Springbank Private Bottling 28 Years Old 1974 (46% Germany)

This official Springbank single malt, a 28 year old release from 1974, drawn from cask 2283 and bottled at 46%. 330 bottles in all. Springbank, distilling since 1828 in Campbeltown, is prized for its rich, oily, hand made spirit. Bottles are released in small batches, often through ballots to meet the demand.

This was distilled the Springbank way, two and a half times from floor malted barley, the vapour cooled in worm tubs. It was matured in refill ex-Bourbon oak, lending vanilla and honey. Long ageing brings an oily depth, candied fruit and a mellow coastal salt. Long maturation suits the heavy, characterful make, the cask knitting slowly with the spirit. Today just three distilleries survive in the old Kintyre whisky town. 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. The Mitchell family has held the distillery for five generations.

At an easy 46% it is gentle. A coastal, waxy spirit with gentle peat meet creamy vanilla and oak sweetness from the cask. Soft fruit and brine sit behind the cask sweetness. The close is rich, fruit over a saline depth. This is a revered Campbeltown single malt.