Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength (2026 Edition) & Springbank 18 Year Old (2026 Edition)

Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength (2026 Edition)

Region: Campbeltown

ABV: 56.6%

Price: £70.00

The latest 2026 edition of Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength was matured in 100 percent bourbon casks. No official outturn stated. 

Nose

Initially, we’re getting limoncello, burnt wood, almonds and marzipan. The alcohol is well integrated but does show as a little peppery spice. Going back, there’s also whipped cream, icing sugar, doughnuts, dried wood and dunnage warehouse funk.

Palate

The mouthfeel is good and fairly mouth-coating. There’s a little spice on the finish, but it doesn’t drink at its ABV. Flavour-wise the palate mirrors the nose, with dried wood, lime juice, and Campbeltown funk joining those sweeter note such as marzipan, icing sugar, and whipped cream. Going back, there’s also white chocolate and margarine.

Nose (with water)

Water has brought out Play-Doh, lime cordial and chocolate lime sweets. There are also tertiary notes of strawberry laces and orange marmalade. The alcohol remains in good balance, and the pre-dilution notes can still be found.

Palate (with water)

The mouthfeel has held up well to a few drops of water, perhaps even improving. There’s a touch of roasted coffee bitterness appearing on the mid-palate. The lime note has intensified. It’s a touch spicier, but overall not wildly different.

Conclusion

We’d add a few drops of water, as the nose improves with dilution while the palate doesn’t suffer any adverse effects. Another great release in the Springbank 12 Cask Strength series.

Score: 8/10

Value

If you can find it at RRP, this is excellent value.

Springbank 18 Year Old (2026 Edition)

Region: Campbeltown

ABV: 46.0%

Price: £117.00

The 2026 edition of Springbank 18 Year Old was matured in a mix of 50% bourbon casks, 45% sherry casks and 5% rum casks. No official outturn stated.

Nose

The nose opens with lemon peel, marshmallows, honeycomb and just a faint hint of Campbeltown funk. The alcohol is well integrated. The smoke is very light but still noticeable as an earthy note. Going back, the sherry starts to show through with notes of Cadbury Fudge Fingers and caramel. There’s also Victoria sponge, raspberries, orange squash and papaya.

Palate

The palate is a missing just a little something, but is good for the ABV. There’s plenty of upfront sweetness, with notes of papaya, peach yoghurt, orange, tobacco and raspberries all present. The finish is a good length with white pepper spice appearing along side some campbeltown funk, and the aforementioned sweeter notes. Although the spice outlasts the other notes. The bourbon casks flavours dominates the palate. Pleasant, but perhaps a touch simple.

Nose (with water)

Water has accentuated the sweetness of the sherry notes on the nose. We’re now getting marzipan and prune. Unfortunately some of those tropical fruit notes have faded. There’s also a hint of dried roasted peanuts and cashew nuts.

Palate (with water)

The mouthfeel has held up well to a few drops of water and perhaps has even improved, although the spice has increased slightly. Like the nose, we’re finding more sherry notes on the palate, with caramel, fudge and toffee ice cream all coming through. As we sit with it, we also start to get a touch of lavender oil. Although the sherry casks influence is now more pronounced, it remains well balanced, with of the bourbon cask notes still noticeable. 

Conclusion

Whether you dilute this will come down to personal preference. It’s good, but perhaps a touch simpler than other historic releases of the 18-year-old. Still, there’s lots to enjoy here.

Score: 7/10

Value

Sadly, for most people this will only be available via auction, where the asking price is a tough pill to swallow.

• 10 - Perfection. One in a million
• 9 - Outstanding. Exceptional whisky.
• 8 - Great. Would seek this out.
• 7 - Good. Quality whisky.
• 6 - Above average. Happy to have a dram.
• 5 - Average. Drinkable whisky.
• 4 - Below average. Passable.
• 3 - Flawed. Noticeable negatives.
• 2 - Defective. Significant faults.
• 1 - Offensive. Pour it out.

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