Springbank 16 Years Old 1998 27.107 To the manor born (56%, SMWS, Refill Sherry Gorda, 775 Bottles, 2014)

• Campbeltown single malt scotch whisky
• 56% ABV
• Score: 88/100

What they say:

Thick, old fashioned vanilla ice cream, with tinned peaches, then a complex of polished leather (an antique desk, a sea chest, a worn leather chair, a vintage car), but also sherry trifle and creamy yoghurt, amber beads and rich fruit cake. Rich and sweet to taste, then tannic-dry with bitter chocolate and salt crystals; sandalwood. Water sweetens the nose to treacle toffee and sticky toffee pudding, hazelnut and almond praline – rich and complex. The taste is rich, sweet and very fruity; elegant, with dark chocolate and treacle, and Macademia nuts in the aftertaste.

Date Distilled:  31 May 1998   Colour:  Teak oil with scarlet lights Age:  16 years   Cask Type:  Refill gorda
Whisky Region: Campbeltown   Alc %:  56.0

Flavour Profile: Deep, rich and fruity

759 bottles

What I say:

SMWS 27.107 To the manor born sample received as part of a bottle share organised by Ben from Ben’s Whisky Blog

Colour:

Deep russet gold, strong, thick tears

Nose:

Brandy, chocolate coated raisins, barbecued beef monster much (corn snacks), candied peel, Umami, seaweed, Nori, salty, earthy, sea spray

Taste:

Sherry, tannic, sherry fizz, prunes, raisins, iron/copper, iodine, drying mouthfeel, walnut and brazil nuts, inside of a leather-bound journal

Finish:

Long, drying, nutty, tannic leather

Overall:

This Springbank expression bottled by the SMWS (SMWS distillery #27) was matured for 16 years in an ex-sherry Gorda (typically 700 litres unlike a Butt at 600 litres capacity). This has resulted in a huge sherry influence present in this Springbank expression, with the usual dirty, malty, engine oil-like spirit character really having to shout to make itself heard above the noise of the sherry. The result is pretty spectacular, if like me you enjoy a hefty dose of sherry influence!