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 a 23-year single barrel release by Calvert Woodley from @ctbeck11 that was bottled at 42.5%. The nose is very soft and starts with a light farm funk, hay and combination of lemon, lime and orchard fruit followed by ocean brine and burning incense that fades to the background of fruits of star fruit, baked apple, Bosc pear and charred orange peel that transitions to a wet cavernous minerality, pickled ginger, suede and polished oak with light ethanol burn. The taste is a thin mouthfeel starting with a light farm funk, hay and light citrus followed by a moderate and drying bitter spice that fades to fruits of baked apple, Bosc pear and red grapefruit that transition to a wet cavernous minerality, black pepper, pickled ginger, and light ashy oak with light ethanol burn. The finish is short with apple chips, poached pears, salted red grapefruit, dark chocolate and light ashy oak. This is an enjoyable pour that brings in a balance of barnyard funk, citrus, moderate smoke and ocean brine, but the flavors are very light and the palate is thin with a moderate bitter spice that overpowers much of those light citrus notes with a short fruity and ashy finish. Side by side with the 10, for me, the 10 is richer with bolder flavors and a better balance. Sadly this is a case where older is not necessarily better, but I’m very thankful to @ctbeck11 for the opportunity to try a 23 year old Springbank.