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So far those 12yo CS were never matching my favorite profile with Springbank - so is this one

Springbank 12yo Cask Strength Extravaganza: 2022.11.12. Now that it’s been more than a year since the last release of the last CS12yo I saw it fit to go into my sample cabinet and dig up all the batches I could find. Here is what it resulted in: a gargantuan tasting of 13 different batches. I had to turn to decimal scores to do justice to this session (this is something I haven’t done before, mind you). In Order of my preference: Batch #21 (45% Sherry, 25% Bourbon, 25% Burgundy 5% Port) 56.1% https://www.whiskybase.com/whiskies/whisky/168596 87.2 / 86.4 / 85.6 This one is a bit of a confused batch for me, too much is going on at the same time. It has some nice pine resin notes and lots of wet wine cask character. The cask influence takes over distillery character too much for my taste. 86.4 Batch #12 (65% Sherry, 35% Bourbon) 54.1% https://www.whiskybase.com/whiskies/whisky/77708 87.4 / 87.2 / 87.3 This batch drinks quite a bit younger than its age. There is a sulphury quality on the nose and a particular earthy smokiness. 87.3 Batch #22 (50% Sherry, 50% Bourbon) 55.4% https://www.whiskybase.com/whiskies/whisky/183244 87.4 / 87.8 / 87.2 Most definitely, a modern style of SB distillate, the funkiness is elevated, and I even find some of the HB bitterness on the finish, I like this style. The spicy, resinous European oak is rather present on the palate. 87.4 Batch #16 (70% Sherry, 30% Bourbon) 56.3% https://www.whiskybase.com/whiskies/whisky/105550 87.8 / 88.2 / 87.4 This one has a good balance of sherry and bourbon, some roastiness, dried fruits, wood smoke, some nuttiness even. The malt comes through cleanly with lots of vanilla and floral notes, there is just a hint of menthol as well. 87.8 Batch #13 (70% Sherry, 30% Bourbon) 56.3% https://www.whiskybase.com/whiskies/whisky/85595 88.2 / 88.4 / 87.2 A more sherry forward batch with intense spiciness and complex boiled or candied fruit notes. Camphor, dirty distillate - farmyard, drying woodiness on the finish. 87.9 Batch #18 (50% Bourbon, 50% Sherry) 54.8% https://www.whiskybase.com/whiskies/whisky/125395 88.2 / 88.4 / 87.6 This has some very nice honied sweetness as well as floral freshness accompanying the rich maltiness and spiciness of the spirit. Fresh and white-oak-forward. 88.1 Batch #17 (70% Sherry, 30% Bourbon) 56.2% https://www.whiskybase.com/whiskies/whisky/116449 88.4 / 88.6 / 87.6 Intense, rich maltiness, vibrant spices and honey. Minerally distillate, earthy smoke in beautiful balance with the fruity, syrupy cask influence. 88.2 Batch#23 (100% Bourbon) 55.9% https://www.whiskybase.com/whiskies/whisky/192086 88.6 / 89.0 / 88.2 Very modern green type of American oak influence. A bit sappy, almost too sweet… but the creamy texture and the floral barley character comes through from the spirit, making it a very clean, juicy expression from the distillery. Most definitely dominated by the first-fill white oak. 88.6 Batch #19 (65% Bourbon, 35% Sherry Casks) 57.1% https://www.whiskybase.com/whiskies/whisky/138854 88.6 / 89.4 / 88.4 Smoky, dirty, resinous. Roasted malt and a bit of waxiness from the distillate. Strong honey note, vanilla, ripe fruits, and a touch of sulphur alongside the SB funk. 88.8 Batch #20 (35% Sherry, 65% Bourbon) 55.3% https://www.whiskybase.com/whiskies/whisky/148336 89.6 / 89.4 / 88.4 Heavy body, creamy, malty, spirit driven. Nice depth and sweetness from the reserved sherry influence. The barley comes through clearly, heavy oily texture, farmy, funky aromas. Almost reminiscent of the recent local barleys. 89.2 Blues Edition (100% Bourbon) 57.3% https://www.whiskybase.com/whiskies/whisky/21544 88.6 / 90.2 / 89.4 A masterpiece in floral bourbon maturation. Leathery, waxy and dirty, exploding with floral complexity and mineral hay notes. Almost no smoke, but a tiny bit of farminess. Drinks considerably older than 12 years. 89.4 Batch #15 (70% Sherry, 30% Bourbon) 56.5% https://www.whiskybase.com/whiskies/whisky/99298 89.2 / 89.6 / 89.4 Strong, spicy sherry influence, concentrated smoky fruitiness. Earthy vanilla, oily barley and pronounced farmy funk. This is one of the most intense batches and one of the dirtiest. The style of ‘dirty’ sherry casks is reminiscent of the old-school SB-sherry-funk. 89.4 Batch #9 (100% Sherry) 54.3% https://www.whiskybase.com/whiskies/whisky/57458 90.2 / 90.2 / 89.4 Elegant and fruity style of sherry comint through. Classic oloroso aromas, in perfect harmony with the dry and farmyard-y spirit. Spices from the resinous European oak, white pepper nutmeg, vegetal freshness and honied floral notes. Dry maltiness, some plaster, earthy smoke; all enveloped in thick juicy sherry. 89.9 And the baseline: Springbank 10yo (20/151) 46% https://www.whiskybase.com/whiskies/whisky/180670 87.6 / 87.4 / 87.2 Fresh woody and yeasty. Bitter funkiness not unlike HB, and some plaster. Fresh floral honey, some damp hay, dried apples and pears, waxy texture, barley-sweetness. Camphor and sharp spices give more depth. 87.4

20 20 19 20 79 Rustic, alcoholic, sad batch ...

Leather, orchard fruits, mineral, bit of smoke, toffee, very enjoyable, great quality for that price

In addition to the Springbank 10, the Springbank 12 CS is THE incarnation of the distillery character of Springbank for me. The previous batch # 21 with the crazy barrel mixture was a small outlier, whereby one of the characteristics of the 12 CS is that it is basically never repeated, always different. The current batch # 22, with 50% ex-bourbon and 50% sherry casks on the leaf, has the same composition as batch 18 with 54.8%, has some similarities with this batch, but is ultimately completely different. Despite all the differences, one thing has always been relied on: the outstanding quality. Batch # 22 confirms this once again in the best possible way.

A surprisingly well behaved dram - was expecting a beast, but got a well mannered creature instead.

Nose 22, taste 22.5, finish 22.5, balance 22