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Thursday, June 13, 2013
Springbank Calvados Finish
I'm continuing my peat theme for the week with something special. The Springbank Calvados Finish spent six years in bourbon casks and another six in Calvados casks. It was distilled in April 2000 and bottled last fall.
Springbank Calvados Finish, 12 years old, 52.7% abv ($110)
The nose has malt and fruit with wisps of smoke. The palate has serious peat, like you knock you over peat. It opens with some light sweet malt character and then the peat comes in waves, getting sharper and sharper, building until it's like a mouth full of ash (in a good way) which is pretty much what the finish is. To the extent there is Calvados influence it's only lightly suggested with a tinge of apple on the late palate and in the finish...it's very subtle. Overall, it tastes more like Octomore than a typical Springbank.
This might be the best new whisky I've had so far this year. If you've got $100 or so to spend, pass up the Ardbog and grab a bottle of this stuff. Luckily for us, there seems to be plenty around.
Hey Sku, better even than some of those crazy rare Willett ryes you sampled earlier?
ReplyDeleteMatt L., when I said that I was talking about newly released whiskies, so I wasn't including those old ones.
ReplyDeleteAhh, yes missed that! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteCrazy about artisanal Calvados and the older Springbanks so this sounds like a natural although the mega peat sounds a tad off-putting.
ReplyDeleteWonder who's Calva barrels they used...
Thanks!
Chris
Had to open my sample after reading Sku's post. I found tart, mineral, and apple notes on the palate. Dry with a nice balance, The Whiskybase score is 84 (averaged from 22 people), which seems a bit low.
ReplyDeleteI was intrigued by the concept of this, and after reading your review I think I will spring my bank for the money needed to sample this interesting whisky.
ReplyDeleteRetasted this blind from a sample. At first I guessed it might be a Benriach or the Springbank Calvados. After adding a few drops of water flavors of green wood and peat became the focus. Now I was thinking this was Kilchoman. More water brought it into better balance. When I first tried this sample a few months ago I thought I might buy a bottle. After having it blind, I changed my mind.
ReplyDelete