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Springbank 14 Year Fino Cask Strength

Rich, Robust, and a finish to die for...

7 695

@KRB80Review by @KRB80

14th Jul 2017

0

Springbank 14 Year Fino Cask Strength
  • Nose
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  • Taste
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  • Finish
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  • Balance
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  • Overall
    95

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Fino Cask 264 Distilled in 1996

This review is from a bottle that is approximately half full and has been opened for about a year and a half. Based off of prior experience with Springbank whiskies, I have noticed that they get better and better with time in the bottle. Related to that, I find it best to be patient with each dram as well because they have a tendency to bloom and get a lot more interesting as I struggle to resist it's beckoning call. Thankfullly, the nose on each of their offerings are always delightfully multifaceted enough to keep me at bay.

Color: Radiant red amber

Nose: Butterscotch/caramel salt water taffy, brown sugar, raisins, dried figs, fuji apples, duck sauce, milk chocolate, a lingering backdrop of a red berry element. I could nose this dram all night, be highly content, and probably pick out a bit more aromas.

Palate: Creamy, fruit pudding, himalayan pink salt, orange zest, slight lemon, that characteristic Springbank "funk", savory umami.

Finish: LONG, salty, and dry...milk chocolate, freshly cracked black pepper, yeast, musty wet hay, tobacco, a certain je ne sais quoi right in the middle of the finish that completely enthralls me, and a very subtle smoke that is noticeable after everything else eventually fades away.

This is one of my, if not the, favorite single malt I have ever tasted. It is extremely unique while still retaining that Springbank signature that I have come to adore over the years. I regret not purchasing a second bottle when I had the chance. I mourn the day that I pour the final dram from this bottle.

Edit: I forgot to mention that I didn't add water due to previous experimentation leading me to the conclusion that I prefer it without. YMMV

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6 comments

@Alexsweden
Alexsweden commented

Sounds like a winner, cherish it!

7 years ago 2Who liked this?

@Hewie
Hewie commented

A fantastic review. This is what it's all about; "a certain je ne sais quoi right in the middle of the finish that completely enthralls me" - whisky is to enjoyed and marveled over and this obviously does that for you. Make the most of what's left of your bottle.

7 years ago 3Who liked this?

@MadSingleMalt
MadSingleMalt commented

Oh cripes—this sounds so gooooood.

Thanks for the review, @KRB80! I can't wait, now, to open mine. I was thinking that maybe I'd buy something fairly extravagant for my 40th birthday next year, but now I'm thinking maybe I'll just hold on to this one from my stash until then.

Musty wet hay—yes!

7 years ago 1Who liked this?

@MadSingleMalt
MadSingleMalt commented

@KRB80, man, I'm tasting this virtually alongside you here, and I wish I loved it as much as you. It's very good, and the quality is undeniable, but the style isn't quite my style.

I usually go more for "zippy" whiskies, and to stray from that style into something heavier like this, I like to find compensation of some dusty old books or somesuch. Sadly, that's not here. All that savory sweetish stuff you talk about definitely is here though, and that's all pretty nice if the mood is right. But I wish it had more salt.

I think I see what you're saying about the je ne sais quoi in the finish. For me, it's the turn from the heavy leathery business that dominates the first moment of the finish to the uplifting fresh blast that takes over in moment two. Good stuff right there. Well spotted.

P.S. I did indeed open this for my 40th birthday in December, making this bottle open 2+ months now, and about 2/3 full.

5 years ago 2Who liked this?

@KRB80
KRB80 commented

@MadSingleMalt Let that bottle sit around for a long while (another 9 months or so) and check back. I'd be interested to see where it goes with you.

5 years ago 1Who liked this?

@MadSingleMalt
MadSingleMalt commented

@KRB80, thanks for the advice, but my bottle was finished off the other night when I brought the last inch or so to my club night. A couple guys there was pretty gaga over it, so I was glad I shared.

5 years ago 1Who liked this?