Springbank 12 Year Cask Strength Batch 23

Scotch Whisky Review #492: Springbank 12 Year Cask Strength Batch 23

Distillery: Springbank.

Region: Campbeltown.

Age: 12 year. Bottled September 8th, 2021.

ABV: 55.9%.

Cask Type: 100% Ex-Bourbon.

Color: 0.5, Yellow Gold.

This is the 20th installment of this years’ Christmas Countdown. You can check out previous editions as well (2019, 2020, 2021, 2022).

Nose: It’s bright and slightly briney. I’m reminded of really cold oysters that just had a little bit of lemon squeezed on them. There’s also some shortbread and malted milk biscuits along with another snack that I couldn’t quite place.

Palate: There’s a little bit of prickle at full strength but it is certainly drinkable. It tastes like a shortbread sandwich with a vanilla custard filling. Adding just a little bit of water vanishes that little prickling sensation. The shortbread sandwich gets a little bit of lemon curd to go with it. It is slightly waxy but with more of a starburst/taffy wax compared to candlewax.

Finish: Medium in length. You get a hit of soot, a little bit of earth, and a little bit of violets.

Conclusion: Oddly enough, this is the first time I’ve had a Springbank in all bourbon casks or at least knowingly had it. I can see where the appeal of this dram comes from. The nose really welcomes you in with a fun combination of brine, a bit of citrus, and some baked treats. The palate is little simple but delivers a really delicious shortbread, custard, and lemon combination that just makes you want more. The finish changes things up with some earthiness and the tiniest bit of violet to keep you guessing. Overall, it is really tasty for what it is and ultimately a quality dram.

Rating: 81.

Scotch Whisky Review #492, Campbeltown Review , Whisky Network Review #656

Scoring Legend:

  • 95-100: As good as it gets. Jaw-dropping, eye-widening, unforgettable whisky.
  • 90-94: Sublime, a personal favorite in its category.
  • 85-89: Excellent, a standout dram.
  • 80-84: Quite good. Quality stuff.
  • 75-79: Decent whisky worth tasting.
  • 70-74: Meh. It’s definitely drinkable, but it can do better.
  • 60-69: Not so good. I might not turn down a glass if I needed a drink.
  • 50-59: Save it for mixing.
  • 0-49: Blech.

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