Springbank Distillery is the oldest independent, family-owned distillery in Scotland, legal distillation having begun in 1828. The chairman is Hedley Wright, the great, great grandson of John Mitchell, the first legal distiller of Springbank whiskey. There are few Scottish distilleries that still malt their own barley, but Springbank is the only distillery which malts 100% of its own barley, using traditional floor malting. The whole production process: malting, milling, mashing, fermentation, distillation, maturation and bottling, happens on one site in Campbeltown. This is unique in Scotland.

The 18 year isfull of authority, rich and creamy at first as the nose develops to reveal vanilla, ripe fruits and marzipan before hints of sherbet, almonds and strawberries tempt you onward. On the palate you’ll find a classic, old-school, full-bodied dram, thick and oily in texture with an extremely fruity but subtle taste which gives way to a sweet licorice and aniseed flavor as it opens up. The finish issweet and chocolaty with somecoconut, long, and leaves on a wisp of smoke. Bottled at 46% abv.