Springbank distillery

Introduction to Springbank

A distillery with passion for craftsmanship

Springbank is a legendary Scottish distillery located in Campbeltown, once known as the whisky capital of the world. This family-owned operation stands as one of Scotland’s most revered whisky producers, maintaining traditional methods that have largely disappeared elsewhere in the industry. Springbank represents the essence of whisky-making authenticity in an age of increasing automation and corporate ownership.

As one of only three surviving distilleries in Campbeltown, Springbank carries the torch for a region that once boasted over 30 distilleries in its heyday. Each bottle captures the unique coastal character and rich history of this special corner of Scotland.

Why we have a soft spot for Springbank

At Vault of Spirits, we cherish distilleries that remain fiercely independent and committed to quality above all else. Springbank distinguishes itself by being one of the only distilleries in Scotland to perform 100% of the production process on-site – from malting their own barley to bottling the final product.

Their unwavering dedication to traditional methods, despite economic pressures to modernize, produces whiskies with exceptional character and depth that simply cannot be replicated. The slight variations between batches aren’t flaws but rather charming evidence of true handcrafted production.

The history of Springbank

Origin and development

Springbank was officially founded in 1828 by the Reid family, though illicit distillation had likely been happening on the site much earlier. By 1837, the distillery passed to John Mitchell, and it has remained in the Mitchell family ever since, now under the stewardship of J&A Mitchell & Co Ltd.

Through the tumultuous history of Scotch whisky, including the devastating impact of Prohibition and economic depression that decimated Campbeltown’s whisky industry, Springbank has endured where dozens of others failed. The distillery even survived a temporary closure from 1979 to 1987, emerging with renewed dedication to traditional methods.

The people behind it

Now led by Hedley Wright, the great-great grandson of John Mitchell, Springbank maintains its status as Scotland’s oldest family-owned distillery. The team at Springbank comprises dedicated local craftspeople who maintain skills and traditions that have been passed down through generations.

Unlike many modern distilleries that prioritize efficiency and volume, the Springbank team embraces labor-intensive methods because they believe it creates superior whisky. This philosophy flows through every employee, from the maltmen turning the barley by hand to the stillmen who judge the cuts by experience rather than computerized systems.

The craft and production

From raw ingredient to finished product

Springbank’s production begins with high-quality Scottish barley, with 100% of it floor-malted on site – a labor-intensive process abandoned by most distilleries decades ago. Depending on the expression being produced, the barley is dried using varying levels of peat smoke.

The distillery produces three distinct single malts: Springbank (partially peated, distilled 2.5 times), Longrow (heavily peated, distilled twice), and Hazelburn (unpeated, triple-distilled). This remarkable versatility from a single distillery is unmatched in Scotland.

Their copper pot stills, with their unique shapes and proportions, contribute significantly to the distinctive character of their whiskies. The “low wines” still at Springbank is believed to be the oldest working still in Scotland.

Maturation and aging

Maturation takes place in traditional dunnage warehouses, where temperature and humidity fluctuate naturally with the seasons. Springbank utilizes a variety of cask types, including ex-bourbon barrels, sherry butts, port pipes, and rum casks.

The distillery’s coastal location imparts a subtle maritime influence to the aging spirit. With no chill-filtration and no added coloring, each bottle of Springbank represents whisky in its most authentic form – with all natural oils, esters, and flavor compounds intact.

Selected products from Springbank

Springbank 10 Year Old – An introduction to the house style

This cornerstone expression perfectly showcases the distillery’s character. With notes of vanilla, salted caramel, light peat smoke, and a distinctive oily mouthfeel, it offers excellent complexity for its age. The balanced profile makes it accessible to newcomers while providing enough depth to satisfy experienced whisky drinkers.

Springbank 18 Year Old – An experience for connoisseurs

A truly exceptional dram that represents the pinnacle of Springbank’s regular offerings. Extended aging brings forth rich dark fruits, honey, spice, subtle oak, and a complex interplay between sweet and savory elements. The velvety texture and long, evolving finish reward contemplative sipping. Increasingly rare due to limited stocks, this is a bottle for special occasions.

Visit the distillery

Tours and tastings

Springbank offers informative tours that provide an intimate look at one of Scotland’s most traditional distilleries. Visitors can witness every step of the process, from traditional floor malting to hand bottling. The tasting typically includes samples from all three of their whisky styles – Springbank, Longrow, and Hazelburn – providing a comprehensive understanding of their range.

Advance booking is essential as tours are popular and production sometimes takes precedence over visitor access. The tour provides a rare opportunity to see whisky-making methods that have largely disappeared elsewhere.

Frequently asked questions

What is Springbank?

Springbank is a historic Scottish whisky distillery located in Campbeltown that produces three distinct single malt whiskies: Springbank, Longrow, and Hazelburn. It is one of the few distilleries in Scotland that handles 100% of the production process on-site, from malting their own barley to bottling the final product.

Where is Springbank located?

Springbank is located in Campbeltown, a small town on the Kintyre peninsula on Scotland’s west coast. Once home to over 30 distilleries and known as the “whisky capital of the world,” Campbeltown is now one of Scotland’s five official whisky regions despite having only three active distilleries.

What characterizes Springbank?

Springbank is characterized by its steadfast commitment to traditional production methods, including floor malting, direct-fired stills, and worm tub condensers. Their whiskies typically feature a complex profile with notes of fruit, light peat, maritime salinity, and a distinctive oily texture. The slight batch variations reflect their handcrafted approach, with no chill-filtration or artificial coloring ever used.

Where can I buy whisky from Springbank?

You can find carefully selected bottles from Springbank at Vault of Spirits. We curate both core expressions and limited releases from this iconic distillery. Due to Springbank’s limited production capacity and growing worldwide demand, these whiskies have become increasingly difficult to source, making our selection particularly valuable for enthusiasts.