International Whisky Day Post

27 March is International Whisky Day, in honour of Michael Jackson, one of the greatest whisky writers. He's passed on already, after a long fight with Parkinson's Disease. Check out this website (http://www.internationalwhiskyday.org/), raise a glass to the man, and donate some money to the cause!

A couple of drinks to post here today...

Springbank 15 - I'm trying to get into Springbank, with its hipster credentials and stuff. They do the whole whisky making process on site, from malting to bottling. Once in a while, Springbank produces "Local Barley" whiskies too. These ones use barley that have been grown locally. Can't get more hipster than that, especially in the multi-national production processes whiskies go through nowadays. Partially influenced by http://www.benswhisky.co.uk/, whose writer had this magnificent Springbank phase. Think he's drank every Springbank available on the market over a couple of years. Here's my take on the Springbank 15.

Nose - sherried upfront, then turns to the smells that we've come to expect from Springbank. Some antiseptic, some machine oil. A bit of peat, and some of the oak comes through. Fairly spirit driven, though it seems like the wood had more say in this than in the 10 year old.

Palate - Initial entry is a bit sour, like wine. Then it becomes slightly savoury, meaty even. Peat and smoke rise up next, which then turns to grass. Something that reminds me of truffle, but not as pungent and overpowering. There's some oak, which takes the edge of Springbank's spirit-driven character. The slightly salty, slightly metallic taste seems like a Springbank signature. Gotta try the 18 next time...

Finish - Smoke, and a bit more meat. A touch of sourness lingers on the back of the throat. Not unpleasant, but feels more wine than sherried whisky. It's a bit bitter too, and not in a pleasant, dark chocolate way. Hmm. Like...I'm not sure what's this bitterness. Thankfully, it's not prominent.

Overall - pretty good, but I think I preferred the 10. More straightforward, less cask influence, and perhaps a purer Springbank experience. I've still not opened my 12 year Cask Strength. Soon, soon...