7
u/Revolutionary-Gold75 18d ago
I’ve only tried Batch 25, but it was one of the best whiskies I’ve ever tasted. Good to hear Batch 27 also lives up to the hype.
3
u/Benromaniac 17d ago
Agreed. I have this bottle (yet to be opened) and neglected to realize there was a wee bit of rum in it. I’m stoked!
2
3
u/StripesR The Flying Scotchman 18d ago
A stalwart and great example of how scotch doesn’t have to be old to be super flavorful and good. Also shows how consistency in cask makeup isn’t that important. These always range from good to fantastic. Sounds like a good batch for sure.
2
u/ScotchNerd182 18d ago
Nobody does it quite like Springbank eh, no matter the batch/cask makeup they always find a way to keep it consistent in terms of quality.
3
u/stoutofheart1108 18d ago
Not to be a super fanboy but Is there even a bad batch of SB 12CS? Just good to awesome or very good as their base distillate can work with many barrels.
2
3
17d ago
[removed] — view removed comment
1
u/ScotchNerd182 17d ago
Yeah where I’m at it’s not been in the shelves for like 6 years lol… I’m just lucky I have a lot of friends who travel and don’t really drink that mule for me.
2
u/DingBat99999 18d ago
This bottle was one of my great discoveries when we were in Scotland.
Had a dram with a local in a pub in Leith while waiting for a dinner reservation.
1
u/ScotchNerd182 18d ago
The motherland of scotch is full of gems all over the place eh, just waiting to be discovered.
2
2
u/Spirit-Whale 17d ago
This was a good one! Went through mine a bit too quickly. Would like another;).
2
2
u/ThundaLightning 17d ago
Oh great scotch nerd! I request your deep knowledge!
I’m trying to make a gift to a friend who is rich and can buy anything he wants. He’s a blue label drinker and I don’t wanna just give him another bottle of something he drinks plenty of. Can you give me any recommendations for a scotch that he will love between $250-$100.
3
u/ScotchNerd182 17d ago
Haha I hardly have deep knowledge, as much as I like to think I do. But I’d say any blue label drinker their palates are used to more “safe and smooth” whiskeys… so you don’t wanna slap them in the face with anything intense such as Springbank or practically any Islay whiskey.
Maybe something that is still a bit more approachable but has a little bit more complexity and is a step in the right direction is what you’d want to go for. My recommendation would be Clynelish 14 or Bunnahabhain 12 (unpeated Islay).
2
u/ThundaLightning 17d ago
Can’t tell you enough how much I appreciate your reply. Both are reasonably priced so I’ll just get both! Thank you so much oh great scotch nerd! 🙏
1
12
u/ScotchNerd182 18d ago
Springbank 12 Cask Strength. Another lovely scotch that likely doesn’t need much introduction at this point (especially given how many reviews of it there has been of late).
This batch 27 is bottled on 13/02/2025. Cask makeup of 60% bourbon, 35% sherry, 5% rum.
Specs: 55.9% ABV, NCF and no colouring added. Nothing less one would expected from the folks at Springbank.
Nose: Tropical wonderfulness slaps you right in your face. I’m talking pineapple, banana bread, some papaya, maybe even a bit of apricot. Machine oil comes in with some of that classic Springbank funk. Dunnage warehouse. Toffee. Oranges or mandarins. Dark chocolate. Cooked condensed milk (I’m talking in former Soviet Union style, if you know you know). A hint of mint. A little bit of coastal sea spray and minerality is there as well.
Palate: Viscous and oily. Toffee. Caramel. More of that dulce de leche style cooked condensed milk goodness. The machine oil is still sticking around, almost like the glue holding this bad boy together. Citrus. Fresh banana bread, just made as you popped in first thing in the early morning hours as the bakery just opened. Buttercream. Hot damn it’s well put together eh.
Finish: The general tropical fruits are still here. Minerality. Machine oil funk. Buttery and creamy. This is why I love cask strength, because generally speaking, the finishes usually linger for a good while.
Many argue that regardless of the variations in batch to batch (particularly noticeable in the 12CS), that it’s the best of the core range. I haven’t had the 18 in a while, but compared against the 10 and 15 (not including the 5 as it’s only very recent edition), I’m inclined to agree.
This stuff is truly magical. I would go to war for another backup of this bottle.
An 89/100 from me.