An attempt to regain a balance after the much debated perfumy Auchentoshan by Master of Malt. Here’s another one of their recent bottlings, a 19 years old Springbank 1993. There were two casks, #129 and #482, both filled in the same year. At first it was said they could only bottle one, but now it seems both are available.

Springbank 19 yo 1993 (57,8%, Master of Malt 2012, hogshead #129, 221 btl.)

Nose: very good and multi-dimensional. Oranges, berries and peaches for sweetness, juniper and mint for spices. Macadamia nuts. A little chalk and candle wax too. Shoe polish. Typical and entertaining. Mouth: oily, quickly developing a big spicy dryness. Pepper. Again some peach (pits) and kumquats. Hints of tonic and aspirin, not uncommon for a Springbank. Cloves. A salty Manzanilla feeling as well. Herbal notes in the end. Finish: quite long, showing some cocoa, still a certain herbal bitterness and a whiff of pipe tobacco.

This Springbank finds a nice balance of sharp minerality and smooth fruitiness. I wouldn’t be surprised if I was told it was a Fino or Manzanilla cask. Available for around € 85.

Score: 88/100