The Springbank 10 and 15 are miracles of the industry. I never understand how they keep the prices so fair for the quality in the bottle, but I adore them for it.
I have only had Springbank 10 at a bar and it is the best single malt dram I've had. It used to be available in my area for a good price but I didn't buy. I wish I had.
Had a glass of the 12 and the 15 yesterday, I have never regretted getting those bottles, so good ! I smiled so hard during this review, we are so lucky to have distilleries like Springbank and people like Ralfy to support them !
SB15 is to die for! It's pretty much the quintessence of what Single malt scotch whisky is all about. If I was to choose only one whisky to take to the remote lonely island, it would be this one, period!
Dear Ralfy, I bought a bottle of this some months ago and had a dram this evening. I bought this after your review. I want to thank you for this review and guidance. I thought this whisky was an absolute stunner. Loved the whole evening with my dram and what a flavour experience. This is a glorious whisky I wouldn’t have were it not for you. Thank you.
One of my favourites.I like buying whisky from small distilleries who think of their customers and not just the profit !! With the bonus by Springbank that you don't have to break the bank to buy a bottle. Sweet sherry smokiness,long may she reign v!!
I've had one of these on the go since last October. First impressions were not as how I remembered it and it was very sweet and closed up. Three months later and this stuff is now gorgeous!
I typically prefer my lower-than-cask strength whiskies neat, but this one really benefits from a bit of water. Neat, it’s a concentrated sherry bomb, but with some water, the oak and spice of the malt reassert itself. A multifaceted and complicated dram!
I just stumbled across this man's channel and I could tell he was legit right off the bat but I just saw his breath as he's just chillin there in the cold and now I'm subscribed
I opened a bottle of this last night and tried it for the first time. Wowsers! It’s TREMENDOUS stuff. My first sip I was so surprised at how sweet it arrived as I didn’t pick up that intensity of sweetness on the nose. Love it and it will now always have a place on my shelf.
I think they are both better than the 15. There's no doubt the 15 has some sulphur which is blended into the Springbank funk and sherry, but....mmm, I think the 10 is a better made whisky. Springbank 12 is always very good.
Hi Ralph I have watched this video many times, and I have decided to buy a bottle 🍼 I have to drive 125 miles round trip to get it, but I will be buying more glendronach 15year and 18year that is (2016) release, so I am more than happy to buy the springbank 15year and give it a try, I don't buy whiskey anymore unless you give it a 90 point review, but I don't because I have 150 + bottles, so I can be picky, thanks for all your videos, I have watched hundreds of your videos and sometimes I watch them again and again, because I just love the way you give so much information, cheers brother 👍!!!
Agreed. Springbank is my favourite distillery. But the first time I had the 18 I found it hard to get into. The bottle had been open 6 months and I was half way down to before it really opened up. You're better off putting your bottle if the 18 to one side for later and starting with the 10.
Because the batch variation is pretty significant its a great idea to add the geeky stuff like the batch (inject stuff) - they certainly dont try and produce a replica of the last batch and its an absolute joy. Not many bad batches as a poor batch is still a very good experience :)
Just wanted to say a huge thank you Ralfy to you for the advice the other day my friend! In the end I left the Mortlach that was priced high and I purchased the Arran 21 year old along with a Springbank 10 year old and I also purchased a glen scotia 15 year old which I got all 3 for the price of the Mortlach 19 signatory , I Am also looking to purchase a Gordon & macphail bottling of a 1991 glencadam that is at 54.9% that one is a bit more expensive but I will keep it for my birthday after Christmas as it is one I never expected to see! I am immensely grateful for your guidance! You are an absolute Gentleman! Cannot wait for them to arrive! Thank you ! And I wish you the very best of health throughout the winter and into the new year !
Just had a bottle arrive in the post from Cadenheads and thought before pouring "Hey I bet Ralfy has a good review of this" and I wasn't disappointed! Great review and thanks for the notes and tips whilst following along.
Thank you Ralfy to make me falling in love with Campbeltown malts some months ago. Started with Hazelburn and went on with all Springbank distillery malts. I cannot wait to be at Campbeltown festival in May and hope to meet you there!
