Yes, you certainly has played a broader educational role. I appreciate very much your introduction of all sort of knowledge about whisky. Thank you very much, Ralfy.
This one's a puzzle. It has a very unique character, it's incredibly complex, and very rewarding as a tasting experience, but personally I don't know how I feel about it. There's no immediate gratification, or pleasure from a dram while relaxing after a hard day at work, listening to music, or engaged with friends. Instead its complexity presents a challenge, it demands attention all for itself, and there is something in that.
My favourite whisky. And I have a collection including various Islays, Speysiders and Highlanders (and Taliskers!). Yes this even beats Uigeadail and Corryvreckan in my opinion. Outrageously good. Incredible value.
Hi Ralfy! I love your Whisky reviews and your thoughts on the industry as a whole! Coming across your reviews just recently, I had to dig back for this review as I too think Springbank is one of, if not THE finest Distillery in Scotland. So when I got to your malt mark, I had to dig back through my notes to find mine. Lo and behold, I was 86.5 :) Keep up the committed, dedicated and insightful work! :)
Darned if you are not right yet again. I picked up a bottle because I remembered your review. I remembered you describing it as a complex dram and a great value. My first sniff said peat in a big way. I'm not a fan of peat. I reviewed your review and you called it right. And you were right that it is challenging. Every few months I go back to it and try another taste and it is growing on me. It is more complex and interesting than I expected. I or the sherry monsters more and sick to Speyside usually, bit there is just something interesting about this. Everything you said about it is dead on. Good on you, Ralfy.
Hi Ralfy, I must have been born a whisky drinker, and didn't know it. You mention that Springbank 10 isn't for beginners, but this is precisely the whisky that was introduced to me by a bartender (who knew his stuff I'll add) over many other more popular brands. This single malt is responsible for my current fascination with whisky and is in my top 2 favorites. I don't like Glenfiddich 12 much at all in fact, and I don't drink American made "Scotch". Springbank has flavor, and depth. Cheers!
For some reason when I first tried Springbank I was expecting something mild, in the Lowland style. Boy, what a surprise! "Complex" and "challenging" are certainly two good words to describe it. I'm working on the 12 year old cask strength now, and let me tell you it is one intense malt. Too bad about the sulpher near the end... Also, I believe in this context C.V. stands for "cirriculum vitae," not "Chairman's Vat."
I really like the Spring Bank 100 and the Bruichladdich Resurrection, which seems similar to me. Can you recommend any other malts with similar levels of peat and taste profiles?
I've started with Ardbeg and Lagavulin. And I haven't been discouraged at all, it is the exact opposite! I've really fallen in love with it! So I've got the "lighter" whiskes left to try. So it might be good to start with peateer smokey whiskies?
Bought myself this one today, always fun enjoying the first drem while comparing it to Ralfy´s experience. Didn´t get the apples and bananas though. Then again, I may have dug in to early. Peach, yes, but no apples, more like oranges in the background. But....I'm only half way now. Joy! Excellent stuff.
Just picked up the 10 year. Wow! I'm becoming a big Springbank fan. I've been searching high and low for something similar to the dreamy 15. Never dreamed the ten year would do it...definitely not as delicious as the 15, but this is by far the best value I have found.
Just added Springbank 10 to my collection and I am greatly enjoying it. I personally like the smoky, peaty flavor. Big Ralfy fan. I base most of my whiskey purchases on his great videos.
Bought a bottle of the springbank 10 100 proof and just started getting into whiskeys but have been drinking amazing craft beer for years and this is by far the best scotch i have ever tried. Absolutely fabulous stuff. Could you recommend another craft oriented scotch whisky? Something like the springbank?
@ralfystuff, purchased this last week. My first foray into Campbeltown scotches. First dram, I was not so impressed. I tried it again tonight, and, for me, the trick was waiting for 20 mins after adding some water (as advised by your vlog). It was a fantastic dram. However, I felt it was creamy with hints of vanilla. It is my current malt du jour. Are you planning on reviewing the 12 (or 15 yo) soon? I would be interested in your thoughts, prior to spending the extra bucks for an older version.
