Review #253: Springbank 10

Campbeltown - 10 - NCF - NCA - $65 at Binny's - 46%

  
I have had many Springbanks in my day but I have never actually tried their entry level 10.  This expression is a blend of sherry/bourbon barrels.  If it is the same as their 12 CS, that would mean 30% Sherry 70% Bourbon.  

Color - Yellow Gold

Nose - Figs, harbor funk - apples, caramel, buttercream, meringue, cake bread

Palate - Malt, baking spices, vanilla

Finish - Medium -  Hot - Nutmeg, vanilla, malt, and heavy saline

Overall - 6 - The nose on this starts out amazing but kind of dies off on the palate.  It seems to be all malt, spice and vanilla once you are past the nose. For an entry level malt, this is a mild complaint. I will say that I am holding this at a little higher standard as Springbank 10 is priced higher than every other entry level expression now except Mac 12.  Hell, it is the same price at Binny's as Laphroaig 10 CS and $5 more than Ugi.  While enjoyable, it is not a malt that calls out to me to buy.  As a result, I find this enjoyable but I cannot ever see myself buying this over those other two previously mentioned malts.  

--------------------------------------------------------------

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
5.5 I really enjoyed but it will never be priced at where I would buy a bottle

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

Standard Deviation 0.92

Skew 0.66

Kurtosis -0.16