There’s a new batch of Artful Dodger bottlings but they seem to arrive in a random order. TWE offered this sherry matured Springbank 18 Years (no vintage) a few weeks ago, but not the other releases. And no sign in other stores, better keep your eyes peeled…
Springbank 18 yo
(45,9%, Artful Dodger 2019, first-fill sherry hogshead #646, 392 btl.)
Nose: old leather, some car workshop aromas and even light farmy touches (sheep stable). Slightly Brora-like, nice. Then some roast meat and tobacco, some nutty touches and flints. Spanish fig bread and dates in the background. Orange (peel), menthol and a hint of oak char too.
Mouth: very umami-rich again. Seared meat, mushrooms, toasted wood and plenty of leathery notes. Some medicinal touches, black peppercorn, ink and Seville orange. Traces of tangerine. Walnuts and glazed chestnuts. More than a hint of smoke.
Finish: long, still rather smokey, with mineral notes, orange peel and light herbs.
First-fill sherry with a fairly low ABV, but it turned out very well. Perfect strength and a very savoury (yet clean) sherry style. Now available from Master of Malt.
Score: 90/100