Review #65: Springbank 18yr, 46%, OB, +/- 2012?

sweet, salty, smoky

Springbank -- at least the 21yr olds in the 1990's -- is still my touchstone for all spirits. It cost about  $120/bottle then, or maybe around $100 if it was on sale. I couldn't really afford it, but it was worth it anyway. I tried to save some money by buying a 12yr old, was thoroughly unimpressed, and then pretty much gave up forever. Not quite, but that's another story. Still, after the 21yr, buying whisky just seemed futile.

Anyway, today an 18yr old. I hear that quality is high again. The prices certainly are.

nose: powerful and complex. it's a malty sweetness that moves through toffee, the glue of old books, some fruit, and finally to smoke. wood polish and beeswax come out after a while, along with some shoe leather. a little bit of engine oil. the fruit is candied, baked, and slightly spiced -- it's hard to pick out specifics -- it's orchard fruit that's become rich and almost floral. some sherry fruit -- raisins and prunes -- too.

palate: prickly smoke and old sherry wood. nutty and briny.

finishes: still smoky, slightly oily and with just a little candied orange.

In the end, it's a fairly subtle experience -- it's not too far from my memory of the Springbank 21yr, but with everything mellowed out and dialed back. Still, it's a well integrated whole, with a nice old-fashioned profile, that somehow resonates with me.

score: 89