Springbank 25

We’ve looked at a few drams of Springbank in the past but nothing quite like this here. We are fond of the Campbeltown distillery that till this day remains independently owned, by the founding family, and is in a unique position among Scotch distilleries. Every part of the process from the malting to the bottling is carried out at the distillery, which is seldom seen today. Springbank can also boast of being the only Scottish distillery established in the nineteenth century. Springbank is a traditional Scottish distillery, in the fact that it produces three styles of malt spirit: Springbank, Longrow and Hazelburn, each with differently peated malt. This 25yo expression is has become something of a legend among whisky lovers and with good reason. It’s a brilliant dram that offers loads complexity.

On the nose: is an intensive waft of rich orchard fruits, followed by honey, plenty of vanilla and candy apples. These initial notes are nicely followed up by watermelon, peaches and some peppery spices. More notes start to emerge in the form of strawberries, lemon zest and cream soda. Rounding off the nose are notes of toasted oats, a slight waxy note and hints of meatiness. On the palate: those fresh orchard fruit notes are ever-present, alongside notes of raisins, mixed berries and marzipan. Notes of vanilla and cinnamon start to appear, alongside some oaky dryness and honey. After a few swirls, notes of a leathery nature start to appear, followed by brown sugar, ginger and oranges. Finishing off the palate are some lovely zesty notes, subtle wood smoke and butterscotch. The finish: is long, sweet and creamy, with lingering raisins and aniseed.

The verdict: I’m a massive fan of Springbank and this 25-year-old expression is quite possibly the most intriguing dram within the range. It is a great dram with lots of depth in flavour that just keeps getting better the further you explore. With an ABV of 46%, in my opinion, it doesn’t require any water – however, feel free to add some to suit your palate.

Springbank 25 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky is limited but is available online or in well-stocked Whisky Shops, for approximately £400 if in-stock, however, be prepared to pay north of this if purchasing from an auction. For more information on this 25-year-old expression, visit the official Springbank website.