Springbank Distillery
Springbank Distillery
5
Monday
9:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
9:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
9:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
9:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
9:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Full view
About
Springbank Distillery is one of the main visitor attractions in Campbeltown, Kintyre. It is one of three distilleries remaining in Campbeltown which, in the 19th century, was classed as 'The Whisky Capital of the World'. Established in 1828, Springbank is the oldest independent family owned distillery in Scotland and is the only distillery in Scotland to carry out the full production process on one site - from the traditional floor maltings through to the bottling.
Campbeltown, Kintyre Peninsula, Scotland
Awards
Travellers' Choice
2024
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Springbank Distillery
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
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5.0
385 reviews
Excellent
336
Very good
31
Average
9
Poor
3
Terrible
6
Matthew R
Leicestershire30 contributions
Oct 2021
Springbank / Glengyle is a special place. It's well worth undertaking a tour, spending time in the new Washback bar and in the shop. The tour is great value with a dram at the end in a glass that you get to keep and a miniature to take away. If you'd like to try more of the whiskies in the Springbank and Kilkerran ranges then you can at the Washback bar where the tour finishes - at reasonable prices. Whilst Springbank & Glengyle don't sell cheap whisky, it is good to great value for the quality and they don't ask you to pay a premium for distillery exclusive products which other distilleries do - it's quite a journey to get to Campbeltown and this is very much appreciated.
As a few other reviews have mentioned the Springbank had halted production at the time of my visit in October. The same staff work on the production of both distilleries, for the majority of the year this is at Springbank but from September to December they move to Glengyle which is on the same site (Kilkerran whisky) One step which was in operation during the visit was the malting which serves both distilleries and this was interesting to see. And the tour included a visit to one of the warehouses which is used to mature whisky from both distilleries. However it didn't bother me at all that the mashing, fermentation and distilling had halted. It was just fascinating to see the old equipment, get a sense of how small the operation is (compared to say Glenfiddich), get an idea of how many staff are employed and the consequent support to the local area that the business provided.
I'd recommend doing the tour at Glengyle as well if you wish to see the production process in action. Another great tour and the same great value. Again interesting to see how small this is, mostly tucked into one room. And also interesting to hear the different story behind the rebirth of this distillery.
As a few other reviews have mentioned the Springbank had halted production at the time of my visit in October. The same staff work on the production of both distilleries, for the majority of the year this is at Springbank but from September to December they move to Glengyle which is on the same site (Kilkerran whisky) One step which was in operation during the visit was the malting which serves both distilleries and this was interesting to see. And the tour included a visit to one of the warehouses which is used to mature whisky from both distilleries. However it didn't bother me at all that the mashing, fermentation and distilling had halted. It was just fascinating to see the old equipment, get a sense of how small the operation is (compared to say Glenfiddich), get an idea of how many staff are employed and the consequent support to the local area that the business provided.
I'd recommend doing the tour at Glengyle as well if you wish to see the production process in action. Another great tour and the same great value. Again interesting to see how small this is, mostly tucked into one room. And also interesting to hear the different story behind the rebirth of this distillery.
Written 17 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Matthew R
Leicestershire30 contributions
Oct 2022
Revisited Springbank in early Oct 2022. It really is a very special place. I'm sure others will describe it as like a working museum, and this makes the tour all the more interesting. The tour was again delivered in an informative and friendly way. With the distillery being operational we were able to quiz some of the operators along the way and they patiently answered questions.
The Washback bar is a great spot to have a bite to eat and to try the core range products and a rare drams at affordable prices.
The shop is small but stocked with lovely whisky - when available. Recommend trying the more affordable core range of Sprinbank, Hazelburn & Longrow and the hand-fill bottles which you'll almost always find on the shelves. They are still exceptional value for money imho.
The owners are investing in staff, the wider business and Campbeltown, with plans to grow which will provide even more reason to visit.
The Washback bar is a great spot to have a bite to eat and to try the core range products and a rare drams at affordable prices.
The shop is small but stocked with lovely whisky - when available. Recommend trying the more affordable core range of Sprinbank, Hazelburn & Longrow and the hand-fill bottles which you'll almost always find on the shelves. They are still exceptional value for money imho.
The owners are investing in staff, the wider business and Campbeltown, with plans to grow which will provide even more reason to visit.
Written 6 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AlexRo13
Caerphilly, UK27 contributions
Aug 2021 • Couples
Did both the Springbank and Glengyle Tours. Our tour guide Ben was brilliant, very knowledgable and friendly.
Amazing value at just £10 per tour pp and would recommend to whisky lovers and those who are just interested in learning about the process and history of Campbeltown
Managed to grab a very special single cask bottling from the Cage too :)
Amazing value at just £10 per tour pp and would recommend to whisky lovers and those who are just interested in learning about the process and history of Campbeltown
Managed to grab a very special single cask bottling from the Cage too :)
Written 10 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
EmbracingTheWorld
3 contributions
Sept 2020 • Couples
It's covid times, so we couldn't join a tour or have a tasting. No signs at the gate to say that the shop wasn't situated here and where to go instead. Finally after walking around the back street a chap said to go to Cadenhead. So we did.
My husband is the whisky drinker and he wanted to go to the shop for the 8 year old cast strength, the sales assistant hasn't heard of it and said that they only had the 12 year old and the never ending barrel (no samples, and was nearly empty).
The staff were unable to help with regard to REAL information about the whiskeys that they did have. Also, no chance to ponder and mull over purchasing, because no prices were on display, staff had to tell you the prices. A simple card detailing the cost of the bottles would have solved this issue. It was as if they were too uncomfortable to have customers.
