Springbank filled quite a few Madeira casks in 1996-1997 and some of them have been released lately, including an official release for the Open Day 2018 as well as a Springbank 21 Years by Boutique-y Whisky.
We’re now trying a similar Springbank 21 year old 1996 bottled by Master of Malt in their single cask series.
Springbank 21 yo 1996
(55,2%, Master of Malt 2018)
Springbank 21 yo 1996Nose: starts on gun flints and a little coal dust, as often in wine matured Springbank. A little lamp oil and berries. Hints of grilled ham. Sercial in the background. Toasted rye bread with fig marmalade. Liquorice. Candied ginger and plenty of spices too (nutmeg, black pepper). Just a whiff of pine tree air freshener.
Mouth: dark fruits, lots of roasted nuts notes and leather. Intense spices. Tarry notes. After a while it moves to sour berries and herbal liqueurs, with a slight balsamic edge. Orange peel. Hints of heather.
Finish: long, quite oily and sooty, with a camphory side and earthy wood.
An interesting earthy Springbank, with heaps of character and a few uncommon touches. Very good, but I liked the TBWC bottling better, which is also less excessively priced. Both are available from Master of Malt.
Score: 89/100