Introduction to Campbeltown
The current Campbeltown is a small port town with three distilleries, a legacy of the extensive whisky history of this place. Visitors to Campbeltown who know what to look for see remnants of this past throughout the streetscape. For example, old distillery buildings are now used as garages or supermarkets.
The town is full of whisky history. This is not surprising, as it was once one of the largest whisky regions in the world. By the end of the 19th century, Campbeltown had 21 different distilleries. But less than 40 years later, Campbeltown looked very different. The heavy, smoky style produced there fell out of favor with major whisky blenders. And due to Prohibition in the US, much less was exported.
From the 1930s onwards, only Springbank and Glen Scotia remained. Both distilleries have managed to endure despite all adversities. Together with the new Glengyle distillery, they keep Campbeltown's whisky tradition alive today.
The distilleries of Campbeltown
- Springbank: who steps into this distillery goes directly back to the 19th century. Springbank has existed since 1828 and has been owned by the same family for almost two centuries. Everything at this distillery revolves around continuity. Employment for the residents of Campbeltown is a priority, making as much money as possible plays a lesser role. In fact, in the early '90s, the malt floors were reopened, so Springbank now processes its own barley. That is less efficient, but creates more jobs. Springbank is a cult whisky with fanatical fans all over the world.
- Glen Scotia: this distillery was originally called Scotia and has existed since 1832. Together with Springbank, Glen Scotia is the only whisky producer that survived the whisky crisis of the '20s. Although, the distillery did not come through completely unscathed. It is said to be haunted at Glen Scotia, where the spirit of the former owner Duncan MacCallum still roams. He committed suicide in 1930 after an unfortunate business deal.
- Glengyle: this name probably doesn't mean much to whisky drinkers. That's because they market their whisky under the name Kilkerran. Glengyle is a sister distillery of Springbank. Glengyle was opened in 2004 to prevent Campbeltown from losing its status as an official whisky region. With the arrival of Glengyle, Campbeltown had three distilleries again, the same number as the Lowlands at the time. Thus, Campbeltown remained a whisky region.
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