In the spotlight today: two of the older Springbank expressions.. Both were bottled in November-December 2025, but they’re referred to as the 2026 release since they were released in the new year.
This time the Springbank 18 Year Old is a mix of 50% Bourbon, 45% Sherry, 5% Rum casks. For the Springbank 30 Years there is a higher emphasis on bourbon casks (85%) with 15% sherry casks.
Springbank 30 yo (46%, OB 2025, ref. 25/221, 1600 btl.)
Nose: beautiful hints of sheep wool, heather and lots of mineral oils and rapeseed oil. Also clay and acacia honey. Hints of canvas, along with wax candles and hints of dried herbs. Very subtle sea air. Then also orange peels, eucalyptus and a fennel-like, even slightly floral top note. Overall a little high-pitched – hardly any smoke left.
Mouth: a nicely overt waxiness, with walnuts, subtle tobacco leaves, a vague fruitiness (apricot and tangerine) and crystallized honey. Mineral oils are still there, as well as hints of shoe polish, dried herbs and salted butter. Citrus peelings too. Heather honey and sweetneed herbal tea follows closely. The typical hints of motor oil and metal tools are hidden in the background.
Finish: moderate. There’s a hint of salted caramel, black pepper and tobacco leaves.
Very good whisky. Most of the smoke is gone, as well as a certain amount of the typical Springbank funk. I’m afraid the uneasy conclusion is that there are so many independent Springbank casks of this age, which simply offer more intensity and a slightly more unique profile.
Springbank 18 yo (46%, OB 2025, ref. 25/227)
Nose: a rather medicinal edition (on its own, but especially after the 30 Years), albeit a little shy. Salty marine air, with a wisp of peat smoke, marmalade, bandages and leather. The typical industrial side is subdued: damp leaves, a few drops of motor oil. Then wet chalk, hints of almond oil, nutmeg and old metal tools. The sherry took away some of the fruitier notes but didn’t add much, making it a little undecided somehow.
Mouth: oily but still a little thin. Salted dough, white pepper, more maritime notes and more wet chalk. A flash of orchard fruit appears mid-palate (borderline tropical, nice), along with candied lemons, leather and ashy smoke. Then hints of baking spice and back to metal tools and a vague dustiness.
Finish: not too long, black pepper and ashes but if fades too soon.
This leaves an understated, not to say underwhelming impression. I had a similar feeling after trying the 2021 edition which an almost identical recipe. Where’s the greatness of the old 18 Year Olds… Here as well, going beyond 46% wouldn’t be a crime, right? Score: 87/100