islay_emissary
Springbank 15 Year
Single Malt — Campbeltown, Scotland
Reviewed
April 6, 2018 (edited October 21, 2024)
I still remember climbing a few short steps to get a look inside of Springbank’s century old mash tun. A hundred years of patina creates a black void that stretches for miles. A similarly aged spirit safe contains enough copper oxidation to compete with New England’s oldest weathervanes. And dunnage style aging forms a mineral infused atmosphere that saturates the wood year after year. This combination of molecules cannot be simulated short of the time necessary to produce them. Factor in traditional malting floors and it all results in a whisky so distinctive it might easily be recognized in a blind tasting of a hundred drams. The first alcoholic whiff brings me back to the bottling room where a handful of industrious people still apply labels by hand and inspect each bottle individually. Subtle peat smoke recalls images of a noble kiln that’s weathered by decades of usage. Sweet vanilla and malted barley are accompanied by an earthy, oaken, sulfurous, farmland personality that’s unmistakable. An oily palate translates the sweetness into both fresh picked and dried fruits, toffee, salted nuts, prickly pepper, and cocoa bean. A wonderful, lengthy finish turns up dry Fino sherry, more pepper, and a final hint of cabbage water…..all spectacular. If it weren’t for my blatant Islay prejudice, I might safely rate this at 5 stars. :)
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Brilliant review. This was a treat to read
@SolanaRoots - I know you’re big fan of Springbank and so am I, but not sure I would nudge it up that high. Almost finished with thIs bottle and would peg it around 4.25 with authenticity getting it very close to 4.5. :)
@Rick_M - with the new rating system you can safely bump this up to 4.75 and still keep your Islay preferential treatment :)
@LeeEvolved, we need to find you a rich chick that can help fund your collection. :) @cascode, figures a techie like you would like that. :)
@Rick_M "This combination of molecules cannot be simulated short of the time necessary to produce them" - that encapsulates Springbank more perfectly than all other reviews and distillery tour descriptions combined, and is a perfect asperational slogan for all whisky. 11/10 review.
@Distiller Personals: SWM, 47, iso foster family that will treat him like their own child and take him on marvelous vacations to the Scottish Isles, arrange and fund lavish golf outings to St. Andrews and purchase him a 2-year supply of Lagavulin. All interested parties, namely @Rick_M, know how to contact him to begin the adoption process. This poor, poor man is waiting for you to rescue him. For just thousands of dollars a year, you can save him and make all his wildest dreams come true. What are you waiting for? (...makes sad face...) Cue the Sarah McLachlan pound puppy music...
@Scott_E - thanks Scott! @LeeEvolved doesn’t know what he’s missing. :)
A great whisky. For the age and price, it’s their best. Great review!! It’s almost like being there.
@SolanaRoots - thanks! The only non-Islay I’ve rated at 5 stars is Compass Box.
What a fantastic review @Rick_M - that has five stars written all over it