Springbank Private Bottling 21 Years Old 1997

This Springbank, an official release, a 21 year old release from 1997, drawn from cask 74 and bottled at 53.4%. Springbank has distilled in Campbeltown since 1828, still owned by the Mitchell family, five generations on. It makes three malts: Springbank, the peated Longrow and the unpeated Hazelburn.

It was given the part triple distillation unique to Springbank, then condensed through worm tubs. It was matured in refill ex-Bourbon oak, lending vanilla and honey. At this age it is rich and complex, the fruit folded into a waxy, briny body. Coastal warehousing gives the malt its briny, mineral lift. Kintyre's damp, mild climate suits a long and gentle maturation. The old town of Campbeltown once rivalled Speyside as Scotland's whisky heart. Quality and tradition, not volume, have always been the watchwords here. The spirit is filled to cask and matured within the distillery walls.

At 53.4%, undiluted, it is deep and powerful. A coastal, waxy spirit with gentle peat meet vanilla, cream and light coconut from the cask. A coastal salt and an orchard fruit lift it. It finishes deep, complex and maritime. This is an oily, salty Campbeltown classic.