Springbank distillery is one of the oldest surviving distillery in the Campbeltown. It was established in 1828 and is one the few independent distillery that is still active and producing some of the best Scotch. It is known Worldwide for its unique Campbeltown funk. Springbank was founded by William Reid, famously known as Reid Brothers. Today it is run by Mitchel Family who bought the distillery from Reid Brothers in 1837.
Another Campbeltown distillery Glengyle which is also owned by the Mitchel Family and as its true sister ,sharing the resources and the family legacy, producing the Kilkerran range. Kilkerran’s lineup is split between a “core” stable of age-statement bottles and highly popular limited batches. The other notable brand of whiskies like Longrow and Hazelburn which are also produced at Springbank distillery.
Why Springbank Is So Special
It is one of the few distilleries in the World and the only one in Scotland to malt, mature and bottle at the same site. This makes Springbank very special and unique in the World of whisky. Another uniqueness of this amazing distillery is it produces three different kind of whiskies at the same site. Springbank itself which is lightly peated , Longrow which is heavily peated and then the Hazelburn no peat at all.
Springbank Core Range
The Springbank core range is as follows:
Springbank 10 Year Old
The Springbank 10 Year Old is often considered the flagship and benchmark expression for the Springbank distillery and for the entire Campbeltown region. It’s a whisky that encapsulates everything unique and revered about Springbank’s traditional production methods and distinctive flavour profile. Its exceptional quality and complex flavors make it a standout choice for discerning whisky enthusiasts. Crafted with precision and care, Springbank 10 embodies the essence of traditional Scottish whisky-making expertise.
Bottled at a healthy 46% abv, this 10-year-old is distilled at Campbeltown’s oldest operational distillery. Matured in a combination of bourbon and sherry casks, Springbank 10 Year Old is known for its distinctive Campbeltown maritime note.
Springbank 15 Year Old
The Springbank 15 Year Old is a beloved permanent expression from the highly respected Springbank distillery in Campbeltown. It’s known for being richer and more sherry-forward than the younger expressions, while still retaining the distillery’s signature complex, maritime, and lightly peated character.
As Springbank is an entirely self-contained distillery, this whisky is bottled at the distillery using its traditional methods. This particular release of the 15-year-old is predominantly matured in sherry casks, often with some ex-bourbon casks used to balance the profile. Some sources specifically highlight a strong sherry influence, even mentioning it as “100% Sherry” in some descriptions for this release, though Springbank typically uses a mix. It’s safe to say sherry casks play a dominant role.
Springbank 21 Year Old
The Springbank 21 Year Old is the crown jewel of the distillery’s core range. Because it is a limited annual release, the cask composition changes every year, making each “vintage” a unique collector’s item.
As of January 2026, the most recent and relevant version is the 2025 Release, which has been praised for its high proportion of Port wood.
Springbank’s Other Flagship Releases
Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength
The Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength is a legendary “batch” release, issued twice a year. Because it is bottled at natural strength, the ABV and flavor profile shift with every new bottling. As of now Jan 2026 28 official batches of springbank 12 have been released.
Key Historical Milestones
- Batch 1 (2010): The inaugural release (54.6% ABV), which established the 12-year-old CS as a core (yet limited) part of the range.
Springbank 18 Year Old
Springbank 18 Year Old is highly regarded for its maturity, depth, and the elegant evolution of the Springbank “funk.”
Since its inaugural release in 2009, there have been 17 annual releases of the Springbank 18 Year Old as of early 2026.
Springbank 18 Year Old Release History (Recent Years)
| Release Year | Cask Composition | Notable Characteristics |
| 2025 | Majority Sherry / Bourbon Mix | Rich and dark; chocolate, raisins, and old leather. |
| 2024 | 100% Bourbon | Rare all-bourbon release; high tropical fruit (pineapple/papaya). |
| 2023 | 65% Sherry / 35% Bourbon | Classic balance; leathery, tobacco, and dried fruits. |
| 2022 | 65% Sherry / 35% Bourbon | Savory and coastal; damp earth and dunnage funk. |
| 2021 | 50% Sherry / 50% Bourbon | Perfectly split; creamy vanilla meets spicy oak. |
Barley Series
The other notable series which this amazing distillery produces is Local Barley Series which are one of the most prestigious and highly anticipated annual releases in the world of Scotch whisky. Produced in Campbeltown, this series is a “grain-to-glass” project where every grain of barley used is grown on farms within a few miles of the distillery. The barley series had two eras, The Vintage Era (1960s Casks) and The Modern Series (2016–Present).
Springbank Society Release
It also produces whisky which are highly collectables for its members, The Springbank Society. Due to high demand it has paused all the new memberships as of now and it takes ages to be a part of this prestigious member club.
The Countdown Series
Not to forget about Count Down Series which is an elite , five-part series of whiskies launched to celebrate the distillery’s upcoming 200th Anniversary in 2028.Starting in 2023, Springbank has released one special bottling each year. These are among the rarest modern Springbank releases, with only 500 bottles of each edition produced worldwide.
The Last Chair
The “last chair” of Springbank (J&A Mitchell & Co. Ltd) was Hedley G. Wright, the great-great-grandson of the distillery’s founder, Archibald Mitchell.Mr. Wright passed away on August 5, 2023, at the age of 92, after leading the company for over 60 years. He was widely considered one of the most influential and fiercely independent figures in the Scotch whisky. In the 1990s, when the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) considered removing Campbeltown as a distinct whisky region due to its lack of active distilleries, Wright fought to keep its status. He notably reopened Glengyle Distillery in 2004 specifically to ensure the region had enough operating distilleries to maintain its protected designation.
Mitchel Family made the name, the brand and the legacy which is highly regarded when we talk about the Whisky and specifically Scotch. In 2028 the Springbank will celebrate its 200th Anniversary a transition from illicit “smuggling” to a legal, family-run legacy.