This 10 Years Old single malt whisky is the cornerstone of the Springbank range. It sits alongside further age statements at 15- and 18 Years Old, plus the 12 Years Old Cask Strength. Other limited recurring bottlings include 21-, 25- and 30 Year Olds, and the cult favourite Local Barley. The Springbank 10 Years Old is a combination of ex-bourbon barrels (60%) and ex-sherry casks (40%).
The Springbank distillery is located in the town of Campbeltown. This is found towards the tip of the Kintyre Peninsula on the west Highland coast of Scotland. It is the oldest whisky distillery in Scotland to be continuously family owned. The Mitchell family purchased it in 1837. It was founded in 1828 by the Reid family, who were related to the Mitchell’s by marriage. Springbank remains owned by J&A Mitchell and Sons. They also own the nearby Glengyle distillery and Cadenhead’s independent bottlers.
Springbank has a small annual production of 500,000 litres, although it often operates at way less than this. It has very traditional hands-on production processes with limited machinery and technology. Springbank is also one of very few distilleries to undertake all steps of the whisky production process on one site. This includes peating, malting, distillation, maturation and bottling. Springbank forms much of the annual production. However, they also make heavily peated Longrow and triple distilled Hazelburn for shorter periods each year.
The Springbank 10 Years Old is bottled at 46% ABV and is non-chill filtered and of natural colour. It is available on allocation via specialist whisky retailers in selected global markets. A bottle should cost around £55.
Our Tasting Notes
The colour is a deep coppery gold and the nose is sweet and fruity with a savoury and smoky edge. Vibrant aromas of fresh honeycomb, milk chocolate coated raisins, and gentle earthy peat smoke combine superbly. They are joined by further aromas of vanilla fudge, hazelnut praline, sultana and golden syrup. An underlying malted cereal note is also evident. A pinch of baking spice, white pepper and dried orange zest round things off.
On the palate this whisky feels bold, sweet and smoky. The fresh honeycomb (imagine it straight from the hive) and the golden syrup from the nose strike the tastebuds first. Then it is a gentle peat smoke, which has a soft sweetness and hints of salinity to it. Finally comes a marriage of chocolate, malt and dried fruits. The combination is heady and delicious.
A mix of dried fruits are to the fore – think of raisin, sultana, candied orange and apricot especially. Some vanilla fudge adds a sugary kick and is joined by hints of praline and marzipan. Further notes of creamy milk chocolate and robust malted cereals come through well – the combination is reminiscent of chocolate oatmeal cookies. The sweet and earthy peat smoke wisps around everything and pulls each characteristic together. It has a slight ashy vibe right towards the end.
The finish is long and warming. The peat smoke draws out the length and adds a pleasant bitterness and dryness towards the death. Now the ashy quality really shows itself. The sweet characteristics and dried fruity elements linger nicely before slowly fading. A pinch of white pepper, salty brine and hint of oak add further complexity.
What’s The Verdict?
This 10 Years Old provides the perfect introduction to Springbank and what they do. It may have more illustrious and expensive siblings which have whisky enthusiasts clambering to purchase them when available. But this is a remarkably solid, well respected and enjoyable whisky. It is a great example of the Campbeltown style, showcasing the region’s delicately peated and slightly maritime nature. An absolutely classic Scotch single malt whisky and one you should investigate.
