Springbank 14 YO Bourbon Cask-matured Scotch

In the spring @Maddie and @Victor made a trip up to Collingwood. I’ve been lucky that between trips up north, Spirit of Toronto, and a trip down south, I’ve been able to visit with them every year since 2014. The friendship has enriched my life, and the whiskies associated with each visit have enriched my knowledge and experience.

At this year’s epic tasting, we were treated to some of this expression from a 50 cc sample bottle. I was given the remainder to take home. If my understanding of the writing on the bottle is correct, This is a mix of first fill and refill bourbon bottles. I take “0.8-19-18” to mean that this bottle was opened on Aug. 19 2018, though I stand to be corrected.

This expression, approximately a 10 cc pour in a Highland Whisky Glass, is reviewed in my usual manner, allowing it to settle after which I take my nosing and tasting notes, followed by the addition of a few drops of water, waiting, then nosing and tasting.

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Nose: 22.5/25

Rich nose. Warm spices. Some well-integrated peat. There’s a freshness, almost sea air quality to the nose. Some fresh tart apple and some sweet stewed apples with cinnamon. Slight grainy “texture” to the nose. Very satisfying nose. With water the nose becomes fruitier the peat goes further into the background, but still there.

Taste: 22/25

Sweet apple cider is the first impression I get on the first sip (You sure you didn’t slip me some AppleJack, @Victor?). Also vanilla, a little caramel, and warm baking spices. A little pepper on the development. The peat is very much in the background, tickling my posterior pharynx. Very Rich. Water brings out the peat and makes the palate explode with flavour. There is a citrusy sourness that grows in the development and the pepper is more prominent. Definitely more layers of flavour, more complex with water. (23/25)

Finish:22/25

A little astringent, and not very long. The caramel fades into the ending.

Balance: 22/25

The nose and palate complement each other nicely. The flavours work together very well, especially wth water. (22.5/25)

Score: Neat - 88.5/100 With Water: 89/100

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This is definitely NOT a beginner whisky. There is a lot going on, and I think it is better suited to the experienced palate. This is very similar to the Springbank 12 YO CS in terms of intensity, but the flavours are a different.

Would I buy this? If I could afford it, I would absolutely pick it up.

Thanks again @Victor for the opportunity to try this one. It's a great whisky.

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