A superbly rare treat, courtesy of @pkingmartin during our latest quarterly tasting. When does a Springbank not come in first place out of a 5 sample tasting? When the top billing went to a rarer 1970s Four Roses ( that review coming later ). Nornally, this would be the highlight of the evening. But, its like you have a chance to test drive 5 cars—- the first a BMW M5. But then to find out the other four are a Porsche 911, Lamborghini, Ferrari, and a Bugatti. I’ve never had a Springbank 25. But i reckon not many of us here have had it. That whopping price tag of well north of $1000 can be a limiting factor. This particular 2020 version is 50/50 bourbon and sherry cask. If you go in expecting that Springbank funk, you wont find it here. Instead that gritiness is replaced by silky smooth vanilla, dried fruits , pencil shavings ( when is pencil shaving taste a positive? I guess here. And full transparency…I’ve never eaten pencil shavings. I grew up poor, but not that poor), lemon and ginger. Light touch on all of those. Ultimately, you”re losing what makes a Springbank a Springbank ( grit, funky notes). But you’re getting a top notch ultra-elegant pour. Personally, i’d take the 18 over the 25, but YMMV. I beleive Springbank peaks at 18. After that, you lose an inherent quality. Thanks immensely again to @pkingmartin for this rare treat