Springbank Single Malt Scotch Whisky tasting notes
 

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Springbank 15 yo (56.6%, Whiskies of Scotland, 2012) - 260413
 



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Springbank Single Malt Scotch Whisky tasting notes

The Whisky Tasting Indexes - Springbank
 

Springbank - Scotch Malt Whisky - Region: Campbeltown
WF Distillery Ranking: Premier Cru Classé (all current rankings here)

Status: active - Stills: 3 (1 wash, 2 spirit) - Founded: 1828
Address: Well Close, Campbeltown, Argyll PA28 6ET - Phone: +44 (0) 1586 552 009
Web: www.springbankdistillers.com - More info:

My favourite expression so far:
Springbank 12 yo 100 proof (57.1%, OB, imported by Samaroli, early 80’s, 2400 bottles)
 98 points - Last tasted: December 16, 2004 - Tasting notes: here
Springbank

General Distillery Profile - keywords (wazzat?)
(old, <1980) Fresh fruits Coconut Sherry Oranges Pepper Vanilla Milk Eucalyptus Bananas Apricots
(young, >1980) Dried fruits Spirity Caramel Wine Yeast Pepper Oranges Smoke Rubber
In our opinion: Springbank is one of the few remaining family owned distilleries in Scotland and had acquired a ‘grand cru’ status in the 1980s and 1990s, thanks to a rather early small batch policy and some thrilling bottlings such as the famous ‘100 proofs’ and, later on the ‘Local Barleys’. A rather idiosyncratic distillate plus some wonderful sherry casks had really done wonders. For some reasons, following bottlings had dropped in quality (some have accused a poorer wood management and the disappearance of good sherry casks) and a few rather erratic wine finishings were also to blame in my view. Yet, a few years ago, the very engaging Frank McHardy started a much more careful wood scheme involving some clever re-racking and things started to improve again. The recent 18 yo, for instance, is of high quality and younger recent expressions have been very good as well. Even some wine finishings have been good in my opinion - imagine! ;-). So, it’s not impossible that Springbank is on the verge of becoming a grand cru again. Actually, when trying some very young recent bottlings, including by some independents, one may well think that that already happened. I take my hat off!. – August 15, 2009
What the pros had to say: coming soon...

MM Distillery profile:
Whisky is liquid courage. Many people - mostly men - have performed acts of inspired bravery (and foolishness) whilst under the influence of 'the water of life'. And while the cheaper blends and bourbons usually affect the more primitive parts of the brain (truncus cerebri), it seems single malts often appeal to the higher brain functions in the cerebrum. So, while the symptoms of low budget alcohol abuse often include primitive behavior like shouting .... More on Malt Madness.

 Springbank
Check all the 'winners' (90 points or more) on this wee list (PDF)
Whiskyfun tasting notes
OB - no vintage
  • Dunaverty 12 yo (43%, OB, Eaglesome Ltd, 100% Pure Malt, +/-1975) - 260413
