Springbank 21 (2024 Release)

Springbank 21 (2024 Release)

Region: Campbeltown

ABV: 46.0%

Price: £260.00

The 2024 release of Springbank 21 is a mixture of 65% Port Casks, 25% Bourbon, 5% Rum and 5% Sherry casks.

Nose

The nose opens with a blast of salty sherry, we’re getting nutty oloroso, salted peanuts, treacle, bonfire smoke, alongside tarry ropes, coastal sea air, dunnage funk and a touch of tobacco. It’s quintessential Campbeltown with a thick layer of fortified wine on top. Going back, we’re getting more meatiness, smoked venison, a little glazed pork with cranberry and a sprinkling of pomegranate. It’s more sherry forward than port for us, even though there’s a considerable amount of port in the makeup, but they’re mingling nicely together. Behind this there’s also a on old musty strawberry aroma.

Palate

The palate is fairly coastal to begin with, that classic Campeltown harbour flavour, quickly moving into cinnamon and candied ginger, dark berries and treacle toffee. It has a really long finish, lots of chocolate and cherry, a touch of coffee with a splash of condensed milk. Going back, we’re finding more jammy red fruits, stewed strawberries with a squeeze of lemon, fresh raspberry, red grape Schloer and date purée. Behind all of this sits a mellow bonfire like peatsmoke that enhances the aforementioned flavours. The mouthfeel is reasonably viscous, not as much as some cask strength Springbanks we’ve had but holds its own at 46%.

Nose (with water)

The reduced nose accentuates a lot of the salty coastal Campeltown character, and it brings more of the bourbon sweetness to the forefront too. We’re finding salted caramel, toffee bon bons, nutmeg and cinnamon spice. The peat is still present, but overall it’s sweeter with more vanilla and less fortified wine character.

Palate (with water)

The reduced palate follows a sweeter route, some light brown sugar and vanilla essence, mixed with fresher fruits, zesty lemon following into richer cinnamon and clove spice on the finish. The mouthfeel and finish both maintain their texture and length, and the earthy peat is also still fairly present.

Conclusion

It’s mostly what we expected, and we’re not complaining. We would have guessed a much higher proportion of sherry casks in the mix, but some of that port influence shines through on the latter part of the palate and finish. It’s got all the hallmarks of a great quality whisky, an easy 8/10, but we’ll stretch to 8.5.

Score: 8.5/10

Value

It's definitely not cheap, but given the small output, it's understandable why Springbank charges the prices they do, especially considering the higher resale value.

• 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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