Scotland — spirits

Islay — Campbeltown

Campbeltown at the tip of the Kintyre Peninsula once had 34 distilleries — at one point it was the whisky capital of the world, supplying Scotch to the United States and British Empire. Today only three remain. Springbank is the only distillery in Scotland that performs every production step — malting, mashing, fermenting, distilling, maturing, bottling — on site. Springbank's house style (a 2.5-times distillation creating a spirit between pot still weight and light column still character) is unlike any other Scotch.

Year Rating Notes
2021 82 Good quality year; consistent spirit character across the small number of active distilleries.
2019 83 Classic cool, briny season; archetypal Campbeltown character with fine saline and orchard notes.
2017 88 Outstanding barley harvest; excellent spirit across Springbank and Glen Scotia.
2015 85 Warm, dry summer unusual for Campbeltown; produced richer, sweeter new make than typical.
2013 84 Classic Campbeltown conditions; briny Atlantic influence with good barley. Characteristic sea-salt and old cellar notes in new make.