Springbank 1999 16 Year Old Local Barley

[Trey Manthey]

I contacted the US distributor a couple weeks ago and they told me to expect it in early to mid June.

[jvd99]

Good to know - thanks

[jvd99]

This popped up in the US per a reddit post but unknown where.

[Trey Manthey]

K&L had them for a hot minute (less than one hour). Price was $180.

I bought one but my mule hasn't picked up yet.

 

 

Edited May 17, 2016 by Trey Manthey

[garbanzobean]

It appears to be for sale elsewhere for around $200.  I'll happily splurge a fair bit on Springbank, but that's too much.

[jvd99]

On 5/17/2016 at 4:24 PM, Trey Manthey said:

K&L had them for a hot minute (less than one hour). Price was $180.

I bought one but my mule hasn't picked up yet.

 

 

It's good to have a mule

[El Vino]

Grabbed one today in NJ. Just sitting there on the shelf. Now on its way to the bunker.

[garbanzobean]

I am probably in the minority here, but I was not especially impressed with this when I tried it last night at Jack Rose.  I had another pretty experienced friend there, and his palate concurred with mine.   It seemed overly hot and lacked typical Springbank traits, outside of a slightly rounded character I associate with Springbank's blenders' skill.

 

Not saying it is a bad whisky or that no one should buy it.  It could be that it is the very first of many Springbanks to just not be to my taste.  If you happen to be on the fence about paying retail prices for this though, consider trying it first.  I personally am going to pick up another Springbank Green 12 year (the bourbon cask release) and skip this release.

Edited June 15, 2016 by garbanzobean

[jvd99]

This was release around Chicago about 2 weeks ago and is still fairly available.  It's not up on Binny's website, but they still have some in stock at various locations.  I'll be opening mine shortly

[weller_tex]

On 02/23/2016 at 2:05 AM, Jazz Nut said:

I am in, and I think that at 9,000 bottles, that most could find one if not multiples in large cities.  I have no problems finding any of the recent releases--Sherrywood, Springbank Green 12, and 13--which the 13 is fantastic IMHO.

This release is really exciting, and I'll be in for several, if I can find it.  Springbank 13 just came out here, and was able to pick a few bottles up for $99/ea.  It reminds me a lot of the 50.3% 12 year old Cask Strength.  Sweet and spicy sherry notes coming out.

I love the Springbank Green. Typical Springbank notes, but it has this added layer of vanilla that is really different.

[Jazz Nut]

On August 9, 2016 at 3:31 PM, weller_tex said:

I love the Springbank Green. Typical Springbank notes, but it has this added layer of vanilla that is really different.

After buying 2 bottles of Springbank Local Barley, I may prefer Springbank 13 Green better!

[weller_tex]

14 hours ago, Jazz Nut said:

After buying 2 bottles of Springbank Local Barley, I may prefer Springbank 13 Green better!

Good to know! Thanks!

[The Black Tot]

I picked this up at TPS in December. $179 plus tax. I probably won't be tasting it for a long time though since I'm still working on drinking my worst for the betterment of the collection.

 

But I wanted to post to let people know it seems to still be out there.

[jvd99]

I'm down to the last pour in my Local Barley.  This is after I archived 4 ounces and gave away 2 more 2 oz. samples.  I can't say I'll miss this one.  I have another in the bunker I bought on the assumption these would be unavailable except upon release (and be really tasty), but they're still to be found at Binny's and a couple local shops.   For the price, I wouldn't recommend buying without trying it first.  There are less expensive Springers that provide way more bang for the buck.

 

 

[The Black Tot]

I suppose Springbank imports their barley and peat for good reason then

[tanstaafl2]

15 hours ago, The Black Tot said:

I suppose Springbank imports their barley and peat for good reason then

 

The original version form the 1960's I believe is considered a classic (although I have no idea how it tasted back then). Could be pretty much the same as the current version and it is the palates of drinkers that has changed in 50 years!

[Caskstrength]

I opened a bottle of Local Barley and had a quick taste last week - very impressed.  Really beautiful tension, love it.  Look forward to drinking it more when the weather gets a bit cooler.

[jvd99]

I doubt the current version is comparable to the 1960s classics.  If it were, I'm sure some reviewer somewhere would have pointed that out.

[tanstaafl2]

On ‎1‎/‎21‎/‎2017 at 4:54 PM, jvd99 said:

I doubt the current version is comparable to the 1960s classics.  If it were, I'm sure some reviewer somewhere would have pointed that out.

 

I have seen a few comparisons to the one from the 60's but generally they were unfavorable. Of course a lot of those bottles were 30+ years old when bottled compared to the 16yo out now so it might be understandable. Age isn't everything but it can certainly help!

[Caskstrength]

The 60s Local Barley is probably 10 times the price of the 16yo...different ballgame.  

[tanstaafl2]

6 hours ago, Caskstrength said:

The 60s Local Barley is probably 10 times the price of the 16yo...different ballgame.  

 

More like 15 times the price. Available for only $2689 and up on Whisky Exchange. Two sherry matured versions for $8000! Oh, and shipping of course. And perhaps insurance...

 

But they are also single barrels at cask strength and mostly around 30+ years old or more. The current version is a 16yo batch of barrels.

 

Different animal indeed! But sadly not one I am likely to become familiar with.
 

[Caskstrength]

I think the 16yo struck the right balance re. pricing for normal drinkers, as opposed to collectors.

 

Springbank pricing starts getting crazy past 18yo, so 30yo ageing would probably have sent this to 1000+, putting it in the realm of the samples only category (or for the cashed up).  I hate the idea of buying samples.

Edited January 28, 2017 by Caskstrength

[jvd99]

I think the next release is at 11 years old so they are definitely not going in the direction of the classics.  lets hope the price goes down in proportion to the age reduction.  

[garbanzobean]

14 minutes ago, jvd99 said:

I think the next release is at 11 years old so they are definitely not going in the direction of the classics.  lets hope the price goes down in proportion to the age reduction.  

Word on the street is that it will be a significant price increase "because of the use of a more expensive barley variety." If someone tells me that to my face, I plan on interrupting with farting noises and double thumbs down.

[jvd99]

What? Like 250 or 300 for an 11 year old?  No thanks.