I'm loving the reviews Ralfy. I have a slightly off topic question. I've noticed the bottles you have are sometimes half empty. I notice that when I go though a bottle slowly, having a small taste every week or two, that by month 4 or 5 it has a much different character than it originally did (and occasionally much worse in my opinion). Do you do anything to try and slow the oxidation? Are there any whiskeys that you think are especially vulnerable to resistant to fading after they are opened?
Ralfy, I only managed to get one version of the Springbank 'Wood Expressions' series before they all sold out and that is the Claret Wood. I know you recommended the Madeira, but I'm very curious to hear your opinions and marks about the Claret, if you ever got to taste it. If not I'll send you a sample bottle!
A stunning whisky. Serge Valentine rates it 89 points and ti's under $40 a bottle. If you really want to know how good it is try another (any) whisky and the try this side by side. There is no better bang for your buck whisky (except Ardbeg 10) out there.
Oops, Quite right. I pressed the $ button instead of the £ button. It's still cheap though. I pay £36 a bottle in Britain. That's about $47 at the current rate of exchange. Ralfy's just re-reviewed this by the way.
Hey Ralfy, wondering what's the best temperature to get the maximum enjoyment out of your whiskey. I'm not sure. If you've mentioned that previously, but it's really important to bring up.
Greetings and salutations Ralfy. Today I broke my rule and purchased an unknown whisky on impulse. It was a springbank 18yo, and my first impressions of it are very good. However, I am of course curious if you have tasted it and what your impressions are. If you have the time. Best regards from Norway!
The Springbank 12 100 proof is a long gone classic. Springbank used a unique method of coloring the whisky without caramel. They mixed 12 yr whisky with very old Springbank that had fallen under 40% and it came out real dark and tasted great too.
One thing i must say Ralfy and that is that you have got a very good audio/video. Everything is clear and sounding great. By the way, shouldnt you wear a new jumper to make it clear wich year the video was shot? hehe. Take care
Ralfy, I just bought a bottle of this, after eying it many times at the store. Upon holding the bottle up to the light I'm seeing small bits and pieces floating around about the scotch. Tiny particles. This is something I haven't seen from other non-chill filtered single malts. Is this the way it's supposed to be? Thank you!
Two years ago you said the 15 y/o was the one in the Springbank line. Has your opinion changed on the 15 y/o? You sound a little more reserved now. I haven't found anything I like more. The sweetness and richness paired with the brine and smoke make for the most elegant and complex whisky I have found. Just love it...and I think it's partly due to me recognizing I like brine and rich. Love the Old Pultney 12...though it's no Springbank...lacks richness. Any other good Brine suggestions?
I noticed that a lot of scotch single malts are briny. What is your opinion about including salt content on the label for someone with high blood pressure?
Ralfy,hey!! I had the opertunity2 taste th Sprinbank10 2wks ago n was nearly flabergastd @ th rate of developmnt in this malt. It was a sneaky, rite slow developin whiskey...salty n slytly winey...quite difrint than th rest! Altho I dont kno if I'd buy ths chapy, Im glad2hav had th opportunity to taste th th education in ths SB10er. Mayb th 18 will provyd th umphh that Im lookin4 in th developmnt of spirit on th palette. cheers mate.
Ralfy, great series on Springbank and the Springbank 10. I was very impressed. I was wondering if you could post your videos on iTunes. Sometimes utube is very slow to load and play due to net traffic. On itunes, the video is downloaded to computer and thus plays smoothly. Just an idea. Keep up the good work. You are much appreciated.
I used to work part time at a high end adult beverage store here in the states and I remember selling a lady a bottle of Highland Park 12 for a gift. About a week later, she brought it back, opened, because it was "cloudy" I tried hard to explain how that was not a bad thing and she still opted to exchange for a Maccallan 12...What are you gonna do? It's hard to sell whisky that will end up as a gift, but I always offer suggestions based on what I like to drink.
Interesting...I stumbled across a Springbank 15 the other day, and didn't buy it b/c all they had was a bottle with old packaging. Little research on line led me to think it was probably 3-4 years older than current bottling. Would you recommend buying this bottle if the older Springy was a little better...or are there potential issues buying a bottle that has potentially been sitting on the shelf for 4 years (is boxed though).
