Springbank 15 old vs. New Colour:
Both identical bright amber
Nose:
The new 15 is very red-fruity sherry-heavy and somewhat exotic, wonderfully greasy smoke with beautiful sharpness, spicy herbs, savory sweetness, some medical notes at the very back.
The old 15 comes significantly milder in the nose, there are no peppery notes of smoke, here comes through the fruity-sweet Bourbon, much pear, ripe apple, some rancid olive oil, soft water to honey.
The new is clearly jagged in the nose, the old something is missing here the oomph, but he presents himself more complaisant, round ... where the new already neatly demands to dissect the flavors.
Taste:
The old comes beautifully sweet-oily in the mouth, light pepper notes on the edges of the tongue, then creamy pear, slowly slide into the bitterness, pelle of half-ripe mirabelle, strong espresso, no, Greek mocha.
The new is almost sweeter on the tongue, again red fruit, sour cherry, currant, Acai, to the smoked bacon glazed with honey, pepper only in the back of the cheeks, a hint of bitter choco.
The old man is almost too harmless, soft and sweet. The new shows itself from the best Springer side: greasy peat, juicy fruit in great harmony.
finish:
The old man is very bitter, a lot of men's chocolate, a little sweet, medium long.
The new is sweet and fruity with coffee notes, medium long.
Conclusion:
The old 15er is not a bad whisky, but here Springbank has saved on the peat of the malt, he just has too little Pepp. The new is a flatterer with neat corners and edges. Lots of fruit and sweetness through the sherry portion, to the smoked bacon.
Age 15's: 82 pts.
New 15er: 85 pts.