Awesome video as always. I realized that the first pour gives a false reading with the first several "step up" bottles for me - Ardbeg 10, Old Pulteney 12 and Highland Park 12. After that I was no longer worried about first glass disappointment as I know it can quickly become a new favorite! I'm just glad that my very first malts were simple and likable, even from the first pour. Glenlivet, Glenmorangie, Glenfiddich may be simple but they ushered me into the hobby. Thanks, Ralfy 😀
Hi Ralfy, I enjoy every springbank product very much. I am so glad that you did the review on Springbank 15 2019 release. After watching your review, I bought the Springbank 15 years old 2020 release, bottling date is 1.Sep.2020. I think it is as good as the one you reviewed. Cheers!
I believe Ralfy about vibration disturbance simply because it seems to me(i'm totally amateur) stuff, be it microbes and whatever else is in the wood of a cask that may not normally come out during maturation, which could very well be detrimental to the maturing process, would all of a sudden come out as the cask vibrates. This makes very good sense to me. Also if time is a factor, vibration would seem to make the contents of the wood come out faster than it would too. A dram that was allowed to slumber; I'll be watching for that trait too now. Thanks to Ralfy for reviewing scotch!
bought a bottle after i watched your review ralfy and i must say this is one of the most special whiskys i ever had. It just has such a bold charakter and i get a very strong wild strawberry notes(maybe even wild strawberry jam)on the nouse and on the palet that i absolutely love!! thanks for that great recommendation!
Was never much of the scotch guy. Brandy and Canadian liquor is my thing. I'm Canadian. And its fun to find the jewels. That being said I picked up a bottle of Springbank on your recommendation. And wow, just wow! I will have a bottle of Springbank in my arsenal for the rest of my life. Thank you.
Also - cost of Springbank 15yo here in New Zealand? NZ$128 (that's 65 pounds stirling or 84.96usd). I personally think fantastic value for money - It is consistently my personal whisky of the year:)
@@thewhiskybothy All is forgiven :) I have had a lifetime of mispronunciation. Keep up the wonderful reviews - I always look forward to them (particularly when they cover a whisky I enjoy like Springbank 15yo).
I have been eyeing up a bottle of the 15 for so long from whiskyandmore. The prices in NZ seems great really, especially from some of our excellent online retailers, but Springbank really seems like a value (like Benromach etc). Certainly better overall than say Canada and now potentially the US with their tariffs. Wonder if I should just get the 10 to start with (having never had Springbank before) or spring the extra few dollars for the 15. This review is not helping me save money.
@@mikecole4924 Also try Whisky Galore - Christchurch. That was where mine came from. Also Big Barrel had it for a while - their price however was higher.
I’d love to buy you a drop and talk. I’m a huge fan of old style whiskies and I am friends with a few of the Malt Maniacs. Your commentary is intoxicating in more ways than one. Campbeltown and Springbank is a corner of Scotland that needs to be preserved like a good Jam.
I’m a malt noob and have just ordered a bottle of Deanston 12 after your recent video and a bottle of Springbank will be soon to follow. Was thinking the 10, but may have a look at the 15 now! Will likely go for a Bladnoch 10 as well. Your channel has been a massive help and I feel far more confident venturing into the single malt world now. Slainte mhath!
Thanks for the tips guys. It’s really useful to tap into the experience of you guys on here! I’ll note those down and definitely check them out. Maybe not all at once though!!
@@My_Work_Here_is_Done.. Be careful with the 12 CS if you are getting that and are a noob - I bought it when I was starting out after hearing Ralfy be wax-lyrical about it, and it just overloaded my senses! I didn't know whether I liked it or not; so I let it sit for 6-8 months while getting my palate familiar with other whiskies, and when I went back to it, I was able to take it on, and appreciate it on its own merits. Got another one sitting there right now that I'll have to open soon, but have a Hazelburn 10 from them to finish first! You can't go wrong with Sprinbank though, imo they have the best core range of all distilleries, are bold and not afraid to experiment, and once you get a taste for them you'll always go back for more! :D
Ralfy, not sure if you're aware but Springbank did a recent 10 year old release for Ukraine/DEC. This was a charity bottling of 500 bottles in a blue/yellow label - typical generousity from the distillery. Another of my fav companies SWA have allowed two of these bottles to FLIPPED for profit whilst people still flee for their lives. Its not like SWA - but I'm disgusted they havent followed other auction houses who wont touch this bottle unless ALL proceeds go to Ukraine/DEC. Not sure if this might be something you might wish to highlight with SWA??
I can’t find this in my area, but I tried it in another city years ago and found it to have a lot more peat influence than is being described in this video and the comments. I could pick up the flavors being described after the peat dissipated, but it was definitely peat-forward. Not as much peat as Laphroig, but more than, say Highland Park 18. I’m not sure if I just got a particularly “peaty” batch or if I just hadn’t gotten used to it yet though, as I was still fairly inexperienced with Scotch. I’ll have to try it again if I ever come across it.
