Long maturation suits the heavy, characterful make, the cask knitting slowly with the spirit. The maritime warehouses by the sea lend the malt its briny, oily depth. 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.

At 54.7%, undiluted, it is deep and powerful. A coastal, waxy spirit with gentle peat meet berry fruit and a tannic spice from the cask. Soft fruit and brine sit behind the cask sweetness. It closes long, oily and salty. This is a revered Campbeltown single malt.