Springbank

Introduction:

Springbank Distillery, located in Campbeltown, is one of the few remaining distilleries in the area. It produces three distinct single malts: Springbank, Hazelburn, and Longrow. Each single malt has its own unique taste and character, making Springbank a favorite among whisky collectors. The distillery has a wide range of official bottlings for each single malt.

The Range of Springbank:

Springbank offers a range of official bottlings, including a 10 – year – old, 12 – year – old, 15 – year – old, 18 – year – old, and 21 – year – old for Springbank Single Malt. Longrow has peated and red expressions, as well as an 18 – year – old bottling. Hazelburn offers a 10 – year – old and a 12 – year – old bottling. These official releases showcase the diverse flavors and characteristics of each single malt.

Independent Bottlings:

In addition to the official bottlings, there have been independent releases of Springbank whisky, although their numbers have decreased since 2000. Cadenhead’s and Signatory Vintage have been the primary bottlers, with occasional releases from Douglas Laing and Murray McDavid.

The Production Process:

Springbank Distillery takes pride in executing 100% of the production process on-site, from barley selection to bottling. The distillery draws its water from Crosshill Loch and has a production capacity of approximately 2 million liters per year. Campbeltown, once a whisky – producing capital, now only has three active distilleries.

The Pot Stills:

Springbank Distillery has a unique setup with one wash still and two spirit stills. The wash still has a capacity of 10,000 liters, while each spirit still holds 6,000 liters. The three single malts produced at the distillery undergo slightly different distillation processes, contributing to their distinct flavors. Springbank is distilled two-and-a-half times, Longrow is distilled twice, and Hazelburn is distilled three times. The pot stills have a traditional ‘Speyside’ shape and the distillery also conducts its own bottling on-site.

The Maltings:

Springbank is one of the few distilleries that still uses traditional floor malting methods. The distillery purchases barley from local farms and uses both peated and non-peated malt depending on the desired flavor profile for each single malt.

The Warehouse:

Springbank Distillery has on-site dunnage and racked warehouses for whisky maturation. The choice of casks, including ex-Bourbon, Sherry hogsheads, and butts, depends on the desired characteristics of the single malt being produced.

The History:

Springbank’s history dates back to 1828 when the Reid Brothers founded the distillery on the site of a former illicit still. It became the 14th licensed distillery in Campbeltown. The distillery changed ownership over the years, with the Mitchell family acquiring it in 1837. Springbank survived the decline of Campbeltown distilleries and even weathered closures during Prohibition. Today, it remains a family-run distillery, making it the oldest of its kind in Scotland.

Visitor’s Centre:

Springbank Distillery offers excellent visitor facilities, including guided tours, a gift shop, and a small museum showcasing the distillery’s history. Visitors can explore the rich heritage of Springbank and learn about the whisky-making process.

Visitor information:

The Springbank Distillery
Campbeltown
Argyll PA28 6ET
Tel: 01586-552085
Fax: 01586-553215