Springbank Longrow 1996

An official Longrow single malt, a 12 year old Campbeltown malt from 1996 and bottled at 57.6%. A release of 600 bottles. The Springbank distillery, a family distillery since 1828, is a survivor of Campbeltown's great whisky era. Concerto barley is malted on the floors and kilned in the distillery's own kiln.

The make was made by double distillation of heavily peated Campbeltown malt, then cooled slowly in worm tubs. A sherry cask wrapped the oily spirit in dried fruit and a nutty depth. Mid age brings a fuller fruit and a deeper coastal complexity. Refill oak lets the distillery character lead, all oily weight and coastal salt. The Mitchell family has held the distillery for five generations. 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 its natural 57.6% it is concentrated. Smoke, tar and an oily maritime depth sit over a dry, nutty, almond edge. The texture is rich and oily, the salt threaded through. A long finish smoulders on salt and oil. This is the peated face of Campbeltown.