Springbank 15 Year

Nose: Oloroso sherry, fruit compote, raisins, dark cherries, orange liqueur, and a mild yet substantial peat smoke. A hint of gunpowder that becomes a bit too pronounced over time. Palate: Oily, smooth, rich, and leathery from the start. Brine like freshly shucked oysters, sweet malt extract, apricot preserves, medium sherry, dark chocolate, hints of curry spices, and good oak (without any tannic bite). Later on, a clear smoky note emerges and grows with each sip. The texture remains consistent, coating the mouth and lingering into the finish. Finish: Medium to Long. Mellow and comforting, with sweet malt and earthiness persisting into a mildly smoky aftertaste. This expression shares many similarities with the 10 year old, but features a stronger fortified wine influence, more dark fruit, and more refined smoke. It's entirely matured in sherry casks (likely a mix of first and second fill) and possesses a polish and sophistication that, for me, showcases Springbank at its peak maturity. The sole drawback of this 2023 bottling was some intrusive sulfur on the nose that intensified over time. I didn't detect this in the excellent 2022 batch, hence a slightly lower score for this one. The price has become astronomical, nearly tripling in Australia over the past six years. "Very Good": 87/100 (4.25 stars) ---------------------------------------------- Nose: Immediate sherry notes, with dried fruits, toasted walnuts, and violets in the background. Warm, rich, and deeply floral tones with evolving malt and treacle. Adding a little water and allowing it to rest reveals a soft tarry, maritime, and mineral character, which is distinctly Springbank. Palate: Arrives warm, enveloping, and creamy, a texture that carries through to the finish. Flavors of dates, plums, and an apricot-like taste found in the finest semi-dried white Greek figs. As it develops, peaty notes emerge along with a deep earthy sensation reminiscent of damp forest floor and farmyards. Finish: Medium. Semi-sweet and earthy with a subtle hint of lemon zest. A commendable rendition of Springbank 15. It presents a different profile than previous years' releases – each has its strengths and weaknesses, but the overall quality remains consistent. This was a standout among the core offerings at the tasting. It's delightful neat and very good with a splash of water, which enhances a distinct tarry quality on the nose and amplifies the peat smoke on the palate. However, water also introduces a slightly drying sourness and emphasizes a subtle citrus bitterness on the finish, making the best way to enjoy it a matter of personal preference. I favored it with water, as I generally do, but someone nearby strongly preferred it neat. To each their own....and the cost! This was initially available (for a brief moment earlier this year when allocations arrived) at the suggested retail price of AUD$230, but is now selling at retail for AUD$540 or more in a few local stores. Utterly ridiculous. "Excellent": 88/100 (4.5 stars) ---------------------------------------------- Nose: Floral notes (sandalwood and lemongrass), sherry, grapes, brown sugar, earth, apple skins, balsamic vinegar, and coffee. The nose is less intense than in prior batches but remains very good and well-balanced, with a full, satisfying roundness and just a hint of peat smoke. Palate: Vegetable oil, sherry, malt, lemon, Brussels sprouts, and marmalade. Further development brings more vegetal and cereal notes, including porridge, brine, ash, and wet stones. A faint hint of iodine, chalk, and bitter grapefruit grilled with honey. Towards the finish, the sharper notes blend into a general malty character. The texture is pleasant – oily, creamy, and velvety. A drop of water makes it almost sensual. Finish: Medium. The palate fades quickly into a slightly metallic and flinty aftertaste. The only whisky of the evening that truly honored the potential of this remarkable distillery. Initially commanding on the nose and impactful on the first taste, it did, however, lose some presence with subsequent sips. There was a subtle sulfur note, like asparagus, but it was too faint to be bothersome and is typical of Springbank's distillate character. A very good whisky, but like everything else sampled tonight, I felt it was unreasonably priced. Even if it had been available, I wouldn't have paid the required $200+ for a bottle. Maybe... I'm unsure. Springbank has become extremely expensive, and we enthusiasts bear some responsibility for that. Looking on the positive side, many other whiskies in this price range are inferior, and numerous others are just as good and much more affordable. So, while expressions like this may be difficult to find and costly right now, we still have plenty of contemporary whisky options. "Excellent": 88/100 (4.5 stars) [AUD$225 per Bottle in 2022] ---------------------------------------------- Nose: Floral (sandalwood and lemongrass), sherry, grapes, brown sugar, earth, apple skins, balsamic vinegar, coffee. Less intense than previous batches but still very good and well-balanced with a full, satisfying roundness and just a hint of peat smoke. Palate: Vegetable oil, sherry, malt, lemon, Brussels sprouts, marmalade. Develops into more vegetal and cereal notes with porridge, brine, ash, and wet stones. A subtle iodine, chalk, and bitter grapefruit grilled with honey. The sharper notes merge into a generalized malty profile towards the finish. The texture is good – oily, creamy, and velvety. A dash of water makes it almost sensual. Finish: Medium. The palate diminishes quickly into a slightly metallic and flinty aftertaste. This expression is entirely matured in sherry casks (various types), unlike the 10 year old which uses a mix of bourbon and sherry. At its core, it's quite similar to the 10 year old, but with a richer dark fruit character and more complexity. It also offers more coconut, toasted cereal, caramel, and leather notes. The sherry influence permeates the spirit rather than overwhelming it like a winey blanket. It displays the same elegant execution seen in Old Pulteney 21 and Glenfarclas 15. I view the Springbank 10 and 15 year olds as distinct facets of the same new-make spirit, rather than an older and younger sibling. The vegetal, fruity, mineral, and briny notes are all present in the 15 year old, but with a more relaxed, autumnal feel. Purchase a bottle and savor one of the finest whisky experiences. "Excellent": 88/100 (4.5 stars) [AUD$145.0 per Bottle in 2017]

