Springbank 12yo Cask Strength (56.3%): And we are back from Campbeltown Malts Festival... It's going to take some time to get organized, sort the photographs, put the notes together I scribbled on dozens of random pieces of paper, taste the samples we brought back and post tasting notes. So what I can do this weekend instead while I am working on these is to uncork this bottle to enjoy and also to keep the focus still on Campbeltown. It is the August 2016 release of Springbank's Cask Strength edition which would be the batch #13. I believe it was the last batch before they changed the label design. It is vatted using 70% sherry cask and 30% ex-bourbon cask matured whisky stocks.
Color: Polished copper, light amber.
Nose: Oily soot, grease soaked cotton rags and seaweed. Honey glazed nuts, dry gardening soil and pecan pie. A few drops of water add more earthy aromas. Moss, old buckskin jacket, wild mushrooms and dried cranberries. A walk in a forest after a morning drizzle. Flawless...
Palate: Surprisingly sweet entrance... Citrusy as well. Lemon curd, armagnac, dry sherry and golden raisins. Turns salty and peppery after allowing it to air a minute or two: Sea salt and black pepper. After adding a few drops of water it gets even more salty: Feta cheese brine and green olives. Feels like sitting a little too close to a bonfire at the beach. Charcoal, cold ocean spray and sour cherries.
Finish: Well, it goes forever... Again sea salt, charcoal and brine. Tongue tingling...
Overall: One of the best regular official distillery releases that I know of. Period... I always get excited for the next batch coming, keep my expectations high, very high and somehow it never disappoints. It is a stunning whisky... Tart, spicy, salty, sweet and earthy. A little restless but still balanced at the end. As soon as I nose the whisky it transports me right back to Campbeltown to Springbank warehouses. I know that I am not the most objective person to review a Springbank or any Campbeltown whisky but believe me this is a very good dram...
At the end I would like to raise this glass to every single person from Wee Toon who hosted us with endless hospitality and generosity throughout the whole Festival. Thank you all for making our short stay a total blast we will never forget... Hope to see everybody very soon. You are all rockstars..!
At the end I would like to raise this glass to every single person from Wee Toon who hosted us with endless hospitality and generosity throughout the whole Festival. Thank you all for making our short stay a total blast we will never forget... Hope to see everybody very soon. You are all rockstars..!
Price: $85
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