Review by: Whiskery Turnip
Distillery: Springbank.
Bottler: Whisky Sponge.
Region: Scotland/Campbeltown Single Malt.
ABV: 52.5%. Cask Strength.
Age: 26 Years. Distilled in 1996. Bottled in 2023.
Cask type: First Fill Sherry Butt.
Nose: Rich stewed fruits and leather, black vinegar, melon rind, notions of a struck match head or sulfur with an earthy undercurrent, dark roasted coffee, new shoes, hints of tangerine and licorice in the background.
Palate: Medium-bodied, oily and a touch waxy, dirty and fruity, motor oil and mud masks, cured orange rind, black vinegar, burning candle wicks and struck match-heads with mellow muddy sulfur, black cherries and mellow notions of melon rind and licorice.
Finish: Long and lingering with tart cherries, earth, and leather.
Mental Image: Mud Masks and Fruit Platters.
Conclusion: The sultry tones of early 2000s Christina Aguilera played in my head, “If you ain’t dirty, you ain’t here to party,” as I raised this whisky to my nose and then took a sip. As Christina explained, it was incredibly dirty, filthy even, and certainly here to party. A sensitivity to sulfur might make this a party invitation worth declining, but I do not mind a funky riot of flavors. The aroma and palate hewed closely to one another with layers of leather, earth, motor oil, black vinegar, and matches. There was a bit more upfront fruit on the nose and candle wick or mud mask on the palate, but they were reasonably similar— even in their hints of melon rind and licorice.
I rarely look up other reviews before I enjoy a whisky, so I came into this expecting something mellow and complex. I was a bit stunned at what I found instead, and as soon as I thought I had a good grip on my notes, I quickly searched to see if others had found something similar or if my taste buds were having a bender. It turns out I was not alone, and I was not alone in rather enjoying the dirty, not terribly Springbank-like, mature malt.
Overall, not your standard Springbank fare.
Final Score: 86.
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 