It's officially 2022, and I'm diving into a series of Springbank samples. Continuing my exploration of Springbank, I'm trying the 15-year, which was kindly shared by a friend. The nose begins with a light, bubbly mix of citrus, sherry, and wheat fields, followed by dark chocolate-covered raisins and sugar cookies. Then, a strong but fading match smoke emerges, giving way to background notes of sun-baked salted oranges, charred lemon, and prunes. This transitions into candied ginger, light leather, and polished oak, with a moderate alcohol burn. The taste offers a medium, creamy mouthfeel, starting with a light, bubbly blend of citrus, sherry, and wheat fields, then salted dark chocolate with a caramel core and cinnamon raisin oatmeal cookies. This is followed by a moderate, drying spice that slowly fades into background notes of orange creamsicle, candied lemon peel, and red grapefruit. It then shifts to candied ginger, aged leather, and polished oak, with a medium alcohol burn. The finish is medium in length, with light ash, sea salt, butterscotch pudding, dark chocolate raisins, shortbread cookies, red grapefruit, aged leather, and polished oak. Compared to the cask strength 12-year-olds, this is a very smooth sipper with an exceptionally creamy texture. The nose greets you with a mellow Springbank funk and balanced sherry notes before the light smoke appears, followed by sun-ripened charred fruits and moderate oak. This carries over to the palate, which has a whipped cream-like mouthfeel, slightly bitter yet sweet citrus, and a moderate spice with polished oak. The finish is creamy, with light ash, slightly bitter fruit, butterscotch, and well-aged oak. This is another outstanding whisky from Springbank, very well-balanced. I'd choose it over batch 17 or 21 of the 12-year cask strengths, though it would be difficult to surpass batch 19, which had an even creamier mouthfeel and bolder flavors. At approximately $150 in my area, I believe this is a worthwhile purchase for its unique creaminess and incredible balance of those wonderful, funky Springbank and sherry characteristics, which have aged gracefully to create a very distinctive and flavorful whisky.

