Springbank 30 Years Old 1994 Whiskyland Chapter Seven (Decadent Drinks)

This Springbank was from the independent bottler Decadent Drinks, a 30 year old from 1994 and bottled at 48.8%. The outturn was 247 bottles. Established in 1828, Springbank is a survivor of Campbeltown's great whisky era. Each bottling is filled and labelled in Campbeltown rather than shipped away.

The spirit was given the part triple distillation unique to Springbank, then cooled slowly in worm tubs. Ex-Sherry wood suited the heavy make, adding a dried fruit richness. At this great age the malt is full and waxy, the fruit deep and the salt mellow. 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. The town and the sea run through every cask of the make.

At a natural 48.8% it is full and oily. A coastal, waxy spirit with gentle peat sit over dried fruit, fig and walnut. Beneath it run oily fruit, salt and a coastal depth. A long, oily, coastal finish lingers. This is the cult Campbeltown malt from J and A Mitchell.