Overview
Once you've tried a whisky from any Campbeltown distillery, there's really no going back. Whether it's Springbank, Glengyle, or Glen Scotia, it really doesn't matter because all the whiskies trickling out from the far-flung town on the Mull of Kintyre are made for whisky drinkers and represent incredible value – if you can find some.
The number of distilleries in Campbeltown is set to double within the next few years, and it will be very interesting to see how the local whisky ecosystem evolves (or perhaps stubbornly remains the same) in Campbeltown.
In the meantime, let's sample a not-so-standard smattering of what Campbeltown currently has to offer.
The Lineup
This tasting is comprised of 7 drams in 20ml measures.
Note: The order of the bottles shown here is not necessarily what the order will be during the tasting. It will almost certainly be rearranged.
Glen Scotia 28yr 1992 47.6% from Cadenhead's
Ex-bourbon hogshead
Bottled in 2020
Outturn of 186 bottles
Single cask
Glen Scotia 8yr 2014 56.2%
Distillery exclusive bottling
1st-fill oloroso hogshead
Bottled in 2022
Cask #21/655-1
Outturn of 308 bottles
Single cask
Hazelburn 16yr 2007 50.8% for "Springbank Society"
Full maturation in ruby port
Bottled for the Springbank Society in 2023
Outturn of 1,610 bottles total
Split between two 35cl bottles
Kilkerran 14yr 2009 55.8% from Cadenhead's
1st-fill bourbon hogshead
Bottled in 2023
Outturn of 234 bottles
Single cask
Springbank 14yr 2009 56.5% "FS" cage bottle
Full maturation in a 1st-fill oloroso hogshead
Selected from the legendary FOMO-inducing cage at Springbank Distillery
Bottled in 2023
Single cask
Longrow 15yr 2001 56.2% Chardonnay from Cadenhead's
Bottled for Cadenhead's warehouse tasting experience
Initial maturation in ex-bourbon for 7 years (2001 - 2008)
Second maturation in a Chardonnay cask for 8 years (2008 - 2017)
Bottled in 2017
Longrow 16yr 2007 54.2% Sauternes from Cadenhead's
Full maturation in a Sauternes hogshead
Cadenhead's "Natural Strength" series
Outturn of 228 bottles
Bottled in 2024
Single cask
Ethos
My tastings are geared for whisky enthusiasts, but they're also intended to be fun, unintimidating, and inclusive of a diverse group of nice people. I just want to bring people together and open some silly whiskies that would otherwise be hoarded or flipped for profit.
Event Schedule
The tasting will start at 1pm. I recommend you arrive 10-15 minutes before the scheduled start time so you can choose a seat, grab a pint, make yourself comfortable, etc. Any presentational aspects of the tasting will wrap up by 2:45pm.
The venue will be closed to the public during the tasting.
The Venue
The Ensign Ewart is an iconic spot in the Edinburgh whisky scene. A pub was first established here all the way back in 1680, and in more recent times The Ensign Ewart has been a lively destination for whisky enthusiasts. The whisky selection is extensive, consisting mostly of indies and fun older bottlings.
