Springbank 21-year-old

Overall rating: 91.12/100
votes: 123

Category: Single Malt
Distillery: Springbank
Bottler: Distillery Bottling
Bottled: 29.01.2019
Stated Age: 21 years old
Casktype: 45% Port and 55% Rum casks
Number of bottles: 3600
Strength: 46.0 % Vol.
Size: 700 ml
Bottle code: 19/033
Barcode: 610854000202
Added on: 13 Mar 2019 5:50 pm by Bachess

Average value

€ 258,30

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Whisky Reviews for Springbank 21-year-old

17 users have left a review for this whisky and scored it an average of 91.12 points

hs305 scored this whisky 91 points
29 Mar 2019 10:55 pm
[March, 2019] This is the third evening I (re-)taste this dram and so far I had an unpleasant bitter-astringent feeling upon the first sips that I did not like at all...

...and again the first two sips are sub-standard and not tasty at all. But then it starts getting pretty good and both the nose and the taste enfold a complex and delicious profile that is a mixture of all port wine, rum, woods and the old Springbank malt. This dram started at about overall 83 points for the first sip and ended up with astonishing 91 points after the fourth (and more). So forget about drinking small samples, you will need at least 5cl to enjoy this dram (better more)...

Nose

91 91

The colour is russetmuscat and the nose offers an interesting mix of sour-sweet (port) winey and fruity-spicy rum aromas with the Springbank profile staying rather shy. This changes upon breathing and fine floral, waxy, solvent (OBF) and machine oily notes pop up one after the other. This nose was a little unbalanced first but now it gained harmony and constantly releases new aromas like old leather, a cowshed in summertime and shy maritime impressions (fishing nets?). I advice to use a big spheric blender's glass to catch them all as the nose out of a standard Glencairn is somewhat restrained. This nose started at 88 points but enfolded beautiful with enough time (give it at least 20 minutes). Another ten minutes later dark chocolatey and toffee aromas take over before fine herbs dare to enter the stage. Hey, it is really fun to nose this dram over a very long time (you can sip out of a second glass in the meantime, but never drink out of the blender's glasses because they were designed just for nosing and taste dull upon drinking)!

Taste

92 92

The taste during the first two sips is completely dominated by the drying mouthfeel so it enfolds its flavours after the third sip earliest. But then there is a delicious amalgam of sour winey, sweet barley and demerara sugary, fruity, waxy, salty and bitter (green tea, tobacco) flavours that are not layered - so they all pop up at the same time. The first sip tasted like 80 points max, the second at around 84 points but now it is a fine and delicious taste - I never had a dram with such a long fuse before. After some chewing I can find additional layers, finally - chocolates, spices and hints of smoke/peat.

Finish

90 90

The dram arrives hot and peppery on the palate with a nice coating effect and a significant bitter-drying feeling that stays completely throughout the first sip. The second sip is better, obviously my taste buds need some time to adapt to that dryness. The finish is long and adds some tasty chocolatey, nutty and caramel flavours before the initial bitter-dryness takes over again (but this time it is not unpleasant, maybe my taste buds have accepted this mouthfeel completely now). Water releases chalky-mineral and some medicinal (bandages, fresh gauze) aromas in the nose that I really like in combination with all the other flavours. Unfortunately, the taste flattens quickly upon reduction so I like to nose this dram both neat and somewhat reduced but I clearly prefer the neat dram on the palate (using two glasses).
didi1893 scored this whisky 92 points
27 Mar 2019 7:27 pm
A great and complex drop. This Springbank really pulls out all the stops and burns a true firework of flavors. Despite "only" 46% I feel these bottlings as very complex and voluminous, just the right drinking strength, although this is missing in some moments of the "ordinary boobs". Varied, multi-faceted and incredibly delicious!

23/23/23/23 (92P)

Nose

Intense amber with dark caramel shines in the glass, on the glass wall of my premium sniffer pulls a variety of syrupy "legs" their paths back into the glass. Sweetness rises, fruity red dark berries appear, minimal show a hint of smoke and maritime echoes. Sweet vanilla and ripe sweet cherries play with blueberries, strawberries and raspberries, while creamy milk chocolate and creamy toffee dominate. The nuances of exotic and tropical fruits slowly stimulate the salivation, caramel drips in rum pot, caramelized sugar exudes its beguiling aroma. Gorgeous, I could smell forever on this great and multi-layered nose.

