Reviews #103 & 104: Springbank 17 Single Cask Rum Cask and Springbank Single Cask Burgundy

I have been excited to do this SbS for a while. Both of these are full maturation, so I am ready for the unexpected. Also, both sample providers have great tastes in whisky and Springbank's are, at worst, interesting.

Springbank Single Cask Burgundy

Speyside - 12 - NCF - NCA- Sample ($120 at the local I'd guess) - 57.5%

Color - Light Auburn

Nose - Vanilla custard, fabric softener, big red fruit, cherries, strawberry, honey and some funk

Taste - Toffee, strawberry compote, herbs de Provence, vanilla, honey, some oak

Finish - - Roasted cherry, sponge cake, vanilla, comforting and warming funk

Overall - 6.5 - I can't help but compare this to Longrow Red as opposed to the Springbank Burgundy finish. The funk and the red wine marry well to keep this in balance. It is a lovely dram but I don't think it is the best red wire marrying that Springbank/Longrow has done.

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Springbank 17 1999 Single Cask Rum Cask

Full maturation in a rum cask? I have no idea what the expect.

Campbeltown - 17 - NCF - NCA- Sample ($240 at the local if I had to guess) - 51.8%

Color - Pale Gold - almost no color, especially for the age

Nose - Vanilla and rum - Creme brule sugar, nutmeg, a touch of funk, light barley, fresh apple

Taste - Toffee, baking spices, dark brown sugar, vanilla - Great structure and mouthfeel

Finish - - Spice, molasses, honey - sweet flavors without being sweet - some smoke, maybe barrel char or just Springbank funk - it has a weird way of leaving heat but only on the tip of my tongue

Overall - 5.5 - This is a great and unique. Kind of a wild ride as I am not used to rums. The rum feels like it took the driver seat on this. Great body on this, like a bottle of Ugi. The sugar flavors start in the nose and go throughout without being sweet. I can't really compare this to anything but it is damn good. Having said that, I enjoyed it but won't be picking up a bottle anytime soon as it is very overpriced IMO. If you want something unique, different and tasty, this might be right up your alley.

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Rating system is price influenced as it is based on my shopping decisions when buying a bottle.

10 Best in Show

9 Great Dram for Special Occasions

8 Worthy of consistent spot in my collection

7 Worth picking up a bottle if in the mood

6 I would buy a bottle if it went on sale

5 I would drink it happily if offered

4 I would drink it if offered on the rocks

3 Maybe some soda will make this potable

2 I'll Pass

1 Toilet cleaner

Inclusive Ratings

Overall 6.1

Campbeltown 6.2 (15)

Springbank 6.3 (11)