Great review as always. I can see why this is not a good beginner scotch. Without water or fresh bottle, it smells like hospital alcohol, very unpleasant, however water makes it completely different and quite complex for a 10yrs.
Ralfy, I just bought a Springbank 10 over the HP 12 due to Springbank being nonchill filtered and no E150 added. I still want to get the HP 12 though because you recommend it. How do they compare? Thanks for everything.
This is my favorite, affordable whisky to date (and my definition of affordable is sub £40, although I'd obviously rather pay nearer £30!). I personally was a huge fan of the Bunnahabain 12yo but i think this does what it does better. You can't deny that it is quite salty, but the sweetness and light (IMO) peatiness along side that gives a it taste like nothing else, think smokey-orange salted caramel. I'm definitely not expert enough to state what I'm about to suggest, but to me it tastes like the barrels used in the making of this whisky were of a high quality too. By that I mean that any bitterness in the finish seems like it's meant to be there, rather than that dry sappiness that cuts some whiskies short. I was surprised to see this "only" get 86 marks, but I'd accept that a lot of what I like about this whisky is its uniqueness rather than its intrinsic quality (which I'm not accomplished enough to judge just yet). Thanks Ralfy, it would have taken me a lot longer to try this whisky without your advice!
Hi ralfy I've been watching the Springbank tour today and just loved it! That´s the way to do whisky. Independency is da sh#t!! I just love it! Thanks alot and keep up the good work!! I have one question on the idependent topic: Are the BenRiach still considered as a independent distillery or are they to big nowadays? What's the definition?
today i gave this one a second try.....needless to say my first comment was not even an opinion, this is absolutely awesome stuff (and, unlike the 15y, a bargain!)
Having the 12yo cask strength. It's a remarkable whisky! I really didn't think it was for me right after uncorking it, but it really gets quite good with some water and time. This one needs time to blow off its crazy nature and settle in.
Interesting that Springbank 10 only got 86 points. Is it cause the 10 year old is still too spirit still and the cask hasn't had much say or is it just simply cause of the ex-bourbon cask used and not the sherry cask version that you've scored highly in the past both it's own bottling and the independant sherry cask version?
There is in fact a channel right here on TH-cam, SingleMaltTV, which has short videos of whisky tastings, interviews, distillery tours, and event videos much like what Ralfy brings up (in fact I see several videos in the suggestions box). Indeed, their main correspondent, Ali Mutch, is a lot more attractive than Ralfy... sorry Ralfy.
@kathan67 True, I do value Ralfy's opinions more and his videos on the various aspects of whisky (water, glasses, e150) are a lot more informative than SMaltTV. When I looked over their videos, I didn't see any videos on the bad habits of whisky production.
Malt Manchurians? That makes me want to suggest Malt Mongolians. Let's go pillage a few whisky shops and by pillage, I mean nicely browse their shelves.
Thoroughly unremarkable and quite forgettable the S10 amounts to a bottle of liquid Salt Lick. won't get fooled again! can't throw good money at this chappy but if you don't mind spending your dollars on sodium try the Mortons Iodized. Peace out (& 60 bucks lighter)
Yes, you certainly has played a broader educational role. I appreciate very much your introduction of all sort of knowledge about whisky. Thank you very much, Ralfy.
This one's a puzzle. It has a very unique character, it's incredibly complex, and very rewarding as a tasting experience, but personally I don't know how I feel about it. There's no immediate gratification, or pleasure from a dram while relaxing after a hard day at work, listening to music, or engaged with friends. Instead its complexity presents a challenge, it demands attention all for itself, and there is something in that.
My favourite whisky. And I have a collection including various Islays, Speysiders and Highlanders (and Taliskers!). Yes this even beats Uigeadail and Corryvreckan in my opinion. Outrageously good. Incredible value.
Hi Ralfy! I love your Whisky reviews and your thoughts on the industry as a whole! Coming across your reviews just recently, I had to dig back for this review as I too think Springbank is one of, if not THE finest Distillery in Scotland. So when I got to your malt mark, I had to dig back through my notes to find mine. Lo and behold, I was 86.5 :) Keep up the committed, dedicated and insightful work! :)
Darned if you are not right yet again. I picked up a bottle because I remembered your review. I remembered you describing it as a complex dram and a great value. My first sniff said peat in a big way. I'm not a fan of peat. I reviewed your review and you called it right.
