Campbeltown, located on Scotland’s picturesque west coast, boasts a rich whisky heritage. Once home to over 30 distilleries, it now has just three, making these remaining producers a testament to the area’s storied distilling tradition.
For whisky lovers, Campbeltown is a treasure. Its whiskies range from light and grassy to peaty and strong. The area’s unique climate and long traditions make its whiskies special.
Campbeltown’s whisky scene thrives despite its size. The industry is experiencing a revival, with two new distilleries under construction, reflecting growing interest in this historic area. As a protected region for Scotch whisky production, Campbeltown continues to influence the Scottish malt whisky landscape.
Keep reading to discover more about Campbeltown’s whisky legacy and what makes it unique!
The Three Pillars of Campbeltown Whisky
Campbeltown’s whisky legacy shines through three key distilleries: Springbank, Glen Scotia, and Glengyle. Together, they form the heart of the region’s whisky tradition, producing unique single malts.
Collectively, they distill around 2.25 million liters of whisky annually, sharing traditional practices like wooden washbacks and specific mash tuns that contribute to the characteristic ‘funk’ taste of Campbeltown malts.
1. Springbank Distillery: A Campbeltown Icon
Springbank Distillery is a key part of Campbeltown’s whisky history. Archibald Mitchell started it in 1828. Even when Campbeltown’s distilleries dropped from 30 to just two by 1934, Springbank kept going.
This distillery is special in Scotland because it does everything on its own grounds. From making traditional barley to bottling the final product, Springbank does it all.
- Springbank: Lightly peated at 14ppm
- Longrow: Heavily peated at 40ppm, an Islay-style variant
- Hazelburn: Unpeated, offering a different flavor profile
Springbank focuses on quality over quantity. They use local barley, which makes about 340-370 liters of spirit per tonne. This results in complex, full-bodied whiskies with a hint of the sea.
The Springbank Green 12-year-old is a standout. Made from organic barley and aged in ex-bourbon barrels, it shows the distillery’s skill in making top-notch peated Campbeltown drams.
2. Glen Scotia: The Hidden Gem of Campbeltown
Glen Scotia distillery has been making whisky since 1832, making it one of Scotland’s oldest. It’s a coastal Scotch whisky maker from Campbeltown.
Glen Scotia’s whiskies are famous for their fruity taste and oily feel. The sea adds salty and savory flavors, making their whisky unique. They use water from Crosshill Loch and a deep well on site for their flavor.
The Glen Scotia distillery offers a variety of expressions, namely:
- 10-year-old
- 15-year-old
- 18-year-old
- 25-year-old (awarded Best Whisky in the World at the 2021 San Francisco World Spirits Competition)
- Double Cask (no age statement)
- Victoriana (cask strength)
Glen Scotia makes 540,000 liters of pure alcohol every year. Their single dunnage warehouse can hold up to 7,500 casks. This gives them plenty of space for aging their spirits. The Scottish Whisky Awards named them Scottish Whisky Distillery of the Year for their quality.
3. Glengyle Distillery and Kilkerran Whisky
Glengyle Distillery is one of three active distilleries in Campbeltown. It started in 1872 and brought back to life in 2000. They make the famous Kilkerran whisky, a Campbeltown single malt loved by whisky fans.
Kilkerran offers different flavors in their whiskies. The main 12-year-old is lightly peated and ages in ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks. It’s bottled at 46% ABV, without chill filtration or added color.
For those who like a stronger taste, Kilkerran’s Heavily Peated Single Malt Batch 8 is perfect. It costs $105.99 and shows the distillery’s skill in making unique Campbeltown whiskies.
Kilkerran whiskies have different prices, with the 12-year-old costing between $46 to $100. Prices in the US are often higher because of supply chain issues. Buyers might find better deals once shipping gets easier.
Best Campbeltown Scotch: Top Picks for Whisky Enthusiasts
Campbeltown malts have a unique taste that makes them stand out. They offer a wide range of flavors, from light and fruity to rich and smoky. Here are some top picks that whisky lovers should try.
- Springbank 15 Year Old: A complex whisky with notes of dark chocolate, dried fruits, and a subtle touch of smoke. At 46% ABV, it strikes the perfect balance between strength and smoothness.
- Glen Scotia Victoriana: A bold non-age-statement whisky, aged in heavily charred oak casks for a spicy, intense flavor. With an ABV of 54.2%, this is a great choice for fans of powerful, full-bodied whiskies.
- Kilkerran 12 Year Old: A beautifully balanced whisky with hints of vanilla, citrus, and light peat, making it an excellent choice for those who appreciate nuanced flavors.
- Longrow 18 Year Old: A heavily peated offering from Springbank with a rich, oily texture and deep, smoky character for the peat lovers out there.
- Hazelburn 10 Year Old: Triple-distilled and unpeated, this whisky has a light, fruity profile with delicate complexity, ideal for those who prefer smoother, less smoky options.
Campbeltown malts offer a variety of flavors. Whether you like smoky or fruity tastes, there’s a whisky for you. These whiskies, with an average ABV of 45.33%, are full of flavor.
Tasting Notes: Exploring Campbeltown Flavor Profiles
Campbeltown whiskies have a wide range of flavors for every taste. They go from light and fruity to strong and smoky. The Gauldrons, a mix of Campbeltown single malts, shows this variety with its interesting flavors.
Peated Campbeltown drams often have a salty taste and a hint of smoke, similar to smoky Islay-style Scotch. The Gauldrons mix sweet and savory flavors, like salted caramel. It also has vanilla, oak spices, and a hint of perfume, ending with a cinder toffee taste with a bit of smoke.
Springbank is a key part of Campbeltown whisky. Its 10-year-old expression, at 46% ABV, gives a classic taste of the area. For those who like stronger flavors, the Springbank 11 Local Barley at 55.1% ABV is more intense.
Exploring Campbeltown whiskies opens up a world of flavors. You’ll find everything from light, fruity drams to strong, smoky ones. Each sip invites whisky lovers to explore the unique taste of this historic Scottish region.
Campbeltown Single Malt vs. Other Scottish Regions
Campbeltown was once a giant in the whisky world. Now, it’s a special part of Scotland’s malt whisky scene. With only three distilleries, it’s a shadow of its former self. But, these whiskies are still powerful and stand up to others.
Speyside has over 60 distilleries and makes more than 60% of Scotland’s single malts. The Highlands has more than 25 distilleries, making a quarter of the country’s whisky. Islay, with less than ten distilleries, even beats Campbeltown in number.
But it’s not just about how many there are. Campbeltown single malts have a unique taste. They mix sea air, light smoke, and fruit flavors. This makes them different from Islay’s peaty whiskies and the lighter ones from the Lowlands.
This special taste makes Campbeltown’s whisky stand out. It’s a small but important part of Scotland’s whisky world.
Wrapping Up: Set Sail for More Whisky Adventures!
Campbeltown may no longer be the “Whisky Capital of the World,” but its three distilleries uphold the region’s rich heritage. With flavors ranging from light and grassy to bold and smoky, Campbeltown whiskies offer a unique experience for enthusiasts. Each distillery showcases local ingredients and traditional methods, while the maritime climate adds distinct brininess, making these whiskies a hidden gem worth exploring.
Campbeltown is famous for its rich, bold whiskies, but there’s so much more to uncover. Scotland Whisky scene offers a treasure trove of flavors just waiting for exploration. Discover our expertly curated guides featuring whiskies from every corner of the country, learn how to choose the perfect bottle, and delve into unique whisky pairings. Ready for your next dram? Join us on this flavorful journey!