Springbank 25

Nose - A prominent oak note is present, indicating significant cask influence and imparting mature oak characteristics. However, it's not akin to bourbon or some aged Scotches; the oak is nearly overpowered by Springbank's distinct funk, creating a unique sharp and salty interplay. Red fruits are present, but without prior knowledge of sherry influence, it wouldn't be obvious from the finish. The aroma is assertive, bold, and slightly bitter. Taste - As anticipated, this is a demanding dram. Even after several months open, the bottle isn't close to being finished. Umami, sweetness, saltiness, and fruitiness are all detected. A complex finish with vanilla-infused sherry and oak. It includes the "sugar" cookie notes a certain reviewer always detects. Adding water helps to mellow the oak and enhance sweet vanillas, while also introducing a touch more sea salt, which is not unwelcome. These sherry casks are clearly well-used and aged. In such cases, it's crucial to avoid chill-filtration and ensure adequate aging. The salty, umami Springbank malt effectively makes this a challenging dram, with the sherry notes, though subtle, contributing somewhat to balance without achieving it fully. This will undoubtedly be a highly divisive and likely unpopular Springbank 25 for many. I'm personally enjoying it and rate it a 4.0. At $800, it's not really justifiable, but the complexity, despite a lack of depth, and the challenges presented do lead me to appreciate the significant investment in producing this whisky. Those seeking a sweet, candy-like dram should steer clear and look for a port-finished version of their 25. This one is intended for whisky enthusiasts desiring something unconventional. Considering the price, all but the most devoted Springbank fans should refrain from purchasing.

This is the 2022 bottling; apologies, I'm too indolent to list a new whisky. 40% bourbon, 60% sherry. Aroma - Deep aged oak with stewed fruits, slightly turning sour, with salted sea breeze, and rich sugar cookies. This presents a somewhat waxy, unusual fruit explosion of notes that I'm not very familiar with. Things like apricots, which I do detect, but I'm not as accustomed to. There's a very organic and earthy fruit element here that's truly wonderful and gives off some very classic Springbank funk characteristics. Taste - The aroma translates well to the palate with a soft yet richly complex range of funk, earth, salt, light peat, hints of smoke, and sweet light elements. Even faint suggestions of steak sauce appear, though the dominant notes are light fruity and delicately sugared. Finish - Forget the taste; this is where the whisky becomes epic. Spices begin to build and come in full force. Cinnamon, cloves, pineapple, citrus tangerines, oak spice, and some sort of green herbal fruity elements. It's just big, bold, and complex. My taste buds are dancing with joy right now. A wonderfully crafted whisky from beginning to end. An amazing nose leading to a good, albeit subtle, palate, which then explodes as the finish begins. This Springbank 25 does not disappoint, though the price causes one to reach for their wallets in sheer agony. Overall, likely 2 steps behind the 2021 and half a step off the 2016 from the best I've encountered. Still, this is outstanding. Neck pour score 4.5

I appreciate the 15 year old, which at $85 USD in NZ, I believe offers the best value for money. The 18 year old at $120 is the next best. The 21 year old is exorbitant at over $200 USD. So, when I saw a sample of the discontinued 25 year old for $30, I thought, yes, I'll give it a go. Was it worth it? A definite yes... for the experience. It's a great drink, with not much port influence, clearly orange peel, tobacco, and pepper as reviewed by MoM, lovely on the mid-palate, but the aftertaste is brief. Personally, I prefer the more in-your-face, rougher 15 year old, especially considering the price. It's interesting that with my favorite distilleries and peated spirits, like Laphroaig, Talisker, Caol Ila, Ardbeg, and now Springbank, I find the oldest expressions good, but not superior to their middle-aged counterparts. It's almost like a bell curve for my preference, with 15 to 18 years, or a blend of older and younger, being the sweet spot, particularly when value for money is considered. Still, the longer I ponder this one, I think a bottle would be enjoyable to finish, but I would never pay the price! It does, as the previous review noted, lack the Springbank 'funk' that I enjoy.

The aroma is absolutely wild. Citrus and red wine notes with rich Springbank malt and a touch of oak. It's incredibly potent and intense. The taste is very vanilla-forward with a substantial amount of smooth wood spice, hints of sherry, and perhaps grape-like flavors from the port finish. The finish goes on forever with those nicely seasoned, well-executed wood notes. This falls just short of exceptional. I'd usually mention how amazing it would be at cask strength, but I'm not sure that's necessary here. The texture is creamy and viscous, and the alcohol isn't overly subdued. It feels strange to say, but it just doesn't get enough impact from its cask aging. I suspect the time in port was too brief and it spent too much time in bourbon casks. Meanwhile, the oak has softened some of the characteristic Springbank funk. Make no mistake, this is an outstanding spirit, and I expect it will evolve with time. For now, it's difficult to justify the price point.

2019 release Nose: brown sugar; rhubarb; thyme; pine needles; hint of peat; dark chocolate; honey; Palate: unusual rum flavors at first; cocoa powder; pineapple juice; herbal sweetness; toasted oak; trace of earthy peat smoke; sherry sweetness Finish: lingering, thick finish; earthy peat; brown sugar/molasses; hint of tropical fruits Decent, not exceptional. The rum cask influence on this 25 year old springbank is somewhat overpowering, to the extent that it makes it seem a bit too simple and young. The sherry is present, and the balance between the rum cask and sherry is quite pleasant, but I'm missing that cambeltown funk combined with heavy peat that I expect from springbank. Not my preferred release from them

A pleasant hint of island fruits, brine, and sherry character is present, though I favor Springbank 21, both older and newer versions. Year unknown. Nose: Dried grapes, caramelized honey, toffee, coconut, pineapple, fig, prune, watermelon, chewing gum Palate: Creamy vanilla, peat smoke, dried grapes, coal dust, almond, bittersweet chocolate, dates, prune, fig, mango, pineapple, hazelnut Finish: Dried grapes, salty caramel, fish, fig, rich cherry, dried sultanas