And you were right that it is challenging. Every few months I go back to it and try another taste and it is growing on me. It is more complex and interesting than I expected.
I or the sherry monsters more and sick to Speyside usually, bit there is just something interesting about this. Everything you said about it is dead on.
Good on you, Ralfy.
just had my first dram of this. LOVE IT! Certainly will be buying more!
Hi Ralfy,
I must have been born a whisky drinker, and didn't know it. You mention that Springbank 10 isn't for beginners, but this is precisely the whisky that was introduced to me by a bartender (who knew his stuff I'll add) over many other more popular brands. This single malt is responsible for my current fascination with whisky and is in my top 2 favorites. I don't like Glenfiddich 12 much at all in fact, and I don't drink American made "Scotch". Springbank has flavor, and depth. Cheers!
Great to circle back around to revisit this in December 2020.
Following the cookie trail of the book brought me back here :) 'Stuffed toy teddy bear', harsh but funny 😏
For some reason when I first tried Springbank I was expecting something mild, in the Lowland style. Boy, what a surprise! "Complex" and "challenging" are certainly two good words to describe it. I'm working on the 12 year old cask strength now, and let me tell you it is one intense malt. Too bad about the sulpher near the end...
Also, I believe in this context C.V. stands for "cirriculum vitae," not "Chairman's Vat."
Nice review Ralf. I'm thinking me and my dad ought to try this one to improve our knowledge.
Just finished the book, enjoying watching the last referenced review with my own glass of SB10 to explore, cheers!
. . . 😊👍
I really like the Spring Bank 100 and the Bruichladdich Resurrection, which seems similar to me. Can you recommend any other malts with similar levels of peat and taste profiles?
I've started with Ardbeg and Lagavulin. And I haven't been discouraged at all, it is the exact opposite! I've really fallen in love with it! So I've got the "lighter" whiskes left to try. So it might be good to start with peateer smokey whiskies?
Bought myself this one today, always fun enjoying the first drem while comparing it to Ralfy´s experience. Didn´t get the apples and bananas though. Then again, I may have dug in to early. Peach, yes, but no apples, more like oranges in the background. But....I'm only half way now. Joy! Excellent stuff.
Just picked up the 10 year. Wow! I'm becoming a big Springbank fan. I've been searching high and low for something similar to the dreamy 15. Never dreamed the ten year would do it...definitely not as delicious as the 15, but this is by far the best value I have found.
Just added Springbank 10 to my collection and I am greatly enjoying it. I personally like the smoky, peaty flavor. Big Ralfy fan. I base most of my whiskey purchases on his great videos.
Bought a bottle of the springbank 10 100 proof and just started getting into whiskeys but have been drinking amazing craft beer for years and this is by far the best scotch i have ever tried. Absolutely fabulous stuff. Could you recommend another craft oriented scotch whisky? Something like the springbank?
@ralfystuff, purchased this last week. My first foray into Campbeltown scotches. First dram, I was not so impressed. I tried it again tonight, and, for me, the trick was waiting for 20 mins after adding some water (as advised by your vlog). It was a fantastic dram. However, I felt it was creamy with hints of vanilla. It is my current malt du jour. Are you planning on reviewing the 12 (or 15 yo) soon? I would be interested in your thoughts, prior to spending the extra bucks for an older version.
I'd love for BBC or any other station to get you a show!
I'm loving the reviews Ralfy. I have a slightly off topic question. I've noticed the bottles you have are sometimes half empty. I notice that when I go though a bottle slowly, having a small taste every week or two, that by month 4 or 5 it has a much different character than it originally did (and occasionally much worse in my opinion). Do you do anything to try and slow the oxidation? Are there any whiskeys that you think are especially vulnerable to resistant to fading after they are opened?
sounds really delicious, Ralfy. I'm torn between Springbank and Glenfarcas for my next bottle.... I'm up for a challenge, though.
