Springbank 21 Adelphi (1999)

For my 400th review, I'm examining a single cask Springbank bottled by Adelphi, distilled in 1999 and aged 21 years in a reused rum barrel before being bottled at 53.4% ABV. I found this unique cask while exploring one of my preferred liquor shops, and it looked promising since I enjoy Springbank and rum notes. However, I managed to control my desire due to the high price and the known variability of independent bottlings. Still, after several months, my resolve weakened with each visit until one particular trip, after learning of a close family member's passing, I finally gave in. Reflecting on my own mortality, I decided to take a chance and brought the bottle home to have a drink in honor of those lost and to celebrate with the special friends and family who remain. The aroma is rich and velvety, beginning with key lime pie, toasted coconut, caramelized mangoes, a subtle funk, and the scent of old leather-bound books. This is followed by fields of barley, a faint smokiness, and a seaside mineral quality, then grilled pineapple rings, papaya, and anise-spiced baked pears. It shifts to candied ginger, cloves, a touch of black pepper, and polished antique furniture, with a moderate alcohol burn. The taste is rich and creamy, starting with coconut cream pie, key limes, caramelized mangoes, a mild funk, and leather-bound books. This is followed by a gentle sichuan pepper note that quickly fades to charred hay, light espresso, and seaside minerality. Then come grilled pineapple rings, papaya, and candied orange peel, leading to candied ginger, cloves, a touch of black pepper, and polished antique furniture, with a moderate alcohol burn. The finish is long with grilled pineapple, dried mangoes, charred hay, subtle seaside minerality, candied ginger, leather-bound books, and polished antique furniture, lingering for several minutes. Overall, this is an exceptional drink where the funk and tropical notes from the rum cask blend perfectly with the classic Springbank citrus, earthy character, and seaside minerality, along with subtle aged oak notes that are present but secondary to the other flavors. For me, this is a special bottle that most might not find worth the cost, but it's a splurge I don't regret and thoroughly enjoy having on hand for occasional pours while reflecting and appreciating the diverse flavors, raising a glass to honor the departed or celebrate another day with friends and family to share, laugh, and hopefully remember the drink and the time spent together. I hope when my end comes, the reaper is kind enough to bring a bottle of this to offer me a final dram to ease my departure from this world.

We recently returned from a trip to the Florida Keys. If you haven't visited, it's a place you must see. You'll find stunning turquoise waters, incredibly clear. The best is at Dry Tortugas National Park. The waters are even clearer, surrounding a 200-year-old fort, with shallow areas teeming with fish. Then there's the famous Key Lime. It's a small, 1-2 inch lime, yellow inside, and slightly sweeter than regular limes. These limes are everywhere. Key Lime milkshakes. Key Lime Hollandaise sauce. Key Lime bread. After a week, you've had enough. You can't possibly imagine another Key Lime variation. Or... you might think. Some friends and I had our regular online tasting. The samples were kindly provided by two of them. For the next session, another pair of friends and I will provide them. This particular sample was a standout of the evening. Having a 21-year-old of this particular spirit isn't a common occurrence. And expect to pay a very high price for it. A quick look shows this one costs close to $1000. That's likely beyond most people's budgets. So, I'm even more grateful for the chance to try it. Upon the first taste... it's back. Those Key limes. Really? In this spirit? I would never have expected Key Lime as the first flavor note from this spirit. But yes... you get Key Lime, some coconut, and then... there it is... that signature funk. This is one of the best, if not the best, rum-finished spirits I've ever had. That combination of Key Lime, Coconut, and the signature funk is unique, and in the best possible way. This is beyond what I can afford. But thank you to my friend for the opportunity to taste this rare find.

Tropical and unusual. Nose: Bananas, Diesel, Pineapples, Papayas, Marshmallows, Molasses, Apricots, Sultanas, Mangoes Palate: Bananas, Vanilla, Marshmallows, Papayas, Mangoes, Peaches, Nectarines, Coconuts, Almonds, Quince Jam Finish: Funk, Bananas, Marshmallows, Pineapples, Papayas