HMMJ stands for Hilde, Martijn, Marcel and Jeroen: four friends who bought a cask of Springbank back in 1997. This adventure came to an end in January 2020 when their refill sherry cask was bottled.
Few people wait such a long time before bottling their Private Cask, so we’re eager to find out what this brings.
Springbank 22 yo 1997 (55,4%, OB ‘Private Cask’ for HMMJ 2020, refill sherry cask #582, 191 btl.)
Nose: top class. Slightly restrained but with all the right elements. Plenty of mineral notes, chalk, empty mussel shells. Add some lemons and oranges, olive oil and mastic, leafy touches and fresh canvas. Reminds me a bit of the early 18’s with the new label.
Mouth: more intense now. Quite a sharp peaty edge, than mentholated notes, saltwater and pepper. Leafy notes. Coffee beans and subtle praline. Still some sweet lemon, tonic water and a hint of almonds. A little aniseed as well.
Finish: long, more peat, with a little ginger and nutmeg.
We’ve had some excellent Springbanks recently and this is definitely in the first few seats. I believe all bottles are sold out, too bad.