Springbank 12 Year old Cask Strength Claret Wood

I first tasted this expression in early 2011. I found it a bit challenging. A year later it was one of my favourite whiskies. I'm not sure if it was my palate or how it developed in the bottle, but I gained an appreciation for it. In Calgary over a couple of winters I managed to pick up a couple of bottles here and there of this one-off wine-cask finished Springbank, and believe me, if I could find more I would try to get them.

The second bottle took me less time to warm up to. I opened it in May 2015 with @Victor and his sister, @dramlette, and @paddockjudge. I've had occasional drams from it over the last year and a half and poured tonight's review dram from a gassed bottle, 1/5 full.

I review it in my traditional manner, first neat then adding a capfull (then another in this case) of water to 30 cc pour, waiting, and reviewing again.

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Nose: 23/25

Neat - Fresh. Red grapes, thick syrup, mild peat. granny smith apples and cinnamon, cherry juice, and hints of vanilla and strawberry.

Water - The syrup is more prominent, the strawberry fades, but otherwise not much changes.

Taste: 22/25

Neat - slightly hot. sweet and sour arrival. apple, peat, vanilla and caramel. Thick mouthfeel. Very pleasant.

Water - Brings out a richness to the flavour. Dry arrival, fruit in the background (bright not dark).

Finish: 22/25

Sour bitter, long, astringent. Tart apple pie that is less noticeable with water.

Balance: 22/25

The nose promises a little more than the palate delivers. This has a lot of complexity and I'm sure will develop more over the next 1-2 hours as I drink it.

Total sequential score: 89/100

Enjoyment factor adjusted score: 90/100

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This is a solid whisky. It has tremendous complexity that grows in the glass and with time in the bottle.

I would not recommend this for beginners as it has too much in it. But once you become more accustomed to different smells and tastes this is a wonderful dram.

Find where to buy Springbank whisky