Springbank 15 is soo good. The 10yo. is good, but a whole different experience. I love the 15yo. and still have a bottle with the old design. Someday I will try the 18yo. and the 12yo CS.
Thank you for the video. I opened a bottle of High Coast "Timmer" from the Box Distillery of Sweden yesterday. The Box Distillery is only 10 years old itself and they do not have age stated whisky. However, I think the dram I had was on parr to any Islay whiskies of the same price or even will put them in shame. I understand your policy of not reviewing non-aged statement whisky, but I just want to share the experience of finding a gem. Sharing opinion with malt-mates are valuable. Non-chill filtered, no added color, 48% ABV. I hope they will have age-statement whiskies soon.
My firm favorite contemporary 15yo. Amazing depth and complexity of smell and taste. With a hint of peat and extra coolness Springbank factor: (Slight Sour Funk! George Clinton Like:-)))
Love your vids happy to have the 10 the 15 and the 12 cask .... ( my budget stops at 15 )all opened and enjoyed....on good days. Cant decide if my favorite is Springbank or Glenallechie...Love both. Re the first pour...yellow spot was a perfect example for me...initially thought I had waisted money...but over months the bottle got better and better,
You mentioned about hot countries vs cold countries. Here is about 23-30 degrees every day. One thing that help me to get some notes is to put my dram(properly covered) in the fridge for 1min before drinking. Not every whisky, but I notice this on the fruit ones.
Hey Ralphy, First of all thanks for this amazing review. I was also looking into buying a new Springbank bottle because I have the 10 yo and really enjoyed it. What would you recommend the most between the Springbank 12yo CS and the 15? (Both are around the same price here.) I really enjoyed all of your recommend bottles so far that I could get my hands on. So thank you for that amazing advice too. :) Thanks in advance, Kind regards, Klaus ( A maltmate from Belgium)
Great review Ralphy. I had the pleasure of the 15 back in 2015 and with water found pineapple and melon sitting on top of the heavy flavours. Great stuff. Have you sampled the 12 CS burgundy of a couple of year ago ? A belter of a Springbank 😋
Bought one of these for £59.90 2 years ago, now up at £75. No complaints, just can't believe the value of it just 2 years ago. Tight times, but I'd spend my last £75 on this bottle, absolutely love it.
@@andygorman688 I Would buy 5 bottles straight away for 75 pound. Problem is also brexit for us. Ordered Arran 18 for 75 pound. With transport en import tax it became around 125 pound total. Next time I drive to Scotland to stash my car😄
@@vluggejapie if only there were 5 on the shelf! And of course, how could I forget that car crash brexit🙃 just making life difficult for everyone! Yes if you're making a trip over it's definitely worth making sure you have plenty of luggage space!
I've never had the 15, but I love the 10. Unfortunately, here in Japan, the price has nearly doubled over the past 18 months. I have one bottle stored away, but Springbank has simply risen beyond my reach.
Bought a bottle 5 years ago £98 waiting for my pallet ro develop finally opened except to be disappointed no it’s hard to explain a journey yes it’s good how much will have to finish bottle possibly the best previous Glencadam @15 for me easy all round lovely
Just cracked my 15. Thanks for letting me know the experience will grow with time. My first Springbank was the 12. Love at first sip. I was expecting the same with the 15 but it has started very reserved.
It can happen with Springbank Rob. I had a Longrow 18 from 2012/13 that was sulphured to hell. I can take the funk and even a certain amount of sulphur but it sucked bad. The Springbank Green 13 Sherry was pretty junk too. A great distillery but it doesn't always come off and we have to say so. Cheers. WT
Dear Ralfy, could you, please, let us know what is the source of the "sherry" casks at Springbank. Is it really "Sherry" (true Sherry PGI) or is it "sherry" (Sherry-like wines)? Could you discuss a bit more about provenance of the casks? Thank you!
