You may remember the series of Sansibar bottlings exclusive to Whisky-Maniac, especially the excellent Clynelish 1996. At the same time there was this Springbank 1996 which was matured in a sherry cask and given an extra Madeira finish.
Springbank 24 yo 1996 (44,8%, Sansibar for Whisky-Maniac 2020, Sherry cask + Madeira finish, 132 btl.)
Nose: as if we’re in a bodega. A lot of wine notes, moist wood, grape must, hints of sour plums and strawberry in the background. Behind the wine is the classic Springbank character, showing old metal tools, engine workshops, light farmy notes, soot, smoked ham, nougat and tobacco. Complex, and the combination of earthy notes and wine is superb.
Mouth: a sweet and sour note again, more plums, red berries and grapes, mixed with butterscotch, leather and a pinch of salt. Orange peels. Roasted nuts, coffee beans and chocolate. Tobacco leaves. Some sweet mustard. A nice earthy undertone again, as well as dried herbs.
Finish: not extremely long, now more on savoury / meaty hints, drying oak, salt, wet earth and this sour fruit element.
I love this style of Springbank. The Madeira / Sherry bring acidity, leather and tobacco which works perfectly with the classic Springbank funk. Now maybe we should complain about the price, or maybe I should just enjoy the rest of my glass. It’s superb, almost 92 points. Still available, only from Whisky Maniac.