  • Springbank NAS (46%, OB, House and Tree label, Germany, mid 1990’s) - 061105
  • Springbank C.V. (46%, OB, white cap, CV at the top, circa 1995) - 271107
  • Springbank C.V. (46%, OB, golden cap, CV on the sides, circa 2000) - 271107
  • Springbank 'CV' (46%, OB, +/-2010) - 020410
  • Springbank NAS Distillery Visitors 2003 (No ABV, OB) - no notes - 79
  • Springbank NAS Private Bottling (OB for distillery visitors 2005, mini) - 250705
  • Springbank 5 yo (43%, OB for Italy, 1960’s) - 281106
  • Springbank 5 yo (43%, OB, 1.5 litres, 60’s) - 060605
  • Springbank 5 yo (43%, OB, Black Label, Big White "S", Brown Glass, Black Screw Cap, 75cl, 1960s) - 080310
  • Springbank 'Glens Extra' 8 yo (40%, Robert Watson Aberdeen, 1960's) - 130406
  • Springbank 8 yo (43%, OB for Japan, pear shaped, late 1970’s) - 080306
  • Springbank 10 yo (57%, OB for Sutti Milano, light vatting, 70’s) - 100505
  • Springbank 10 yo (46%, OB, +/-2000) - no notes - 83
  • Springbank 10 yo (46%, OB, +/-2003) - no notes - 84
  • Springbank 10 yo 100 Proof (57%, OB, +/-2004) - no notes - 78
  • Springbank 10 yo (46%, OB, 2008) - 021208
  • Springbank 10 yo (46%, OB, +/-2009) - 080310
  • Springbank 10 yo '100 proof' (57%, OB, +/-2010) - 110510
  • Springbank 12 yo 'Glens Extra' (70° proof, Robert Watson Aberdeen, black screw cap, 1960s) - 210509
  • Springbank 12 yo (46%, OB, tall bottle, black label, very light vatting, 70's) - 180805
  • Springbank 12 yo Premium Reserve 'Saxplayer' (46%, OB, Japan, 375ml, 1980s) - 210509
  • Springbank 12 yo (57%, OB, for Donato, Italy, early 1980s) - 060110
  • Springbank 12 yo (46%, OB, black label, 1980’s) - 010205
  • Springbank 12 yo (46%, OB, red thistle, circa 1995) - 271107
  • Springbank 12 yo 100 proof (57.1%, OB, imported by Samaroli, early 80’s, 2400 bottles) - 161204
  • Springbank 12 yo 100 proof (50%, OB, European version, early 90’s) - 100505
  • Springbank 12 yo 100 proof (57%, OB, European version) - 010205
  • Springbank 12 yo '100 Proof US' (50%, OB, +/-1995, 'Double Dark', USA, +/-1995) - 210509
  • Springbank 12 yo 100° Proof’ (57%, OB, UK, ‘rather light vatting’) - 011205
  • Springbank 12 yo 'Cask Strength' (54.6%, OB, +/-2010) - 110510
  • Springbank 12 yo ‘175th Anniversary’ (46%, OB, 12000 bottles) - no notes - 87
  • Springbank 15 yo (43%, OB, pear shape, 70’s) - 020505
  • Springbank 15 yo (46%, Black Label, mid 80’s) - 100604
  • Springbank 15 yo (46%, OB, 1994) - 100604
  • Springbank 15 yo (46%, OB, +/-1995) - no notes - 90
  • Springbank 15 yo (46%, OB, +/-2002) - no notes - 78
  • Springbank 15 yo (46%, OB, +/-2003) - no notes - 84
  • Springbank 15 yo (46%, OB, 2004 bottling) - 180805
  • Springbank 15 yo (46%, OB, +/- 2010) - 261110
  • Springbank 15 yo 'Cask Strength' (51.7%, OB for Glen Fahrn, Switzerland, Port, +/-2011) - 021111
  • Springbank 17 yo (52.8%, OB and Ralfy.com for charity, fresh Port, 1 bottle, 2012) - 021212
  • Springbank 18 yo (46%, OB, 2009) - 300309
  • Springbank 18 yo 2nd Edition (46%, OB, +/-2010) - 080310
  • Springbank 18 yo (46%, OB, +/-2011) - 021111
