33 open bottles in my collection ranked through multiple blind tastings. Counting them down! #12: Springbank. Single Malt Scotch. 46% ABV. 18 years. Paid $180 I love Springbank, but won’t be buying this again in the near future. The 10 and 15 are probably better, even without taking price into consideration. When tasting blind and rating whiskies in comparison with other whiskies, there are bound to be surprises. Springbank 18 is an example of a whisky that did shockingly more poorly than expected. This is bold and complex, still unmistakeably Springbank in my blind tastings. However, it was harsh and unbalanced (too grassy) compared to the better whiskies on this countdown. It’s still obviously a decent dram, but not worth the cost. This is the second most expensive bottle on my countdown. Springbank 18 is best enjoyed alone and slowly to get all its nuances. It probably has all the flavors on the flavor wheel, but leans too heavy on the earthy/grassy side when tasted blind with other whiskies. This begs the question, what is the best way to judge a whisky? A Blind line-up or a single serve and with full knowledge of the contents? MARK: 90/100 PREVIOUSLY, ON BATMAN: #13: Macallan Edition No. 2. $110. 48.2%. NAS. 90/100 #14: Clynelish. $70. 46%. 14 years. 89/100. #15: Four Roses Single Barrel. $52. 50%. NAS. 88/100. #16: Woodford Reserve Cherry Wood Smoked Barley. $104. 45.2%. NAS. 88/100 #17: Highland Park. $90. 43%. 15 years. 88/100