The Campbeltown Survivor
Campbeltown was once referred to as the whisky capital of the world. It was a well-earned title, since there was close to 30 distilleries operating in the town. The outlook is very different today with just three currently in production. Those are: Glen Scotia, Glengyle and Springbank.
Springbank produces three distinct single malt brands. First is the original Springbank, then there’s triple-distilled Hazelburn and finally, heavily-peated Longrow.
I recently paid a visit to Campbeltown and top of the agenda was a tour of Springbank. It proved to be an informative and entertaining experience, taking in every aspect of the production process.
This is not some gleaming, modern, whisky factory. A visit to Springbank is like stepping back in time. There’s a healthy coating of grime on just about everything that gives off something of a steampunk vibe. It’s a hard-working distillery far more than it is a tourist attraction. As it should be.
Springbank is owned by J & A Mitchell, who also run the Glengyle distillery next door as well as renowned independent bottler, Wm. Cadenhead. As a result, their warehousing is stuffed full of casks from an incredible array of distilleries.
This seemed too good an opportunity to miss so my tour was followed by the Cadenhead’s Warehouse Tasting, hosted by Mark Watt, the man responsible for selecting and bottling this array of barrels for the independent bottler. I was treated to a diverse range of drams from the likes of Aultmore, Auchentoshan, Glenlivet, Highland Park and Bowmore. There was even a 42-year-old Loch Lomond at one point.
It was the perfect way to round off a fun day of whisky adventures – and something I’d be glad to recommend. To be honest, I struggle to think of a more fun distillery experience than that Cadenhead’s tasting.
Springbank Cask Strength 12-year-old Review
This cask strength bottling is a limited release, bottled at cask strength with a strong sherry influence. It comes in at 54.1% and retailed at £50.
Tasting notes: Burnt toffee, raisins & sultanas, cocoa and oily peat smoke on the nose. More dried fruits on the palate with cherry, orange peel, honey and brown sugar. Dark chocolate and subtle yet dirty smoky finish.
Thoughts: Springbank doesn’t produce a lot of whisky. So when they say this is a limited release, they really mean it. Each new batch seems to sell out faster than the last, so if you see one somewhere, my advice is to grab it. I paid around £50 for mine. That isn’t a lot to pay for a whisky of this quality.
Springbank is not only one of the most traditional distilleries in Scotland, it’s also one of the best. They seem to produce whisky with nothing but quality in mind. You wouldn’t call this a sherry-bomb, though the presence of the fortified wine can definitely be felt. Springbank is a filthy whisky. It’s oily and grimy. Some people may find that off-putting but I think it just makes it all the more interesting.
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