Springbank 34 Years Old 1965 The Old Malt Cask (Douglas Laing)

A Springbank single malt, selected and bottled by Douglas Laing, a 34 year old Campbeltown malt from 1965 and bottled at 40.9%. Only 196 bottles were released. The Springbank distillery, established in 1828, is 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.

The make was drawn off after two and a half distillations of gently peated malt, and condensed in traditional worm tubs. A refill American oak cask held it, keeping the distillery character to the fore. Very old Campbeltown make turns profound, oily and tropical with a coastal salt. A patient maturation suits the rich, complex Campbeltown spirit. The distillery has become a place of pilgrimage for whisky enthusiasts. Kintyre's damp, mild climate suits a long and gentle maturation. The old town of Campbeltown once rivalled Speyside as Scotland's whisky heart.

At cask strength 40.9% it is muscular. Creamy vanilla and oak sweetness from the cask underpins brine, wax and a light peat note. It is rich and layered, the fruit and salt well matched. A warming, oily finish lingers long. This is a complex, coastal Campbeltown whisky.