This Springbank 21 Years was botted by That Boutique-y Whisky Company. It was drawn from Madeira casks, which apparently were also used in the recipe of this year’s Springbank 21 bottled for the Open Day 2018.
It seems Springbank experimented a lot with Madeira wood around 1996-1997.
Springbank 21 yo
(47,5%, That Boutique-y Whisky Company 2018, Batch #8, 911 btl.)
Nose: classic Springbank, showing dusty leather, lamp oil, hints of ‘clean’ flints and roasted nuts. Then more towards orange marmalade and dried figs, apricots, strawberry jam and Christmas cake. Delicate smoke. Cinnamon pastry, roasted chestnuts and tiny hints of pumpernickel.
Mouth: less classic and slightly lighter than expected. There’s chocolate and toffee but also (sour) blueberries and apricots. Orange peel. Nice hints of roasted coffee beans and earthy malt in the background, with delicate peat and oak char. Hints of fruit tea as well.
Finish: long, with more of the charred notes and treacle.
The Madeira casks help to make this pretty great, if a little uncommon. Highly appealing Springbank, one that comes recommended especially if you want to see a different version. You can get it from Master of Malt.
Score: 90/100