Springbank Open Day 2011 11 Years Old 1999

This Springbank, an official release, an 11 year old release from 1999 and bottled at 56.1%. Only 288 bottles were released. Springbank has distilled in Campbeltown since 1828, run much as it was a century ago. Production is tiny by modern standards, a fraction of a large Speyside distillery.

It was given the part triple distillation unique to Springbank, and run into cast iron worm tubs. Maturation in a fortified wine cask lent red and dark fruit. Younger here, it keeps a vigorous, briny freshness over the oily body. Years in oak deepen the fruit and the maritime character together. 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. The sea loch at the foot of the town shapes the coastal character of the malt.

At cask strength 56.1% it is muscular. Dark berry and a wine spice from the cask underpins oily orchard fruit, salt and a wisp of peat. It is deep and complex, the maritime spirit shining through. It finishes deep, complex and maritime. This is the cult Campbeltown malt from J and A Mitchell.