Review by: Whiskery Turnip
Distillery: Springbank.
Bottler: Distillery.
Region: Scotland/Campbeltown Single Malt.
ABV: 52.5%. Cask Strength.
Age: 14 Years. Bottled in 2010.
Cask type: Cream Sherry Butt.
Nose: Rich baking spices, dark chocolate, and chicory-spiced coffee; mellow earth with a sulfurous tinge— mud masks and spa treatments, hints of citrus, cherry coffee cake, and dried figs.
Palate: Medium-bodied, oily, dirty, motor oil and dirty shop rags, earth with a touch of sulfur; dark chocolate and berries further in with hints of lemon zest; more leather and shoe polish at the end with coffee cake and new tires.
Finish: Medium to long and slightly drying with earth, leather, rubber, and motor oil.
Mental Image: Mad Max’s High School Shop Class.
Conclusion: Dirty— if I had not cited Christina Aguilera’s “Dirty” in another review this week, I would certainly do so here. I had no idea there were so many dirty, slightly sulfurous, and rubbery Springbank out there. Considering the cream sherry butt maturation, I expected something sweeter with more of the metallic Springbank character— not a trip to the auto garage or a detour to an old spa specializing in mud masks and hot springs.
I am a bit divided over this as the flavors were unique and interesting, even well-composed for anyone not overly sensitive to sulfur or motor oil notes, but not the sort of thing I would grab off the shelf often. An interesting vegetal quality stood out at times— almost like a roasted and slightly burnt broccoli or cauliflower. I could see myself craving this odd combination, but a bottle like this is better shared and poured with friends as a conversation piece— it will surely get people talking and be a bit divisive.
Final Score: 80.
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 