Springbank 18 year old (46%, OB, +/-2010)

The new 2010 bottling of two and a half times distilled and lightly peated 18 year old. The first contact with this whisky was at the Victoria Whisky Festival in January of this year; Peter Currie of Springbank lifted a few bottles straight off the bottling line which was much appreciated. The first taste then was very positive however now is the opportunity for a second ‘sober’ look.

The nose is rich fruit and Demerara brown sugar, fat plump raisins, fruit cake intermingled with some light furniture polish and some nice oak and dark chocolate. The more time it spends in the glass the more it opens up it’s very pleasant and rich. There is also that very distinctive aroma of Springbank (think of wet cotton) and it’s nicely sherried. The taste is sweet, malty, large dollops of brine, leather and spicy wood notes all cleverly wrapped up in a sherried blanket. It’s delicious and a big whisky. This is even better than the 2009 18yo. The first impression when tasted at the Victoria Whisky Festival are correct; this is really good whisky. The finish is of leather, some smoke, the brine again (very light), spicy wood notes and the then the distinctive Springbank characteristics. After a few moments it’s very dry and  then the sherry comes charging through to make a final appearance. The finish is very long and complex (there’s a lot going on). It’s very good.

This is simply very nice, the finish may be a tad dry from some but appreciated here.

£62 from Loch Fyne Whiskies

Score 88 Points