Springbank 17 Year old The Maltman 1996/2014 Cask #585

Although I’m a member for quite some time now, this is my first review on Connosr. My cabinet has grown enormously since then and looking back I do not really understand why I left so much time go by…

As mentioned in earlier reviews (cf. connosr.com/reviews/auchentoshan/… and here www.meadowsideblending.com ) ‘The Maltman Vintage Single Cask is a series of un-chillfiltered, natural colour Malts from Meadowside Blending Co. Ltd a family owned business based in Glasgow. This bottle is one of 577 that came from Cask #585 selected by the chairman Donald Hart. The whisky was distilled October 1996 and bottled March 2014 at 50.1%ABV.

The colour is the first thing that strikes me. To me this looks like a very old, noble Cognac. I have to admit that I’m not really a Cognac drinker, but I think the analogy might help to explain the colour.

On the nose there is a huge cloud of Sherry (Manzanilla? Amontillado?) The Label states it's a fresh Sherry butt (I Need to visit Spain). There are oily Aromas, sugared almonds, butter, Bacon and tobacco. With water it gets much sweeter. Allspice and cardamom lurking in the back and much more tobacco coming through. The palate is spicy and sweet with a beautifully dry and long finish (perhaps Fino - I definetly need to visit Spain).

The Sherry clearly has the upper hand here, but the Finish is a real Highlight. If you like heavily sherried Malts with a dry Finish, go for this one.

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