Foreign Whisky of the Month - 09/2013: Springbank

[Virus_Of_Life]

Sorry for the delay this month, had a lot going on lately with in-laws visiting from a across country and such.

For the Foreign Whisky of the Month we are going with a previous runner-up: Springbank!

The voting will return for next month's FWotM

[Nillion]

I was wondering what bottle of scotch I should pick up next. Looks like my mind has been made up for me.

[ChainWhip]

Hmm... I have some Longrow but no Sprinkbank - may need to remedy that.

[AaronWF]

Springbank is my favorite scotch distillery, if I haven't already mentioned it. The discontinued 10/100 was what brought me into the fold with its clean malt profile and slight and tight funk that is full of personality. Family-owned and they are the only distillery in all of Scotland that still does 100% of their own barley malting; I am particularly suggestible when it comes to things like that - the more the whisky-making process stays in house, the more opportunities it has to bring something unique to the table.

I have a bunch of Springbank and Longrow open at the moment (Longrow is Springbank with a higher peating level), and right now I happen to be sipping on a 15yo CS bottling aged in re-charred sherry butts. Another thing about Springbank is that their line is pretty much all over the place. They have the NAS CV (46%), 10yo (46%), CS 12yo, 15yo (46%), 18yo (46%) and various older bottlings from time to time (not sure there are annual releases of Springers above 18yo). But they also do a lot of 1B wood-aging experiments and finishing. This one doesn't actually specify 1B, but I assume it must be since the label says 492 bottles.

It has HUGE wood sugars on the nose and lots of fruity vanilla and creamy white chocolate. The palate comes on with sherry chocolate and follows with the Springer funk that seems to show up in all of their bottlings, but often to vastly varying degrees. The clean Springbank malt is there but quite buried by the oak influence. The finish is spicy wood that turns a bit hot. This is a BIG whisky that brings lots of bourbony barrel influence to the table thanks to the re-charring of the barrel before filling.

I'll stop back in here with notes on some of the other bottles I have open, and I'll have to open up one of my squirreled away 10/100s as well. Another thing that stands out about the distillery is that they don't add color and they don't chill-filter, nor have they ever as far as I know.

[WhiskyRI]

I had the pleasure of spending several hours in Cadenhead's in Edinburgh (owned by the Mitchell family which owns Springbank) last year. It was my first serious exposure to Scotch whisky and I quickly found the Campbelltown style suited my palate. I've since become an Islay fan as well, but Springbank is still one of my favorite malts. I've got some of the live cask bottlings from Cadenhead's, as well as the Springbank 10/100 and 15 year. In the interest of scientific inquiry, I'll retaste them and try to put together better notes - "boy that's tasty".

[weller_tex]

Talisker the Springbank! Wow. Right up my alley. Springbank 10 and Springbank 12 Cask Strength are the two I have had and I love them! When I have the funds for single malts they are among my go-to. The standard 10 is amazing..malt, lemons, smoke, salty and coastal, with a hint of peat..great stuff. The 12 year Cask Strength is a lot more sherried. Take the 10, add 9% more ABV and on top of all the above mentioned add raisins and tropical fruits!

[WhiskyRI]

Interesting how little activity there has been on this thread. I had a Laphroaig tasting this week so my palate is still attuned to the joys of peat. On Sunday I'll taste my Springbanks and post my notes.

[portwood]

Interesting how little activity there has been on this thread.

Springbank is great, what else is there to say*? :cool:

*Oh, yeah, the fact that its expensive relative to other options at each age category ...

[ChainWhip]

I had just finished my bottle of Longrow and as always very satisfying... I wish there were more cask strength expressions readily available from them.

I like the fact that they experiment with maturation/finishing in different types of barrels but they don't always work out that well... I have a 14yr Cask Strength Springbank matured in Amontillado cask that started out "ok" but is really hitting the spot right now.

[portwood]

I like the fact that they experiment with maturation/finishing in different types of barrels but they don't always work out that well...

The nice thing about SB is that they don't really do "finishing" in the way the term is usually applied. Their expressions tend to spend 2 or more years in the secondary casks (sometimes the secondary maturation lasts as long as the first).

Problem with SB is the relatively small output leads to sporadic availability. Of course this is also a positive since small output generally means more character and variability not seen in some of the mass-market products ('fiddich, 'livet, talisker etc)

If you are the type of person that likes consistency SB is not for you. A bit of variability occurs in all brands (i.e. a Talisker 10yo from today may vary slightly from one you bought a few months ago), but with SB there can be significant differences between batches of the same expression.

