Tag Archive for: Springbank 17 YO

Whisky Review #58 – Springbank 17 Years Sherry Wood

We visited Quaich Bar recently to catch up with the wonderful people there and had some special drinks that are available at the bar. Springbank 17 Years Sherry Wood was one of them. Now, this is different from the Springbank 17 Years Sherry Wood CASK STRENGTH version, which we did not get the chance to try it yet. This baby here is bottled at 49.2%, much lower than the Cask Strength of 52. 3%.

Let’s dive into the review!

Tasting Notes:

Colour: Deep Amber
ABV: 49.2%

Nose: Strong sherry (read: caramel) with relatively high sulphuric notes. There is a hint of white pepper hiding in the background. After airing for 15 minutes, sweet aromas of honeyed meat (like honeyed bbq meat) waft into the nose elegantly. The sulphuric notes recede into the background. (17/20)

Palate: Oily mouthfeel with sweet caramel coating the palate at the first sip. Malt is noticeable on the palate as well with a hint of sulphur at the back of the tongue. After 15 minutes, the sweet caramel becomes more prominent, coming firmly to the forefront and muscling the malt and sulphur out of the way. Peppery spice springs out as well, bringing an additional layer of complexity to the palate. (17/20)

Finish: It is a relatively long finish with sweet caramel lingering in the mouth. (16/20)

Body: It is a lovely full-bodied whisky with a robust profile. Moderately complex for a 17 years old especially after airing the whisky. Makes me want to try the cask strength version to see how it differs. (32/40)

Total Score: 82/100

Comments:

Geek Flora: “Well, it is a great dram, but perhaps I was looking for more complexity in the whisky. Nonetheless, it is a bottle that I would gladly buy if my pocket allows it as I think it is an interesting whisky to share amongst good friends.” 

 

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    Whisky Review #39: Quaich Bar Exclusive – Springbank 17 Years Old

    We have previously reported the 10th anniversary of Quaich Bar Singapore and their exclusive range of whiskies. We went down to the bar last week to have a try of their Springbank 17 Years Old whisky! As this expression is the most exclusive among the range with only 114 bottles available, Whiskygeeks feels that we have to try this before it is all gone!

    This precious expression is part of a cask taken from the Springbank distillery in Campbeltown. Specially bottled for Quaich Bar Singapore, this expression cannot be found elsewhere. An interesting note about the liquid in this bottle is the fact that the original cask did not belong to the distillery but was sold to a private collector. Quaich Bar’s owner, Mr Khoon Hui, persuaded the cask owner to sell him part of the cask while the rest goes to the private collector. If you think just a little deeper, this bottle is the same liquid that is now housed in crystal decanters and displayed in a big mansion!

    So what do we think about this? Let’s check out the tasting notes!

    Tasting Notes:

    Colour: Amber
    ABV: 49.2%

    Nose: Reasonably strong maple syrup and caramel waft up the nose before hints of vanilla come through. Oakiness remains in the background for a while before coming through strongly afterwards. It feels like going to a furniture warehouse sales where you can smell lots of new wood.  (16/20)

    Palate: Maple syrup mouthfeel with quite a bit of oil. Strong wood spice hits you in the face before fading into the background where it stays. Vanilla and caramel sweetness come through the spiciness to coat the palate and reduce the spice in the palate. The spice lingers in the throat. (18/20)

    Finish: Long, dry finish with woodiness or hay and hints of sweet caramel. The long finish also creates bits of tannin at the end. (17/20)

    Body: Highly balanced whisky with sweet maple syrup, caramel and vanilla. The wood spice seems unpleasant at first but develops after some time into a pleasant warm mouthfeel.  (33/40)

    Total Score: 84/100 

    Comments:

    Geek Flora: “I think this is an interesting Springbank that is slightly different from the core range. The heavy wood influence is evident in this well-balanced expression. Worth a try if you have not tried it!”

     

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