Springbank 12 Year Old is the annual Cask Strength version. This 2024 release was a mix of 60% bourbon casks, 35% sherry and 5% rum casks.
I really liked the 2021 100% bourbon release, let’s see how this one compares.
Springbank 12 yo ‘Cask Strength’ (56,2%, OB 2024, Batch #26, L24/199)
Nose: scorched oranges, peaches and pineapples, with some boat wood, a little leather and this wonderfully industrial hint of engine oil and old metal tools. Hints of moss and paraffin. Then a little cake icing, cranberries and earthy peat smoke underneath.
Mouth: a little sweeter than expected, on Muscovado sugar, along with tinned pineapple and papaya. Quite creamy, although there’s a clear saline touch, some dried seaweed and a little black pepper. Mineral notes and the typical greasy touch and cinnamon. Rootier towards the end.
Finish: very long, on caramelized apple, herbal peat and wet fabrics.
I’ve always liked the 12 Year Old (much more than the 15 for instance) and this version certainly delivers. You can still buy it as part of a collector set from The Whisky Exchange. Not a the initial retail price, sadly, but even for the 2025 release that’s not the case any more.