Springbank ‘Cask Strength’12yo (54.6%, OB, +/-2010)

From the Springbank website ‘Springbank 12Y/O cask strength 70cl 54.6%ABV Matured: 60% fresh sherry hogsheads 40% refill sherry butts’.

The nose is strong, vibrant and good. And smokey. After a few moments in the glass the characteristics aromas one comes to expect from Springbank come roiling out of the glass along with some good fruit (think of dried apricots, prunes and oranges) along with some vague hints of malt, fresh hay (very slight hints). There is also a good back ground of spice and some really good sherry which is thick and rich; quite spectacular. There is also some earthiness, like the earth floor in a cool dunnage warehouse. The taste is deep, big, warming and strong however it is not over whelming. There is some sherry, smoke and barley dust followed by some really, really good sweet smoke and warm Weetabix (before you pour on the milk) and then the spice from the oak come rolling in. This is delicious. There are also some late moments of cocoa. The finish is malty, filled with grain and the Weetabix followed by some sweetness and oak spice, the earthiness and then some more sweet cocoa and some cold tea. The finish is very long and very good. At the tail end of the finish there is some creaminess followed by the oak notes once again.

It just didn’t seem to need water added…….It’s also nice to see Springbank firing on all cylinders.

£39

Score 86 points