  • Springbank 21 yo (43%, OB, pear shape, 70’s) - 020505
  • Springbank 21 yo (43%, OB, ceramic jug, early 1990s) - 041211
  • Springbank 21 yo (46%, OB, dumpy, parchment label) - 100604
  • Springbank 21 yo (46%, parchment label, ‘Archibald Mitchell’, 80’s) - 161204
  • Springbank 21 yo (46%, OB, dumpy ‘John Mitchell’) - 190505
  • Springbank 21 yo (46%, OB, +/-2000 or late 1990's) - no notes - 88
  • Springbank 21 yo (46%?, OB, 2011) - 041211
  • Springbank 25 yo (43%, OB, pear shape, 70’s) - 020505
  • Springbank 25 yo (46%, OB, dumpy, parchment label) - 100604
  • Springbank 25 yo (46%, OB, 2006) - 310706
  • Springbank 30 yo (46%, OB, parchment label, late 1980’s?) - 060305
  • Springbank 30 yo ‘Limited Edition’ (46%, OB, +/-1995) - 241211
  • Springbank 40 yo Limited Edition (40.1%, OB, bottled 2000) - 191104
  • Springbank 50 yo ‘Millenium’ (40.5%, OB, ca 2001) - 060605
OB - vintage
  • Springbank 32 yo 1962/1995 (46%, OB, ‘Big S’) - 260107
  • Springbank 15 yo 1964/1979 (45.7%, OB for Samaroli, Italy) - 100505
  • Springbank 1964 (46%, OB, private bottling for Lateltin 100th Anniversary, Switzerland) - 250208
  • Springbank 1965/2001 ‘Local Barley’ (47.6%, OB, cask #1965/8) - 250706
  • Springbank 24 yo 1966/1990 (60.7%, OB, Local Barley, cask #441) - 151209
  • Springbank 24 yo 1966/1990 (58.1%, OB, Local Barley, cask #443) - 151209
  • Springbank 1966/1998 'Local barley' (54.4%, OB) - 100604
  • Springbank 1966/1998 ‘Local Barley’ (55.3%, OB, cask #498) - 160908
  • Springbank 1966/1999 ‘Local Barley’ (55%, OB, cask #507) - 160908
  • Springbank 1966/2000 ‘Local Barley’ (55%, OB, cask #511) - 250706
  • Springbank 1967/1988 (46%, OB, 'A West Highland SMW', 648 bottles) - 310108
  • Springbank 10 yo 1968/1980 (59%, OB, Italy, cask #1786) - 130406
  • Springbank 1969/2003 (47.6%, OB private bottling, cask #55) - 120105
  • Springbank 32 yo 1971/2004 (46%, OB) - 161204
  • Springbank 1974/2000 (44.9%, OB, Private bottling, cask #153, 234 bottles) - 270709
  • Springbank 25 yo 1975 ‘Frank McHardy’ (46%, OB, cask #1377, 157 bottles) - 180805
  • Springbank 1978 (46%, OB, ‘House and Tree’ label) - 030504
  • Springbank 14 yo 1979/1993 (46%, OB, France) - 130307
  • Springbank 12 yo 1989/2001 Private Bottling (58.1%, OB, Sherry, cask #505) - no notes - 78
  • Springbank 13 yo 1989/2003 Portwood (54.2%, OB) - no notes - 89
  • Springbank 17 yo 1990/2008 (51.5%, OB for Springbank Society members, refill Port hogshead, 570 bottles) - 021208
  • Springbank 12 yo 1991 ‘Bourbon Wood’ (58.5%, OB, 5986 bottles) - 011205
  • Springbank 16 yo 1991/2007 'Rum Wood' (54.2%, OB, 6000 bottles) - 060110
  • Springbank 7 yo 1992/1999 ‘Da Mhile’ (46%, OB, organic) - 030504
  • Springbank 8 yo 1995/2004 (56%, OB for the Springbank Society, fresh sherry, 306 bottles) - 250705
  • Springbank 9 yo 1996/2005 (56.7%, OB, Private Bottling, "The Members of Scotchunlimited", Cask #76, 271 bottles) - 080310
  • Springbank 9 yo 1996/2006 'Marsala Wood' (58%, OB, 7740 bottles) - 121206
