Another Year, Another Journey to Campbeltown
As the year draws to a close, I find myself instinctively heading towards Springbank. It’s a ritual born out of a slight collector’s obsession - gathering the miniature bottles from the distillery tours over the years. Without them, the year would feel incomplete, leaving a small, lingering void in my collection.
The drive from Glasgow to Campbeltown takes near three hours, the journey isn't exactly short, but traveling north along the A82 and A83 is a reward in itself. Passing by Loch Lomond, Inveraray Castle and some beautiful places, the winter morning mist clings to the landscape, lending a touch of Highland romance to the Scottish roads.
This year’s visit to Springbank felt different. In early December, the distillery finally replaced its weathered, historic copper pot stills. On the day of my visit, the new stills had just been installed and were undergoing the final process. While the Still Room was closed to visitors, I managed a quick glimpse of the gleaming new copper. According to the staff, the walls of the old stills had become so thin they could barely retain heat. With this new equipment, the future of Springbank looks incredibly promising.
To compensate for the closed still room, we were treated to an intimate Warehouse Tasting. We sampled Hazelburn, Longrow, and Springbank directly from the casks - a gesture full of sincerity. Among them, a 9 years old bourbon barrel matured Hazelburn is stood out; its elegant balance of sweetness and floral-fruity notes made it the clear outstanding of the flight.
The beauty of winter lies in its early sunsets. Just outside of town at Westport, I watched the sun dip below the horizon of the Atlantic. In that moment, the breathtaking view was the perfect conclusion to another year's pilgrimage.
