Springbank 10 Year

And here we are. The last dram of a now empty bottle. A fine bottle it was. When I try new whisky I always try to find something unique that stands out from the general variants. And Springbank for sure is unique - you can easily blind-identify its - that’s how defined it flavors are. Nose: dry grains, summer hay, apple peel, nutty, lots of vanilla, lemon, sour peaches, crispy cereals and surrounding everything a soft and delicious peat - just minor but it really adds to the character of this intriguing nose. Palate: sweet peat at first, wood chips, vanilla, sweet cookies with a bid of cream, hay and then there is a very unusual hard to grasp taste that is bid like seaweed or wet moss. It is just really great.

Nose: earthy/rubbery like car tires, peat smoke, brine, hint of brown sugar/caramel Palette: smoke, black pepper, brine, light sweet fruit - apricot? Finish: peat smoke, black pepper, hints of that sweet fruit continues in the background

Peat and fruit with a little bit of funk, like a Jamaican rum.

Attractive yet simple bottle and packaging. A golden straw hue. Thin consistency with extremely slow to form legs. Smoky, sweet, and hot on the nose... but clean. Charred orange rind. Cereal grain. Hints of marzipan and pear. Faint honeysuckle. A pleasant, creamy mouthfeel despite the apparent lack of viscosity. Initial beet sugar sweetness transitions quickly to tart grapefruit peel, then moderate peat smoke and astringent toasted oak. Pear lingers in the background, but overall an aggressive palate befitting a young, brash whisky. Rosewater, laced with threads of cinnamon. A clearly saline backbone complicated with hints of sherried hazelnuts. Grilled pineapple. The tangy finish lingers impressively. Truly a mouthful. Challenging; sweet; tart; smoky. It is not for everybody, but if you're looking for bold flavor and complexity, step right up - you won't be disappointed. Will definitely enjoy the bottle.

This distillery has cult status. People in the know swear by SB and praise everything they put out. This is the entry level but enjoys its own following. The opposition claims this is overpriced and has a funky taste. I wanted to decode the Springbank mystery for myself. Poured neat, this is as advertised. Peaty(more bog than smoke) like the mud caked on your boots after walking in the moors. Tangy, as in overripe citrus. Red grapefruit is prominent, blood orange comes to mind. Some smoke yes but its damp from salty ocean spray. There is malt hidden under there and some seasoned barrel. Mouthfeel is a little thin yet the flavors are deep. The peat, fruity tang, salty smoke and dry wood carry from nose to finish. This is a complete scotch and is savory and satisfying. Now if you don't like this profile then its not for you......but if this pushes your buttons you will join the cult. Im ready for the kool-aid and the 15yr.......93/100....sign me up