springbank 10 years amontillado cask matured review

Springbank 10 Years Amontillado (2024)

And just like that we’re halfway through Springbank’s Sherry Wood Series. Late last year they released the Springbank 10 Years Amontillado. And even with troubling signs for Scotch whisky, a limited edition Springbank almost never has a problem finding buyers for their bottles.

The Sherry Wood Series will eventually consist of five different expressions. The Pedro Ximenez was the first one, followed by a Palo Cortado release (reviewed here). Now that the Springbank 10 Years Amontillado is here, we’ve only got the Fino and Manzanilla releases to look forward to.

With each new release the finish in sherry casks is longer. While they’re all 10-years-old (or will be eventually), the first was finished in Pedro Ximénez for “only” three years. The Manzanilla, which is expected in two years time, will have spent seven years in its secondary cask.

With the Springbank 10 Years Amontillado being the middle release, the maturation was divided evenly between ex-bourbon casks and ex-Amontillado sherry casks. In essence we’re no longer talking about a finish, but a proper secondary maturation.

Personally, I much more prefer my Springbank to mature in ex-bourbon casks. Or have a mild (refill) sherry influence (with exceptions of course), but that’s certainly not what the Sherry Wood Series is about.

springbank 10 years amontillado cask matured

Springbank 10 Years Amontillado (55%, OB, 2024)

Nose: Lots of pipe tobacco, hints of cherry wood and smouldering embers, as well as a tinge of mushrooms, slivers of rubber, teak and just leather and dark chocolate. It’s dense but intense. Also some roasted almonds, blood orange and cherries. The Amontillado influence is quite a lot, almost to the point of overpowering.
Taste: More hints of dried tobacco leaves, earthy elements and polished oak. There’s a tinge of wood smoke, beef stock and leather, as well as treacle and dark berries. Some gentle astringent notes, although I would say the mouthfeel overall is rather thick (thankfully not sticky) and almost oily.
Finish: Long with a slight ashy hint, as well as sandalwood and light peat notes. A slight salinity too, with strong coffee to end.

Conclusion
That was a lot. Not unlike a very rich dish that I always look forward to eating, but once I'm finished I'm happy not to cook it for at least several months. Remarkably, the spirit character still comes through despite the heavy cask influence. But yeah, not my preferred style of Springbank, that's to be sure.
8.4

Photo: WhiskyAuctioneer

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