Now… I need to tread carefully here.
I am dealing with a fan favourite. So extreme is the love for the Springbank distillery that their regular age statement expressions and core releases now seem to have a waiting list for those willing to partake – and at a price that is some 150-200% above the standard price for a single malt whisky with a similar age statement…
BUT
We are dealing with single malt scotch whisky royalty here… in fact the distillery’s marketing refers to itself as “The Whisky Drinker’s Whisky”.
As one of the last surviving names of the Victorian whisky capital, Campbeltown, the distillery has operated since 1828 and was owned and run by the same family until just last year. The distillery has also stuck fervently to age statements for their releases in recent times.
The distillery uses their own traditional method which sees their spirit distilled 2.5 times and a lightly peated malt (for the Springbank brand).
The flagship 10 year old is a combination of 60% bourbon cask and 40% sherry cask spirit, bottled at 46% ABV. Bottles are currently around £52 each.
Nose
An initial sweet and spicy hit with honeycomb, a citrusy or tropical fruit like tang, a slight dunnage dank/funk, and soft smoke and oak spice.
Taste
A soft and oily texture brings more honeycomb and a pineapple sweetness and zest. Milk chocolate, marzipan, and a very gentle woodsmoke round out the flavour profile, whilst the rising oak spices warm the cockles.
Finish
Sweet oak and gentle ginger spice linger with a distinct tobacco leaf / cigar like smoke being the lasting note.
Verdict
Single malt scotch royalty indeed.
I haven’t had too much experience with Campbeltown whiskies, but have enjoyed them whenever one has been in my glass. The Gauldrons by Douglas Laing is a blend of the Campbeltown malts and that bottle did not last long in the WU cabinet. Having this single malt on its own emphasises the quality available and I can see why the whisky aficionados have adopted it as a go-to release.
I actually wrote this post based on the fact that I held a whisky tasting night recently where this whisky featured, only for me to realise I’ve never posted about it here… until now.
My notes for the tasting session are available here: Tastings: Scotch Regions and at the end of the evening, this whisky was chosen by nearly everyone in attendance as the best of the night.
I’ve always said that the best way to enjoy whisky by having several – that’s not just a joke about getting tipsy, but based on only really getting to know or appreciate a whisky by comparing to another side by side. On the night in question, this particular single malt stood out as the most well rounded and enjoyable whisky of the line-up and I can certainly see why. It ticks many boxes whilst remaining approachable and fresh without being particularly fragrant or strong or peaty. Solidly well rounded.
Without wanting to follow suit, I have enjoyed this so much that it is going to have become a mainstay in my collection too…
M
Dram disclosure: This is my own bottle. All notes are intended as an honest, fair, and independent review of the whisky, and not as a promotion. Please drink responsibly. Please drink wisely.
whisky unplugged 