Springbank 1996 WhiskyNerds 21 Year Old Single Cask #471

A single cask Springbank (#471) distilled in 1996 and bottled at cask strength in 2017 by The Whisky Nerds, matured for 21 years in a hogshead. The Whisky Nerds is an independent bottler founded by five whisky lovers after a trip to Scotland. A limited edition of 180 bottles.

“SERGE VALENTIN (92)

This one should be brighter. Colour: gold.

Nose: as expected, this one’s brighter, and much more mineral. You’re nosing wet rocks, limestone, crushed chalk, concrete, tarmac, then rather lemons and grapefruits, shoe polish, hay… So this is very typically ‘clean’ Springbank, but clean Springbank can be quite dirty. Oh well, I know what I’m trying to say. With water: exceptional. Old engine oil, rusty tools, brake fluid, metal polish, and assorted mushrooms. Shi-take!

Mouth (neat): just superb. Very oily, mentholy, camphory, peppery, lemony, earthy, chalky, waxy, peely, sappy… Simply one of the very best distillates on this little planet. With water: splendid! More chalky and lemony waxes and oils, tar candies and liqueurs, polishes…

Finish: long, grassier. Cactus, celeriac, chalk, lemon, balms…

Comments: this one’s just as very exciting as other clean ones from similar vintages. A style that’s very hard to beat if you ask me.”