Springbank 21 Year Old is bottled at 46% ABV, and this is the 2026 edition. The distillery describes it as golden in colour, creamy in character and notably complex, with a maritime influence that ties it to its Campbeltown home.
 
The cask make-up is unusual. It is given as 65% Port, 25% Bourbon, 5% Rum and 5% Sherry, so Port is the dominant influence, with Bourbon as the main supporting cask. Rum and Sherry make up the remaining 10%. The notes below show a dark-fruited, dessert-led profile with smoke running through it, which is consistent with a Port-led vatting, though the distillery doesn’t spell out the link.
 
Springbank has been producing whisky since 1828. Its single malts are made entirely in-house using skills the distillery describes as passed down from one generation to the next, lightly peated in its own kiln and distilled 2.5 times.
 
On the nose, Medjool dates and sticky toffee pudding come first, followed by rich treacle, stewed plums and a burst of blood orange zest, with delicate peat smoke in the background. The smoke continues on the palate, alongside smoked figs, caramelised brown sugar, cigar box, blackberries and Iberico ham. The finish brings banana bread and cinnamon spice, closing on a savoury, earthy note.
 
If you know the younger Springbank bottlings and want to see how the style develops with age and a heavier Port influence, ask in store, and we can talk it through.
 
Tasting Notes
 
Nose: Medjool dates and sticky toffee pudding, then rich treacle, stewed plums and blood orange zest; delicate peat smoke in the background
Palate: Continuing peat smoke, with smoked figs, caramelised brown sugar, cigar box, blackberries and Iberico ham
Finish: Banana bread and cinnamon spice, closing on a savoury, earthy note