Springbank was founded in 1828 and for nearly 200 years has been producing whisky with involvement from the Mitchell family over five generations. In that time, and to the current day, Springbank is one of the few scotch distilleries producing 100% of the process on site, of a sorts. Springbank is one of the only survivors from when Campbeltown was a roaring center of whisky production to the lean times when there were almost none to leading the charge at the dawn of the 21st century to get Campbeltown recognized as a distinct scotch region. In the past couple of decades, Campbeltown has seen a resurgence of interest and popularity and the Springbank releases in particular have become sought after much in the same fashion as some American bourbons like Buffalo Trace, Eagle Rare, and others. The Springbank 15 has been aged in ex-sherry casks, purportedly from Miguel Martin in Jerez, Spain.
Distillery: Springbank
Region: Campbeltown
Age: 15 years
Strength: 46%
Price: $139.99
Maturation: ex-Oloroso sherry casks
Location: Campbeltown
Nose: Caramel, molasses, licorice, cherry, apricot, lemon rind, leather, smoke, peat, honeysuckle, privet, linden blossom
Palate: Molasses, malt, stone fruit, smoke, wood, brine
Finish: Char, mint
Comments: It helps to let this sit in your glass for several minutes or more, so all the elements come together properly.
Adam – The light smoke of the Springbank 15 greets me first on the nose, not strong but enticing me to explore deeper. And isn’t that one of the things you really want in a good scotch? Because after that smoke you get these lovely dark fruit flavors, rich molasses and leather with tinges of citrus on the outskirts. You could spend a good deal of time just smelling this whisky, something I certainly did! The sweetness and the smoke carry over from the nose into the palate, beautifully. The undertow of subtle fruit wreathed in smoke ends with a surprising dash of char and mint. This scotch is so expertly crafted by Springbank that the core essence of the flavors carry through from one phase to the next but express those elements in a glittering array of characteristics. Nothing is out of balance, nothing. This is not the flashiest of sexiest of offerings of Springbanks and is on the subtler side but is absolutely worthy of your exploration and respect.
Kate – The smoke eclipses everything on the nose for me. Eventually I find a sour stone fruit, like a yellow peach. For some reason, and I can’t say why, it makes me feel like Hawai’i. Maybe it’s the vegetal qualities of the nose. A hint of coconut maybe. Big pineapple, big cherry, big fruit on the palate, a fruit bowl. It’s almost an assault on my palate. After it runs all over my palate, I can feel smoke and clove, with a hint of citrus oil. Maybe there is a magical quality to Springbank once they hit their mid-teens, as there’s something special here that I don’t find in their younger offerings. There doesn’t seem to be anything super distinctive about this at the end of the day and one thing we as a group hook on to are very unique whiskies.
Henry – Given time to open, a juicy nose of fresh-squeezed orange juice, honeysuckle, privet, linden blossom, and a hint of fresh peat makes you very, very happy. Brine and smoke barge in on the palate but you won’t regret it, as it is carried on the oloroso’s rich and tannic cask influence. A subtle sweetness reenters on the lush and mouthwatering finish.
Ben – Smells like a higher alcohol content than it is. Very yeasty. And big wintergreen for sure. A funny sweetness but a spice mix sweetness. That’s a delight on the tongue and it stays for a long time. And it leaves the fire behind, not from the alcohol but the grain or wood. It’s such a beer culture choice to have a creaminess lead the sweetness to molasses.
Freshly dried stone fruit, like when you open a bag of prunes.
Bill – Burnt caramel on the nose. Cherry undertone, some kind of stone fruit presence. A little bit of syrup. Riding the line between oily and dry and the mouthfeel. Experienced craftsmanship at its highest level.
Mike – A long lasting, subtle finish. it hits you, subtly backs off but doesn’t go away. The finish has smoke-adjacent. The first couple of sips i got a ton of malt but on the third sip, there’s a maltyness that comes in. The palate doesn’t disappear, it’s not flat. It has character but not overburdened with character.
Evelyn – The bourbon barrel maturation is very present on the palate. Smokier taste than it smells. You put on a really expensive shirt or dress. It doesn’t need a qualitative accessory, it exhibits money. This whisky is like that. Like a very old Scottish castle with the rich people who own it. This is their scotch.
Sam – Freshly tanned suede. Freshly dried stone fruit, like when you open a bag of prunes. Smooth mouthfeel. Very reminiscent of a well-aged bourbon. A little sweeter. Sweet and funky, like brewer’s malt.
Kim – Starts surprisingly sweet with just a hint of smoke. Excellent for sipping! Perfect just like it is.