Hi Igor, Sherry can only be made in in three places in the world, all in the Cadiz region of Andalusia, Spain. The word sherry can only be attributed to them - Jerez; Sanlucar de Barrameda; El Puerto de Santa Maria known as the Sherry Triangle. The use of the word 'Sherry' can only be used in relation to these three places, including sherry vinegar and 'sherry barrel' or 'cask'. If a whisky uses the word sherry in its marketing it must originate in the 'Sherry Triangle'. Some whisky companies have got in trouble because of this. If the casks have been sherry conditioned elsewhere they would have to use words like 'Aged in Oloroso', etc, but they cannot use the word 'Sherry'. Hope that helps. WT
Thank you, @@welshtoro3256 . This is the reason why John Glaser of Compass Box puts the casks either as Sherry (the "true" one) or "sherry" on the label. Sharing Ralfy's (and everybody else's on this trail) appreciation of Springbank and their integrity, i wonder what casks they are using.
Most distilleries are very reluctant to tell you where they get their casks from and what they previously contained. That includes Compass Box because I asked their sales rep directly. Most sherry barrels used for whisky have never contained sherry that was sold for consumption and that's something the whisky industry doesn't want you to know. Fresh casks are conditioned with very young wine that is used to neutralise the oak. That liquid is disposed of for sherry vinegar or sherry brandy. The casks may undergo this process several times before the young wine is emptied out of the cask into the first Barrels used in the sherry solera. The leftover empty barrel might also be used by the whisky distilleries. Sherry Bodegas never sell the solera barrels used in the ageing process used to make the sherry that goes into commercially sold bottles. I think the whisky industry would rather people believe that than the actual truth. You might get them to say aged in Oloroso or Manzanilla but that is not exactly the truth for the reasons above. Oloroso, amontillado, fino and manzanilla are aged and finished sherries in the solera process and that is not the stuff used in whisky casks. It's not uncommon for the whisky industry to source 'sherry' casks that have never been intended for use of sherry. Have a look at this excellent in depth article from sherrynotes.com www.whiskynotes.be/sherry-casks-in-the-whisky-industry.pdf?pdf=sherry-casks. As you can guess, I love sherry as much as whisky and have enjoyed many a discussion with people in the sherry industry about just this sort of thing. Cheers
Thanks Ralfy. I think the absence of transparency in the whisky industry is never greater than it is with 'Sherry'. I've never spoken to a rep that wants to talk about it beyond the superficial - "aged in oloroso". Most of them wont even tell you which bodega their barrels come from because they don't know or don't want you to find out. I recently visited a fine bodega in Montilla, Cordoba (so they can't call their product sherry - even though it is), who told me they rent, yes rent, their 3 year old casks, the contents of which were used for sherry vinegar, to Suntory. The relationship with sherry and whisky is so profound that I am astonished by how little people know about it. That's true of barley and distillation processes too. We are in the middle of a global whisky boom and most enthusiasts know next to nothing about the product.
Lucky to find SB 15 again today. You noted that after water you tasted grapefruit oil. YES! I couldn't pin point it, but you're right. How do you do that
@@thewhiskybothy Much thanks for responding. Have a decade experience, but cant quite hone in on certain flavors. I smoke, it may dullen the taste buds? Anyway, definitely grapefruit after adding a wee bit of water. Kudos to the malty magistrate, LOL!
I opened up a bottle of springbank 15 yesterday. It was in the older packaging. I had just purchased it from a local shop. The cork was misshapen. There was cork residue around the inside of the neck. And there's some specs of cork in the whisky. What should I do with it?
Great timing! Just got this one for my birthday :). Im so in love with that distillery. I’d like to share something unrelated. So a while back in the supermarket I found some Diageo marketing folders on the whiskey Shelves. It recommended that you serve Dalwhinnie 15 from the freezer, thus putting “The Gentle Malt,” which it is, completely to sleep. It’s really bothering me when there is something that I am unable to understand. Maybe you malt mates (or the whisky guru😃) can help me to understand why they would write this?!?!? It seems insane to me.
Bishopburn Boy I get why you would think that but no I’m sure it was the 15 yo. The winters gold wasn’t available at that time and place. No matter what I can’t understand why. Drives me insane to think about it too much
Hello, Ralfy! Springbank is a rarity here in Finland. I have been able to find it only twice here. What a shame, because it's one of my all time favourites. Longrow is now in my home bar. It is a gem! Btw, Ralfy, have you ever tried Finnish whisky, Teerenpeli Single Malt?
unluckily it is impossible to find Springbank in our alcohol store in Mtl Canda... not to mention how much they ask if you want to buy it at a whiskey occasion ...! I have to go back to Europe soon .! :P cheers
I must have got a different batch with some serious variation. The color on the bottle I got is way way darker in color. Not that it makes it better but I'd like to taste both to see the differences.
