Springbank 18 Year Old 2024

Description

Here’s a breakdown of what makes Springbank 18 so special:

Key Characteristics:

Distillery: Springbank is one of the oldest independent, family-owned distilleries in Scotland, founded in 1828. They are unique in that they carry out 100% of the production process on-site, including floor malting their own barley.

Maturation: The 18-year-old expression is typically matured in a combination of ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks (the exact proportions can vary by release, e.g., some releases might be 50% bourbon, 50% sherry, while others, like the 2024 release, have been 100% ex-bourbon).

ABV: It’s usually bottled at 46% ABV.

Region: Campbeltown, a small peninsula on the west coast of Scotland, historically a major whisky-producing area.

Flavour Profile :

Springbank 18 Year Old is highly regarded for its maturity, depth, and the elegant evolution of the Springbank “funk.”

Nose: Often described as complex and inviting. Expect a blend of sweet, fruity, and savory notes. Common aromas include:

Fruity: Tropical fruits (papaya, pineapple), peach nectar, ripe bananas, dried figs, rich dark fruits (raisins, plums) if sherry is prominent.

Sweet/Malty: Honeycomb, treacle sponge, vanilla, cream, cookie dough, toasted bananas, bakewell tarts.

Springbank Character: Characteristic “Campbeltown funk” – waxy, oily, mineralic, damp dunnage warehouse notes, sea salt, wet metal, sometimes a hint of motor oil, old leather, or even a savoury/yeasty/cheesy aspect. A subtle, integrated coal or bonfire smoke.

Palate: The mouthfeel is almost universally praised as oily, silky, creamy, and viscous, a hallmark of Springbank. The flavors are rich, balanced, and evolve on the palate:

Sweet & Spicy: Ginger, nutmeg, cinnamon, black pepper, brown sugar, caramel, dark chocolate, candied lemon peel.

Fruity & Rich: Continuation of tropical and dried fruits, often with notes of fruitcake, marzipan, or liquorice.

Savory/Earthy: Antique leather, barnyard, wet clay, subtle peat smoke, and that distinctive Campbeltown brininess. Some might detect notes of old metal tools, charcoal, or even cooked guanciale.

Finish: Typically long, warming, and complex. It often leaves lingering notes of salted chocolate, espresso dust, oak tannin, subtle smoke, drying herbs, and a persistent maritime character. It’s often described as elegant and refined.

The Springbank 18 Year Old is often considered a pinnacle of the Springbank core range, offering a superb demonstration of how the distillery’s unique spirit matures and develops into a complex and highly rewarding single malt.