Another sample I got from Fiddler’s Advent Calendar, late last year. And one I got quite excited about. It’s not everyday you get to try new, old Springbank. 24 years old is something that goes for quite a bit of money nowadays, even if it was ‘only’ some € 250 back in 2017, when it was bottled from an ‘oak cask’.

I am quite surprised by the lack of information on the label, especially since Elixir Distillers, one of the companies linked to The Whisky Exchange is so brief in it’s disclosure of information.

Anyway, as said before, and even though I don’t always buy into this, it’s the liquid that counts.

Sniff:
The typical Springbank funkiness, albeit light, with a creamy note makes me think of a light Stilton, right away. The white bit, at least. Apple sauce too.

Sip:
A bit more dry than expected, and very gentle. Some straw, oak shavings, a hint of moss. A bit of an apple-y sweetness. A tiny hint of earthiness and smoke. Very, very subtle.

Swallow:
The finish is a bit more intense, with more smoke than before. An acidic flavor adds to the mix. Apples, oak, straw.

For a Springbank at this age, I got rather excited. But to be completely frank, I found this a bit underwhelming. It doesn’t show the depth or the complexity that I expect, and often encounter in Springbank whisky, even at a younger age.

Of course, it’s not a bad dram by any means, but I’m glad I didn’t spend € 250 on it.

86/100