Springbank 12 Year Burgundy Wood

This is the second time Springbank leaves me on the fence with one of its expressions (the other being the 9 Gaja Barolo). A part of me gives it a 4, and another really perplexed part of me gives it a 3. The burgundy casks have really muted the typical Springbank flavor profile (and if you love this Campbeltown distillery that's a letdown). As for the predominant winy element... if you love wine finishes, you'll love this. If you don't... good luck.

[LOOK] Pale gold, straw [NOSE] Lightly caramelized sugars, browned salted butter, melted dark chocolate, stewed strawberries, goat manure, sour peatiness, barleywine [PALATE] Ripe fall fruits, dry malted barley, peaches, steamed cedar, faint gasoline, background tame peat, pumpkin spice, walnut oil, Oreo cookie [FINISH] Long and hot, savory and peaty, some residual spiciness [MOUTHFEEL] Pretty hot, peat stays for duration of palate and finish, a fierce whiskey, water opens up smoke into warm breadiness

Campbeltown Chronicles #3: After wetting my appetite with Longrow CV (disappointing) and Kilkerran 12 (outstanding), I continued my exploration of Campbletown with this limited edition 12-year-old from Springbank. Unsurpringly, the burgundy cask has tinted the liquid a lovely rosewood hue that positively exudes warmth. The nose and flavor is a beguiling combination of peat and a vegetal note that reminds me (oddly) of the funky flavors I love in Lock Stock & Barrel's 16-year rye. The peat swells to Islay levels (more than the label "medium" would imply) before ceding ground to the earthy notes, which settle into your mouth for the evening. Altogether fascinating and worthy of more exploration that my small sample allowed.