We drove a long way with my husband's high expectations of the 'experience', while knowing that there weren't tours available, but expecting to learn a little more about the whiskeys distilled there, however leaving with great disappointment as their knowledge about the whiskey was considerably less than a supermarket assistant in Clacton.
My husband is the whisky drinker and he wanted to go to the shop for the 8 year old cast strength, the sales assistant hasn't heard of it and said that they only had the 12 year old and the never ending barrel (no samples, and was nearly empty).
The staff were unable to help with regard to REAL information about the whiskeys that they did have. Also, no chance to ponder and mull over purchasing, because no prices were on display, staff had to tell you the prices. A simple card detailing the cost of the bottles would have solved this issue. It was as if they were too uncomfortable to have customers.
We drove a long way with my husband's high expectations of the 'experience', while knowing that there weren't tours available, but expecting to learn a little more about the whiskeys distilled there, however leaving with great disappointment as their knowledge about the whiskey was considerably less than a supermarket assistant in Clacton.
Written 15 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Frank P
8 contributions
Feb 2024 • Couples
We visited Springbank distillery in early February and we were the only couple booked so we had our own private tour We were hosted by Ali and he was very knowledgeable and informative. Having completed other distillery tours, if you want to learn and see the end to end whisky making process then this is the place to go. We felt it was excellent value for money and would highly recommend it.
Written 7 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Innes M
Fort William, UK45 contributions
Nov 2022 • Friends
A friend and I visited Springbank recently. Both working in the whisky industry, we had always been keen to visit Campbeltown, particularly given the calibre of whisky being produced there at the moment! The tour was excellent, with particular thanks to Joyce for being a wonderful host throughout the experience. Thanks as well to all the other staff while we were there as everyone made us feel so welcome, whether we were in the shop, the bar or on tour/tasting. Great selection of drams in the bar, as well as a nice variety of merch in the shop. No Springbank whisky available when we visited but that’s a testament to the quality of the produce. Springbank is a very old-school distillery and is all the better for it. No flashy lightshows here or soulless marketing fru-fru, just a team of brilliant folk who know their stuff and whisky that speaks for itself. This was a brilliant visit and I already know I will be back to Campbeltown before too long.
Written 21 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Susanne Farley
Darlington, UK5 contributions
Sept 2019
This is a super cool family owned distillery, making whisky in an old fashioned way that results in a delicious end product. Our tour guide was full of fun facts about the local area and the whisky making process too making the visit all the more interesting. The gift shop was also very nice and in the heart of town was in the perfect location for a browse around the other local shops at the same time.
Written 14 May 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Catsmasher
Manchester, UK8 contributions
Sept 2024 • Friends
A must visit Distillery producing the very best In Single Malt Scotch Whisky. This isn’t my first time visiting but Im already looking forward to my next.
The Liquid produced at this museum distillery Is always amazing, but It’s the people that work here that make all the difference. From the Tour Staff like Ali & Finlay to the Always welcoming ladies working so hard in the Springbank shop, Kate, Kirsty & Zoe are always So helpful and very knowledgable about the distillery it’s whisky and even the “Wee Toons” history. The Cadenheads shop staff were no different. Alison, Lorna and Angel were also great value as ever.
If whisky is your thing then you have to come here. Class In A Wee Glass 🥃
The Liquid produced at this museum distillery Is always amazing, but It’s the people that work here that make all the difference. From the Tour Staff like Ali & Finlay to the Always welcoming ladies working so hard in the Springbank shop, Kate, Kirsty & Zoe are always So helpful and very knowledgable about the distillery it’s whisky and even the “Wee Toons” history. The Cadenheads shop staff were no different. Alison, Lorna and Angel were also great value as ever.
If whisky is your thing then you have to come here. Class In A Wee Glass 🥃
Written 5 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jane D
Erskine, UK20 contributions
Aug 2024 • Couples
This tour was excellent we arrived at the distillery early and enjoyed a pot of tea in the bar while we waited
Our tour guide Markus was a wealth of knowledge and a bit of a comedian and had everyone on the tour hanging onto his every word
This has to be one of the best distillery tours we have been on well worth the journey down to Campbelltown
Our tour guide Markus was a wealth of knowledge and a bit of a comedian and had everyone on the tour hanging onto his every word
This has to be one of the best distillery tours we have been on well worth the journey down to Campbelltown
Written 25 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mrcass
Derry, UK43 contributions
Jan 2020 • Friends
This is a lovely way to spend the afternoon in Campbell town. The distillery has a few different tours you can do, however I just went for the tasting. With a fine selection of whisky, any novice or enthusiast will be pleased by what’s on offer. I sampled four of the finest local samples on offer. The guide, was friendly, funny, and extremely knowledgable. Providing lots of information on the ageing process, barrels used etc. Prices differ depending on which tour you do. None of them will break the bank and I’m sure you’ll enjoy the experience.
Written 22 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Terry - Very informative review - can you tell me approximately what time the premier tour was over?
Written 13 March 2017
It started in the morning around 10:00 but I can't remember for sure. You can email them to find out for sure. We walked around town with a very nice guy from Springbank who pointed out the locations of several of the old now closed distilleries then went to the Cadenheads shop for a wee dram then an excellent lunch. After that we had a private tour of the distillery then ended up in a warehouse with "Pops" the head distiller who treated us to 6-7 drams directly from the casks. Finished up late afternoon. I think they are somewhat flexible on times for this tour since it's small. Just my family (5 people) on our tour. An excellent experience.
Terry
Written 14 March 2017
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