Springbank 1993 23 YO Mission Gold – Limited Release

Springbank 1993 23 YO Mission Gold – Limited Release, 50.4 %

An independent bottling of Springbank from Murray McDavid. The Springbank 1993 23 YO Mission Gold – Limited Release is a single cask whisky. It was distilled in 1993, then matured for 22 years in a bourbon hogshead, in Campbeltown. Then it was moved to the Murray McDavid warehouses in Coleburn, and transferred to a 1st fill Koval bourbon cask (cask #150033). Koval is a Chicago based distillery, started in 2008, so we known the finish was on a fairly fresh bourbon cask then.

The final outturn was a mere 165 bottles at 50.4 % ABV, when it was bottled in the summer of 2017.

The Springbank 1993 23 YO Mission Gold – Limited Release is released for sale in Norway on December 15 at NOK 3500 (8111601).

Nose: Very approachable nose. Harmonious fruity notes with just a touch of smoke. With time the fruitiness gains more depth and character - ripe apples and pears dominate. Warm spices and hot embers form a solid base.

Taste: Medium body and mouthfeel. The same fruitiness found on the nose are present here. There is a certain amount of oakiness to it, but it gives out mixed signals. There are clear notes of a well-aged whisky, but also notes of fresh (or fresher) oak - old dusty attic and polished wood combined with sawdust and freshly sharpened pencils. The peatiness is still subdued and refined.

Finish: Medium to long finish. I am still a little confused by the mixed influence of old and new oak. Anyways, you get my drift - there is a fair bit of oak here. It works though - it is not too much - just know that it is there :-) The fruits are ever present, and there is toffee. The peatiness now comes across as chocolate and soot.

Comments: I suspect the 1st fill Koval bourbon cask has been used to add a bit more life to this whisky, and it works - in a manner of speaking. It is a bit unusual in style, but still a very fine Springbank.

Score (88/100)

Sláinte! - Thomas