Ex-bourbon Official Bottling | 46% ABV

Score: 8/10

**Something special.**
***TL;DR***
*I’d happily drink this for the rest of my life*

Sharing is at whisky’s core

Today’s review follows on from yesterday, more or less, with me and Jackie standing together in Glasgow’s World Famous Bon Accord - post Glasgow Whisky Festival - as happy as whisky-filled kittens.

He’d just offered to source and gift me the bottle I reviewed in yesterday’s tale of whisky travel. I was immediately hard at work to fathom what I could possibly offer in return. Sorry to tell tales, but we are, after all, speaking about one of whisky’s most infamous kleptomaniacs; what does he not have?

Fortune would have it that, just before heading to Glasgow, I had an email exchange with my Dugas rep and pal, who’s the man I bully into giving me more Springbanks on allocation for my shop. I’m lucky to get enough of the “regular” bottlings such as Springbank 10yo, Kilkerran 12yo, and the Peated Longrow. But of course, sadly, the higher age statements and limited releases are much rarer here in France and, while it depends on the release, we’re generally talking number of bottles rather than cases. But I usually manage to get at least something.

For some of the top stuff, like Local Barley, Kilkerran’s single cask for France, or indeed Springbank 18yo, I sometimes get only one single bottle to sell. In these cases, there are pretty much two options: either I want the bottle for myself and I buy it, or I don’t and I send a message to pals who might, and I sell it to them, at the retail price of course.

This is something that may set some areas of separation in the whisky appreciation sphere. There are those, located near and far, who are happy to pass in-demand bottles on for retail - or at least for the price paid. It remains unfortunate that so many other intermediaries - official and unofficial outlets - employ arbitrary supply and demand style tactics to try and make a cynical profit from a humble bottle of malt designed, in every possible way, to be opened, shared and enjoyed. None of those additional layers of ‘skimming’ ever makes it back to the distillery.

In fact, it isn’t particularly hard to source higher age statements from Springbank, the internet is full of them; but the prices are so inflated that they never sell. I personally believe that RRP or close to it is the way to go: everyone gets remunerated fairly, bottles fly off the shelves, drinkers are happy to avoid the stress of auctions, and since I personally know the people I sell these kinds of whiskies to, I rest assured they are getting opened.

I think one of the reasons I love whisky so much is that it’s one of the few spaces where, amongst the drinkers, there’s a culture of sharing and looking out for each other at its core. There’s a real sense of increasing the enjoyment of everything by appreciating it in the way it was meant - as a liquid, made for flavour’s sake. Its value can only be fully realised when it’s open, in glasses, and being tasted. Which brings me right back to those misty-eyed kittens standing in Glasgow’s Bon Accord. And I knew how we might both benefit from my pal with the Springbank allocation.

He had offered me the chance to order one bottle of the 18yo, and I knew I wanted it. One thing was stopping me from just keeping it all for myself though, the price. Travelling to Scotland is expensive and I’d - of course - already overspent. I couldn’t justify paying 180€ for it for myself, even though I had the chance to try it and loved it. But sharing it - in exchange for generosity - now that’s an excu… possibility!

So I thought, why not split the bottle and give one half to Jackie, while getting a much-desired Loch Lomond in exchange. I asked if he was okay with this exchange, even if it meant only 35cl of the Springbank, and while there are foggy memories from that night, I remember his eyes lighting up with a positive response.

Sadly Jackie couldn’t be there in Edinburgh in March, so the Loch Lomond was muled to me by Wally, and the exchange was made at The Belfry. Even if I did end up paying the full asking price for the Springer, the blow was softened by the fact I’d be getting a litre’s worth of whisky from this arrangement, and making a friend happy. Oh, and I thought it’d make for a good Dramface write-up, of course!

I took the pictures with the Loch Lomond after I’d poured Jackie’s 35cl. However, we can use Hughie’s images today too, as he’s chipping in on this one below too.

Somewhere, we hope, in Wally’s whisky pit, there’s a 35cl bottle of Springbank 18 year old due to be placed in Jackie’s hand the next time they meet. In the meantime, let’s whet his appetite.

Review 1/2 - Ainsley

Springbank 18yo, 2024 Release, 100% ex-bourbon matured, 46% ABV
€180 paid (£153)

Springbank. 18 years of age. Exclusively ex-bourbon maturation this time. I don’t think there’s anything to add.

Nose

Quite waxy, with lemon essential oil and underlying funk. There’s a thick coal smoke lurking in the background. Hint of nutmeg. Peach nectar and heavy cream. Some ripe bananas as well. There’s a savoury/yeasty/cheesy/salty aspect as well, almost like a well-aged fruity l’Etivaz.

With water: It doesn’t change too much, though this time I only added a few drops due to the lower ABV. It might amp up the smoke a little.

