Review by: Whiskery Turnip
Distillery: Springbank.
Bottler: Cadenhead’s.
Region: Scotland/Campbeltown Single Malt.
ABV: 57%. Cask Strength.
Age: 14 Years. Distilled on 5 Dec. 2003. Bottled in May 2018.
Cask type: Rum Barrel
Nose: Sweet and salty maritime breeze, minerals, orange, bruised tropical fruits, mellow cream, background notes of dank dunnage and tropical underbrush, toasted coconut and dried grass.
Palate: Medium-bodied, spirited and spicy, citrus, maritime, dried grass and driftwood, acidic and peppery.
Finish: Medium-length and slightly drying with pithy citrus and peppercorn.
Mental Image: Rain on the Beach Trip.
Conclusion: The aroma was maritime and pleasant, with the sweet, salty, mineral-laden breeze of the beach on a warm day. Fresh orange juice and bruised tropical pineapples arrived with hints of guava and passionfruit while a mellow cream gestured toward sweet Dole Whip ice cream. In the background were funkier, earthier notions of dank dunnage, tropical underbrush, dried grass, and toasted coconut flakes. Medium-bodied, assertive and spicy, the flavors drifted between sharp citrus, maritime brine, and peppery spirit. Lemon, lime, yuzu, and bruised pineapples popped right away with tingling acidic citrus, while the maritime brine that washed in further accentuated the sharpness of the fruits. More subtle notions of dried grass and driftwood hung in the background as an upwelling of pepper carried through on a citrusy finale. The finish was medium-length and slightly drying with pithy citrus and peppercorn.
The aroma was delightful— a beach holiday with all the fixings for a tropical good time. I do not know what happened on the palate; the spirit felt youthful and unrefined, far more simplistic than the aroma had me expecting. I was surprised at how peppery this was, and it reminded me of a Talisker more than anything. A slightly wild whisky can have a certain charm, though I did not always find the interplay of citrus, pepper, and salt exceptionally pleasant.
Overall, interesting and fun to nose. I was not as big a fan of the palate, but it made for a fun companion pour with other ex-rum Springbank.
Final Score: 76.
Scoring Legend:
- 95-100: As good as it gets. Jaw-dropping, eye-widening, unforgettable whisky.
- 90-94: Sublime, a personal favorite in its category.
- 85-89: Excellent, a standout dram.
- 80-84: Quite good. Quality stuff.
- 75-79: Decent whisky worth tasting.
- 70-74: Meh. It’s definitely drinkable, but it can do better.
- 60-69: Not so good. I might not turn down a glass if I needed a drink.
- 50-59: Save it for mixing.
- 0-49: Blech.
Malt Runners 