Springbank 12 Years Trio

Springbank 12 years old Cask Strength, batch 27, bottled at 55,9 % abv

First things first: The cask make-up on the latest Cask Strength release is 60% Bourbon, 35% Sherry, and 5% Rum. Bottled on 13 February 2025. 

Upon Sipping: We have seen some rum casks disappear in the mix over the last few years, even in a Local Barley expression. Will we still notice such a small impact? Well, first of all, I think this release will please the fans of more bourbon forward Springbank, because it does seem lighter and brighter compared to previous years, which may have leaned heavier on the sherry. This one opens on traditional fruits, mostly orange in colour, but some red fruit is added too. Bottled at high strength, Springbank always turns a little industrious, which is a characteristic that I like a lot. The mouthfeel is surprisingly sweet and gentle, and brings a stunning mix between two beloved Springbank styles. Lots of limestone and fruit, with bitter hints of lemon and salted chocolate. On the other hand we find a lot of red candy with sour drizzle over it. My daughter loves those tongue shrivel gummies. To find it in a glass of Campbeltown malt is astonishing.  With some water, the fruitier side of Springbank definitely takes the reigns, with this expression now being closer to the regular 10 years old. The taste has become a tad more sugary sweet, and the sourness is placed more on the back of the tongue, before bidding a strawberry laden farewell on the finish. 

Springbank 12 years old Cask Strength, batch 21, bottled at 56,1 % abv

First things first: The cask make-up on the 2020 release of the Cask Strength is more of a hotchpotch with 45% Sherry, 25% Bourbon, 25% Burgundy 5% Port. Bottled on 8 October 2020 in a batch of 12.000 bottles. 

Upon Sipping: Burgundy and port… it almost sounds like Springbank was clearing out all kinds of weird casks from their stock in those days. The liquid is decidedly darker of course than the 2025. The nose is a surprise. I expected a lot of dirty off-notes, sulphur most of all, but this Springbank is actually just as fruity as the 2025. After the initial whiff of limestone you get taken into a fruit orchard with a lot of variety. Raspberry, strawberry, but not really the fruit, somebody has already turned it into sorbet ice cream and lemonade. After some breathing, the rubber wellies do have a say in the matter, but not disturbingly so. Taking a sip, and you will understand the nose was hiding the truth. The liquid is not exactly bone dry, but very close to it. The industrious raw power of Springbank races full throttle here. Sour hints, dry rubber, and still a sliver of bourbon Springbank fruit in there somewhere too. Very complex, maybe even too complex. With water, this evens out more towards a fruity sweet character. Now we have lift off! It remains rather hot on the finish, but the balance is extraordinary, even with such eclectic casks used to create this batch. The richness of it all is rarely discovered in other single malt, I have to admit. 

Springbank 12 years old, Cage Bottle 2012 – 2024, bottled at 57,9 % abv

First things first: This Springbank was distilled on 12 June 2012 and matured until 2022, when it was transferred into a fresh Palo Cortado cask. It was then bottled on 7 November 2024 and put into the Cage at the Springbank Visitor Centre where it was at one point bought by me. Warehouse # 8 and rotation 22/p213-2. 

Upon Sipping: Palo Cortado was already featured in the annual sherry series by Springbank, but this is a single cask. Opens rather vinegary, with sour notes that mixes with a certain Springbank funk, or should I say fungus? Some fruity notes try to wrestle out from under the very dominant sherry cask. Palo Cortado has never been a favourite type of sherry for me. I think the high abv is also cloying here. We will add some water soon enough. Still, after some breathing I do pick up hints of wet pebbles and oranges. An undiluted sip presents us with lots of fruits, raisins on rum, and dark wood. Very punchy and raw, I have to say. Water brings out a richness on the nose that goes all over the place. Wet plaster, blood orange, tangerines; some unbalance can’t be denied. Also a sour experience on the palate. This is really a whisky that challenges. I like how very singular it is, but this powerful sherry has done a number on the fruity Springbank spirit. 

Word to the Wise: The joy of Springbank Cage Bottlings underlined here. With this bottle, you get something really unique that you will not often find in the bigger batch releases.