
January 17, 2018

Two Springbank

Because no month would be complete without some Springbank. A good few of them, preferably, but we'll only have two fairly new ones today.

Springbank 17 yo 1999/2017 (49.2%, OB, for Quaich Bar Singapore, fresh sherry hogshead)

A low outturn for this single cask for one of the members of the burgeoning Sigaporean whisky scene. Colour: rich amber. Nose: it is a pretty game-y, leathery Springbank, with rather heavy notes of Cuban cigars and bitter oranges, then the expected waxy gravel and diesel oil mingled with touches of aniseed and chive. More aniseed coming through with time, as well as these trademark flinty notes. Mouth: very rich, waxy and quite bitter, with a lot of paraffin, green curry and green pepper, more leather, and lastly, tons of bitter oranges. A heavy Springbank indeed. Finish: very long, with more green tannins from what may have been some new European oak cask. Peppery grapefruits in the aftertaste. Comments: the rather heavier side of Springbank. Very good, just quite extreme - and extractive.
SGP:362 - 87 points.

Springbank 21 yo 1996/2017 (58.1%, Whisky Nerds, cask #471)

Springbank 21 yo 1996/2017 (58.1%, Whisky Nerds, cask #471)
This one should be brighter. Colour: gold. Nose: as expected, this one's brighter, and much more mineral. You're nosing wet rocks, limestone, crushed chalk, concrete, tarmac, then rather lemons and grapefruits, shoe polish, hay... So this is very typically 'clean' Springbank, but clean Springbank can be quite dirty. Oh well, I know what I'm trying to say. With water: exceptional. Old engine oil, rusty tools, brake fluid, metal polish, and assorted mushrooms. Shi-take! Mouth (neat): just superb. Very oily, mentholy, camphory, peppery, lemony, earthy, chalky, waxy, peely, sappy... Simply one of the very best distillates on this little planet. With water: splendid! More chalky and lemony waxes and oils, tar candies and liqueurs, polishes... Finish: long, grassier. Cactus, celeriac, chalk, lemon, balms... Comments: this one's just as very exciting as other clean ones from similar vintages. A style that's very hard to beat if you ask me.
SGP:352 - 92 points.

(Many thanks, Benjamin!)

Check the index of all Springbank I've tasted so far