Palate

Surprisingly delicate and creamy arrival, evolving into a full on Campbeltown funk display, with old metal tools and “dusty smoke”. Delicately savoury, with olive oil on the finish.

With water : Black pepper appears, and the creamy, yoghurt-y notes are slightly augmented.

The Dregs

This is quite simply a brilliant example of a mature, distillate-driven Springbank. I might even coin it as quintessential. Leave the same stock for ten more years in cask without re-racking and it might warrant a Dramface 10/10. For now, it will be a very high and very well deserved 8/10.

This is gorgeous, and I’d be happy if it was the only whisky I could drink for the remainder of my life. But don’t just take my word for it. Hughie has the exact same 2024 release of this and is eager to contribute his own thoughts below. A newer addition to Dramface and, as an Italian, Hughie could have joined our cohort in Glasgow last year thus turning our Five Nations into Six. You’ll need to have read yesterday’s review to get the reference.

What should you listen to now? I may suggest A Martyr for My Love for You, by The White Stripes. I’m a massive Jack White fanboy, and this lesser-known song works wonders.

Score: 8/10 AF

Review 2/2 - Hughie

Springbank 18yo, 2024 Release, 100% ex-bourbon matured, 46% ABV
€180 paid (£153)

As Ainsley puts it, it’s Springbank 18. And that should be enough of an introduction. On a personal note, this one is connected to a very personal memory, and a very lucky day.

When this 2024 release dropped here in Italy, I completely missed it. I was a bit disappointed but it wasn’t the first or the last time it would happen. That comes with the territory when you chase unicorn bottles and are not willing to go pay secondary prices.

Then it miraculously reappeared for sale at my local shop. The day, and time, this re-appeared was exactly the same as my appointment with the Dramface boss to discuss my possible collaboration. I ended up being 10 minutes late to that call. In a normal professional situation, that could have set off the discussion on the wrong foot. Luckily, among us whisky botherers, the chance of bagging a Springbank 18 justifies tardiness. Things clearly worked out for the best or I wouldn’t be here writing this.

As Murdo put it perfectly when I shared this story, I guess “It was meant to be”.

Score: 9/10

**Exceptional.**
***TL;DR***
*The perfect intersection of exuberant and mellow*

Nose

A blast of vibrant oily, waxy and spicy notes hits me right off the bat. Like an olive oil candle, sprinkled with white pepper and ginger.

Then it turns fruity with white peach and slightly unripe banana, and some citrus freshness, more yuzu peel than lemon. I smell damp malting floor barley and wet metal. (By the way, is there a term for this, like petrichor for rain falling on soil? Ferrichor seems appropriate).

The funky Springbank character is noticeable but quite restrained. I notice a touch of smoke and funk, more lactic than fusile: some washed rind cheese, berry yogurt.

Palate

Every time I taste a Springbank, the oiliness of the mouthfeel is what I notice most. This is no different and the 18 years have added a silky mouthfeel which makes me want to stop and do a happy dance. The first taste I am hit with is, a bit surprisingly, aromatic pipe tobacco.

Then the core fruity character emerges - ginger, banana and peaches coated in vanilla syrup, and candied lemon peel. All the while, a touch of bonfire smoke, lactic yogurt and mineralic saline notes enhance the overall taste experience.

The medium long finish is waxy, fruity, maritime and slightly funky with just a touch of honey, citrus and petrichor.

The Dregs

About two months ago, I was able to tick Springbank’s Barley to Bottle tour off my whisky bucket list. During the all-access tour my group and I had a chance to sample some rare old drams, one for each of the brands Springbank produces. Among them was a fantastic 32 year old ex-refill Bourbon Springbank at cask strength (barely over 40% after all these years). Creamy, sweet, mildly funky and extremely oily, it was the experience of a lifetime.

Unless some secretly rich relative leaves me their fortune, very unlikely, or unless I come back for another Barley to Bottle tour, difficult but possible, I doubt I will ever taste another Springbank of a similar age. And yet, as sacrilegious as it may sound to some of you, I prefer this “standard” 18 year old fully aged in Bourbon casks.

In part, it’s a pure gut reaction. After the first sip the light seemed brighter and the world a better place. I almost felt like John Belushi after seeing the light in Blues Brothers. But there is also a more rational and sensorial reason.

To my still growing tastebuds, this feels like the ideal intersection between the vibrancy and exuberance of a young Springbank and the mellow richness of an older expression. It’s a fully deserved 9, something truly exceptional.

Score: 9/10 HC

Tried this? Share your thoughts in the comments below. AF

Dramface is free.
Its fierce independence and community-focused content is funded by that same community. We don’t do ads, sponsorships or paid-for content. If you like what we do you can support us by becoming a Dramface member for the price of a magazine.
However, if you’ve found a particular article valuable, you also have the option to make a direct donation to the writer, here: buy me a dram - you’d make their day. Thank you.
For more on Dramface and our funding read our about page here.