Whisky Review: Springbank 21 Years Old 2016 Single Cask Oloroso Sherry

• Category: Campbeltown single malt scotch whisky
• Origin: Springbank Distillery
• Bottling: J & A Mitchell
• ABV: 49.6%
• Cost: £220

What they say

The Springbank Legend returns for a new release in 2016

First single cask release of the 21 Year Old for some time.
Aged for 21 Years and 1 of only 702 bottles from a Oloroso Sherry Butt.

Campbeltown Region Distilled and bottled by J and A Mitchell at Springbank Distillery.

What I say

Dramvent Calender Day 14

This December I am attempting to sample and review a whisky everyday for the 24 days of Advent in the run up to Christmas. My very basic criteria as I sorted through my masses of whisky and samples were these:

1. Single malt scotch only and should be (or have been) generally/easily available
2. Each day must be from a different distillery
3. Each day must be equivalent in age or older than the previous

A 21 year old limited edition/UK only single Oloroso Sherry cask Springbank… Not seen for sometime, Springbank returned their 21 year old age statement with a bang this year by introducing this single cask release (and similar like it in other markets).

My tasting notes:

• Appearance: Antique gold, slightly hazy (6/20), fine legs and beaded tears
• Nose: Richly earthen and oily/waxy, beeswax candles and wood polish, slightly spicy and zesty, musty old oak wood and leather-bound tomes in a library, dusty with a little limestone and chalk dust, a hint of honey moves into subtle honey-glazed bbq meats.
• Taste: Beeswax and honey, candles, crayons, sweet and sharp/zesty at the same time, this is deep and rich, not masses of Oloroso sherry influence, a tickle of tanned leather and some wood tannins too, woody sugars amass to sugary fudge, a hint of tobacco leaf & old cigar boxes, cinnamon and pepper spice and something altogether savoury too, woody and herbal notes, like sage leaf and a hint of sweet charred scallop meat.
• Finish: Long, waxy, oily, dirty, dusty, gentle sweetness and a touch of savoury (or Savory Leaf?) last for ages

Overall

Understated, muted even, this whisky tantalises and teases with a range of classic Springbank flavours which subtly swirl around in this dram. A great cask selection and definitely one to savour and get lost in. A reverie dram.

Score 90/100

Shop for Springbank 21yo Oloroso cask (opens The Green Welly Stop)

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