Our name may have changed from Whisky Odyssey to Long Pour Amour, but the Campbeltown Wednesday will remain a regular (monthly) feature on this blog. Today we put two samples from Springbank in the glass. The first one is the yearly release of the cask strength 12 years old. I know it has fans, I also know it has people who do not really care for it. They prefer the regular 10 years old to this one. Reason for this might be that there is often a lot of sherry casks added to the mix. This gives Springbank a rather dirty edge. To compensate, today we also scribble some tasting notes for a Cage Bottle that was kindly shared with me by whisky friend Erik. This expression comes solely from one Fresh Bourbon Cask. Let’s dive in!
Springbank 12 years old, bottled at 57,2 % abv
First things first: Batch 25 is made up from 70 % bourbon casks and 30 % sherry casks. Leaning more on the bourbon influence then.
Upon Sipping: Despite the high percentage bourbon casks, this is still very much defined by the sherried notes. Figs, sultana crackers, some red fruits and the usual dose of limestone. Fruity and lively, I have got to say. After some breathing, I do pick up a lot more notes coming from the bourbon side of the mix, with the typical oranges and tangerines that I truly adore in Springbank. Old Springbank can be out of this world, but I think 12 years of maturation really hits the sweet spot of this spirit. The rather fierce abv had me worried on taking a sip, but the drinking experience remains quite civil.
Only on the finish, I get this harsh, almost meaty taste, that also has a good dose of bitterness with it. With water, more red fruit is released, along with some smokiness. The palate seems to become a tad sweeter, but it cannot shake that bitter note, that to me is also a weak spot in this year’s bottling. Minor complaint, but it is there.
Word to the Wise: A very decent release once again in the cask strength series, that has seen 25 batches so far. This year’s expression was less to my liking, but still it is a solid dram. The more apparent peaty influence is a nice touch.
Score: 87 points
Springbank 2011, 13 years old, bottled at 58,6 % abv
First things first: Distilled on 14 June 2011 and matured for 13 years in a fresh bourbon cask, to be bottled on 14 Augustus 2024. Rotation 467, Warehouse 7. Duty Paid Sample – For Trade Purposes Only (also known as a Cage Bottle).
Upon Sipping: This will delight and surprise hardcore Springbank enthusiasts. It has a very pure character, with an abundance of fruity notes well beyond the realm of vanilla. There are peaches, white and red grapes, blood oranges and even some strawberries. The limestone is there, but like a type of glue binding it all together. The nose is really outstanding. This being a fresh bourbon casks, I am surprised that there is still so much room for the spirit to shine. The palate provides the same joys, with lots of white fruits and bittersweet cream.
Only on the finish I pick up a good hit of vanilla influences, but at this point it is just developing through an impressive scala of flavours. All this from a simple bourbon cask!
Adding a splash of water is a sight to see. As soon as the liquid makes contact with the spirit, a trail of oiliness is swirling through the glass. This is raw, pure Springbank, with no interference of anything whatsoever. The colour of the whisky has a hint of soft peach-orange and somehow the brain takes off with it. The fruit turns more tropical with some diluting, making this a whisky that can take on many faces. The finish remains the domain of vanilla, but is soft and gentle when the edge of the high abv is taken off.
Word to the Wise: This is a tremendous dram, and justifies going to Campbeltown for to take it out of the cage yourself, and putting it proudly in your cabinet. Extremely quaffable, very brilliant. A textbook example of the beauty that is Springbank.
Score: 90 points
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