Springbank 21 Years Old AtB Darkness (Atom Brands)

This Springbank was from the independent bottler Atom Brands, a 21 year old and bottled at 46.5%. Only 203 bottles were released. A family distillery since 1828, Springbank is a cult Campbeltown distillery with a devoted following. Concerto barley is malted on the floors and kilned in the distillery's own kiln.

The spirit was floor malted, lightly peated and distilled two and a half times, then cooled slowly in worm tubs. Maturation in a sherry cask laid dried fruit over the maritime malt. Beyond twenty years the malt grows waxy and deep, tropical fruit and salt over an oily base. Worm tub condensing and an oil fired wash still build the rich, oily texture the distillery is known for. 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.

At 46.5% it is clean and characterful. Oily orchard fruit, salt and a wisp of peat ride on a sherried dried fruit and nuts. Beneath it run oily fruit, salt and a coastal depth. A long, oily, coastal finish lingers. This is the flagship malt of old Campbeltown.