Springbank Campbeltown Loch 100% Scotch Whiskies 2022 46% NV

Professionele reviews

Serge Valentin (86)

With hugs to everyone at Cadenhead's Whisky Market Cologne/Köln. Now, I just see that this is actually a blended malt – I used to believe Campbeltown Lochs were blended Scotch, no? Looks like this one's made out of all single malts in Campbeltown, namely Springbank, Glen Scotia, Hazelburn, Macallan, Kilkerran/Glengyle and Longrow (spot the odd one out!) Colour: white wine. Nose: young, starting citric and chalky, with some lemonade and kiwi juice. Then there's sourdough, a fresh pack of lemon drops, yellow Haribos and a little lime grass. This one should repel any mosquitos, perhaps even Campbeltown's famous – and voracious - midges. Mouth: very good, with a similar chalky, doughy and lemony development, supplemented with a little fresh mint, green pepper and tiny roots and saplings (quinoa?) Finish: rather long, on pretty much the same flavours and with a smokier signature. Longrow, I presume. This wee chemicalness too… Comments: a fully naked Campbeltowner, undisguised and maskless. Very cool proposition, and certainly a true 'regional malt'. Perhaps for your favourite hipflask rather than for your most expensive crystal sniffer (a.k.a. fishbowl).

BOW (87)

Words of Whisky (88)

:

pringbank has become so popular, hyped even, that people are now even chasing after the distillery’s most budget (and I use that term with the utmost respect) expression. Campbeltown Loch Blended Malt Scotch Whisky is, of course, not a pure Springbank release. But it’s a product from the distillery’s owners, J&A Mitchell, and includes a good chunk of Springbank distillate.

All five malts from Campbeltown, Scotland’s smallest whisky region, have been used to produce Campbeltown Loch Blended Malt Scotch Whisky. There are only three distilleries – Glen Scotia, Glengyle, and Springbank. The latter produces three different styles: unpeated (Hazelburn), medium peated (Springbank) and heavily peated (Longrow). This blended malt matured in ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks, but from the looks of it, the ex-sherry casks have had the upper hand.

Nose: A touch of rubber-y, dirty sherry, but nothing to worry about. It goes well with the barbecue smoke, paprika powder, raisins and a whiff of orange zest. Also some crushed mint.
Taste: Nice and oily mouthfeel. Just deliciously soft, earthy smoke with a touch of damp oak, cured meats and tobacco. Then a whisper of eucalyptus, juicy red fruits and a decent salinity too. Finally just a pinch of black pepper.
Finish: Medium to long. Slightly dry. Lingering touches of oranges, barbecued smoke, and mineral notes.

CONCLUSION
I know this consists of all Campbeltown malts, but it's also reminiscent of Benromach. Coming from me, that's a big compliment. Having said that, the Campbeltown Loch Blended Malt has an undeniable Campbeltown DNA. Or I should say, J&A Mitchell DNA. Oh, and did I mention what great value this is?