Secret Series No.4 - 32 Year Old - only 60 bottles produced

Oh! Campbeltown Loch, Ah wish ye were whisky!

When songwriter Alan Cameron wrote the song in Victorian times, there was as many as 30 distilleries in the chief town of the Kintyre Peninsula. It was known as the whisky capital of the world.

Colour: Dull gold.

Nose: This has a most unusual nose; a deep inhalation locates a mildly astringent 'cleansing agent' reminiscent of coal tar. This is oddly attractive but is quickly tempered by a hint of creamy toffee.

Palate: The very first sip results in an instant explosion of boozy, fruity, spicey Christmas pudding. This is eventually followed by a mellow rum and raisin fudge.

Finish: A gentle smoke makes its first appearance in a very long, lingering finish that reminds one of what is left in the air after a firework display.

Verdict: Unique, deeply satisfying and provides plenty of evidence of why Campbeltown is one of the Government's designated whisky-producing regions. A most worthy addition to the award-winning Secret Series range.

By Gordon Coxhill, Whisky Enthusiast & Journalist

Secret Series 4

When songwriter Alan Cameron wrote the song in Victorian times, there was as many as 30 distilleries in the chief town of the Kintyre Peninsula. It was known as the whisky capital of the world. The High Street may even have seen whisky flowing down the gutters as many of the distilleries were built by the roadside. It was the main employer of the region and boats queued in the port to take brimming casks to the burgeoning number of whisky lovers around the country and the world. But the people were poor and could not afford the spirit they produced, and Cameron's second verse talks of going into the loch for a 'swim' because the price of the whisky is grim. It was a folk, even a protest song.

But by the time noted Scottish singer Andy Stewart enjoyed an international hit with Campbeltown Loch in 1965, it had become a novelty item for the kilted entertainer. Novelty, but not funny. Because by then almost all the distilleries had closed; a combination of sacrificing quality for over-production, Prohibition in America, and the Great Depression. Many were demolished, others being turned into garages for the influx of motor cars or dairy creameries.

However, a few did survive. And eventually thrived. Fortunately for us at Vintage Bottlers, one of them has gone on to produce world-beating malt whiskies, and in 2021 became the first to win top prize for both the malt itself and the distillery in major international awards ceremonies. Naturally, we are hugely excited to be able to offer a beautifully aged, 32-year-old rendition as the 4th member of our own award-winning Secret Series. Described by one leading industry figure as 'awesome', this medium-bodied spirit bursts with fruit and spice flavours, augmented by a little smoke. Bottled at just under 46% ABV, No 4 is a truly sensational example of the Campbeltown tradition. Although the town is a short ferry ride from Islay, the whiskies of the two locations are very different, and that difference is recognised by the fact that Campbeltown, no matter the much smaller overall production capacity, is one of the 5 designated whisky producing regions of Scotland.

The distillery that is Secret Series 4's provenance, close by Vintage Bottlers' brand new bonded warehouse complex, was founded in 1832, and a later owner extended the malting floors to run along the High Street! Further considerable investment has been made by the present owners, including increasing capacity to 700,000 litres, new warehouses and a visitor centre. But much of the historic equipment does remain in situ.

There's nothing odd about a distillery containing spirit of course. But A spirit? This one is said to be haunted by the ghost of a long-ago owner, who, believing himself to have been cheated out of a lot of money in a crooked business deal, threw himself into Campbeltown Loch and drowned. Perhaps he had been listening to the song!

Octave