Springbank 2002 Madeira Wood 17 yo

 

 

 

47,8°

Distillery : Springbank - Campbeltown. 

Ex-Bourbon and Rum Casks, Madeira Wine Finish

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2020

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Peated around 12 ppm

 

 

 

In addition to their usual limited editions, Springbank 12 year old Cask Strength, 18 and 21 year old, Hazelburn Oloroso Cask Matured, Longrow Red and 18 year old, and I miss some, the Mitchell family sometimes gratifies us with exceptional nuggets, like this one, It was distilled in November 2002 and bottled 17 years and 11 months later, following a complex maturation, 14 years in barrels of Bourbon and Rum, then 3 years in Madeira wine casks. The result was distributed in 9200 bottles and sold from December 2020.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Springbank profile, very farmy, with vanilla and the mellowness of Madeira wine. A hint of smoke, lemon and grapefruit, white plums, mirabelles, greengages. Meringue and pastry cream, but the barn smells remain in the background, earthy hay, sheepskin, dry earth. Nice balance. A bit airy and iodized. On the palate, vanilla and citrus stand out, sparkling twist, fondant cake, dynamic spices, pepper and cloves. Orange chocolate bites. Long and cereal finish, powerful, cola, wheat, barley, millet, straw, still vanilla.

 

In Short, 

To be honest, I felt Rum rather than Madeira wine, which I only really felt in the finish. It's normal, 14 years in Rum, and only 3 years in Madeira, no suspense. It's a bit of a shame, because I like sweet wines, I think they are good for Whisky. On the other hand, Springbank has always successfully aged in Rum barrels, so there is nothing to complain about either. The whole is very good without being outstanding, in my opinion it would have needed real aging in Madeira casks, and not just a finish, to be phenomenal. It remains something very pleasant and original. The success was enormous, the bottles flew away very quickly, and now, the few that remain are sold at a prohibitive price.

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Faces - Stay With Me