Origin: Campbeltown (Scotland)
Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Gradation: 54.8%ABV
Ageing casks: Ex-Bourbon and ex-Sherry
Chillfiltere: No
Additional Coloring: No
Owner: J & A Mitchell & Co Ltd.
Average price: € 67.00
Official website: springbank.scot/
Vote: 88/100
This cask strength version of the 12yo from Springbank was born in 2010, and is an about half-yearly release, with each version different from the previous one both in gradation and, sometimes, in the use of barrels for ageing.
Below is the list of what has been released so far:
Batch 1 (01/2010): 54,6% – 60% ex-Sherry Hogshead, 40% Sherry Butt Refill
Batch 2 (09/2010): 58,5% – 60% ex-Sherry Hogshead, 40% Sherry Butt Refill
Batch 3 (09/2011): 55,3% – 60% ex-Sherry Hogshead, 40% Sherry Butt Refill
Batch 4 (02/2012): 55,1% – 60% ex-Sherry Hogshead, 40% Sherry Butt Refill
Batch 5 (08/2012): 52,2% – 70% ex-Sherry Hogshead, 30% ex-Bourbon
Batch 6 (01/2013): 53,1% – 70% ex-Sherry Hogshead, 30% ex-Bourbon
Batch 7 (07/2013): 50,3% – 70% ex-Sherry Hogshead, 30% ex-Bourbon
Batch 8 (01/2014): 52,3% – 70% ex-Sherry Hogshead, 30% ex-Bourbon
Batch 9 (07/2014): 54,3% – 70% ex-Sherry Hogshead, 30% Sherry Butt Refill
Batch 10 (02/2015): 53,2% – 70% ex-Sherry Hogshead, 30% ex-Bourbon
Batch 11 (08/2015): 53.8% – 70% ex-Sherry Hogshead, 30% ex-Bourbon
Batch 12 (02/2016): 54.1% – 65% ex-Sherry Hogshead, 35% ex-Bourbon
Batch 13 (08/2016): 56.3% – 70% ex-Sherry Hogshead, 30% ex-Bourbon
Batch 14 (01/2017): 54.2% – 70% ex-Sherry Hogshead, 30% ex-Bourbon
Batch 15 (08/2017): 56.5% – 70% ex-Sherry Hogshead, 30% ex-Bourbon
Batch 16 (02/2018): 56.3% – 70% ex-Sherry Hogshead, 30% ex-Bourbon
Batch 17 (08/2018): 56.2% – 70% ex-Sherry Hogshead, 30% ex-Bourbon
Batch 18 (01/2019): 54.8% – 50% ex-Sherry Hogshead, 50% ex-Bourbon
Batch 19 (09/2019): 57.1% – 65% ex-Bourbon, 35% ex-Sherry Hogshead
Batch 20 (02/2020): 55.3% – 65% ex-Bourbon, 35% ex-Sherry Hogshead
Batch 21 (10/2020): 56.1% – 45% ex-Sherry, 25%, ex-Bourbon, 25%, ex-Burgundy and 5% ex-Port
Batch 22 (04/2021): 55.4% – 50% ex-Sherry, 50% ex-Bourbon
Tasting notes
Light gold in the glass.
The nose is very cuddly and sweet, with the peat more mineral than toasted, surrounded by ripe plum, dried apricots, candied orange, raisins in spirit, honey and chocolate. Tea leaves, hints of leather. Despite the important gradation, it’s fresh and delicate.
The heat of alcohol is released on the palate, without a bite, pushing the peat that reveals its fleshy side while remaining gentle, a puff of smoke on the sweet notes of caramel, cinnamon, ripe pear, candied orange, lemon peel. Mineral note well present, on the background damp wood and leather again.
Rather long finish, of ash, plum, lemon, wood.
An unusual yet recognizable Springbank, with a gentle soul that does not hide a rougher side, presenting itself with a varied and complex dram, appreciable on several levels. Balanced and complex.