Springbank 12 Years Cask Strength 57.1% is a cult classic from Campbeltown – a powerful, oily and complex single malt where Springbank’s signature “funk”, coastal character and gentle peat smoke meet rich fruit and spicy oak at full cask strength.
This is a small-batch release that is always bottled at natural cask strength. The whisky is aged for around 12 years in a combination of mostly bourbon casks and a smaller share of sherry casks, roughly 65% bourbon and 35% sherry. This creates a beautiful balance between bright fruit, vanilla and toasted oak on one side, and darker dried fruit and deeper sweetness on the other. The whisky is non-chill filtered and naturally coloured.
Producer – Springbank Distillery
Springbank is one of Scotland’s most traditional distilleries and one of the last surviving producers in the historic whisky region of Campbeltown on the Kintyre peninsula. Founded in 1828, it is still family-owned by J&A Mitchell.
Springbank is unique in that virtually 100% of production is carried out on site: floor malting, mashing, fermentation, distillation, maturation and bottling all take place at the distillery. This allows full control over quality and gives a very distinctive house style. Springbank malt uses lightly peated barley and a special two-and-a-half-times distillation regime, which contributes to the oily texture, maritime character and the slightly “dirty” complexity that fans around the world adore.
Nose
Intense, deep and powerful. Sea spray, gentle peat smoke, glowing oak and burnt sugar are wrapped in buttered toast, biscuits, toffee and dark chocolate. The fruity side shows orange zest, green apples, pears and dried fruits such as raisins and figs. Given time in the glass, notes of marzipan, leather, nuts, nutmeg and a mineral touch of wet stone emerge over an oily malty core.
Palate
The mouthfeel is thick, oily and highly concentrated – the cask strength makes itself known. An initial wave of honey, vanilla, caramelised sugar and sweet malt is quickly followed by Springbank’s typical slightly earthy peat smoke and a pronounced maritime saltiness.
Then the whisky unfolds in layers:
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Fruit: green apples, pears, orange marmalade and a hint of dried pineapple and apricot.
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Wood and spice: toasted oak, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, black pepper, liquorice root and cocoa.
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Smoke and earthiness: peat smoke, charcoal, a clearly earthy tone and classic Campbeltown funk reminiscent of oily workshop, rubber and cellar – in the best possible way.
A few drops of water open the whisky up even further, bringing more fruit, milk chocolate, vanilla cream and more obvious nutty notes.
Finish
Long to very long, with lingering peat smoke, sea salt and a mix of dark chocolate, dried fruit and roasted nuts. Peppery spice, bitter orange zest and dry oak build towards the end, while a sweet malt core holds everything together. The finish evolves as it lingers, moving from sweet and fruity towards more spicy, dry and smoky tones.
Serving and style
Springbank 12 Years Cask Strength is best enjoyed neat in a tulip-shaped glass, preferably after a few minutes of breathing. A few drops of water are highly recommended – they soften the alcohol, bring out more fruit and chocolate and enhance the overall complexity.
This is a whisky for the experienced enthusiast who appreciates Springbank’s rustic, handcrafted style: oily texture, maritime saltiness, gentle smoke, sherry influence and that slightly “dirty” edge many consider to be the distillery’s true signature.
