Richard-ModernDrinking
Springbank 10 Year Local Barley
Single Malt — Campbeltown, Scotland
Reviewed
January 20, 2019 (edited October 25, 2020)
The second of the two Local Barley releases that comprise the night’s refreshment is the 10-year-old, the third in the series after the 16 and the 11. It’s a higher ABV and also comprises some ex-sherry cask spirit, so the difference with the 11 that I tried alongside it is more than just the age statement. It’s creamier on the nose and more complex. The malty notes evoke warm bread, almonds and walnut cake. As with the 11, the palate is faithful to the nose, and it’s very smooth despite the high strength. Still, it plays nicely with water, blooming into flavors of dark chocolate. The finish is rich and treacly. This is a cracker of a whisky and I much preferred it to the 11. Now, who’s going to share some of that vaunted 16-year-old with me?
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The 9 year is a huge disapointment imo. Tired and used up barrels. I have a hard time finding any sherry or port in there. Just near dead oak barrels, which I assumed was to showcase the barely/new make. Not a terrible idea imo, but doesn't make you want to shell out the prices they ask either.
@Richard-ModernDrinking @solanaroots I’ll just wait for it in the US. I saw it earlier online in UK sites, just didn’t realize it was the last one in the series.
@SolanaRoots Not sure. It typically comes out in the US a little later.
@Richard-ModernDrinking @PBMichiganWolverine was it a UK release only?
@PBMichiganWolverine It was 86 pounds and sold out pretty quickly. I think it’s the same distillate as the 9, just bottled a year later.
@PBMichiganWolverine also odd is that the 4th edition was a 9 Yr optic barley from High Cattadale Farm and this one is the exact same just an extra year of aging and addition of 3% port cask. Kinda seems like a shortcut. Probably still amazing though
@PBMichiganWolverine 77% retailing for $200usd i heard
@PBMichiganWolverine yeah, definitely requires box inspection to ensure you don’t buy a duplicate 3rd edition! Haven’t seen and no idea on price, probably similar to the last few releases
@SolanaRoots they did? That sounds just plain confusing. How much is it, and have you seen it out anywhere ?
@PBMichiganWolverine Hey, just fyi, Springbank just released the 5th edition of this series...another 10 Year version. But don’t confuse this new bottle (Optic barley/High Cattadale Farm/56.2% ABV/77% Bourbon, 20% Sherry, 3% Port casks) with the 10 Year 3rd edition one the series (Belgravia barley/West Back Farm/57.3% ABV/70% Bourbon, 30% Sherry casks). Probably a good idea to complete your collection of all 5 bottles :)
@SolanaRoots my god...I have so many samples and bottles to go through before that...and combined with my having only on a Friday or Saturday...it’ll be a while before I get to these. But since I already tried the 16 ( was amazing), I’d probably want to try the 10 or 11. I have a sample of the 10...might do it next weekend
@PBMichiganWolverine Nice! Your basement speakeasy probably better than any whisky bar. The real question is...which of the four bottles will you open first?
@SolanaRoots yeah—-I have all 4.
@PBMichiganWolverine Looks like the 9 Yr is similar price to the 10 & 11 Yr bottles. Have you picked up any of those three? And who had a bottle of the 16 Yr stashed away? Thought somebody on here had one
@SolanaRoots the 9 yr is silly priced ($130-150). Especially considering the 16 was merely $100 when it came out
The 16 was amazing. I have a TWE sample of this one, but doesn’t sound quite at the same level as the 16
@SolanaRoots I have another dozen Springbank and Longrow samples to get through as it is!
Great reviews...there’s also a 9 Yr Local Barley that was just released. Yet another Springbank bottle to add to the wish list