Springbank 25 Years Old (46% 2015)

A distillery bottling of Springbank, aged 25 year old and bottled at 46%. 900 bottles in all. Springbank, founded in 1828 in Campbeltown, is a survivor of Campbeltown's great whisky era. Little has changed in the way the spirit is made for the best part of a century.

This was run through the distillery's part triple distillation, the malt floor malted and gently peated, and worm tub cooled in the old way. A sherry butt held it, the wood lending raisin and walnut. Long ageing brings an oily depth, candied fruit and a mellow coastal salt. Refill oak lets the distillery character lead, all oily weight and coastal salt. Today just three distilleries survive in the old Kintyre whisky town. 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 an easy 46% it is gentle. Brine, wax and a light peat note sit over raisin, fig and a vanilla sweetness. The mouthfeel is oily, the fruit carried on a salty body. A warming, oily finish lingers long. This is the most traditional malt in Scotch.