Remember last year’s Springbank that the WhiskyNerds bottled? Oh my, that was probably one of my favourite whiskies of 2017! It sold out before I had my review up, and before I tasted it. Even though its price was quite hefty, I regret not buying a bottle for myself.

Now the WhiskyNerds bring us a new Springbank, matured for 23 years in a fresh sherry hogshead. Like last year, I believe it is already sold out, even though the price was slightly higher. I’m going to taste this reluctantly, all the while hoping I’m not going to regret buying a bottle of this… again. Because I believe it is sold out already.

Springbank 1995 23 Years Old (48%, WhiskyNerds, C#63)

Nose: Very mature and rich, a somewhat dry sherry style. Cherry syrup, raisins, juicy plums and dark notes of tobacco leaves. A hint of mocha and chocolate pralines, with a whisper of menthol, soy and wood smoke. Brilliant, in the vein of those old sherried Speysiders that G&M bottles every so often.
Taste: Furniture polish, leather and hints of menthol. This is just… incredibly awesome. Hints of espresso and cappuccino, with the tiniest whisper of peat, and lovely earthy dunnage flavours. A hint of cocoa powder also.
Finish: Lingering menthol, peat, sherry. A touch of soy. Very long.

Conclusion

Even though this is 23 years old already, I'd describe it as a very mature whisky. Very classy and classic, yet to me not immediately recognizable as Springbank. Incredible stuff that harkens back to the 1960s. A flavour profile you don't often encounter anymore. Yes, I like it even better than last year's release. My whisky of the year so far.

9.4

Sample provided by WhiskyNerds

Photo: Whiskybase