During my visit, the bottling line was bustling with 15 yr. My thirst was not too far behind. The Whisky and the Bottlings Springbank defines the essence of Campbeltown whisky. The whisky always expresses a briny sea-salt character in aroma and flavor that is wonderfully refreshing. No doubt the sea winds that lash the tiny peninsula town has its effects on the slumbering, breathing whisky barrels over the years.
Many versions also express a gentle sweetness that pairs nicely with the saltiness.
These are the common threads that intertwine all Springbank whiskies. And there is an impressive, almost astonishing, array of bottlings at various ages, vintages, strengths and barrel types. There seems to have been more different bottlings of Springbank within the past decade than there are distilleries within Speyside. Part of the reason for such a variety of bottlings is the distillery's independence and the resultant freedom from being part of a conglomerate distilling company concerned more about consistency than variety. Another reason is many of the Springbank bottlings are single cask, even if not identified as such on its label.