Springbank 20 Year Old 1992 Private Cask

This is a somewhat older release of a private cask Springbank – at cask strength, of course – with a rather special label, designed by artist Emma Dunbar. Apart from the fact that it’s a single cask that was put to sleep in 1992 and bottled in 2012, not much information was found. Hence I have no idea what the SYN 20 on the label signifies.

Well, it’s rather atypical on the nose, surprisingly so. The classic traits of chalk and hessian cloth are quite absent. Instead I get clear notes of apples, quince, kiwi and shoe polish. It slowly evolves towards more tropical notes, but with a salty edge. Very nice.

Pretty oily and prickling. Turns unmistakably Springbank now. Yellow fruit, quasi tropical (pineapple, mango, grapefruit) presented in a jute bag. Very spicy on white pepper and salt. Call it a good dollop of brackish water. Woodsmoke galore. Clear, sweet, salty and a bit dirty. Very intense too.

In the finish, which is nicely warm and long – some banana kicks in to join the grapefruit and mango. And all the while it remains peaty and delicious.

Complex yet playful and intense Springbank. Class!

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