Springbank 12 Year Old Batch 4 Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

Whisky personality and importer, Graham Wright, sums up Batch 4 as "Simply the best Springbank Cask Strength I have ever tasted." That's quite a statement given his long association with this distillery. Tastes like some Sherry input here but the barrel regime is not disclosed. Described by the distillery as "...a lip licking meaty dram", this will go fast so be quick on the draw.

Tasting note: Superb purity in the brilliant, glossy topaz colour. Dazzles in the glass. First nosings find shellac and warm, vapoury alcohol that quickly dissipates revealing sweet sooty malt; develops with aromas of brine, sawn pine, orange zest, toasted marshmallow, vanilla bean and chocolate box. Cask strength but you wouldn’t know it judging from the delivery which is only moderately spirity, bittersweet and initially peel-like with the smokey sweetness accentuating. It all happens towards the finish with a sensational surge of spice, toasty vanilla oak, earthy peat and Jonathan apple(?), while there’s suggestions of cured meats and dried fruits later in the aftertaste. Typically multifaceted Springbank. Hard to pin down and partly why we love it so much. The flavours blur into one another and just keep on giving. Must try. 54.2% Alc./Vol. Non-chill filtered.