The Dutch WhiskyNerds announced this Springbank 1996 not long ago, rather soon after their Inchmurrin vatting. They are a highly ‘irregular’ bottler, something we can only applaud. Instead of working on a steady flow of whisky, they are only bottling the really great ones, not hesitating to patiently wait for months if nothing happens to cross their path.
If I’m not mistaken this is their most expensive release so far, I’m sure they thought about this one twice before deciding to bottle it.
Springbank 21 yo 1996
(58,1%, WhiskyNerds 2017, hogshead #471, 180 btl.)
Springbank 21 yo 1996Nose: starts on the typical gristy Campbeltown profile, with a little petrol and some candle wax. This moves towards almond paste after a while, leather and hints of silver polish. Chalk. Rapeseed oil, tobacco, mint. Slowly it becomes sweeter, with some oranges and apple peelings, maybe even lychee. Big presence and complexity so far.
Mouth: intense, showing a perfect balance of coastalness, oily notes and fruits. In no particular order: paraffin, brine, grapes, peppery oak, smoke and resinous notes. Dusty grains. Waxed furniture. Oranges and apples again. Juicy mirabelles too. Camphor. Liquorice.
Finish: long, warming finish, on earthy notes, apple peelings and pepper.
Around € 300 but I believe pretty much the whole allocation was sold before it actually reached the stores. I can only recommend to keep your eyes open to news from these guys.
Score: 92/100