Tastes

I like oddities, drams that are out of the ordinary, different or even strange. The nose of this single grain is a bit unusual to say the least, I get effervescent tablets, raspberry powder and bee sting cake. Notes of baking spices, cereals and distant wood smoke evolve. Honeyed and peppery in the arrival, the palate develops with green walnuts, blueberries and charred oak. It turns aromatic, herbal and almost peaty. Mild citrus fruits, floral vanilla and a touch of coffee linger in the grassy finish. This Port Dundas is full of surprises, unveiling a singular flavor profile. RATING: 4.0/5.0 stars ≙ 87 pts → FIRST-CLASS

You don't get on the list of top 10 worst whiskies without reason, and this Lebanese 'pure malt' is only surpassed by Bolanachi from Egypt. Sour and sickening notes of biowaste, burned plastic and cheap deodorant emerge from the glass, while my inner voice whispers 'Don't drink this!'. The brutal punch of raw alcohol is accompanied by moldy fruits, stale beer and the distilled content of a cold ashtray. To add insult to injury, the finish is sickly sweet, persistently bitter and not short at all. An awful experience, I fear this dram will haunt me for a long time. RATING: 0.2/5.0 stars ≙ 15 pts → DREADFUL

Highly anticipated, extremely sought-after, unobtainium - is this controversial bottling actually worth it? Rich, heavy and earthy, the nose highlights molasses, strawberries and tobacco, while the peat is taking a backseat. Plums, cocoa and farmy notes appear. Dense flavors of stewed fruits unfold on the palate before it turns peppery, mineral and slightly peaty. The Springbank DNA is concealed under a thick layer of PX, think sugar-coated funk. Berry purée, oak spices and gentle peat smoke mark the decent finish. A good dram for sure, but it feels a bit forced. RATING: 4.0/5.0 stars ≙ 88 pts → FIRST-CLASS

Purple, the color associated with royalty, spirituality and of course Springbank 18. On the nose, spiced oranges, grapefruit and funky notes take turns with incense sticks, bandages and parsley. A complex flavor explosion kicks off the arrival: sweet, sour and bitter, then savory, peaty and briny. I won't even try to decipher this malt, it is truly sophisticated and will overwhelm an inexperienced palate. Lime juice, subtle peat smoke and hints of salt lead into the prolonged, zesty and herbal-fresh finish. This distillery remains a mystery, an enigma. It is… purple! RATING: 4.4/5.0 stars ≙ 90 pts → SUPERB [-]

What is Springbank's secret? Everything is done on site, from malting to bottling. No flannel, it's just authentic whisky. Dense and complex, the nose blossoms with dark cherries, ripe oranges and whiffs of smoke. Sea salt, sweet tobacco and burned matches creep in. On the palate, stewed fruits, dates and dark chocolate mingle with marmalade, eucalyptus and drying oak. The peat comes and goes, there is a lot to unpack. After Eights, cocoa and licorice fade in the mineral and slightly dirty finish. No wonder this stuff does not hang around on the shelves! RATING: 4.2/5.0 stars ≙ 89 pts → FIRST-CLASS [+]

In all these years, I have never come across a bad bottling of Springbank. The 15-year-old expression is more sherried and surprisingly peaty compared to its younger brother. On the nose, you get smoked salmon, confectionery and pipe tobacco. A touch of damp earth, cough syrup and parsley linger in the back. The taste is strong, savory and a bit fizzy with mineral peat smoke, orange peel and fresh ginger. Almost like a distant dream of Islay, whispering farewell in its long and slightly dry finish. Altogether, this is a rewarding single malt and a great value. RATING: 4.0/5.0 stars ≙ 88 pts → FIRST-CLASS

Batch variation should be celebrated, showcasing a whisky from year to year in different guises. An intriguing nose awaits, where plums, ginger and whiffs of a dunnage warehouse compete with lemon zest, bay leaves and restrained peat smoke. Orange zest, pepper and herbal peatiness accompany the bold arrival, emphasizing spicy, bitter and sour flavors. Water unlocks sweet notes of milk chocolate, marmalade and peach. Citrus fruits, walnuts and black salsify linger in the solid finish. A good batch of Springbank 12, but not an outstanding one. RATING: 4.0/5.0 stars ≙ 88 pts → FIRST-CLASS

We do not comment on the packaging, do we? Springbank has always done things a little differently, but their success has proved them right. On the nose, mineral freshness, peat smoke and rich sherry notes combine with nuts, concrete and odors of an old TV screen. The palate takes you on a journey through the flavor wheel: sweet, sour, bitter, salty and savory, it's all there. A real shapeshifter, both complex and well-balanced, culminating in a long, substantial and semidry finish. At only 12 years of age, this cask strength whisky could hardly be any better! RATING: 4.5/5.0 stars ≙ 91 pts → SUPERB

Springbank is the real deal. Worshipped by enthusiasts worldwide, this 10-year-old won the accolade of best Scotch in the 2023 OSWAs. No hype, it's consensus. On the nose, I'm picking up orange zest, TUC crackers and oysters, interwoven with bonfire ashes, cayenne pepper and mustard. The intense arrival features citrus fruits, pears and currants, sweet and sour, followed by savory, juicy and peaty notes. Firm mouthfeel. Dried herbs, cinnamon and salmiak carry over into the prolonged and earthy finish. I'm happy to join the chorus singing this malt praises. RATING: 4.2/5.0 stars ≙ 89 pts → FIRST-CLASS [+]

Traditional production, craft presentation and outstanding quality - it's hard not to like Springbank. Ever-changing, dense and complex, the nose is a true chameleon. Gentle peatiness, crisp apples and bitter herbs harmonize with sweet malt, old leather and mineral-earthy notes. Tasting strong, aromatic and spirit-driven (no rough edges), this young Campbeltown malt combines well-integrated peat smoke, mild fruitiness and hints of salt with a robust, substantial and chocolaty finish. It's simply one of the best core range releases you can find these days! RATING: 4.2/5.0 stars ≙ 89 pts → FIRST-CLASS [+]