Springbank 15 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) - 2024 Bottling

Why has Springbank been so hard to get of late? Quite simply, the distillery has always had a relatively low output. Patchy supply has been an issue for quite a number of years, but that's slowly changing. Production has increased marginally, but it will be quite some time before there's sufficient age stated stock is available to meet year-round global demand. In the meantime, allocations from the official Australian importer remain negligible. Just landed is another tiny instalment of the 15 year old, this time matured in Oloroso sherry casks. 46% Alc./Vol.

Other reviews... The issue for me remains the same: it’s nearly impossible to beat the 10-year-old, even more so in terms of quality/price ratio. In short, the 15 is sold at twice the price of the 10. This is the 2024 release in our glass—I imagine the 2025 version is already in the pipeline. Colour: gold. Nose: a restrained sherry greets us, with the distillate in full command of itself, brimming with Springbankness. Damp plaster, fresh concrete, low tide, paint pot, lemon, menthol, old ointments, and not the slightest trace of sulphur this time. We found a bit in an earlier version, but that was back in 2017. Mouth: less luminous than the 10 OB, with more leather and simply more sherry (old walnuts) as well as tobacco, yet the brininess is spot-on, before things shift more towards bitter oranges rather than lemons. Finish: long, oily, with a touch of curry and very peppery olive oil. Comments: excellent, as expected, but as the old ad used to say, I wouldn’t trade two bottles of the 15 for one of the 10. Well, there we are…88 points - whiskyfun.com

Notes from the producers... Nose: Hints of dried fruits, oak, and a subtle maritime influence. Taste: Layers of toffee, vanilla, and a touch of peat. Finish: Long and warm.