Introduction
Whenever I see Springbank releasing another Local Barley expression, I find it hard to resist. There's something undeniably honest about their approach – both in terms of production values and the flavour profile. I was particularly drawn to the 2025 edition of the 8-year-old, partly because of its age and cask mix, but also because I tend to enjoy Springbank’s younger whiskies when they still carry that punchy, slightly rough edge. With full transparency around local ingredients and traditional methods, this felt like a bottle worth opening sooner rather than cellaring.
Nose
The first pour had a clean, lightly musty note that reminded me of damp straw and haylofts – in the best possible way. As it opened up, there was a soft waxiness mingling with barley husks and fresh lemon zest. I picked up some wildflower honey, a bit of cream soda, and a gentle saline edge that hinted at the distillery’s coastal character. What stood out to me was how integrated the light peat was – present, but never dominant. It gave the nose a touch of earth without taking centre stage. Overall, it had that restrained complexity I’ve come to appreciate in younger Springbanks.
Palate
There’s a lot of texture in this dram. It arrived with a mildly oily mouthfeel, and the front of the palate gave me cereal grain, lemon peel, and shortbread. Mid-palate, the smoke came forward but stayed controlled – more like woodsmoke in a cold breeze than a peat blast. Oak spice added structure, with white pepper and clove, and there was a tart note – maybe underripe apricot or green apple – that lifted the whole thing. I also got a faint nuttiness further in, like raw almonds. Everything felt well-balanced, if not overly rich.
Finish
The finish was above average for an 8-year-old whisky. It didn’t go on forever, but it lingered more than I expected. The dry malt character held steady, along with a soft mineral edge and fading smoke. A slight bitterness came through toward the end – like walnut skin or old oak – but it worked in the context, making the whole experience feel grounded rather than overly polished. Even after the sip was gone, I could still find traces of salty cereal and char, which felt true to its Campbeltown roots.
Price and Value
At release, the price felt justifiable considering Springbank’s limited output and increasingly long list of admirers. You’re not getting luxury-level depth here, but what you do get is an unfiltered, naturally presented single malt that reflects its ingredients and region without flash or flair. Compared to inflated prices on the secondary market, retail value seemed fair, though not exactly a bargain. It's genuine, and sometimes that’s enough if the whisky delivers – which this one mostly does.
Background
The 2025 Local Barley release is another iteration in Springbank’s long-running series focused on locally sourced barley and minimal intervention production. This one was made from Belgravia barley grown at Glencraigs Farm in Campbeltown. It matured for 8 years in a mix of 55% bourbon and 45% sherry casks and was bottled at 54.1% ABV without chill-filtration or added colour. True to form, production was small – around 8,400 bottles made it out.
Springbank remains one of the few distilleries in Scotland doing everything in-house, from floor malting to bottling. That hands-on approach is part of why their whiskies often carry a distinctive character that’s hard to replicate. You can read more about the distillery’s process at the official Springbank website.
Final Notes
Would I buy this bottle again? Yes, though it’s not one I’d hoard or idolise – more the kind of whisky I’d share with someone who enjoys straight-shooting malts. Is it a good entry point into Springbank? Possibly, though the coastal character and slight funk might challenge some palates used to cleaner Speysiders. What kind of moment suits this dram? I found it worked well with quiet evenings – a slow sipper that doesn’t demand your full attention but rewards it when you give it. How does it stack up against older Local Barley releases? It’s leaner and lighter, but still very recognisable – a solid representation of the house style in a youthful frame.