Introduction I was curious about this bottle because it's rare to come across such a young whisky bottled at full strength—especially from a distillery like Springbank, which is known for doing things in their own deliberate way. I’d heard mixed opinions about this 5-year-old 100 Proof release, with some praising its boldness while others questioned if it was ready. That piqued my interest enough to sit down with a dram and see where I stood. Nose The first thing that hits the nose is the unmistakable strength—there’s no gentleness here. It opens with dry smoke and industrial grease, reminding me of walking past an old engine repair shop on a cold day. After a few minutes in the glass, some fruit notes begin to peek through—dried raisins, underripe banana, and sharp orange zest. There's also a chalky, mineral edge that carries a coastal feel. It’s punchy and a bit volatile at first, but with patience, it reveals complexity. Palate The impact is immediate. Full strength and non-chill filtered, this dram lands with real weight on the tongue. The first sip is dominated by salty brine, burnt sugar, and leather. There’s youthful grip to it—almost a chalkboard dryness—but also this oily, almost waxy texture that keeps it from becoming sharp. Smoke is there, but quieter than expected—more smouldering ember than bonfire. With a bit of water, I found more fruit: a touch of blackcurrant and stewed plums, likely from the sherry cask influence. The earthy, mechanical notes linger throughout. Finish The finish is long and drying, leaving behind smoked malt, a faint metallic tang, and stale cocoa powder. There’s a gritty, almost chalk-dust quality that clings to the tongue. Depending on your taste, it either adds to the character or makes it feel a little unruly. Personally, I liked the persistence of it—even if it's not the cleanest or most resolved finish. Price and Value At the time this bottle was available, it was priced fairly for a cask strength, non-chill filtered whisky with serious attitude. But it’s hard to gauge “value” here in the usual sense. You’re not buying polish or balance—you’re buying raw Campbeltown spirit in its early form. For that kind of experience, I thought the pricing was honest and appropriate. Background This five-year-old cask strength expression came from Springbank in Campbeltown, a distillery well-known for handling every part of the whisky-making process themselves—from floor malting to bottling. The whisky was matured in a combination of refill and sherry casks, and bottled at 100 UK proof, which translates to 57.1% ABV. Springbank’s approach is always traditional but unfiltered—both literally and stylistically—and this whisky is no exception. It's very much a snapshot of youthful distillate, still rough around the edges but full of the distillery’s signature oily, salty traits. Final Notes Would I buy this bottle again? If it were still readily available, yes—for the purpose of studying how Springbank’s spirit behaves in its rawest form, it's a genuinely interesting bottle. Is it something I’d pour casually? Probably not. It demands your attention and isn’t exactly easy-going. Would beginners enjoy it? Probably not immediately. Its aggressive ABV, lack of smoothing age, and industrial profile might be too much for someone new to whisky. This is a dram best appreciated once you’ve had a few years of tasting behind you. When would I reach for this? On a cold, rainy evening, when I want something challenging and distinctive. It's not a social whisky—it’s a quiet, contemplative dram for solo sipping. Compared to other Campbeltown whiskies I’ve tried, this one feels like a younger sibling still finding its place—it doesn't yet have the balance of a 10 or 15-year-old, but all the core DNA is there. If you're a fan of the region, it's worth experiencing—at least once.