Springbank 12 Year Cask Strength

花香，蜜餞。入口蜂蜜香甜

Context: First tasted on whiskeys of Scotland tasting with a group of co-workers, who I’m also trying to recruit to my soon-to-be formed LA whiskey club. Had high expectations for this pour based on Springbank brand name and reviews. Not sure if it was because it was the 9th pour of the night but initial impressions wasn’t “wow”. In fact, several in the group thought it was one of their least favorite (which proves that whiskey reviews are totally subjective and that “different strokes for different folks” rules the day). They really gave me hard time for talking up this whiskey as one of the most highly rated of the bunch. To be fair, majority in the group are relative novices to the whisky world. So I figured I need to spend a little more time with this bottle to make sure I do it justice. This review is from my follow-up tastes. Let’s dive in shall we: Nose: (after you let the alcohol drift off about 30 minutes in glass). There’s a splash of maritime sea salt. Coming right behind is a hint of smoke with not much of peat (in the Islay sense). There’s a punch of zesty brine...like an orange peel & chlorine dry-humped each other wearing ammonia garments. I also get a tiny, tiny dose of milk chocolate. Well-balanced nose with all aromas playing in concert Palate: Forceful, heavy hit on the tastebuds. Same Intense flavors from the nose reinforced more boldly. A very putrid sulphuric note dominates the palate. You have to wait patiently for the malt to come through. I don’t pick up much smoke on the palate but there’s some spice bite in there somewhere. Finish: Medium to long. The spiciness continues with the citrusy brine at the tail end. Ending with warming feeling down the throat. NWW (Nose w water): creamy caramel & vanilla. Less brine/maritme which comes across more faint & subtle. A bit more sulfuric undertones. Ever heard of sweet sulfur? This might be it! Overall solid pour...not for the faint of heart. I would even go as far as saying the flavors are an acquired taste. Was one of the least favorite for the group in our tasting night. I bestow upon this here Campbeltown juice a 3.25⭐️ because it’s not one I would readily go back to as a daily sipper . Also the VFM (@ over $100/bottle) came up just a little short for me. In conclusion, I would say that I have a strong suspicion that this juice will open up with time and good ol oxidation. So stay tuned for an updated tasting.

Appearance: amber with high viscosity Nose: intense with light band-aid smoke, clove, pears, black pepper Demerara sugar Palate: high proof, sharp, rich, sweet smoke, black tea Sweetens when added water

I know and like the 10y so I was looking forward to further Springbanks where this one looked like the logical continuation. (I still try to find the 13y @LeeEvolved praises so highly) Nose: smooth and soft, dry summer hay, bitter orange jam, a bid of black tea, plum, sour apple, minor peat (but typical Springbank), after first taste a big chunk of fruity milk chocolate Palate: still smooth and soft but develops a light chili burn after a short while which is very pleasant, smoked coconut flakes, salted caramel, donut, red berries The finish is long and delivers the style you know from the 10y. It remains with a slightly peppery burn and sour sensation. All in all very pleasant when you add some water to bring it below 50 ABV. That doesn’t bring out more flavors but smoothes it out to make it an interesting and enjoyable dram.

N: Light peaty wood smoke. Campbelltown funk/sour note. Tea or tobacco at the end. P: So many flavors. Citrus. Sweet. Malty back bone. F: Long and complex. Sweet and spicy. Have only had the SB 10 before this but this is everything I loved about that in terms of overall notes. I got peaches and cream in the 10 but not really on this. Great first impression.

Batch 11, 53.8 ABV - 2015 Shoulder pour, 1 week open leather, cherry, malt, chocolate - nose salt, brine, oak, plum, orange peel bitterness - taste astringent, dark chocolate - finish Its a hard to find whisky with little comparison drams out there; would chase this to around $110. Something about this just tastes old to me...like a big-city public library. Its not pretentious, just authentic. The palate of this whiskey goes through multiple phases, and is wonderful to experience. However, each change isn’t dramatic, and feels carefully managed. I’m looking for a back-up bottle. 5.0 - go out and buy all of the stock you can find. 4.0 - must buy at least one bottle before you die. 3.0 - solid, must try at a bar, or mooch from a friend. 2.0 - didn't like it, you may. 1.0 - you may have the palate of my dog, and he licks his own ass.

Similar to Longrow but spicier