Whiskyland. Keep in mind that identify. It replaces Whisky Sponge because the cornerstone collection within the Decadent Drinks portfolio. One other 100-part collection and Chapter 1 is a primary fill sherry Springbank 1998. A few of my favourites within the Whisky Sponge collection had been Springbank releases, so we’ve got excessive hopes for this primary bottling after the reset.
The Sponge collection began in a barely haphazard manner, constructing upon satire. Angus thinks it’s necessary to not do the identical factor ceaselessly, so he now expands this one character to a complete whisky land. The collection will include the perfect whiskies coming from Decadent Drinks, all the time bottled on this bubble glass cognac type bottle, with new branded Decadent Drinks capsules.
Springbank 26 yo 1998 (56,8%, Decadent Drinks ‘Whiskyland’ 2024, first fill sherry butt, 550 btl.)
Nostril: begins a bit heady, with brass polish, orange peels and bitter tangerines, together with dried herbs and resin. Perhaps a faint winey contact. Then darker dried fruits seem (prunes, raisins), in addition to tobacco leaves, cedar wooden and moist earth beneath. Refined sooty and tarry notes. Hints of salty sea spray and outdated waxes too.
Mouth: any hesitation is now gone – that is good. Correct outdated Oloroso, with carbon papers and a few diesel-like notes, flints, leather-based and linseed oil. A pleasant trace of tangerine juice and lemon peels once more. Then drops of mint essence, soot and brake fluid. Smoked meats. Some natural extracts, together with stunning tobacco till the very finish. There’s a pointy edge to it, but when something it emphasises the wild character of this distillery.
End: very lengthy, oily and wealthy, with hints of natural liqueurs, earthy smoke and leather-based. Hints of cracked pepper and a few medicinal notes.
It took a while to persuade me on the nostril, however all that’s simply forgotten on the palate. Angus advised me he prefers this one over his 1999, however I’m unsure I agree. In any case, pretty Springbank whisky once more, and an excellent begin of the brand new collection. Chapter two might be a Bowmore, on account of arrive in September. For now Chapter one is offered from Decadent Drinks after all, or retailers resembling TyndrumWhisky and Royal Mile Whiskies.
