Springbank 1993 (cask #129)

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 19yo Master of Malt 129Springbank 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