Ralfy, I only managed to get one version of the Springbank 'Wood Expressions' series before they all sold out and that is the Claret Wood. I know you recommended the Madeira, but I'm very curious to hear your opinions and marks about the Claret, if you ever got to taste it. If not I'll send you a sample bottle!
ralfy, I can get here the 12yo cask strength and the 15yo. what would you recommend?
A stunning whisky. Serge Valentine rates it 89 points and ti's under $40 a bottle. If you really want to know how good it is try another (any) whisky and the try this side by side. There is no better bang for your buck whisky (except Ardbeg 10) out there.
Oops, Quite right. I pressed the $ button instead of the £ button. It's still cheap though. I pay £36 a bottle in Britain. That's about $47 at the current rate of exchange. Ralfy's just re-reviewed this by the way.
Hey Ralfy, wondering what's the best temperature to get the maximum enjoyment out of your whiskey. I'm not sure. If you've mentioned that previously, but it's really important to bring up.
Greetings and salutations Ralfy. Today I broke my rule and purchased an unknown whisky on impulse. It was a springbank 18yo, and my first impressions of it are very good. However, I am of course curious if you have tasted it and what your impressions are. If you have the time.
Best regards from Norway!
I just bought a bottle of springbank 10 100 proof and its very good. Have you tried the higher alcohol version?
did you ever tasted the springbank 10y 100 proof ? if yes, what do you think of it?
The Springbank 12 100 proof is a long gone classic. Springbank used a unique method of coloring the whisky without caramel. They mixed 12 yr whisky with very old Springbank that had fallen under 40% and it came out real dark and tasted great too.
One thing i must say Ralfy and that is that you have got a very good audio/video.
Everything is clear and sounding great.
By the way, shouldnt you wear a new jumper to make it clear wich year the video was shot? hehe.
Take care
Ralfy, I just bought a bottle of this, after eying it many times at the store. Upon holding the bottle up to the light I'm seeing small bits and pieces floating around about the scotch. Tiny particles. This is something I haven't seen from other non-chill filtered single malts. Is this the way it's supposed to be? Thank you!
Two years ago you said the 15 y/o was the one in the Springbank line. Has your opinion changed on the 15 y/o? You sound a little more reserved now. I haven't found anything I like more. The sweetness and richness paired with the brine and smoke make for the most elegant and complex whisky I have found. Just love it...and I think it's partly due to me recognizing I like brine and rich. Love the Old Pultney 12...though it's no Springbank...lacks richness. Any other good Brine suggestions?
Ralfy, looking forward for your review for the Hazelburn!
I noticed that a lot of scotch single malts are briny. What is your opinion about including salt content on the label for someone with high blood pressure?
Ralfy,hey!!
I had the opertunity2 taste th Sprinbank10 2wks ago n was nearly flabergastd @ th rate of developmnt in this malt.
It was a sneaky, rite slow developin whiskey...salty n slytly winey...quite difrint than th rest! Altho I dont kno if I'd buy ths chapy, Im glad2hav had th opportunity to taste th th education in ths SB10er.
Mayb th 18 will provyd th umphh that Im lookin4 in th developmnt of spirit on th palette.
cheers mate.
Ralfy, great series on Springbank and the Springbank 10. I was very impressed. I was wondering if you could post your videos on iTunes. Sometimes utube is very slow to load and play due to net traffic. On itunes, the video is downloaded to computer and thus plays smoothly. Just an idea. Keep up the good work. You are much appreciated.
Here at #178 thanks to Ralfy's book, nice catching up on some older reviews.
The best whisky company bar none.... A must visit too
I used to work part time at a high end adult beverage store here in the states and I remember selling a lady a bottle of Highland Park 12 for a gift. About a week later, she brought it back, opened, because it was "cloudy" I tried hard to explain how that was not a bad thing and she still opted to exchange for a Maccallan 12...What are you gonna do? It's hard to sell whisky that will end up as a gift, but I always offer suggestions based on what I like to drink.
any great $30 single malts i could get in the states? really want a good one but dont have money! :) thanks!
Interesting...I stumbled across a Springbank 15 the other day, and didn't buy it b/c all they had was a bottle with old packaging. Little research on line led me to think it was probably 3-4 years older than current bottling. Would you recommend buying this bottle if the older Springy was a little better...or are there potential issues buying a bottle that has potentially been sitting on the shelf for 4 years (is boxed though).
