Springbank Society Bottling 180th Anniversary 11 Years Old 1997

An official Springbank single malt, an 11 year old from 1997, drawn from cask 18 + 28 and bottled at 48.7%. Only 850 bottles were released. Springbank is a Campbeltown distillery run by J and A Mitchell since 1828, famous for doing everything on site, from floor malting to bottling. The whole process, malting included, is carried out by hand on the one site.

It was distilled around two and a half times from floor malted, lightly peated barley, and slowly worm tub cooled. Ex-Sherry wood suited the heavy make, adding a dried fruit richness. At a youthful age the make is lively, salty and full of character. A patient maturation suits the rich, complex Campbeltown spirit. Few distilleries keep so much of the old craft alive under one roof. Campbeltown was once the whisky capital of the world, with more than thirty distilleries at its peak. Today just three distilleries survive in the old Kintyre whisky town.

At a hearty 48.7% it carries real weight. Brine, wax and a light peat note sit over dried fruit and a walnut richness. It is rich and layered, the fruit and salt well matched. The finish is long, waxy and briny. This is a hand made Campbeltown single malt.