Springbank 26 Years (Master of Malt)

Master of Malt just released this Springbank 26 Year Old single cask distilled in December 1991.

They don’t exactly give them away but… sister company That Boutique-y Whisky Company has the same Springbank 26 Years (shared cask as confirmed by the people from MoM). So there’s an option to go for a 50 cl version in this case.

Springbank can be excellent at this age so we’re always keen to investigate. Here we go.

Springbank 26 yo 1991 (43,4%, Master of Malt 2018, refill bourbon hogshead)

Nose: mild smoky notes with plenty of oily and mineral notes, warm chalk, damp autumn leafs and hints of bruised apples. Ginger syrup. Waxed papers, flax sack, cement powder. Hints of yellow plums, sweet lemons, orange peels and beach sand. What a great combination.

Mouth: starts with plenty of mineral notes, sharp herbs, salty touches, even a hint of petrol. Then it folds open nicely on tropical fruits. Guava, tangerine, pink grapefruit. Combined with the subtle peat smoke it reminds me a bit of these Irish 1991 bottlings. Then back of chalk, cardamom, cider apple and coconut oil.

Finish: long, with the cider apples staying strong, alongside salted nuts and citrus peel.

Rather magnificent I must say: classic Springbank minerals, subtle smoke, these lovely fruity notes as well… Hang on, I need to call the bank. Available from Master of Malt (also as a 3 cl sample by the way).

Score: 92/100