whiskykenner – Slowdrink.de

Review: Three Springbank

Peter Krause — Sun, 23 Sep 2012 19:40:54 +0000

Springbank produced some of the greatest Single Malts ever but after 2005 only few bottlings convinced the hard core of connoisseurs. However, recently nice versions from sherry wood surfaced, e.g. the 2001 Rundlets and Kilderkins from small casks (88 points). Today I am going to introduce two of such enjoyable Campbeltown Malts in brief fashion (because I had them after a dinner with friends):

Springbank 13 y.o. OB Pot Still Edition 1997, Sherry Hogshead #296, 216 btl., 57,1%

Comment: This departs from the recent austere style, it is lush and full of dark cooked fruits, but the sherry is a bit too intense and monodimensional in here to be a great one – the saltiness saves it. Altogether, a good dram for lovers of very sherried drams (thanks, Reinhard).

Score: 88

Springbank 14 y.o. OB Jazz Edition (selected by Hans Offringa) bottled 2010, Cream Sherry Butt, 600 btl., 56%

Comment: A raisin-driven and spicy (peppery) dram with quite some power. I also get a good maltiness wrapped in honey and salt. Decent, but not a must-have, recommended with water.

Score: 84

Review: Glenfarclas 2001 OB ‚The Family Casks‘ for Potstill, First-fill Sherry Cask 2819

Peter Krause — Mon, 10 Sep 2012 18:16:33 +0000

Glenfarclas has always been a reliable source for good Speyside whisky out of ex-sherry casks. Let’s have another one of Grant’s Finest from 2001, imported by Potstill (Vienna). Mario Prinz (owner) had a good hand in picking so far, his Port Ellen, Ardbeg, Glenglassaugh, Springbank etc. were wonderful drams. My friend Reinhard was so kind to provide me with this dark Glenfarclas sample. Here we go, in shorter style today (it was more of a ‚drive-by tasting‘):

Glenfarclas 2001 – 2011 OB ‚The Family Casks‘ for Potstill (Vienna), first-fill Sherry Cask 2819, 318 btl., 60,1%

Comment: To put it short and sweet, this Farclas has a classic dark sherry profile with morello cherries and jam, ginger bread, dark chocolate, dark wet wood, mahogani, caramel and a hint of aniseed (typical of Glenfarclas), all well-balanced and powerful. A recommendation for you Sherry-heads out there!

Score: 90

Review: Tomintoul 33 y.o. OB 43%

Peter Krause — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 16:20:31 +0000

Time for another banana dram, a lead aroma in many older Tomintoul (esp. 1966/67). This bottling comes from the late 1970ies and is marketed quite well as I could see it showcased in many stores in Scotland. Tomintouls was founded only in 1965 and produces good quality malt overall. It was often called ‚the gentle dram‘. At a price point of around 200 Euro I hope this oldie can convince. Let’s check:

Tomintoul 33 y.o. OB 43%

Comment: Welcome to the flowershop! Pollen! Hay, mint and grass! This is nice if this is your style. It is very light and fragile. Our tasting panel also got acacia honey, rising dough (pretzels), dextrose, star fruit, quince and the obligatory banana (green in this case). This soft character continues on the palate, a very flowery experience. Light but complex, I must say. The finish of this Speysider is more on the short side on licorice and – you got it – dried flowers. Gentle it is!

Score: 88