Springbank 5YO 100° Proof Sherry

Springbank 5YO 100° Proof Sherry

Region: Campbeltown

ABV: 57.1%

Price: £55.00

This follow-up to the 100° Proof Bourbon is a vatting of casks distilled in June 2019 and bottled in October 2024. As the name suggests, it was matured in fresh sherry casks and bottled at a reduced strength of 57.1%. A total of 1,900 bottles were released.

Nose

The nose is quite tight initially, but with patience, notes of raspberry ripple, a hint of menthol, strawberry sauce, cola cube sweets, and caramel begin to emerge. There’s also a very light touch of peat smoke. It’s all sherry-forward, and we’re not getting any hint of the Campbeltown funk we’d expect. One dimensional on the nose, but it’s a dimension most enjoy.

Palate

The palate is sherry-forward, with cola as the dominant note, followed by roasted coffee and brown sugar. In the background, there’s a touch of Campbeltown funk. It has a good mouthfeel, and on revisiting, notes of tobacco and soft leather come through. The finish is medium in length, with a slight lingering bitterness. For us it gives the impression of being closer to 10 years old rather than 5. Like the nose the palate is pretty one dimensional.

Nose (with water)

With water, the nose reveals more sweetness, with notes of raisins and dark chocolate, along with treacle and caramel. There’s perhaps the faintest hint of funk, but it remains predominantly sherry-forward. The addition of water has helped to open it up.

Palate (with water)

With water, the palate becomes smoother. There’s a touch more funk, along with notes of orange peel, sweet caramel, and a raisin reduction. A hint of ginger spice appears on the still medium-length finish, and the coffee note is more prominent now. Like the nose, the palate has opened up nicely.

Conclusion

We’re sorry to tell anyone who missed out in the chaos of purchasing this release that it is indeed a good dram. It drinks more like a 10-year-old than a 5, though it does come across as somewhat one-dimensional, with the sherry casks taking centre stage. That said, a sherry-forward whisky of this quality is nothing to dismiss. We actually prefer this to last year’s release.

Score: 8/10

Value

If you managed to get one of these at RRP, then great. Personally, we don’t feel it’s worth the £165 or so it’s fetching at auction.

• 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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