Springbank 22yo Open Day May 2022

Springbank 22yo Open Day May 2022

Region: Campbeltown

ABV: 50.6%

Price: £95.00 (20cl, Auction)

Bottled for Springbank Open Day in May 2022, this 22 year old Springbank was matured in a combination of two refill bourbon hogsheads and one fresh rum barrel. A total of 1,948 20cl bottles were released.

Nose

Palate

The funk on the palate feels less rummy and more like Campbeltown funk. There’s plenty of icing sugar and vanilla sweetness. There’s also banana, dried mango, pear, a hint of menthol, and an almost plasticky note. The mouthfeel is good, and the finish is a medium length, with a good balance of peat and sweetness. Although there’s a peppery spice on the finish that comes close to being too much, but never crosses the line. 

Nose (with water)

There’s now more mango, peach and icing sugar on the nose, but other than that we’re not finding it wildly different.

Palate (with water)

Water has added a touch more cracked black pepper spice to the finish, which remains of medium length. It’s also bringing out more rum cask notes. We’re also getting a strong plantain note. The mouthfeel has held up well.

Conclusion

The rum cask has clearly injected a little complexity into the mix, and we’re sure a lot of people will really enjoy that and rate this higher. We, however, have always struggled a little with rum cask whisky and can’t help but wonder what this would have been like with just the two bourbon casks in the mix. Still, even we have to admit this is a tasty whisky.

Score: 7.5/10

Value

Sadly, the auction price will keep this out of the hands of many who would enjoy it. That said, we do appreciate Springbank releasing it in 20cl bottles in an effort to share it more widely.

• 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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