Taste

Powerful, the first sip of maritime notes on the tongue, dark wood tones merge with a pinch of salt and a subtle smoky note. Toasted cereal and caramelised sugar end in sweet caramel and zest of tart orange. In addition to the abrasion of orange peel show at the moment echoes of citrus and sour cherries. A subtle sharpness sticks to the palate, stimulates the salivation again and envelops the tongue with chubby warmth. A few grains of crushed pepper rests briefly on the tongue before caramel and chocolate mix and leaves with spicy wood elements for a moment forget the otherwise fruity aromas on the palate. The salivation is almost unchecked, tart wood tones play with maritime echoes, a very fine salt note and smoked oak pieces. A hint of leather and sweetish tobacco are shown, followed by tropical fruits and Christmas spice notes. In the transition to the aftertaste, a touch of old walnut sticks to the palate.

Finish

Smoky wood tones, minimal tobacco and leather as well as dark red berries stick to the palate. Again wonderfully smoky elements, citrus fruits and a pinch of salt show up. Likewise, I once again perceive abrasion of orange peel, dark chocolate and caramel. Walnuts and smoky wood tones draw through the palate, tart and sweet fruit flavors play more compassionately, again tobacco, smoke and salt come to light. With acidic citrus aromas the aftertaste sounds slow and stimulates the salivary flow for the last time.
Archer scored this whisky 92 points
12 Apr 2019 11:30 pm
Holla, the forest berry fairy. No comparison to many previous batches, which sometimes came along a bit boring and arbitrary. The nose is an absolute force, rather high level and does not want to end. A fuffi cheaper, and I would put me from the one "six-pack" in stock.

Nose

93 93

Oh, there is a hell of a lot - and it starts at the beginning: a compote of blueberries, blackberries, raspberries and blackcurrants. Rarely had such a very berry nose. The fat and viscous, as far as the nose is able to accurately transport these nuances. In addition to the berries, juicy cherries and (in fact) raisins in rum. Almond puree, small chopped hazelnuts - if chocolate is added then the rum grape nut gives chocolate ...
No, first a mango chutney. Wildflower honey. Vanilla. Does not that stop anymore?
Waxer Mineral Springbank DNA. Refreshing; first. Then spices are added: lovage, savory, pepper, clove powder. Well, very nice combination of the berries and spices. And, tada, now dark chocolate and marzipan bread.

Taste

92 92

Fruity and spicy on the palate, with the fruity note on the tongue no longer being a berry one but focusing on tropical fruits: papaya, guava, peach, melon, mango. Slightly dry. Quicker than in the nose, spices show at the same time sweetness. Mild pepper, thyme, savory. Middle aged wood - and one could easily think that a trace of smoke runs through. If it gets drier over time, then notes of dark chocolate, caramel and fresh yeast cake will come out. More mineral than the previous batches, much closer to the Brennereicharakter turn - and at a not so common for Springbank Fassmix port and rum.

Finish

91 91

Long finish. If the palate is getting drier, the impression that there is smoke in the smoke intensifies. Old leather, dark chocolate, blueberries, rum raisins, pepper. It is also out the back and long after the whisky disappears in the throat, still a lot of flavors active.
Othorion scored this whisky 91 points
30 Mar 2019 7:16 pm
Nose

92 92

Honey, sour cherries, old balsamic vinegar, vanilla, old leather jacket, raspberry jam, orange oil, limes, dark chocolate, rum pot, a little pepper, maritime, a few herbs, cake dough. The nose is a real chameleon, always new to discover, and after a while in the air very pleasant and harmonious.

Taste

91 91

Warm, spicy, dry, creamy, dark chocolate, pepper, ginger sweets, brown sugar, a thought of salt, malt, orange marmalade, walnuts, cherries and leather, some berries and a hint of smoke. Very intense for his 46vol%.

