For most of us, Springbank means those colour-coded, minimalist labels. The 10, 12, 15. All increasingly rare sights on shop shelves. We chase allocations, compare batch numbers, and treat each cork pop like an event. It’s one of the most respected distilleries in the world, and rightly so. But if that’s where your Springbank journey starts and ends, you’re missing something.
Long before Springbank became a cult favourite, it was quietly putting out whiskies that helped define what Campbeltown style really meant. The older 12 year old bottlings, less hyped and less hunted, capture the same DNA you know and love today, but with a different lens. The smoke is still there, the coastal notes still unmistakable. But there’s often more restraint, more subtlety, and sometimes, a bit more soul.
The 1980s Springbank Story
For many whisky enthusiasts today, Springbank represents those colour-coded, clean-looking labels that remain frustratingly elusive on shop shelves. Yet these 1980s ‘gothic S’ style bottles stand out from the crowd in a particularly striking way.
That distinct design isn’t just something to admire in old photos. You can still find examples today, including one currently available through the Mark Littler website.
Turn one of these vintage bottles over and you’ll discover a handy little label that still refers to the liquid as ‘pure malt pot still whisky’ alongside the curious statement that ‘this liquid may develop a slight haze’. Such details made brands like Springbank and Bladnoch distinctive during Scotland’s whisky downturn of the 1980s.
A Taste of Springbank’s Past
For those of you wondering what these wonderful bottles from four decades ago taste like, here are some notes from the very well-loved folks over at Whiskyfun.
Old School Lettering, New School Bottles
This gothic scripture hasn’t been abandoned in Springbank’s evolution. The characteristic ‘S’ has made its way onto the modern line of expressions, albeit in a much more subtle form. This distinctive letter remains in the sights of most whisky drinkers when they enter a retailer, it’s part of what makes the brand immediately recognisable.
You’ll also notice the same script making a subtle return in the new Countdown Series from Springbank. This limited run of 500 bottles per year showcases selected age statement whiskies and nods to the distillery’s heritage as it builds toward its 200th anniversary in 2028, a fitting tribute to one of Scotland’s most enduring names.
Brilliance Built Into The DNA
While I haven’t managed to try the vintage 12s myself, it’s clear that the DNA hasn’t gone anywhere. That quiet thread of smoke, the coastal brine, the unexpected flash of tropical fruit, it’s all still there, just wearing a different label. For those of us who love modern Springbank, these older bottlings aren’t a different whisky. They’re the same story told with a slightly different voice. If you get the chance to try one, it’s well worth listening to.
Read the full article at Why Springbank’s Gothic Label Era Is Gaining Cult Status Again
