Springbank Society Bottling 5 Years Old 2019

A distillery bottling of Springbank, a 5 year old from 2019 and bottled at 57.1%. The outturn was 1900 bottles. Established in 1828, Springbank is a survivor of Campbeltown's great whisky era. Concerto barley is malted on the floors and kilned in the distillery's own kiln.

The spirit was drawn off after two and a half distillations of gently peated malt, then cooled slowly in worm tubs. Ex-Sherry wood suited the heavy make, adding a dried fruit richness. At this age the spirit is vivid and oily, the fruit and salt to the fore. Refill oak lets the distillery character lead, all oily weight and coastal salt. 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. 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.

At a full 57.1% it is bold and oily. Brine, wax and a light peat note sit over dried fruit, fig and walnut. The texture is rich and oily, the salt threaded through. Salt and oily fruit see out a long finish. This is a complex, coastal Campbeltown whisky.