Springbank 23 Years Old 2001 Shells from the Bay of Caraccas (Archives)

A Springbank single malt, selected and bottled by Archives, a 23 year old release from 2001 and bottled at 53.9%. The outturn was 66 bottles. Springbank is a Campbeltown distillery distilling since 1828, the most traditional distillery in Scotch, malting all its own barley. Hedley Wright's family has kept the distillery independent for the best part of two centuries.

It was made by Springbank's singular two and a half times distillation, and condensed in traditional worm tubs. A sherry cask wrapped the oily spirit in dried fruit and a nutty depth. Past twenty years the spirit turns waxy and profound while keeping its character. A patient maturation suits the rich, complex Campbeltown 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.

Bottled at a cask strength 53.9%, it is rich. Dried fruit and a walnut richness from the cask underpins brine, wax and a light peat note. It is rich and layered, the fruit and salt well matched. The finish runs deep, briny and warm. This is a hand made Campbeltown single malt.