It’s officially 2022 and I’ve decided to “Spring”bank into it with a series of samples. Continuing on my Springbank series, I have the 21-year from the 2019 release from @ctbeck11 that was matured in 55% ex-Rum casks and 45% ex-Port casks and bottled at 46%. The nose is deep and rich starting with a mix of well-aged old oak, bold berries, citrus fruits and light farm funk followed by candied pineapple and white chocolate macadamia nut cookies then a mild smoke appears as a smoldering campfire on an oceanside that fades to the background of fruits of sautéed apples, candied orange peel and cherries jubilee that transitions to vintage leather and old polished mahogany with medium ethanol burn. The taste is a rich mouthfeel starting with a mix of well-aged old oak, bold berries, citrus fruits and light farm funk followed dark chocolate, moderate ash and a mild drying spice that slowly fades to vanilla creme brûlée, fruits of caramelized mango, candied pineapple and cherries jubilee that transitions to vintage leather and old polished mahogany with medium ethanol burn. The finish is long with white chocolate macadamia nut cookies, charred orange, strawberry jam on toast, dark chocolate, mild ash, vintage leather and polished mahogany. For the proof, this is a big, bold and thick Springbank that really showcases old wood with a balance of tropical, berry and citrus that doesn’t overpower those traditional Springbank funk, smoke and minerality. The taste veers towards a moderate drying spice that throws off the balance but fades to those rum and port cask fruits before a long finish with baked sweets, dark chocolate, citrus, berries and that old oak. This was another incredible whisky by Springbank and a huge thank you to @ctbeck11 for being generous enough to provide a sample of this rarity.