Hope you bought it!
Great review as always. I can see why this is not a good beginner scotch. Without water or fresh bottle, it smells like hospital alcohol, very unpleasant, however water makes it completely different and quite complex for a 10yrs.
Ralfy, I just bought a Springbank 10 over the HP 12 due to Springbank being nonchill filtered and no E150 added. I still want to get the HP 12 though because you recommend it. How do they compare? Thanks for everything.
@ralfystuff
And wood, of course. One could argue that plenty of flavours are added by contact with sherry casks.
This is my favorite, affordable whisky to date (and my definition of affordable is sub £40, although I'd obviously rather pay nearer £30!). I personally was a huge fan of the Bunnahabain 12yo but i think this does what it does better. You can't deny that it is quite salty, but the sweetness and light (IMO) peatiness along side that gives a it taste like nothing else, think smokey-orange salted caramel. I'm definitely not expert enough to state what I'm about to suggest, but to me it tastes like the barrels used in the making of this whisky were of a high quality too. By that I mean that any bitterness in the finish seems like it's meant to be there, rather than that dry sappiness that cuts some whiskies short. I was surprised to see this "only" get 86 marks, but I'd accept that a lot of what I like about this whisky is its uniqueness rather than its intrinsic quality (which I'm not accomplished enough to judge just yet). Thanks Ralfy, it would have taken me a lot longer to try this whisky without your advice!
I think I'm ready to move on from Glenlivet. Would you recommend this as the next step, or not?
Thanks a lot Ralfy.
The definition is all about what the share holders do then...
@ralfystuff Just picked up a bottle today. I love it so very-very much! Thanks for the recommendation.
Hi ralfy
I've been watching the Springbank tour today and just loved it! That´s the way to do whisky. Independency is da sh#t!! I just love it!
Thanks alot and keep up the good work!!
I have one question on the idependent topic:
Are the BenRiach still considered as a independent distillery or are they to big nowadays? What's the definition?
today i gave this one a second try.....needless to say my first comment was not even an opinion, this is absolutely awesome stuff (and, unlike the 15y, a bargain!)
Having the 12yo cask strength. It's a remarkable whisky! I really didn't think it was for me right after uncorking it, but it really gets quite good with some water and time. This one needs time to blow off its crazy nature and settle in.
I just opened my first bottle and the numbers read 11/399, and I have to say I'd definitely give this 88/100.
Ralfy said it hasn't changed. Maybe the same score of 86?
Interesting that Springbank 10 only got 86 points. Is it cause the 10 year old is still too spirit still and the cask hasn't had much say or is it just simply cause of the ex-bourbon cask used and not the sherry cask version that you've scored highly in the past both it's own bottling and the independant sherry cask version?
There is in fact a channel right here on TH-cam, SingleMaltTV, which has short videos of whisky tastings, interviews, distillery tours, and event videos much like what Ralfy brings up (in fact I see several videos in the suggestions box). Indeed, their main correspondent, Ali Mutch, is a lot more attractive than Ralfy... sorry Ralfy.
@kathan67
True, I do value Ralfy's opinions more and his videos on the various aspects of whisky (water, glasses, e150) are a lot more informative than SMaltTV. When I looked over their videos, I didn't see any videos on the bad habits of whisky production.
I saw some springbank here in the states, but it looks like they changed the bottle. Have you tried it in the new bottle, and is it still the same?
Malt Maestro's !!!
Malt Manchurians? That makes me want to suggest Malt Mongolians. Let's go pillage a few whisky shops and by pillage, I mean nicely browse their shelves.
@ralfystuff
Careful Ralfy... Someday I might accidentally spill an expensive whisky all over my keyboard when you make a comment like that.
Am I the only one that's wondering why such a low mark despite the lack of "Caramel castration, chill-filtration and the money-grabbers 40%"?
Thoroughly unremarkable and quite forgettable the S10 amounts to a bottle of liquid Salt Lick. won't get fooled again! can't throw good money at this chappy but if you don't mind spending your dollars on sodium try the Mortons Iodized.
Peace out (& 60 bucks lighter)