Whisky-distilleries Tasting Sessions: Springbank CV (en)

dimanche 8 janvier 2012

Springbank CV (en)

This bottle was sent to us by the French importer of Springbank, établissementsDugas. This classic is very reasonably priced (35 euros) and finished the sessionfourth, but then it had to deal with tough competition. The difference of 9 pointsbetween the highest rating (89) and worst one (80) is very low compared to otherbottles in the WDTS. So we can say that this is a consensual bottle which will displease no one.
Here are the notes extremes:

Johannes Sauer

Colour: Bright golden, light straw.
Nose: Firm but delicate first impression, heather honey and mowed grass. A fine subtle sweetness backed by very soft, hardly noticeable notes of sweet pipe tobacco and wood berries. Nice and very pleasant, altogether a little far on the sweet and honey side but round and well balanced.
Taste: The alcohol rolling in with some might, for sure more than 40% (or is is the early time of the afternoon? I could not wait starting my first blind tasting session), still sweet and light floral and the delicate soft smoke in the back takes one small step forward. With a little water the single impressions (honey, grass and sweet smoke) get more clearly separated and are nearly perfectly balanced.
Finish: Fine round and medium long, at the end getting a wee stronger accent on the smoky / woody side (the water helps here) which leaves a very nice whole impression. Summer afternoon in the forest.
Conclusion: My guess is a Highlands / Speyside (Lowlands?) malt and not an average one. Very fine whisky anyway. Maybe a independent or special bottling at round 46 or even more %. No meddling with sherry or wine casks (ex bourbon might be) here. Around 12 – 14 years. I see, guesswork might be right or totally wrong but are lots of fun...

Alouis	Color: straw yellow Nose: Very fine, first floral and then moving on ripe fruit. A good dose of spices, nuts and a little pepper. Palate: the mouth is less elegant, steeper than the nose, dominated by cereals. Notes of marzipan, spice and dried fruit. The water makes it more balanced and brought some fruits in addition. Final medium, on the tastes we had in the mouth.:)
Piazzolla	NOSE: quite gentle but rather complex (fruit, sweet spices ....). Gently pastry (shortbread). Discrete burned notes (second-fill sherry?). Mouth: oily attack with a mixture of bitterness and slight fruity sweetness. Sea touch? Finish: fairly short and not more expressive than the mouth. A bit alcoholic. It does not tell enough things to my taste, even if it is easy drinkable ... and it is fairly balanced.
Roblanza	Color: Gold Nose: Notes of citrus fruits, lemon and oranges, delicate hints of vanilla, smell of fresh oak, floral tones mixed with fine spices... and buttery. Taste: Very smooth, I've added no water, spicyness comes forward, little bit of white pepper combine with vanilla as found in the nose, hints of citrus in the background. Ending: Medium long, spicy, tingling at the sides of the tongue, hints of vanilla but no floral notes remain(surprisingly)
Talisker84	Color: Yellow Nose: A discreet peat, a little smoke. Butter as well. Something a bit "metallic". Notes of grilled chicken. After aeration, for something a little flowery adds to the smoke (lilac? lavender?) A islay? Taste: Surprisingly bitter ... Still peat and smoke. Also notes of gasoline. From the ashes of the cigar. For my part, rather watery, way too bitter and lacking in complexity ... Final: Rather warm, mid-long "hot", ashtray notes and a lot of bitterness ...