SPRINGBANK 25 YEAR 2020 EDITION

Another whisky I had to add, when do we start getting paid for this:) OK, so another incredibly expensive Springbank, but I'm a sucker for this distillery. This one has been open a couple of days, so I might be rushing the review, but this drinks perfectly from the start; no break-in period needed. And thanks to needing to add this, I think I'm well past the 25 minutes in the glass, so it's had time to open up, which I think is crucial for Springbank. Nose: 25 years comes through loud and clear with plenty of oak. The notes are more citrus and coastal in nature. There's a sweetness here that I almost imagine as being a watered-down Lagavulin. This is vibrant with salt and peat elements playing off oak and Springbank's lightly peated coastal malt. I know I'm repeating myself, but I'm trying to emphasize how perfectly this showcases Springbank's character, from the peat to the coastal elements to the renowned Springbank dunnage warehouses and just their wonderful malt. Now, leave the glass untouched and open for a few moments, and a light sherry emerges, giving off some berry and light, faint chocolate (slightly bitter). Taste: At 46% ABV, the dram starts a bit watery with citrus and oak interaction that gives way to peat, warming the mouth and intensifying the flavors as salts and light milk chocolates begin to form. Finally, it finishes with peat, oak, and sea salt. This is flawlessly balanced between all these elements, and while these 21+ year old Springbanks often lose their funk completely, the tired sherry cask doesn't overpower the light residual funk. The finish is long, incredibly long, and the overall whisky is incredibly flavorful and intense. Overall, this is truly a showcase of Springbank. Even a few minutes after drinking. I rate it a solid 4.5 out of 5. Part of me wants to score it lower because it's 46% ABV, and another part of me wants more wine cask, but the more I revisit it, the more I appreciate the simplicity and complexity achieved through perfect balance.

The aroma is delicate and subtle, with a gentle richness. It begins with notes of caramelized mangos, baked figs, and a dusty old wine cellar, followed by mild pipe smoke, a hint of ocean brine, and shortbread cookies. Then come red wine poached pears, blackberries, and tangerines, transitioning to subtle baking spices and antique polished mahogany, with minimal ethanol burn. The flavor has a medium, creamy texture. It starts mildly sweet yet slightly tart, with caramelized mangos, cherries jubilee, and slightly tart blackberries. This is followed by espresso, mild pipe tobacco, a faint barnyard funk from the barley field, and seaside rocky minerality. Then come pear tart, figgy pudding, and baked orange, leading to subtle baking spices and polished mahogany, with low ethanol burn. The finish is long, beginning with sweetness from creamy tropical fruits and cherries jubilee, before shifting to mild smoke, seaside minerality, subtle baking spices, and a dusty old wine cellar. This is an outstanding dram. Those many years in ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks have smoothed out any youthful harshness, replacing it with creamy tropical fruits and a musty old cellar character. The balance is superb, with everything harmonizing, though the flavors aren't quite as intense and robust as I'd hoped. A stunning and intricate dram that benefits from slow sipping, allowing its many layers to be revealed. It was a special spirit opened to celebrate with a friend.

An exceptionally scarce delight, shared by a friend during our recent quarterly tasting. When does a Springbank not come in first place out of a 5 sample tasting? When the top spot went to a rarer 1970s Four Roses (that review is coming later). Normally, this would be the highlight of the evening. But, it's like you have a chance to test drive 5 cars— the first a BMW M5. But then to find out the other four are a Porsche 911, Lamborghini, Ferrari, and a Bugatti. I've never had a Springbank 25. But I suspect not many of us here have had it. That enormous price tag of well over $1000 can be a limiting factor. This particular 2020 version is a 50/50 split between bourbon and sherry casks. If you anticipate the typical Springbank character, you won't find it here. Instead, that ruggedness is replaced by smooth vanilla, dried fruits, pencil shavings (when is a pencil shaving flavor a positive? I guess here. And to be completely honest—I've never eaten pencil shavings. I grew up poor, but not that poor), lemon, and ginger. The presence of each is subtle. Ultimately, you're missing what defines a Springbank (its character, unique notes). But you're getting a top-tier, extremely refined pour. Personally, I'd prefer the 18 over the 25, but your experience may vary. I believe Springbank is at its best at 18 years. After that, an inherent quality is lost. Many thanks again to my friend for this rare treat.

Aromas of custard, tropical fruit, shortbread, faint smoke, and a touch of mustiness. The palate is sweet, fruity, with pleasant custard notes on an oaky base; the fruitiness suggests sherry cask influence. A complex yet balanced dram, among the best of its kind I've experienced, though its current price may be excessive. Compared to another aged expression, the mouthfeel is less substantial but more balanced overall. Grateful for the sample, as this was a long-desired try.

Aroma has distant hints of old damp wood, a botanical garden in full bloom, ground ginger spice, candied red apple peels, musty locker room, cool stones, and damp woods. The taste presents dried apricots, Mirabelle liqueur, hazelnut oil, mixed pie spices, with finely ground Szechuan pepper and boiled peanuts on the finish. The mouthfeel is nicely viscous with a long tail; the alcohol burn isn't too aggressive for me. The spice at the end imparts a slight bitterness that could be perceived as good or bad depending on your preference. It's well-balanced with intriguing and subtly contrasting aromas and flavors.