Springbank Archives - Whisky a Day

Whisky #259-261: Frank McHardy Masterclass at Whipper Snapper Distillery

October 11, 2014 by Whisky a Day Leave a Comment

Frank McHardy Masterclass at Whipper Snapper Distillery, $90.

The master distiller from Springbank, Frank McHardy, has been enlisted by our amazing local Whipper Snapper Distillery to act as their Chief Whiskey Advisor. Given Frank’s 50-odd years of experience at Springbank, it’s fair to say the Whipper Snapper boys could hardly have chosen a finer mentor. So it was a great privilege to be able to attend an intimate masterclass where Frank led us through a tasting of Springbank, Hazelburn and Kilkerran malts, along with some behind the scenes insights into whisky production at Springbank.

Whisky #259: Kilkerran Work in Progress 7 Year Old Single Malt. Campbeltown, Scotland. ABV: 46.0%.

Colour: Pale gold

Nose: Very faint hint of peat, subtle sweetness too.

Palate: A very clean, crisp flavour profile. Oily mouthfeel. Floral sweetness.

Finish: Gentle heat front half of palate that builds slightly, medium length. Salty vs sweet flavours battle it out, great balance.

Whisky #260: Hazelburn Rundlets & Kilderkins 10 Year Old Single Malt. Campbeltown, Scotland. ABV: 50.1%.

Colour: Pale gold again.

Nose: Floral, vanilla notes. With time in the glass it really starts to develop some rich woody notes.

Palate: Rich, deep buttery raspberry flavours.

Finish: Softer finish than the Kilkerran. Dried fruit flavours linger long on the palate, as does the warmth again on the front half of the tongue.

Whisky #261: Springbank 15 Year Old Single Malt. Campbeltown, Scotland. ABV: 46.0%.

Colour: Deep rich gold.

Nose: Honey on hot buttered toast. Quite mild, not too intense.

Palate: Thicker syrupy mouthfeel compared to the Springbank 10. Not super sweet mind you, some subtle honey flavours along with some rich dried fruit flavours.

Finish: Buttery dried fruits, long tingle & flavour fade.

Overall comments: All three have spent some time maturing ex sherry casks, although I wouldn’t have picked it initially. No huge sherry bombs, the Springbank 15 in particular is quite subtle. The Hazelburn Rundlets & Kilderkins was the pick for me.

A fascinating afternoon listening to Frank talk about the history of Springbank and his own career. The guided tour of Whipper Snapper by chief distiller Jimmy McKeown was also fantastic, plus that gorgeous copper still of theirs (see below), wow. Hats off to the Whipper Snapper boys, these guys are really going places.

Whipper Snapper’s stunning still.

Whisky #45: Springbank Calvados Wood 12 Year Old Cask Strength Single Malt

March 6, 2014 by Whisky a Day Leave a Comment

Springbank Calvados Wood 12 Year OldCask Strength Single Malt. Campbeltown, Scotland. ABV: 52.70%. Tasted at Helvetica, $22.

Colour: Pale gold.

Nose: Peat dominates, some oaky notes, hint of vanilla. Like a vanilla Paddle Pop.

Palate: Wow, lots happening here. Oaky buttery goodness, fair dose of peat.

Finish: Long finish, spice lingers at the front half of the mouth.

Comments: Strong (both in flavour & ABV), quite complex flavours, love it. Matured in ex Calvados (apple brandy) casks. Couldn’t pick up any apple flavours, haven’t actually tried apple brandy before so wasn’t quite sure what to expect. Without such a reference point it’s hard to compare apples with apples…definitely keen to try this one again!

Whisky #38: Springbank Kilkerran, “New make” D/1494 sample

March 1, 2014 by Whisky a Day 2 Comments

Springbank Kilkerran, “New make” D/1494 sample. Unknown ABV. Campbeltown, Scotland. $0, free sample from Alan Anderson after his “Whisky for Dafties” show at the Perth Fringe.

Colour: Totally clear like water.

Nose: Not very nice, like sweaty socks. Strong alcohol fumes.

Palate: Spice, smoke and peat. Overpowering.

Finish: Plenty of heat that sticks around like a nasty Estonian vodka.

Comments: Unrefined, brutal. Not pleasant to drink I’m afraid. It was even less pleasant last night when after brushing my teeth & climbing into bed, I grabbed a water bottle and took a drink, only to realise that the bottle contained my Kilkerran sample given to me on Friday night by Alan Anderson after his comedy show. Toothpaste and whisky do NOT mix. I can only hope that being in a soft plastic water bottle for 48 hours may have somehow affected the whisky. Should have tried it on Friday straight after the show, though to be fair I had possibly already had more than enough that night. I don’t even remember getting home!

Overall, this is the first entry into the “Truly Awful” whisky category of the project so far. Sorry Alan, but thanks all the same for your generous gesture. All the best for the rest of your tour!

Whisky #26: Springbank 10 Year Old Single Malt

February 24, 2014 by Whisky a Day Leave a Comment

by Springbank 10 Year Old Single Malt. Campbeltown, Scotland. ABV: 46.00%. Tasted at Whisky a Day HQ, $73.60.

Colour: Gold, like a flat glass of lager

Nose: Hard to pick this nose…(upon posting this one I’ve just realised that I’ve made the same very lame nose joke. Two days in a row. Note to self: get some new material).

Palate: Woody, slightly vinegary tastes. Fair bit of spice

Finish: Long warmth lingers around your mouth, makes your lips & tip of your tongue tingle.

Comments: I’m a couple of days behind schedule, need to get back on track. This is my first tasting this year of a whisky from Campbeltown. Thankfully we’re talking Scotland and not Western Sydney. Reminds me of an old joke…what do Campbelltown girls use for protection? A bus shelter. Not sure quite what this has to do with the Springbank, but hey.

Overall it’s only ok, the Springbank 10 is not the smoothest Springbank I’ve had, which was a Hazelburn Sauternes cask finished malt – which in turn wasn’t as smooth or tasty as other Sauternes finished whiskies (e.g. Glelmorangie Nectar D’Or or Longmorn 16).