Spring Bay Bourbon Cask No. 27

Haven’t had much time for considered whisky tastings of late, but have, for a long time now been looking forward to this series from Tasmania’s Spring Bay Distillery. SB was established in 2015 from exclusively Tasmanian barley and rain water. The coastal location of the distillery is alleged to afford a sweet salinity to the rainwater. This dram is from an ex-Makers Mark bourbon cask (#137). I have nonidea what the cask variability is like, but in the absence of an offical listing I’m dropping this one here to avoid rouge reveiws. N: A soft and creamy vanilla creme brûlée, coconut, and a lightly vegetal or herbaceous gristiness. The nose feels quite young with a little alcohol presence. Time in glass doesn’t do much at all. P: Surprisingly thick and full with a peppery alcohol up front. Bright and sweet, toffee, lots of barely sugar malt, pencil shavings and a grilled fruit compote of peaches, coconut, and caramel. This is young, but; balances sweet and savoury really well with a complex texture driven by creaminess and tannins. Importantly, there is a great lick of salt that makes up for any young edges. F: Long. Salted caramel, pepper, oaky tannins. A good opening gambit from the east coast Tassie distillery. A solid distillate presence, but perhaps a little too much barrel tannin. The salty element here, if it runs through their other expressions runs serious risk of being addictive (and expensive!) From a bright and sweet opening, the flavours build across the palate to a rich, clean crescendo culminating in a big, warm comforting glow. Distiller whisky taste #233 [Pictured here with a large lump of Mowbowra Conglomerate from Exmouth, Western Australia. This rock is comprised of limestone and coral pebbles formed as foreshore beach deposits as interglacial river discharges flowed over exposed limestone terraces 240,000-170,000 years ago]. Spring Bay running scores: Bourbon Cask: 3.5/5

Delicious! Honey and spices are the predominant flavors - medium level of peat, good strength, slight fresh green herb taste

Consistent, ongoing flavour - coconut and vanilla scent