  • Springbank 1996 ‘Spiritus Sulphuris Volatilis’ (57.5%, OB, private bottling, cask #118, 306 bottles) - 121206
  • Springbank 1996/2008 (52.9%, OB for Lateltin Switzerland, oloroso sherry butt, cask #266) - 270709
  • Springbank 12 yo 1996/2009 'Madeira Hogshead' (53.4%, OB, Oddbins exclusive, 179 bottles) - 110510
  • Springbank 1997 (55.2%, OB, 11,000 bottles, 2007) - 271107
  • Springbank 1997 'batch #2' (54.9%, OB, Bottled +/- 2008) - 021208
  • Springbank 11 yo 1997/2009 ‘Madeira Wood’ (55.1%, OB, 9,090 bottles) - 300309
  • Springbank 12 yo 1997/2010 'Claret Wood' (54.4%, OB, 2360 bottles) - 020410
  • Springbank 1999/2009 (49.7%, OB, Private, Rebstock - Rolf's No1, first fill sherry) - 151010
  • Springbank 11 yo 1999/2011 ‘Local Barley’ (57.9%, OB, Springbank Society, Recharred Sherry Butt, 516 bottles) - 020911
  • Springbank 2001 (55.3%, OB, 2009) - 060110
  • Springbank 10 yo 2001/2012 'Rundlets & Kilderkins' (49.4%, OB, 9000 bottles) - 270412
Adelphi
  • Springbank 35 yo 1969/2004 (58.5%, Adelphi, cask #149) - 180805
Berry Bros & Rudd
  • Springbank 35 yo 1968/2003 (46%, Berry Bros) - 050304
  • Springbank 1992/2009 'Peat-Smoked' (46%, Berry Bros & Rudd, cask #71) - 040509
  • Springbank 1992/2011 'Peat-Smoked' (46%, Berry Bros & Rudd, cask #61) - 030611
  • Springbank 1993/2009 (46%, Berry Bros & Rudd, cask #195) - 040509
Blackadder
  • Springbank 10 yo 1995/2005 (58.4%, Blackadder Raw Cask) - 080306
  • Springbank 12 yo 1995/2007 (55.7%, Blackadder Raw Cask, sherry hogshead, 280 bottles) - 201207
The Bottlers
  • Springbank 16 yo 1993/2009 (53.5%, The Bottlers, bourbon hogshead, cask #219) - 170112
  • Springbank 16 yo 1993/2009 (58.9%, The Bottlers, refill sherry hogshead, cask #180) - 170112
Cadenhead
  • Springbank 17 yo (80°proof, Cadenhead, late 1970s) - 160907
  • Springbank 21 yo (46%, Cadenhead, big S) - 160907
  • Fake Springbank 25 yo 1954/1979 (80°proof, Cadenhead’s, dumpy) - 250208
  • Springbank 34 yo 1964/1998 (52.2%, Cadenhead's, sherrywood) - 190309
  • Springbank 31 yo 1965/1996 (50.5%, Cadenhead’s ‘Chairman’s Stock’) - 260107
  • Springbank 20 yo 1972/1992 (56.5%, Cadenhead) - 260107
  • Springbank 18 yo 1973/1991 (57.9%, Cadenhead’s, rum cask) - 260107
  • Springbank Bond n°3 (54,9%, Cadenhead, bottled 05/04/2001) - 061105
  • Springbank 9 yo 2001/2011 (57.1%, Cadenhead, Demerara cask) - 021111
Chieftain's
  • Springbank 40 yo 1968/2008 (54%, Chieftain's, oloroso, cask #1414, 398 bottles) - 151209
  • Springbank 28 yo 1975/2003 (50.5%, Chieftain’s for Schotse Dagen in Ooidonk, Belgium, cask #1891,186 bottles) - 281106
Celtic Cross
  • Springbank 1975 (46%, Celtic Cross, Japan) - 281106
Dewar Rattray - A.D. Rattray
  • Springbank 15 yo 1995/2010 (49.9%, A.D. Rattray for Alba Import, Germany, sherry hogshead, cask #96, 220 bottles) - 180711
Dun Bheagan
  • Springbank 37 yo (41.5%, Dun Bheagan for Park Avenue Liquors USA, cask #56, 96 bottles) - 310706
  • Springbank 1968/2004 (51.4%, Dun Bheagan, cask #1415, 432 bottles) - 190505
  • Springbank 35 yo 1969/2005 (50%, Dun Bheagan, refill sherry, 516 bottles) - 120106
