Springbank NAS (46%, OB, “CV”, +/-2010)

From the website; Springbank CV is the product of a variety of different cask types and sizes, all specially selected by Director of Production Frank McHardy and Distillery Manager Stuart Robertson. Frank and Stuart’s years of experience allowed them to choose a range of casks, every one complementing the other to ensure a great whisky with lots of flavour and the classic Springbank style. What does CV mean? Chairman’s Vat? Curriculum vitae? Cuvee of Vintages? It means whatever you want it to mean, enjoying the whisky is the most important thing.

The nose is mildly green and very peppery at first, this soon settles down to reveal some fruit (banana, tinned fruit cocktail) along with some sherry notes however the green and pepper notes are still present. Very light hints of sweet smoke, at first but this increases over time and fragrant heather and/or roses. A pleasant collection of aromas but where is Springbank? MIA. The taste is mild at first contact but it soon builds into a mouth warming, sweet peated whisky that is actually complemented by the green, the pepper and the fruit and sherry. AHA! Springbank has finally arrived with some smoke, now things are moving along. Buckets of sweet smoke with the first gulp.  The finish is warming, mouth filling with some good typical Springbank moments. Sweetness, some malt and hints of smoke as well as the ever present green notes (which gives it some bite) and the pepper. The finish is very long, consistent and active.

Very nice and well priced.

£29 at Loch Fyne Whiskies

Score 83 points

http://www.springbankwhisky.com/springbank/