Springbank 1992 (Maltbarn)

This Springbank 1992 was bottled by Maltbarn and presented at the latest Limburg Whisky Fair. Matured in bourbon wood.

Springbank 26 yo 1992 (51%, Maltbarn 2018, bourbon cask, 100 btl.)

Nose: very complex, on first sight it comes across as slightly “common”, without the usual minerality. However if you get closer there is a nice guava and mandarin sweetness, rhubarb, aromatic oils, floral notes, some concrete. Hints of grapefruits and linseed oil. Waxed papers. Coconut flakes. A fairly civilised and rounded example.

Mouth: sweet lemons, maybe apricots or quinces, hints of ginger ale. Hints of mint, grapefruits, tobacco leaves. Now also chalky notes and herbal touches (thyme), which makes it more classic again.

Finish: medium long, on brine and waxy notes, with a wee salty edge.

The roundness and fruity character makes it less typical for the distillery, but on its own this is just a great combination of austerity and sexiness. Really good. Prices for indie Springbank aren’t exactly inviting though: around € 450, I believe you can still get it from Maltbarn direct.

Score: 91/100