This is a bottle of terrific Springbank I’ve had sitting around almost emptied for a while. After last Friday’s bottoms up tasting I only had about a dram left, so I thought it time to finish it tonight. I had something to celebrate…

Nose:
The  nose starts with a massive and full scent, about a yard from the glass you could smell it very well. Loads of sherry, wet European oak, the complete collection of dried fruits. Plums, peaches, apples. Also coffee and chocolate. Some anise gives it a rather fresh edge as well.

Taste:
A woody dryness but still light. The taste is full, with quite some wood and spices. Nutmeg. Not as fruity as the nose made me expect but it does get a little cloying later on.

Finish:
The finish makes you tingle all the way. You feel it going down to your stomach. Lots of good woodiness, spices and tropical fruit. Fresh juicy peaches and caramel.

This is one of the best drams I’ve recently had. The only remark I can think of is that they should have bottled it at a few percent ABV more. All the flavours you expect from an old sherry matured whisky are present and in massive quantities. Terrific stuff!

Springbank 28, Dun Bheagan, 48%, Single Cask, 1974-2002. Its € 205 at the Whiskykoning in Den Bosch.

Nose: 10
Taste: 8
Finish: 9
Overal experience: 10
Price/quality: +2

Total: 39 points