Springbank Whisky Tasting, The Oak Barrel, Sydney, 17 April 2024, Whisky #3 Bottle code 17/11/22 – 22/2320 Nose: Lemon zest, damp earth, autumn leaves, leather, brine, petrichor, senega, tobacco, medium sherry. Water initially makes very little difference to the nose but once diluted, and after resting for a while, there is a touch of maple syrup and caramel. Palate: Forceful arrival with oily decaying fruit, farmyard earthiness and manure, salt-cured meat, mineral oil and olive brine. A little mint or menthol in the later development together with salted nuts and tobacco. Although it is a bold and characterful palate it is also crisp and clean. The texture is oily and persistant. Finish: Medium. Dusty leaves on old dirt paths in summer. Dried figs, lanolin and old fruity malt extract. A fine whisky that showcases the uncompromising farmyard character of this malt. Hazelburn distillate is more usually matured in ex-bourbon, but sherry casks bring greater depth and an interesting medium-dry fruit quality to the whisky. It is also a whisky that absolutely loves water. If you have only tasted Hazelburn neat and have a prejudice against watering your whisky then for once take a chance and add a full teaspoon of water to your dram. It transforms the texture from oily to vivacious creaminess, but most importantly it melds all the distinctive (and for some people offputting) farmyard characteristics into a complex and complete whole that is way more than just the sum of the parts. There has been a series of these oloroso cask Hazelburn expressions and they are uniformly delightful. “Excellent” : 88/100 (4.5 stars)