Springbank 21

This expression, particularly here in the States, is well above what I like to spend on a bottle. Fortunately, before whiskysite stopped shipping to the US and before it ran out of stock, I was able to order a sample. I was particularly interested in this one given the rather unique makeup of casks and to see whether that worked out nicely or was an attempt to salvage an overly aggressive handful of casks.

Springbank 21 (2020 Release), Campbeltown Single Malt, 46% ABV

Minutia: Matured for 21 years in casks with a makeup of 30% ex-bourbon, 30% ex-rum, 25% ex-Sherry, and 15% ex-Port. Enjoyed neat in a glencairn.

Color: Brown Sherry, 1.9.

Nose: Fruity, malty, nutty. Rust, orange, leather, damp wood. Custard later.

Taste: Intense fruit, chocolate (kind of like a jelly-filled chocolate when they combine). Oak, dried fruit. Dirty, earthy.

Finish: Nutty, sweet/syrupy. Coffee. Long.

This was really quite nice. When I get these 60ml samples I split them over two pours to have one where I just experience it and one where I really focus on it. It was much better the second time around. Not bad the first one, but not terribly impressive. This does better as it spends more time in the glass, so possibly a day or two in a half-filled sample bottle had a similar effect as time in the glass. Definitely not something to pour if you’ll finish the dram in short order, but if you’ll be working on it for a while, it’s a great choice. 

Score: 91