Nose: Oh my! Here we go... Spearmint leaves, green hay and fresh cut grass. Fennel and caraway seeds. White bread crust, candle wax and juniper berries. A brisk morning walk in the pine forest... Dry underground cellar and gravel. Adding just a couple drops water and voila..! Beautifully tart now: Passion fruit, Gose (not Geuze) beer and grapefruit juice. Sweet pickles and feta cheese.
Palate: Dry soot, wet pebbles and beeswax. Amazing entry... First come the fruits: Papaya, white peaches and prickly pears. Then herbs and spices follow: White pepper, dried rosemary, oregano and ground coriander. After adding water: Wet sand, sea salt and lemon curd.
Finish: Medium to long... Cheese brine, ground ginger, ground coriander and green peppercorns.
Overall: What the hell just happened..? This was certainly one of the best Springbanks I tasted on this blog if not the best. It's waxy, briny and dusty with all kind of stone fruits, tropical fruits and fresh herbs... Flawlessly balanced. I actually started to think lately how similar to each other well aged Springbank and Clynelish spirits distilled in 90s can get and this one is a perfect example for that. Well, all I can say now is: Kudos and thanks to whoever was involved in this pick and made it happen. Stellar whisky... Too much of a praise..? Not even enough... Amazing job guys..! Thank you Ian Sunderland. What a grand finale to the all the samples you sent lately my way.
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