SPRINGBANK 5 YEAR OLD 100 PROOF

The whisky capital that almost vanished

Campbeltown, on the Kintyre peninsula in the west of Scotland, was once one of the great whisky towns of the world, with more than thirty distilleries working at its peak. Today only a few remain, and Springbank is one of the handful still making single malt there.

Two centuries in one family

Springbank was licensed in 1828 by the Reid brothers. In 1837 they sold it to John and William Mitchell, and the business became J&A Mitchell. Nearly two centuries later, Springbank is still family-owned by J&A Mitchell & Company.

Everything done by hand, on site

What makes Springbank special is that it does every single step itself, from malting the barley to bottling the finished whisky. It is the only distillery in Scotland to do this. All of its barley is malted on its own traditional malting floor and dried using peat from Islay. Some of the spirit passes through the stills twice and some three times, which is why Springbank is described as "two and a half times distilled."

What does "100 proof" mean?

In the old British proof system, 100° proof equals 57.1% alcohol by volume. It was the strength at which spirit was considered "proved" in the days before modern measuring equipment. A 100 proof whisky is a powerful dram, well above the standard 40% or 46%.

A classic brought back

Springbank released a 100 proof bottling in the past, but it disappeared in the 1990s. In 2025 the distillery brought the idea back with the Springbank 5 Year Old 100 Proof, a permanent new addition to its core range, released in batches through the year.

It is matured entirely in bourbon casks and bottled at 57.1% ABV, without chill filtration or colour adjustment. Its suggested UK price was just £48, but like most Springbank releases it sells out quickly, and bottles often change hands for much more.

It's young, bold and full of raw Springbank character: a great way to taste the distillery's spirit at full power.

In the glass

• Nose: citrus peel, green apple and sea air, with vanilla, honey and a light smoky note
• Palate: full-bodied and punchy, with lemon, fresh barley, creamy vanilla, brine and peat smoke
• Finish: long and warming, with oak spice, malty sweetness and lingering smoke

Try it neat first, then add a few drops of water and see how it opens up. Our guide on how to taste whisky like a pro walks you through nose, palate and finish step by step.

More from the Vault

Springbank 5 Year Old 100 Proof has featured in our Vault Raid series, so keep an eye out for the next one.

See who has already won a bottle on our winners list, or browse all of our live whisky competitions. You can also win a free bottle every month, and our FAQs explain how entries, draws and free postal entry work.