Bottled on 01/04/21. Other markings are worn, possibly indicating 01/21. Unsure of batch significance, but a reader likely knows. Assumed bottling date is January 4, 2021. Nose: Apple, citrus, heather, florals, dried herbs. Gentle peat reminiscent of cooked fruits and vegetables. Perhaps a hint of baking spice. Palate: Initial sweet fruit, echoing the apple and citrus from the nose. Transitions to a powerful caramel and vanilla swirl that repeats. Bitter herbs and dried florals introduce the finish, which then offers more caramel, vanilla, sweetened cinnamon spice, lingering cooked fruit, and a touch of ocean brine. The finish evolves long after most spirits fade: citrus, floral notes, and finally, an almost hop-like bitterness atop a woodsy, spicy, and elegantly simple cinnamon candy essence. This is awful. If you encounter this bottle, particularly in or around Los Angeles County, please leave a comment with the location so I can ensure it's properly discarded. Elsewhere in the country, assistance may be available - see below. Join an unofficial community on Discord: https://discord.gg/VSmCvzAQfH. We discuss spirits (and other topics) live, serving as a great mutual resource for recommendations, finding deals, and enjoying the journey together. (If the link is no longer valid, please comment and I will provide a new one.)

Nose: leather, botanical. Palate: leather, cigar-like, sour, botanical. Original score - 3.5 Revisiting this on October 12, 2024. Discovered a fantastic top-shelf option at a pub in Galena. Decided to re-evaluate after a significant gap, hoping my refined palate would offer greater appreciation. Nose: A very fruit-forward aroma. Sugary, like raisins. I also detect leather and damp wood. Unusual. Tropical fruits such as pineapples, green apples, and bananas. It possesses a very rich character! Opulent. The sherry cask's impact is quite apparent. Palate: Spicy! A decent peat impact is noticeable! Medicinal too! Distinctly different from the 10-year-old! It has an intriguing quality where it initially presents as sweet, but the sweetness diminishes as it lingers! It coats the mouth effectively. Characteristic Campbeltown funk! A robust pour! The finish is of medium length! The sherry cask finish imparts substantial richness and syrupy sweetness! The presence of peat checks several boxes for me! I certainly grasp the complexities of this whisky much more now!! New score - 4.25

I gifted myself this bottle for Christmas. It was the last one available, and I haven't seen another since. I'll now try to describe the characteristic Springbank aroma, which has been difficult for me to articulate in the past. Nose: Fig, vibrant red apples, raspberry jam, sweet pipe tobacco smoke; the sherry is quite pronounced. Adding a little water brought out a fruit roll-up note. Palate: Smooth and approachable, with sweet mints, reminiscent of a chewing gum flavor. A hint of smoke is present but almost unnoticeable amidst the other elements. This is where the unique character becomes elusive. A touch of water revealed strawberries. Finish: Long, coating, and refreshing, like a peppermint patty. It allows for contemplation between sips. An excellent spirit for conversation. A pleasant sweetness concludes the finish, which remains consistent even with a drop of water. I enjoy sharing this with good companions. It's always well-received.

Following my initial experience with the 10-year, this was the natural next choice. 100% sherry finished, excellent. The nose has toned down any sharpness from its younger counterpart. It features overripe red grape and prune, roasted yellow bell pepper, and significant seaside smoke extinguished by a wave of ocean water. The characteristic Springbank funk is present along with malt and a touch of maple. The palate delivers deep layers of salted dark fruit and malt, smoldering tire rubber, heavily charred barrel, and pine sap with a hint of menthol. The finish reveals cooling, funky malt fading into smoky tannins and lingering grilled fruits/peppers. This is a superb scotch, offering layered flavors and considerable depth. It tempers the vibrancy of the 10-year for a more mature experience. If you can find it at a fair price and have committed to the brand, go for it......rated 93/100.......However, considering the cost, I find the 10-year to be nearly as good.