Springbank Single Cask 27 Years Old 1996

An official Springbank single malt matured to 27 year old from 1996 and bottled at 50.2%. Only 222 bottles were released. The Springbank distillery, a family distillery since 1828, is famous for doing everything on site, from floor malting to bottling. The distillery sits in the heart of Campbeltown, near the head of its sea loch.

The make was run two and a half times through the stills from lightly peated malt, with the spirit condensed in worm tubs. Ex-Sherry wood suited the heavy make, adding a dried fruit richness. At this age it is rich and complex, the fruit folded into a waxy, briny body. A patient maturation suits the rich, complex Campbeltown spirit. 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. The town and the sea run through every cask of the make.

At a full 50.2% it is bold and oily. Brine, wax and a light peat note sit over dried fruit, fig and walnut. A waxy weight and a saline tang give it real body. A long finish smoulders on salt and oil. This is Springbank's rich, oily, maritime style.