Springbank 21 Adelphi (1999)

Tropical and funky. Nose: Bananas, Diesel, Pineapples, Papayas, Marshmallows, Molasses, Apricots, Sultanas, Mangoes Palate: Bananas, Vanilla, Marshmallows, Papayas, Mangoes, Peaches, Nectarines, Coconuts, Almonds, Quince Jam Finish: Hogo, Bananas, Marshmallows, Pineapples, Papayas

We just got back from a week in the Florida Keys. If you’ve never been, it’s a must go to vacation. You see these pristine turquoise waters, clear as crystal. Best of this is at Dry Tortugas National Park. Even more pristine waters, surrounding a 200 year old fort, and shallow waters full of fish. Then of course there’s the namesake fruit Key Lime. It’s a small 1 to 2 inch little lime that’s yellow on the inside, and a bit sweeter than the normal Persian limes. These limes are everywhere. Key Lime shakes. Key Lime Hollaindaise sauce. Key Lime bread. After one week, you’re done. You can’t possibly see another variation of Key Lime. Or…so you think… We (as in @pkingmartin @Richard-ModernDrinking @ctbeck11 and I ) had our quarterly online tasting. This time, the samples were graciously provided by @Richard-ModernDrinking and @pkingmartin. Next quarter, it’ll be @ctbeck11 and I up at bat. This Springbank sample provided by @pkingmartin was one of the highlights of the evening. Having a 21yr old Springbank is not an everyday thing. And expect to pay up the nose for it. A quick scan shows this one is close to $1000. That’s beyond my budget, as I would think for most people. So, I’m that much more thankful for the opportunity. At first sip…it’s back. Those Key limes. Seriously? In a Springbank??!! Never would I associate the first tasting note of a Springbank as Key Lime. But, yeah…you get a taste of Key Lime, some coconut, and there…there it is…that Springbank funk. This is one of the best, if not the best, rum finished whiskeys I’ve had. That Key Lime - Coconut - Springbank funk is unusual, and in the best way possible. this is beyond my price tag. But thanks to @pkingmartin for the chance to try this unicorn.

For my 400th review, I decided to review a single cask Springbank IB by Adelphi that was filled in 1999 and aged for 21 years in a refilled rum cask before being bottled at 53.4% ABV. I discovered this single cask when browsing at one of my favorite liquor stores that seemed promising as I’m a fan of Springbank and rum flavors, but I was able to subdue my curiosity due to the hefty price and knowing full well that IBs are a bit of a gamble; however, after several months, my restraint began to wane with each trip until one fateful visit after learning of the departure of a dear family member, my restraint finally broke as I contemplated my eventual demise which brought about the decision to play chance and bring the bottle home to have a dram to toast those that have been lost and to celebrate with those special friends and family that still remain. The nose is velvety rich starting with a mix of key lime pie, toasted coconut, caramelized mangoes, light hogo and leather-bound books then fields of barley along with a light smoke and seaside rocky minerality followed by grilled pineapple rings, papaya and anise spice baked pears that transitions to candied ginger, cloves, light black pepper and polished antique furniture with medium ethanol burn. The taste is a rich and creamy mouthfeel starting with a mix of coconut cream pie, key limes, caramelized mangoes, light hogo and leather-bound books then a mild sichuan pepper that quickly fades to charred hay bales, blonde espresso and seaside rocky minerality followed by grilled pineapple rings, papaya and candied orange peel that transitions to candied ginger, cloves, light black pepper and polished antique furniture with medium ethanol burn. The finish is long with grilled pineapple, dehydrated mangoes, charred hay bales, light seaside rocky minerality, candied ginger, leather-bound books and polished antique furniture that lingers for minutes. Overall, this is a stunning dram that those hogo and tropical flavors from the rum cask harmonize flawlessly with those traditional Springbank citrus, farminess and seaside rocky minerality along with some subtle well-aged oak notes that are present throughout the experience but in the background to the rest of the flavors. For me, this is a special bottle that would likely not be worth the cost to most, but it’s a splurge bottle that I have no regrets purchasing and thoroughly enjoy having around to occasionally pour a dram for myself to sit around contemplating and dissecting the different flavors whilst raising a glass in homage to those dearly departed or in celebration of another day living with friends and family to share, laugh and hopefully remember the dram and time spent together. Hopefully when my time comes to an end, the reaper that comes for me will be kind enough to bring a bottle of this to pour me one last dram to ease my passing from this world.