SPRINGBANK - 10 years old - Local Barley - Vintage 2011 - Bottled 2021 - 51.6%
The Springbank Distillery is one of only two remaining distilleries in the Campbeltown area on the Kintyre Peninsula in south-west Scotland . It produces Single Malt Whiskey under three different labels in distinct styles; Springbank, Longrow and Hazelburn . Springbank Distillers was founded in 1828 by Archibald and Hugh Mitchell , becoming the 14th licensed distillery in Campeltown – by 1934 only Springbank and Glen Scotia remained. It remains the property of the direct descendants of the founders. The distillery is one of the few in Scotland to carry out all of its production on site, including traditional barley malting and bottling. This process control helps the distillery manage three distinct styles, all influenced by cask choice and local climate. Springbank's parent company, JA Mitchell & Sons, also reopened the Glengyle Distillery in 2004 where Single Malts are produced under the Kilkerran brand. Independent bottler Cadenhead's is also part of the group.
Springbank 's versions use a blend of peat and air-dried malts and are distilled two and a half times, compared to three times for Hazelburn and twice for Longrow.
Local Barley 2021 was distilled in May 2011 from barley grown on the Kintyre Peninsula at Glencraigs Farm . The family farm since 1904 is self-sufficient and has a low carbon footprint. On 155 hectares, the Young family raises Aberdeen Angus cows, grows oats and spring barley as well as a small production of vegetables and rhubarb. To promote the bee population and local wildlife, the farm also grows sunflowers, poppies, phacelia and an array of mixed flowers around their forest. Belgravia barley is then malted at Springbank using traditional production techniques before being turned into spirits, matured into whiskey and bottled on site. It was bottled in December 2021 and 15,000 bottles were produced.
Slightly Peaty