The Schtick: Distilled in 1969 and bottled in 1997, this release is a single cask of Springbank matured exclusively in a 1st fill sherry cask for 28 years. It was bottled at 46% ABV via Murray McDavid and was pulled from barrel #MM7787. This is just barely in the band of 1960’s Springbank, and an era I’ve always wanted to taste, so let’s get into this. The cork is a replacement after the original deteriorated thanksgiving weekend when I enjoyed this with some visiting family.
Disclosure: None – bottle purchased at auction.
Review #2639 | Whiskey Review #981
Distiller: Springbank
Bottler: Murray McDavid
Brand: Murray McDavid
Selection: None – General Release
ABV: 46% ABV
Age: 28 Years
Nose: Wild and floral at first: jasmine, lavendar, clovers and a hint of perfume before big, sticky, dank sherry comes storming in. It has the industrial character I’d expect from Springbank along with rich plums, pears, dates and minerality, some slate and jammy fruit.
Taste: Moderate to rich palate – there’s a pleasant viscosity at the proof which is a surprise and a welcome one at that. Oily, floral, dank and meaty, full of fruit. Vanilla bean, heather and honey, toffee, red berries and some strawberry, industrial funk and petrol, slate, hint of pepper. Really floral on the back palate.
Finish: Long finish, floral once more with lots of dank sherry and berries. Raspberry and cream, strawberries and honey, fig and lavender with bright floral notes.
Overall: Both really different and sort of familiar for Sprinbank – far more floral than I was anticipating but that familiar funk and industrial character is there from modern bottlings of Springbank. This bottle was an experience and while not a 10/10, it’s damn close.
Thanks for reading!
Rank: 9
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