Whisky Review: Springbank 12-Year-Old Burgundy (Limited Release)

Without water, Springbank 12-Year-Old Burgundy is absolutely huge, and yet still immanently quaffable. Right off the bat, it exudes well-worn leather, cream-drizzled crepes, milk chocolate . . . all with a buttery-rich mouthfeel. On the back end of the palate, I’m getting a rather fleeting taste that reminds me of digestive bitter liqueur. Finish: For those drinkers who do not relish tastes akin to an alcoholic bitter on the death, there is good news: in time, the influence tends to dissipate somewhat, leaving sweet flavors to reign supreme. Fifteen or twenty minutes in the glass is long enough. One of my favorite aspects of the 12-Year-Old Burgundy’s finish concerns a lip-smacking note of vanilla ice cream, which is followed by echoes of peppermint and American pralines. Final Thoughts Even at a whopping 53.5%, I prefer the Springbank 12-Year-Old Burgundy without water. Call me crazy, but I think the fact that I enjoy this particular dram without water is a testament to its craftsmanship, and also to its delicate nature for a cask strength offering. Lastly, it’s worth noting that a Burgundy influence is not prominent in the glass. I really do appreciate the fact that wine casks take the backseat gracefully here without a need to show off their grapiness. As with so many limited and rare Springbank releases, Springbank 12-Year-Old Burgundy will probably be gone before the general public even knows about it, much less how good it is. That’s why it pays to be a member of Springbank Society (hint, hint). Members hear about these things months ahead of time, and they also enjoy special privileges when it comes to snagging rare bottles. All the more reason to join. Score: 92/100 [SHOP FOR A BOTTLE OF SPRINGBANK 12-YEAR-OLD BURGUNDY]