The annual release of Springbank’s Cask Strength edition is something that sneaks by me most of the time. I’m usually a big fan of Springbank but this release usually isn’t on my radar for some reason. That means I’ve not tried many, as I’ve not tried many of their 100 proof that was available before it was replaced by the 12 year old Cask Strength.

Since it’s an annual release that’s no longer at 100 proof (57.1%) the ABV varies per edition and so far has meandered between 52.2% and 58.5%, so quite a range there. I think the batches are fairly small but there’s no number on the bottle as far as I know.

Springbank 12 Cask Strength, Batch 5, 2013

Sniff:
A tiny hint of rubber at first, but definetly not in a bad way. Slight hints of peat smoke and ridiculously moldy and musty. There’s plenty of mushrooms, books in a badly insulated attic and smoked cheese.

Sip:
The palate is rather rich with the musty flavours dominating. Quite some barley and ancient dust. Dry, old wood and a big punch from the alcohol.

Swallow:
Suddenly I get some hints of pear and barley too. Dust and oak. A long finish with a hint of cheese again.

While the tasting notes suggest this whisky is a combination of all kinds of off-notes, I absolutely love it. It’s a very old fashioned combination of flavours and scents dominated by the feeling you’re in either an attic or a basement. At least in a storage space where no one has been in a decade or two. Very old fashioned.

The combination of flavours works really well for me, and when you realize this stuff costs about € 50 per bottle, I’m a happy camper too. Bottle ordered!

Springbank 12, Cask Strength, 2013 edition, 53.1%. £ 50.71 at Master of Malt and I believe € 53.75 at De Whiskykoning, but currently sold out there.