A highly anticipated Springbank release, the second expression in a series of five Local Barley whiskies. This 11 year old single malt was made with Bere barley from Aros Farm. It was matured in bourbon casks.
Springbank 11 yo 2006 ‘Local Barley’
(53,1%, OB 2017, 9000 btl.)
Springbank 11 yo 2006 ‘Local Barley’Nose: sweet and floral, with big hints of orange marmalade. Fresh eucalyptus, tiny hints of glue as well. A little green banana and lemon zest, wet gravel. Green tomato. Some faint perfumed notes as well. It seems to show less of the peaty and oily notes of the 16 Year Old Local Barley.
Mouth: nicer, it’s got something of an Albariño wine, with aromatic fruits and sharper minerals and salt at the same time. Rather creamy. White grapes and custard. Stronger peat now. A little tobacco. Light minty / herbal notes in the end.
Finish: medium long, malty, peppery, a little green with more narrow aromatics.
As often producers make sure the first bottling of a new series is cracking. This 11yo Local Barley is less special and not entirely up to its older brother, but still a very good dram which shines mostly on the palate. Looking forward to the third expression next year. Around € 100 but sold out as far as I know.
Score: 87/100