Springbank 9 Years Old Gaja Barolo 54.7% 2004

Professional reviews

Serge Valentin (86)

t seems that this baby's the very last expression in this series, and so that there will be no more. I have to say I've never been a huge fan of these red wine finishings or double maturings. In this case, the whisky spent more than half his life in the Barolo casks, so 5 years out of 9.

Colour: pale gold. Rather strange as it’s supposed to be ex-fresh Barolo casks, but probably better like this.

Nose: unexpectedly light, with some fresh butter, yellow flowers and touches of tangerines at first nosing, then even pears, guavas and pineapples. I do not find much red wine at this point, let alone a usually rather heavy Barolo feeling. With water: more ‘Springbank’, with quite some raw barley and a little chalk, but all the fruits remain there.

Mouth (neat): sweet and creamy, with a lot of spicy European oak and quite some lemon zest, then the same fruits, including tropical ones, as in the nose. Also a little salt and brine, but not a lot of petroly/phenolic notes. With water: the heavy spices got milder, while the fruits got tarter. Maybe more mangos and rhubarb this time, as well as a discreet peatiness.

Finish: long, zesty and rather cleaner than the usual young Springbank. Quite a lot of tannins in the aftertaste.

Comments: I really like this one. They must have carefully rinsed the casks, or maybe they even steamed them. All for the better in my opinion.

Words of Whisky (87)

There's not much red wine influence to be detected, which is strange because of the maturation in ex-Baralo casks. But that doesn't really matter, because I like this a lot. A good example of how young whisky can also be very good. Just don't expect a wine-y whisky.
Nose
Grainy and salty with peat and wood smoke. Oh, and a hint of rubber as well. I should also mention that this is very earthy. The peat mellows after a while and then white grapes, melon, peaches and lemons begin to shine through. Also some ozone (that distinct smell after is has rained).
Taste
Peat and campfire smoke with burlap, chalk and earthy notes. Some chocolate and oranges, as well as oranges. Pretty tannic.
Finish
Long. A hint of chocolate, some oranges. The peat and earthy notes also make an encore.

Official tasting note (87)

Colour - Golden honey
Nose - Initial aromas of liquorice are followed by poached pears, chocolate, cream and marzipan.
Springbank`s traditional earthy and coastal influence qualities also make an appearance.
Palate - There is no mistaking the red wine tannins from the Gaja Barolo
casks, complemented by earthy and woody notes. Swedish lingonberries and rhubarb crumble give the whisky
some sweetness and a touch of sea salt also comes into play.
Finish - This is like raspberry ripple ice cream but combined with peat and spices and a medium dry finish.