Campbeltown Loch 2023 release - 46%
Bottlers notes
An unmistakeable Campbeltown Whisky: Initial sweet, softer notes of fruit, honey and butterscotch give way to reveal more complexity with traditional maritime and spice notes combining with the subtlest touch of peat smoke.
Matured in a combination of ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks. Vatted and bottled at Springbank Distillery, Campbeltown.
Appearance: Burnished gold, forms a thin line which beads before falling as slow, thin legs.
Nose: Coastal brine, dunnage, honey, ripe orchard fruit, vanilla, caramel toffee and a slight mineral note.
Palate: An oily mouthfeel. Stewed orchard fruits, honey, vanilla custard, Scottish tablet, a little lemon zest, malted milk biscuits, baking spices, dry, ashy smoke and coastal brine. Addition of a few drops of water brings more spice and nutty oak.
Finish: Medium long, gentle notes of dunnage and bonfire smoke come to the fore along with a touch of sweetness sweetness, mint and mild peppery spice. With water, a noticeably longer finish with increased nuttiness and spice.
Summary: Noticeably different from the 2022 release, with a heavier sherry cask influence but still unmistakeably Campbeltown in character.
This year's release retains that sense of balance whilst the sherry cask has added a degree more depth and complexity. The typical oiliness and maritime salt are still there, although the peat in this expression seems to be less phenolic and more dry and ashy in character. The dunnage notes also seem confined to the finish and less pronounced.
It's different to the previous release but it remains a very good quality whisky, and at a price around the £40 mark great value. Unlike everything else with a connection to Springbank these days, bottles are still available at retail prices so grab one while you still can.
Transparency: This sample was part of a 5 dram sample set, purchased from The Spirits Embassy. No goods or other incentives were exchanged, offered or requested for this independent review.
