(Image Source: Springbank, Glencraigs Farm)

What you need to know:  

• Springbank readies a new 11 Year Old Local Barley expression that appears to come from the same batch as 2021's 10 Year Old Local Barley release - both are crafted using Belgravia barley from Glencraigs Farm, and distilled in May 2011.
• This year's 11 Year Old expression has 1 additional year of aging and is bottled at a higher strength (55.1% ABV) versus 2021's 10 Year Old expression, which is bottled at 51.6% ABV.
• Total outturn is 15,000 bottles, similar as last year's release.
• Later in 2023, fans should expect a 10 Year Old Palo Cortado expression, the second release in the new Sherry Series.

Springbank is back with another edition of its Local Barley series, this time with an 11 Year Old single malt using Belgravia barley from Glencraigs Farm on the Kintyre Peninsula. 

This expression of the Springbank 11 Year Old Local Barley was distilled in May 2011 and bottled in December 2022, with a total outturn of 15,000 bottles, bottled at 55.1% ABV.

"This Single Malt Scotch Whisky has been distilled from barley grown on the Kintyre Peninsula within a few miles of Springbank. The barley is then malted on our own malt floors using traditional production techniques before it is turned into spirit, matured into whisky and bottled on-site, making this a 100% Campeltown Single Malt." reads the back label, as is now customary with each of the Local Barley releases.⁠

| Read: The Distillery that Saved the Campbeltown Region - Springbank Distillery

(Image Source: Springbank)

Interestingly, this new expression seems to be from the same harvest and distillation batch as last year's (2021) local barley expression which was similarly crafted using Belgravia barley from Glencraigs Farm and distilled in May 2011. The key difference is that this year's expression has 1 additional year of aging before bottling, and is bottled a higher strength - 55.1% ABV compared to last year's 51.6% ABV.

It seems like Springbank will continue to add to its Local Barley lineup just as it runs its Sherry Series at the same time. This year's saw Springbank's inaugural release in the new Sherry Series, the Springbank 10 Year Old PX expression. Later in 2023, we should expect to see a 10 Year Old Springbank aged in ex-Bourbon barrels for 6 years and then 4 more years in Palo Cortado casks.

Kanpai!

88 Bamboo Editorial