Springbank 12 Cask Strength (53.8% abv)

The long-awaited Springbank 12!

This is the one that I've been eager to open: the Springbank 12 Cask Strength. There have been several batches of the Springbank 12 Cask Strength thus far. Each batch has had a unique ABV, and this one is at 53.8%, which makes it Batch 11, I believe. I bought this at Vom Fass a couple of months ago at slightly under $150, and have been saving it for a good occasion. Now seems like a good time, with Practicum almost over.

This batch of the 12 year cask strength was matured in a mix of casks. 70% of this came from malt matured in sherry casks, and the remaining 30% from whisky aged in bourbon casks. This should be exciting.

Springbank 12 years, Cask Strength (53.8% abv)

Colour: Dark gold, which turns to light gold bordering on straw with water added.

Nose: In this newly opened bottle, the alcohol is strong. Perhaps it will mellow a little with time. Apart from the alcohol, there's a slight metallic edge to the nose. Sea breeze with a bit of algae in it, and maybe some charred wood too. Some leather, sherry wine, and peat. The peat takes a back seat and only comes out close to the end. That's really polite.

With water: Similar, but gentler. A little whiff of vanilla.

Palate: Wine on entry, though this gets swiftly overtaken by an explosion of spices and alcohol burn. There's peat, charred wood, and salt. The peat in this tastes like burnt vegetables - reminds me a bit of parsley. The sherry cask makes itself felt - there's a bit of sherry richness, and rubber too. After holding it in for a bit, a touch of honey emerges. This is good. The higher abv makes it a bit of a rough ride, but there's a deep complexity in this, for sure.

With water: It becomes fruitier. Orange peel, tannins from grape pips. It doesn't lose its alcohol burn, but water does tame the ferocity. Less peat and a sweeter entry. There's some mineral edge to this. Tastes a little like... a wet rock?!? The peat goes down, but the taste of charred wood and smoke becomes stronger. This one goes very well with water. I really like this. It's like drinking a fireplace that's burning fruit wood. Does that make sense? Why do I keep using fireplace metaphors when there's no such thing in Singapore??? Is this a neo-colonial imperial hegemony of the mind?!?

Finish: Salty and spicy. There's a lot of pepper, and a bit of ginger juice squeezed in too. A bit of oak, and then smoke. Great.

With water: Cinnamon! Wow! Yummy stuff. Pepper gets toned down a little, but much more ginger is released. There's more smoke as well.

Overall:
Personally, this Springbank was my favourite of the four that we had tonight (the other three being the Santis, the Oban 14, and the Hakushu 18). While the Hakushu 18 was very smooth and remains one of my favourites, the Springbank 12 has a complexity and depth that I think the Hakushu 18 misses out on in exchange for smoothness and elegance. The Springbank is edgier, like a rock concert, while the Hakushu 18 is closer to an orchestra. Without water, this whisky is a little rough and tumble. Great, but definitely not easy. Thankfully, it takes water really well. It doesn't lose its "masculinity", but instead, is more like a heavyweight boxer in a suit, when, without water, it's like a heavyweight boxer in his fighting gear.

Great stuff. I want more Springbanks... Thanks LT for the company!