Springbank Christmas 2007 Claret Wood

Springbank 15 Year Old

Those who enjoy Springbank tend to love just about everything they release, but the 15 year offering is not without its detractors. Rumours abound about batches that are irredeemably sulphured. Frightening stuff. I admit to being Springbank devotee so I didn't mind taking a chance on this whisky (I bought two bottles completely blind). It's...

Score 89/100

Springbank 10 Year Old

Let it breathe. Let me say it again: Let. It. Breathe. This whisky needs time to open up. It's bottled at 46%, so it's strong. It's unchillfiltered and has no caramel colouring, if that kind of thing matters to you. Nose (undiluted): toffee, dried fruit (raisins?), light smoke, peat, vanilla, pears, leather, citrus (orange?), pine needles in the...

Score 91/100

Springbank 15 Year Old

Well, well, well this one is quite the chameleon (hence the dubious title) and considering it's been open nigh on six months I feel it should have settled down and opened up by now, if it was ever going to. I hear that the sherry to bourbon casks may vary with the 15, with some suggesting this more recent bottle (c2018/19) is 100% sherry matured....

Score 86/100

Springbank 10 Year Old

For my first venture into the Springbank range I thought I’d start with the standard 10 year old. Lightly peated and 2 and half times distilled, this is matured 60:40 in bourbon and sherry casks respectively. Nose - Bonfire smoke, decomposing leaves, humus, hint of mushrooms, pine needles, pine nuts and old leather, brine, sea salt, malt vinegar...

Score 83/100