Springbank Private Cask 23 Years Old 2001

This official Springbank single malt, a 23 year old from 2001, drawn from cask 146 (21/194 - 22) and bottled at 53.9%. A release of 387 bottles. A family distillery since 1828, Springbank is prized for its rich, oily, hand made spirit. The distillery champions the old, slow, labour intensive way of making whisky.

The spirit was given Springbank's unusual two and a half times distillation, and condensed in traditional worm tubs. A sherry butt held it, the wood lending raisin and walnut. At this age it is rich and complex, the fruit folded into a waxy, briny body. Long maturation suits the heavy, characterful make, the cask knitting slowly with the spirit. 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. Springbank, Longrow and Hazelburn each show a different face of the one distillery.

At cask strength 53.9% it is muscular. A coastal, waxy spirit with gentle peat meet dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. 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.