The National Liberal Club provided the setting for the Company’s fifth Whisky Evening on Thursday 12 November 2026. Over-subscribed, the event brought members and guests together for an exploration of Springbank’s distinctive Campbeltown whiskies, with a very special tasting opportunity among the evening’s highlights.

Leading us through the selection was Dave Allen, Director at Springbank Distillery. With six whiskies to explore, the evening offered an opportunity to compare different ages, strengths, and styles, and to appreciate how maturation shapes the character of a dram.

Springbank has been producing whisky in Campbeltown since 1828, retaining traditional methods and carrying out every stage of production in-house. Its lightly peated spirit provided the thread connecting five of the evening’s whiskies, with Longrow offering a smokier contrast.

The Springbank 5 Year Old, 100 Proof showed the lively character of a younger whisky. Its profile combines green apple and mineral freshness with white chocolate sweetness, gentle peat smoke, and a finish suggesting honey and gooseberries.

The Springbank 12 Year Old, Cask Strength offered another perspective: earthy, coastal notes alongside citrus, with grapefruit and orange peel balanced by sweeter marshmallow tones. Cocoa, cherries, and a touch of smoke add depth to the finish.

The Springbank 15 Year Old brought a richer, more savoury character. Sherry maturation contributes dark fruit, figs, and walnuts, with cocoa, tobacco, and sooty smoke giving it considerable depth.

The Springbank 21 Year Old offered a further step in maturity and complexity. Its profile brings together dates, treacle, and stewed plums, lifted by blood orange zest and delicate peat smoke. Caramelised sugar, blackberries, and a savoury edge develop on the palate, followed by warming cinnamon and an earthy finish.

A particularly special moment was the 30 year old Springbank 1996. Drawn straight from the cask only the previous week, this whisky is not available for sale, and we were the first to taste it. To share a whisky after three decades of maturation, before anyone else had tried it, was an extraordinary privilege and made this fifth evening especially memorable.

Providing a contrasting style was Longrow, 100 Proof, with its more pronounced peat smoke. Red fruit and vanilla accompany a smoky, savoury profile, developing into tobacco, leather, dark fruit, and a lingering spicy finish.

Our sincere thanks go to Andy King for organising the evening, and to Paul Ramsay and CDVI for their generous sponsorship, which helped make the event possible.

Above all, our thanks go to Dave for supplying the whiskies and guiding the tasting. His commitment extended well beyond the tasting itself: he drove three hours from Campbeltown to Glasgow, flew down especially for us, and then caught the night train back to Scotland. Truly above and beyond, and an effort greatly appreciated by the Company.

We will be hosting another Whisky Evening in 2027. Keep an eye out for details, and given the demand for this year’s event, be sure to book early.