Finish

91 91

It will stay dry and long orange peel, roasted walnuts, pepper, a hint of smoke and lots of chocolate.
dram-drinker scored this whisky 93 points
05 May 2019 10:59 pm
A very fresh and fruity edition - this is the optimal result if rum and port casks have been combined - in other cases it ended much worse - this one is really drinkable and enjoyable - probably I should buy another bottle - fantastic!

Nose

93 93

Fruity, apples, pears, apricots, strawberries, honeydew, sugar cane, rhubarb, also some cooked oranges, jam, hints of vanilla, wet tobacco and fine oaky - very promising, very good!

Taste

94 94

Fresh, vivid, little punchy, fruity, peppery, good sweetness, more strawberries, apricots, peaches, pears, apples, hints of toffee, little acacia honey, milk chocolate - great!

Finish

92 92

Long, warm, fruity, now a bit more zesty, hints of grapefruits, probably also more woody notes but not drying
schero scored this whisky 95 points
08 Jun 2019 9:20 pm
Grandiose malt! Mature with power and much complexity.

Nose

95 95

Fruity complexity at its finest, here you will find plums, juicy oranges and orange peel, light mineral and maritime notes, very finely incorporated smoke, with time the rum influences are more pronounced, sweet but unobtrusive molasses, later chocolate is added

Taste

95 95

Creamy and Springbank-typical smoke, sweet, again slightly smoky, slightly sourish fruit notes, again orange peels, dry and mature woody spice, no dryness, perfect mouthfeel

Finish

94 94

Spicy sweet finish, here again a very fine smoke, creamy and warming, nice long and just as fine as the rest of the malts
SherryDrone scored this whisky 92 points
20 Apr 2019 4:25 am

Color: Reddish amber. Kind of golden brown.

Nose: This was restrained on the day of opening. Few days later it was better. Marzipan, Melons, bitter cherry. Lovely flavours emanating due to the port cask influence. When I just release the glass from the nose, there is a punchy watermelon flavour. Subtle springbank characteristics. Prunes may be.

Palate: Full. Ripened banana, ginger, orange peels (candied), Caramel, some coastal flavours, honey. Viscous. Warm. So many flavours. Improved a lot between the 1st, 2nd and 3rd time in a span of 10 days. Must say the Port cask influence is not higher than the Rum cask influence but works well. Being an Indian, and using a lot of aniseed in food, I felt this has a gentle aniseed flavour and powdered fennel.

Finish: Quite long. Saltiness and a mild mineralistic taste lingers. Mild oakiness almost like a match stick wood. Oily. Citrus notes. Nice & warm. After about 5 minutes, a sweetness appears in the tongue more like brown sugar or honey.

This is a fantastic whisky. Initially closed a bit but once it opened up, its a dance of flavours. Very robust. Complex.

45% Port casks and 55% Rum casks has ended in a perfect marriage. The 46% ABV works extraordinarily well. Brilliant. It’s a pleasure to drink Springbank whiskies. Especially this 21yo that’s so good. A merry.
Numwierum scored this whisky 90 points
16 Apr 2019 12:08 pm
Wow! What a fruit bomb, plus the gentle smoke. This is not an arbitrary drop among many!

Nose

91 91

Taste

91 91

Finish

88 88
schengel10 scored this whisky 94 points
06 Apr 2019 3:19 pm
An incredibly multi-layered, intense, aromatic top jumper;
[Color] dark amber;

Nose

sweet fruits (strawberries, raspberries, cherries), some salt, clear dry smoke, vanilla;

Taste

powerful, creamy onset, cherries, oranges, caramel, chocolate, salt, again smoke, tobacco, oak, pepper, very intense aromas, complex;

Finish

a long finish, smoke, spices, dry in the finish, astringent, slightly bitter oak notes;
ovanpuyvelde scored this whisky 92 points
21 Jun 2019 7:58 pm
If you’re a fan of the “classic” Springbank 21Y OB bottlings of the past years, this one might take some time and openmindedness to get used to. It’s a daredevil and a rather experimental combination of cask finishes for Springbank but it works out wonderfully. The typical farmy notes are present but rather in the background. It’s the port and rum infuences that really come out and shine in this one. I love it! A sweet but satisfyingly complex whisky that’s perfect to celebrate the beginning of summer!

Nose

92 92

Taste

93 93

Finish

91 91

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