Springbank 11 Local Barley (2023) - 55.1%

 

From the distillery 

The Local Barley is an annual release made from barley grown in or around Campbeltown. Each year a local farmer is commissioned to grow barley on our behalf to continue producing this ‘grain to glass’ limited edition.

Different farms, barley varieties, cask maturations and length of time the whisky spends in the casks from one batch to the next allow our customers a unique tasting experience every time.

55.1%
Farm: Glencraigs, by Campbeltown
Barley Variety: Belgravia
55% Sherry, 35% Bourbon, 10% Rum
15,000 Bottles Worldwide

Tasting notes: 

Appearance: Pale Chardonnay in colour, forms a thick line which beads before falling as very slow, thick, oily legs.

Nose: Green apple, lemon citrus, tropical fruits, coastal salt and subtle peat.

Palate: Oily entrance, becoming more creamy with time on the palate. Lemon zest, orchard fruit, heather honey, maritime brine and a flinty, mineral note. Subtle bonfire smoke appears late, together with chilli heat. A few drops of water bring out more of the smoke and brine.

Finish: Orchard fruit, lemon and honey continue from the palate, together with salty pebbles and white pepper.

Summary: Out of all the offerings from Springbank, the Local Barley is one which seems to be extremely popular with collectors and flippers alike. Prices on the secondary market are regularly way above the retail price, the question is whether this is down to quality, rarity or hype.

The typical Springbank character is there which is always enough to raise a smile, and there is sufficient depth, complexity and balance to make it highly enjoyable. The addition of the rum cask brings a nice twist but its influence is far more evident on the nose than the palate.

The distillery does things the old school way, and this feels like an old school whisky which is by no means a bad thing. Limited edition, made the traditional way and using local product which, for me anyway, warrants the higher retail price of around £100. For me, it’s worth trying to pick up a bottle at retail price if I could find one, however I’ll be leaving the ones at secondary market prices to the collectors.

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.