by Denis Lynch
4. June 2010 07:11
My congratulations go to the legendary Springbank Distillery for scooping Scottish Whisky Distiller of the Year 2010, at the Whisky Magazine Icons of Whisky dinner, by a panel of industry experts and journalists. This is the first time that Springbank have won the award, and is testament to the quality of the whiskies they have released.
Whisky has been distilled legally on the site of the present distillery since 1828, and probably illicitly since well before then! Springbank is produced using lightly-peated barley and a unique two-and-a-half-times distillation. This gives the whisky a character all of its own. The distillery is probably one of the last distilleries that follow traditional practices from floor malting all the way through to bottling.
Springbank has a complex, rich character that is found in all of its bottling from the salty, briny 10 year old, to the sherry casked 15 year old with its layers of sweet dark chocolate and raisins, to the very rare 18 year old that is insanely drinkable.
America’s foremost spirits writer, F Paul Pacult, describes Springbank 18 year old “To use the most technical term I can think of; WOWEE-WOW-WOW-WOW’
Springbank 18yr Single Malt Scotch
Matured in 80% sherry and 20% bourbon casks and with an outturn of 7800 bottles in 2009 that sold almost instantly. However, there are a few bottles here!
Springbank 15yr Single Malt Scotch
A fine malt for a cigar, Springbank 15year has an almost bewildering array of flavors: dark chocolate, figs, marzipan, brazil nuts and vanilla are just some of the notes on show. Absolutely top-class.
Springbank 10yr Single Malt Scotch
Fragrant & salty. The sea begins to emerge. Very fresh. Palate: Powerful. Intense clean sweetness. Extraordinarily long. A very complex malt.
