Excellent review with some great thoughts, John! When I opened my bottle of the 2021 release of the 16 yo, it took quite a while for me to connect with it. At first I was downright disappointed (having expected so much from it, considering how much I like the 12 yo). But then.... when getting below the shoulders towards halfway through the bottle, either it opened up - or I just got to know it (or maybe a combination of both) enough to really really like it. I don't think, it beats the 12 yo for me, either, but the bottom line is that I really like the 2021 release now too after being disappointed at first. So that brings me to the 2023 release of the 16 yo.. I haven't opened my bottle yet, but when I do, I know not to "judge it too quickly", considering how the 16 yo didn't impress me right away. Cheers buddy!
I do appreciate bottles that inform you with enough information that you don't have to research it! Build up is a good way to put it. Hype is more a thing before its released, I would say. Cheers!
I managed to get a bottle of this and still have an unopened 2021. I'm very fond of the 2021. The price is clearly an important issue. In the U.K. it's worth the extra relative to the 12. That's a hefty price in the States though and not worth it for me anyway. By the way, I enjoyed the 2021 as soon as I popped the cork. I don't mind the 46% on the Kilkerran 16. However, when we get to 18 most year old whisky I really expect some wow-factor and I completely agree with what you say about older Springbank. The abv should be higher. Actually, I even think Springbank 10 would be substantially improved if it was bottled at 50%. It's why I've always preferred Springbank 12 to the 18. Mind you, Macallan 18 used to be really superb and that was bottled at 43%. (I still have a great one in the bunker.) WT
Thanks as always for sharing your experiences… yeah the 2021 and 2022 opened up fine but the 2023 needs time but still a bit soft. For $150 ish I’m expecting more. If I paid UK pricing I’d be less critical. Cheers 🥃
Truly sir, I mixed my half bottle of 2023 with a half bottle of Glendronach 15. Is pretty decent. I agree with all you say about the 12, it’s my preference. Have never seen an 8yr in the wild.
Jon, perhaps bring the whisky up to room temperature with a 10 second burst in the microwave. It would then be perfect (for the addition of ice and coke)!
I paid 154.99 for my 2022. I heard the exact same thing about letting them open up over time. Someone said it took their bottle just about a year to open up. I agree with you on the ABV. I would like to see it higher. Cheers John.
Oh well. I didn’t see this video and I just got this bottle. I hope I enjoy the rum cask part of it. Also hype is the right word to use that and anticipation. Thanks for the thorough and honest review.
