The last time I reviewed a Springbank 15 Years it was bottled in 2022, while my most recent review of the Springbank 10 Years is from a 2020 edition. Time to check in and discover how things have evolved, as we take a closer look at the most recent releases of the Springbank 10 Years and Springbank 15 Years, each bottled in 2024.

But before we do, I can hear you thinking, “But Thijs, didn’t you just share a Springbank post a few days ago?” Yes, indeed I did. And there will be more to follow in the upcoming weeks. If you don’t like Springbank, well, bully for you. I’ll have non-Springbank posts interspersed, so there’s no reason to panic. (Also, I would urge you to give Springbank a second chance, because you are missing out.)

Back to the Springbank 10 Years and the Springbank 15 Years. These are two contrasting whiskies, the younger one highlighting how well Springbank works when the flavour profile is very much ex-bourbon focused. Its older sibling is all about sherry maturation, which is slightly more fickle. In Springbank’s case absolutely more hit than miss, but somewhat more of a risk regardless.

Springbank 10 Years (46%, OB, 2024)

Nose: Unmistakable Springbank funk, but there’s also an attractive layer of stewed fruits lingering. There’s old leather-bound books, minerals and bung cloth, as well as a hint of orris root and wet pebbles. The earthy smoke is attractive, while the olive oil and soot add another extra dimension.
Taste: Big tick for the oily mouthfeel. Hints of charcoal and soot, as well as olive brine, white pepper and grilled lemons. (Maybe some lemon pith as well.) Whisper of tarragon, as well as tobacco and slivers of menthol.
Finish: Medium to long. A pinch of salt, clay and some thyme, but also a hint of tar and tobacco.

Conclusion

So, so good. Maybe marginally less domesticated as the 2020 version I reviewed a few years ago, which I prefer, but only by a hair. The Springbank 10 Years remains at the top of its game.

8.9

Springbank 15 Years (46%, OB, 2024)

Nose: The yin to the Springbank 10’s yang. Just an entirely different whisky, albeit with a similar base DNA. A hint of orange bitters strikes almost immediately, but also a tinge of fresh teak, furniture polish and stucco. Then hints of milk chocolate and definitely strong hessian notes, as well as menthol, cigar smoke and forest fruits.
Taste: Some close to perfect sherry casks must’ve been used here. No trace of sulphur, just exemplary notes of a knackered old leather belt (I hate myself for that note), tobacco and hazelnut praline, as well a sliver of diesel adding an industrial element. The orange-y note from the nose is present again.
Finish: Long. A pinch of pepper, something mentholated, and a touch of dark soy and wood smoke. Bitter chocolate too.

Conclusion

Fantastic whisky, and this version almost stands on the same plateau as its 10-year-old sibling, but not quite. For me at least. If you prefer heavily sherried whisky in general, or Springbank in particular, then this is an easy winner.

8.8

Photos: Whiskybase