
May 16, 2018

Two distillate-driven Springers

Remember, not a month without Springbank is one of WF’s mottos. Even only two wee Campbeltowners can do, mind you…

Springbank 14 yo 2002/2017 (55.8%, OB, fresh and refill bourbon, 9000 bottles)

This one came out last year in autumn. Colour: straw. Nose: well, it starts extremely mineral (mineralic as Angus would say), very austere, ridden with notes of flints, guns that were just used, aspirin tablets, then bandages, burning grass and herbs, burnt artichokes… I wouldn’t call it sexy so far, but let’s see what happens once water’s been added… With water: new wellies, new tyres, rock dust, gravel, you see… Mouth (neat): huge lemony, aspiriny, cinchona-y arrival, you’d even believe you’re having bitters… neat. You’re also chomping on cactus leaves and burnt broccoli. I know. With water: gentler and fruitier, but all on sharp citrus, grapefruit, lime, bitter oranges… Finish: very long, with some green pepper this time, and peat smoke. A feeling of having just eaten orange peel in the aftertaste. Comments: one of the austerely bitter recent Springbanks I’ve been given to try. I had expected a little more sweetness, but that’s me.
SGP:373 - 87 points.

Springbank 24 yo 1993/2017 (53.3%, Hunter Laing First Editions, Author’s Series, refill hogshead, cask # HL14288, 216 bottles)

Thomas Hardy’s on the bottle. That’s not the guy from Cognac Hardy mind you… 2016’s 1996 in the same series had been terrific (WF 91). Colour: gold. Nose: it’s amazing that we would be so close to the younger OB, but this one has a little more roundness, around quince jelly and lemon tarte (with meringue, naturally). A little more mud and dry cow dung as well, which goes extremely well with this style. Fantastic. With water: mud and soot, liquid latex, carbolinium… Mouth (neat): perfect mineral/medicinal arrival, with the expected dirty farmy notes coming later on, as well as the coastal lemons and this hints of genepy and other small mentholy herbs. Huge distillate from vintages that, in my humble opinion, weren’t the distillery’s best ever. With water: lemons and other citrus up, plus peppermint and funny touches of mouthwash, Listerine… Finish: long, a tad grassier and sweeter at the same time. A lot of hops in the aftertaste – really! Comments: as always, more a ride than a relaxed stroll through the park. I think the 1996 was a little brighter.
SGP:462 - 90 points.

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