Campbeltown single malts facts for kids
Campbeltown single malts are special single malt Scotch whiskies made in a town called Campbeltown. This town is located on the Kintyre peninsula in Scotland. Long ago, Campbeltown was a huge whisky-making center. It had as many as 30 distilleries and was even called the "whisky capital of the world"!
However, over time, many distilleries closed down. This happened because some distilleries focused on making a lot of whisky very quickly. This meant the quality wasn't always the best. Today, only a few distilleries are still making whisky in Campbeltown.
By 2010, only three distilleries were still working: Springbank, Glengyle, and Glen Scotia. The Springbank distillery actually makes three different whiskies: Springbank, Hazelburn, and Longrow. The Glengyle distillery was recently reopened by the same company that owns Springbank. Their whisky is called Kilkerran. This name helps avoid confusion with another whisky called Glengyle. By 2016, Kilkerran started selling a 12-year-old whisky.
Good news! People are now very interested in bringing back Campbeltown's whisky history. Two new distilleries are even being built!
Contents
What do Campbeltown Whiskies Taste Like?
Campbeltown whiskies have unique tastes. Experts say they can taste like "dried fruit, vanilla, toffee, and even a bit salty."
The Visit Scotland website describes them even more clearly:
- Springbank whiskies are often "strong and smoky." They also have hints of their seaside home.
- Glen Scotia single malts are "lighter" and can have "grassy notes."
- Glengyle's Kilkerran whisky is "lighter and sweeter." But it still has those special oily and salty tastes.
Special Legal Status
Campbeltown is a "protected locality" for making Scotch Whisky. This means the UK government has special rules to protect how whisky is made there. It helps keep the tradition and quality of Campbeltown whiskies.
Working Campbeltown Distilleries
These are the distilleries making whisky in Campbeltown right now:
- Glen Scotia
- Glengyle
- Springbank
New Distilleries Coming Soon
Excitingly, two new distilleries are being built in Campbeltown:
- Machrihanish Distillery
- Dál Riata Distillery
Past Campbeltown Distilleries
Campbeltown used to have many more distilleries. Sadly, most of them have closed down over the years. Here are a few examples of distilleries that once thrived but are no longer in operation:
- Albyn Distillery opened around 1830. It faced challenges like a fire in 1850 and a storm in 1894. It closed in 1920.
- Argyll Distillery was built in 1844. The building was later sold in 1929 and turned into a garage.
- Burnside Distillery started in 1825. It was a large distillery, able to produce many gallons of spirit. It stopped making whisky during World War I and closed in 1919. The building later became a dairy creamery.
- Dalaruan Distillery opened in 1825. A big fire in 1896 almost destroyed it, but firefighters saved it. It closed in 1925.
- Dalintober Distillery was built in 1832. It was destroyed by fire in 1899 but rebuilt. It closed in 1926.
- Hazelburn Distillery was built around 1825. A famous Japanese whisky maker, Masataka Taketsuru, even learned his skills here! It closed in 1926.
- Rieclachan Distillery opened around 1825. It was one of the last distilleries to close, shutting down in 1934.
Images for kids
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Plan from 1898 showing the Argyll Distillery
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Former bonded warehouse for Argyll Distillery
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Remains of Benmhor Distillery
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Campbeltown Creamery, on the site of the former Burnside Distillery
