Campbeltown Whisky Ranking From Worst To Best

Campbeltown was once known as the whisky capital of the world.

At its peak it had over 20 distilleries packed into one small town. Today it has become something different. It is now a true hotspot for whisky fans who care about tradition, craft, and bold flavour.

This is my ranking of Campbeltown whiskies from worst to best. And before anyone gets angry, worst here still means good. There are no bad whiskies on this list.

The Distilleries That Define Campbeltown

Hazelburn

Starting at the bottom we have Hazelburn. This is not a distillery but a brand made at Springbank. It still counts for this list. Hazelburn is the lighter and cleaner style from the Springbank family. It is unpeated and triple distilled which gives it a softer profile. The reason it lands here is simple, I have not tried enough of it. What I have had was good but it did not reach the same level as the others on this list. The 10 year old is bourbon cask matured and sits around the higher end of the price range. There are also sherry releases that are well liked. I just need more time with it.

Springbank

Yes this will upset people. Springbank is one of the most respected names in Scotch whisky. Everything is done on site from malting to bottling. It represents tradition better than almost any other distillery. The whisky is great. The problem is everything around it. Prices have gone up and bottles are hard to find. The hype has taken over and the secondary market has made things worse. A bottle that should be affordable often is not. That is not the fault of the distillery. But it does affect the experience. When you can get it at the right price it is excellent. It is just not easy.

Glen Scotia

Glen Scotia takes the third spot and gets very close to second. It is more widely available and has a strong core range. You have everything from entry level bottles to older age statements and special releases. Some of the festival releases are outstanding. The 2020 Tawny Port cask release is a personal highlight. The reason it does not go higher is down to personal taste. There is often a slightly peppery and dry note that does not always work for me. When it does, it is fantastic. When it does not, it can be a bit much. Still a very strong distillery and well worth exploring.

Longrow

Longrow takes the second place spot. This is the heavily peated side of Springbank and it delivers big bold flavours. If Springbank is the distillery Longrow is the fire. The standard peated release is excellent and more available than Springbank. Then you have the Red series which has built a huge following with wine cask finishes like Malbec and Pinot Noir have been standout releases. There is also the newer higher strength range which packs even more flavour. This is a range that continues to impress.

Kilkerran

Taking the top spot is Kilkerran from Glengyle distillery which should not be a surprise if you have watched the channel before. For me this is one of the most consistent whisky brands out there. Every release I have tried has been high quality. From the 12 year old to the cask strength editions, it just does not miss. The Port cask release is a personal favourite and the bourbon cask expressions are also excellent. Most importantly it is still possible to find on shelves without fighting the crowds. That alone makes a big difference.

Campbeltown may be small but it punches well above its weight. Each distillery offers something different and that is what makes the region so exciting. Whether you like peat, fruit, or something in between, there is something here for you.