Dun Eidean
  • Springbank 1969/1997 (51.6%, Dun Eidean, butt #2381, 590 bottles) - 240505
Duncan Taylor
  • Springbank 33 yo 1967/2001 (41.4%, Douglas Laing OMC, Ref 3370, 204 bottles) - 310108
  • Springbank 14 yo 1991/2006 (51.1%, Whisky Galore, sherry cask #290) - 130406
  • Springbank 10 yo 1993/2003 (46%, Whisky Galore) - 030504
  • Springbank 13 yo 1993/2006 (46%, Duncan Taylor NC2) - 201207
  • Springbank 10 yo 1996/2006 (46%, Duncan Taylor NC2, Port Cask) - 200707
  • Springbank 10 yo 1996/2007 (46%, Duncan Taylor NC2, Port Cask) - no notes - 85
  • Springbank 13 yo 1998/2011 (46%, Duncan Taylor, NC2) - 170112
Exclusive Malts
  • Springbank 10 yo 1996 (51.5%, Exclusive Malts, cask #589, 374 bottles, 2007) - 080507
Hart Bros
  • Springbank 30 yo 1965/1995 (43%, Hart Bros) - 250208
  • Springbank 15 yo 1995/2011 (46%, Hart Brothers, Finest Collection) - 170112
High Spirits
  • Springbank 11yo 1995/2006 (57.3%, High Spirits, cask #433) - 201207
Kingsbury
  • Springbank 16 yo (46%, Kingsbury, Japan, single cask, Valdespino oloroso cask, +/-2009) - 060612
James MacArthur
  • Springbank 23 yo (53.7%, James MacArthur, bottled around 1989) - 070605.
  • Springbank 12 yo (59.8%, James MacArthur, cask #226, early 90s) - 200105
Malts of Scotland
  • Springbank 1998/2012 (51.5%, Malts of Scotland, sherry hogshead, 212 bottles) - 060612
Milroy's
  • Springbank 30 yo 1965/1995 (55%, Milroy’s, sherry cask #1297) - 160907
Moon Import
  • Springbank 1965/1988 (46%, Moon Import, The Birds, cask #367, 504 bottles) - 190309
  • Springbank 1985/1996 (50%, Moon Import, Dovr-toutes-mares, casks #40/1, 40/2, 40/32, 40/4, 1100 bottles) - 060612
Murray McDavid
  • Springbank 1965/1998 (46%, Murray McDavid, cask 580, 204 botles) - 240505
  • Springbank 31 yo 1967/1998 (46%, Murray McDavid, fresh bourbon, MM1315) - 310108
  • Springbank 31 yo 1967/1998 (46%, Murray McDavid, fresh sherry, ref #1314) - 220712
  • Springbank 1969/1997 (46%, Murray McDavid, MM7787) - 100604
  • Springbank ‘Cuvée’ 10 yo 1965-1993/2004 (46%, Murray McDavid, sherry and bourbon, MM 0406) - 200105
Samaroli
  • Glen Cawdor 32 yo 1951 (46%, Samaroli, 120 bottles, +/-1983) - 270412
  • Springbank 23 yo 1965 (50%, Duthie for Samaroli, ageing monography, 660 bottles) - 160907 - 250208
  • Springbank 20 yo 1968/1989 (50%, Duthie for Samaroli, Ageing Monography, 466 bottles, 75cl) - 250208
Signatory
  • Springbank 20 yo 1967 (46%, OB for Prestonfield, sherry wood, casks #3131-3136) - 121006 - 260107
  • Springbank 21 yo 1967/1989 (46%, Signatory, cask #3137) - 160907
  • Springbank 26 yo 1969/1995 (51.7%, Signatory, sherry, 790 bottles) - 241211
  • Springbank 27 yo 1969/1996 (51.8%, Signatory Dumpy, 632 bottles) - 151209
  • Springbank 26 yo 1969/1996 (52.8%, Signatory, sherry, 440 bottles) - 241211
  • Springbank 27 yo 1969/1997 (54%, Signatory, sherry, butt #2383, 580 bottles) - 241211
  • Springbank 28 yo 1969/1998 (52.3%, Signatory, cask #2382, 490 bottles, sherry) - 130307
  • Springbank 34 yo 1969/2003 (54.7%, Signatory Rare Reserve, butt #262, 408 bottles) - 161204
