Springbank Vintage 8yo 2001/2009 (55.3%, OB, Batch No.1)

2001 Vintage, Small Casks (50 & 100 litres) ABV 55.3% Availability of 6000 bottles, a new vintage bottling from Springbank of single malts matured in small casks which matured the spirit more quickly.

The nose is strong and fragrant at first followed by some oak notes and fruit as well as cut grass, light brine and warm bees wax. The aromas are very pleasant however one would be hard pressed to identify this as a Springbank. None the less it still good (so far). The more time it spends in the glass the more it opens up and changes with the spicy sweet oak notes coming to the fore. There is also an increase in the greenish notes and the late arrival of lemon. With water the aromas remain much the same however there is an increased sweetness as well as the arrival of damp leather. After some moments the sample calms down somewhat. The undiluted taste is warming, sweet, malty (think of warmed brown sugar and rolled oats) along with the lemon, malt and the leather. Quite delicious. With water it is much sweeter and not so aggressive but still very nice. In the later moments the Springbank characteristic finally pops up its head to look around (like a gopher). The finish is much like the taste and after some moments the leather and malt tussle however the oak swats both aside and wins in the end. The lemon is merely lurking in the background keep its head down out of the line of fire. It’s quite long and very active.

An excellent dram but in some regards it is not much like a Springbank but in other regards it is. Confusing but a good dram so what the hell, why worry.

C$86

Score 85 points