Springbank 12 - Cask Strength 57,1% - 2019
Photo taken somewhere in Stuttgart
This fellow is already considered to be an annual classic malt (not speaking in Diageo terms) within the whisky community. We are very curious to see to what extent it stands up against this years "Local Barley" expression, which we truly celebrated (92 points). Close age statements and both cask strength, sounds like an interesting battle.
Nose
Feels straight like coming home the moment the first molecules hit the nose. Springbank at it's finest: Grassy, waxy, salty and bread-y (sounds like a childish poem). Green olives, dipped into eucalyptus oil, tahini and petrol. The distinctive Springbank-y barn smell. Damn, it's already a hit.
With water:
Really delicate and sweeter now, with melted butter and fresh crumble cake. Could be the sherry influence.
Palate
Why are they making it so easy to like them? Sugared saltwater with lime juice, so a little bit sour too. New plastics with tarr and medicine.
The alcohol is very well integrated and easily allows to enjoy the spirit neat.
With water: Much sweeter and really oily now. The lemon juice turned to lemon jam.
Finish
Very long lasting and beautifuly bitter with grapefruit peels and grape marc.
Rating
First word: Fantastic. We liked the Local Barley a shade better, because it was more edgy (which is not better in most cases, this one excepted), and more complex. Big-time whinging, we know. Springbank is one of the best distilleries on this small planet.
Last word: Buy!