  • Springbank 34 yo 1969/2003 (56.7%, Signatory RR, cask #266) - no notes - 83
  • Springbank 1969/2003 (56.7%, Signatory Rare Reserve) - 100604
  • Springbank 34 yo 1970/2004 (51.2%, Prestonfield, cask #1631, 157 bottles) - 151209
  • Springbank 36 yo 1970/2006 (53,1%, Signatory, Sherry butt #1629, 461 bottles) - 121006
  • Springbank 37 yo 1970/2007 (53.9%, Signatory, butt #1621, 370 bottles) - 231107
  • Springbank 17 yo 1975/1993 (55.8%, Signatory, casks 3592-3593, 520 bottles) - 070605
  • Springbank 11 yo 1989/2000 (43%, Van Wees, dist 10/3/1989) - 100604
  • Springbank 11 yo 1989/2000 (45%, Signatory, Stills of Scotland, cask #105) - 080507
  • Springbank 1997/2002 (45%, Signatory, Stills of Scotland, cask #171) - no notes - 25
  • Springbank 6 yo 1997/2003 (45%, Stills of Scotland, Hogshead #182) - 080507
Single Malts of Scotland
  • Springbank 15 yo 1992/2007 (52.6%, The Whisky Society) - 231107
  • Springbank 13 yo 1993/2007 (58.7%, Single Malts of Scotland) - 200707
  • Springbank 11 yo 1999/2011 (53%, Single Malts of Scotland, sherry cask, cask #114) - 110711
SMWS
  • Springbank 31 yo 1964/1996 (51.1%, Scotch Malt Whisky Society, 27.41) - 250208
  • Springbank 1965/1987 (60.9%, Scotch Malt Whisky Society, #27.10) - 020911
  • Springbank 28 yo 1967 (51.3%, Scotch Malt Whisky Society, 27.35, 217 bottles) - 151209
  • Springbank 15 yo 1989/2005 (60.5%, SMWS 27.57) - 011205
  • Springbank 27.52 14 yo (46.7%, SMWS, ‘redcurrant fun’, portwood finish) - 030504
  • Springbank 15 yo 'Drink me' (54,9%, SMWS, 27.60, Bottled +/- 2006) - 231107
The Ultimate - Van Wees
  • Springbank 11 yo 1989/2000 (43%, Ultimate, cask #104, D. 10/03/'89) - no notes - 75
The Whisky Fair
  • Springbank 37 yo 1968/2005 (47.5%, The Whiskyfair, 216 bottles) - 290805
  • Springbank 38 yo 1968/2006 (54%, The Whisky Fair, 117 bottles) - 260107
  • Springbank 36 yo 1969/2005 (45.6%, The Whiskyfair, 197 bottles) - 290805
  • Springbank 1970/2004 (47.9%, Wiskyfair Limburg) - 120105
  • Springbank 35 yo 1970/2005 (59.5%, The Whisky Fair, bourbon hogshead, 120 bottles) - 120106
  • Springbank 35 yo 1971/2007 (59%, The Whisky Fair, sherry wood, 239 bottles) - 200707
  • Springbank 1975/2004 (49.2%, Whiskyfair Limburg) - 120105
Various IB
  • Glens Extra 8 yo (40%, Robert Watson, Pure West Highland Malt, golden screw cap, 1960s) - 260413
  • Springbank 10 yo 'Against the Grain' (46%, Oddbins, +/-2000) - no notes - 84
  • Springbank 15 yo (56.6%, Whiskies of Scotland, 2012) - 260413
  • Springbank 1968/2004 (49.2%, Pacific Caledonian, 271 bottles) - 260107
  • Springbank 35 yo 1971 (57.5%, Three Rivers Tokyo, The Life, 222 bottles) - 151209
  • Springbank 10yo 1995/2006 (46%, The Alchemist, for Potstill Vienna) - 060612
  • Springbank 17 yo 1995/2012 (46%, The Maltman, sherry, cask #68, 338 bottles) - 260413
  • Springbank 16 yo 1996/2012 (50.5%, The Stillman's, sherry hogshead, 250 bottles) - 260413
  • Springbank 14 yo 1998/2013 'Burns Malt' (54.3%, The Whisky Barrel, cask #448) - 260413