Whisky Live Germany is taking place in Hamburg this weekend, more info here.
For this occasion Kirsch Import is releasing a new Awakening series. It includes a number of bottlings from brands that Kirsch is representing, like Raasay, Kilchoman, Berrys Bros. and Kanosuke.
There’s also this 20 year old Springbank in the Best Dram range.
Springbank 20 yo (54,6%, Best Dram ‘Awakening series’ for Kirsch Import 2025, first-fill Oloroso sherry hogshead, 107 btl.)
Nose: nice sherry, for sure. A lot of juicy cherries and raspberries, along with orange peels, roasted walnuts and hints of potting soil. The smokiness is quite subdued, but that’s not a problem for me. Some marmalade, a little concrete dust, linseed, oil paint and leather. Then also pipe tobacco and prunes, along with some antique furniture.
Mouth: pretty high on stewed fruits again, including a light balsamic touch. Nice prunes, redcurrants and cherries. Then also the more industrial notes like oily rags, some boot polish, diesel and old leather. A little chocolate and thick marmalade. Faded smoke in the background, as well as some very faint medicinal notes and beautiful tobacco.
Finish: really long, still nicely sherried, with old smoke, drops of cough syrup and engine fumes.
This is a very rich and fairly fruity Springbank, with a perfect sherry influence. It’s not the most industrial or beefy version, but this is pretty much the profile I’m looking for. Excellent, simply excellent.