Springbank ODD Light Rum 12 Years Old 1997

This official Springbank single malt, aged 12 year old from 1997, drawn from cask 1997/282 and bottled at 59.5%. A release of 72 bottles. In Mitchell family hands since 1828, Springbank 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 spirit was given Springbank's unusual two and a half times distillation, and condensed in traditional worm tubs. A Rum cask shaped it, lending brown sugar and a tropical lift. Past a decade the oily spirit deepens, fruit and salt knitting with the oak. Worm tub condensing and an oil fired wash still build the rich, oily texture the distillery is known for. 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.

At its natural 59.5% it is concentrated. Brown sugar, banana and a tropical lift from the cask underpins oily orchard fruit, salt and a wisp of peat. Beneath it run oily fruit, salt and a coastal depth. Sea salt and fruit draw out the close. This is the flagship malt of old Campbeltown.