Once upon a time, there was the Springbank 10 Years 100 Proof. Think of it as the spiritual ancestor of the current Springbank Cask Strength. Except back then people weren’t fighting over these. I would venture that many of them were straight up ignored. How times have changed.
With a distillery as traditional as Springbank, older doesn’t necessarily translate to better. (Which I suppose it never does with whisky, but bear with me.) Production practices haven’t changed much since Springbank fully reopened in the late 1980s. Sure, barley varieties have, and they may have an impact on taste. Otherwise there’s no reason to believe a modern Springbank Cask Strength shouldn’t be just as good as this older Springbank 10 Years 100 Proof.
I like that idea. Whisky drinkers sometimes live in the past. While understandable, they’re also doing themselves a disservice. Many established distilleries, not just Springbank, release inspiring liquid. Add a sense of newness and adventure that young distilleries bring – whisky drinkers have never had it better.
(Except for prices, they have been way out of control.)
Springbank 10 Years 100 Proof (57%, OB, 2000s)
Nose: Loads of waxes, hints of hemp ropes, some subtle minerals and an assortment of citrus. It’s fresh and oily, and there are hints of porridge with mānuka honey, as well as slivers of the gentlest earthy peat, stewed apples, jammy apricots and pear skin.
Taste: Classic. Almost oily. Certainly fairly waxy. Damp oak, a soft salinity, subtle cereals and some dried fruits, as well as a slight tropical influence. Quite earthy too, while the minerals make an encore.
Finish: Medium to long. A pinch of pepper, all kinds of waxes and just a hint of umami.
Photo: WhiskyAuctioneer