Springbank 14 Years Old Bourbon Wood 55.8% 2002

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Serge Valentin (87)

This one came out last year in autumn. Colour: straw. Nose: well, it starts extremely mineral (mineralic as Angus would say), very austere, ridden with notes of flints, guns that were just used, aspirin tablets, then bandages, burning grass and herbs, burnt artichokes… I wouldn’t call it sexy so far, but let’s see what happens once water’s been added… With water: new wellies, new tyres, rock dust, gravel, you see… Mouth (neat): huge lemony, aspiriny, cinchona-y arrival, you’d even believe you’re having bitters… neat. You’re also chomping on cactus leaves and burnt broccoli. I know. With water: gentler and fruitier, but all on sharp citrus, grapefruit, lime, bitter oranges… Finish: very long, with some green pepper this time, and peat smoke. A feeling of having just eaten orange peel in the aftertaste. Comments: one of the austerely bitter recent Springbanks I’ve been given to try. I had expected a little more sweetness, but that’s me.