Edited September 21, 2013 by portwood

[Wryguy]

Springbank is my favorite Scotch distillery. I currently have a Hazelburn 8, older Springer 15 and a Longrow 7 finished for 1.5 years in Gaja Barolo open. Waiting in the wings is the CS 14 amontillado CW mentioned. Best I've tried is the CS 12 Madeira finish that came out a while back. The depth, complexity and diversity of Springbank cannot be overstated. I'd love to get into a Springer 21, or some older bottlings. When people say 'a cracking good dram' Springbank is the first thing that 'springs' to mind!

[ChainWhip]

Poured myself Springbank 14yr CS Amontillado and it knocking me on my @$$ - it's a stunner of a Scotch... Clean sherry flavors & no sulphur tones to speak of.

[Shuboy]

Springbank is a distillery I really don't want to tell other people about (apart from close friends) because when word gets out people will be all over it. Sadly word has gotten out because Springbank has stopped offering private bottlings of single barrels for stores because they need all the whisky for their standard range and special releases.

I think Springbank is a rough and tumble whisky but it's such a good rough and tumble whisky. When I'm not in the mood for a peaty whisky or a fruity and smooth Speyside, I always reach for a Springbank.

[AaronWF]

I opened a Lombard Jewels of Scotland Springbank distilled in 1991 and bottled in 2001 last night. This is killer stuff! Amazing depth for a not-quite 10yo. I have not been let down by this line of Lombard's; bottling at 100°, NCF, no color. They also did a Springer with same distillation bottled in 2004 that is an absolute gem. In fact, I thought that's the one I was buying when I found this on the shelf a few months ago; got it home to find it was bottled younger. The color is a bit darker and there's more berry fruit present, leading me to believe some sherry barrels are in the mix. So clean and flavorful. If you ever see any Lombard-bottled Springbank, snatch it up!

[Dolph Lundgren]

I opened a Lombard Jewels of Scotland Springbank distilled in 1991 and bottled in 2001 last night. This is killer stuff! Amazing depth for a not-quite 10yo. I have not been let down by this line of Lombard's; bottling at 100°, NCF, no color. They also did a Springer with same distillation bottled in 2004 that is an absolute gem. In fact, I thought that's the one I was buying when I found this on the shelf a few months ago; got it home to find it was bottled younger. The color is a bit darker and there's more berry fruit present, leading me to believe some sherry barrels are in the mix. So clean and flavorful. If you ever see any Lombard-bottled Springbank, snatch it up!

You hit that Springer sample I sent home with you yet?

[AaronWF]

You hit that Springer sample I sent home with you yet?

Saving it! My taster has not been in optimal shape due to a persistent bug. I don't want to let anything get in the way of my experience with it.

[maybeling]

Springbank is easily my favorite Scotch distillery as well (so far...). I currently have the 15, 18, 10 year 100 proof (one open, one sealed), Longrow Rundlets & Kilderkins 11, and Longrow Burgundy 14. All are abso-freakin-lutely incredible. The 10/100 is incredibly complex and to be honest right up there with the 18 in my book. Both Longrows are superb as well... If I ever make a pilgrimage to Scotland, I will make it to Campbeltown come hell or high water.

[Jazz Nut]

Springbank is my favorite Scotch distillery. I currently have a Hazelburn 8, older Springer 15 and a Longrow 7 finished for 1.5 years in Gaja Barolo open. Waiting in the wings is the CS 14 amontillado CW mentioned. Best I've tried is the CS 12 Madeira finish that came out a while back. The depth, complexity and diversity of Springbank cannot be overstated. I'd love to get into a Springer 21, or some older bottlings. When people say 'a cracking good dram' Springbank is the first thing that 'springs' to mind!

I just bought a bottle of the CS 12 Madeira finish, how was it? It will be waiting for a while for me to open it, because I have a bunch of opens at my bar right now.

[jvd99]

Springbank, along with HP and Balvenie are my favorites. I have an SB 15 old label open right now and generally have at least on SB one open at all times. One of the best values around is the SB 12 CS, really great stuff for under $70. In the bunker are SB25 (mid 1990's), SB21 (2013), Lombard Jewels of Scotland 1965 SB, SB18 x2 (new packaging), SB18 x2 (old packaging) & SB15 old label. I just opened a Clynelish 14 which has a very similar coastal/grassy/salty profile as SB, so I was pleased to find another every day drinker for a reasonable price that's within my desired taste profile.

[Jazz Nut]

Springbank, along with HP and Balvenie are my favorites. I have an SB 15 old label open right now and generally have at least on SB one open at all times. One of the best values around is the SB 12 CS, really great stuff for under $70. In the bunker are SB25 (mid 1990's), SB21 (2013), Lombard Jewels of Scotland 1965 SB, SB18 x2 (new packaging), SB18 x2 (old packaging) & SB15 old label. I just opened a Clynelish 14 which has a very similar coastal/grassy/salty profile as SB, so I was pleased to find another every day drinker for a reasonable price that's within my desired taste profile.