Springbank 10yo… is this the end of the 10?

Springbank 10 doesn’t really need an introduction. But is this the end of the bottle… I’m only joking, this is the final drops of the Springbank 10 and it’s been in the shelf for around 3 years. Can a whisky that’s been opened so long and have such a small amount left in it. Keep its texture, smell, taste? Will it be even better than before or will it be quiet and flat?
Only one way to find out so stay tuned and as always
Let’s talk whisky

[@andrewbutler7681]

I've had bottles on the go for up to 19 years with zero problems, so it is refreshing to see someone admit that whisky can still be good after 3 years - some newcomers delude themselves into thinking that the liquid changes very rapidly (when, in fact, it is a combination of their palate on different days and changes in their expectations) and that whisky has a shelf life/expiry date! I just wish I could re-find the link to a study that used gas chromatography-mass spectrometry to prove that there is absolutely no measurable chemical change in whisky over two years (and I wish they had run the experiments for longer).

[@Letstalkwhisky]

Totally agree, some days whisky can taste fantastic and we don’t know why. Good mood, nice food had a good round of golf etc. you can re visit the same whisky days, months years after and have the opposite, bad day, bad food and the whisky may taste “off” because of the change in circumstances. I went into this bottle open minded and it’s great to see it’s still got all the good stuff about it. Slainte buddy

[@andrewbutler7681]

@@Letstalkwhisky I hope you can get another bottle without too much trouble or expense (I've found it helps knowing someone who runs a whisky shop...).

[@richardjohannesT]

Highly dependent on headroom and power/youth or age/fragility of the liquid. Oxidisation is a real thing, bit you don’t really have to worry about it with young and powerful whiskies like this. I learned my lesson with a 37 year old Glenmorangie which went bitter after a couple of drams. That hurt.

[@andrewbutler7681]

@@richardjohannesT Two problems: it is NOT oxidisation in a scientific sense - if anything happens it is off-gassing of volatile components - and I have had subtle Speysiders down at an inch of fill level for years without spoiling. But then I might as well try to convince someone in a MAGA hat that Trump is a criminal...

[@djbeacon6895]

Was lucky enough to have a small store in South Carolina with a number of SB on the shelf 4 or 5 years ago. The 10 year was $65 and even had a couple of older "black labels" from 2017. The 10 is so enjoyable. But my favorite is their 12 year CS Batch 21, 4 different finishing barrels. BEAUTIFUL. Cheers!

[@peathead4450]

Thanks for reviewing Kevin. Love Springbank 10 and have had several other expressions. I can't recall any bottles that really have gone bad, however it has happened that the peat intensity of some whiskies will diminish with time (after the neck pour). Slàinte mhath

[@geofre44]

My last bottle of SB 10 was waaaay better after about 3 months. It started out wonderful but just kept getting better and better. I am about to open another to try but i will take my time with it. As far as availability it isn’t on the shelf that often but I find it out of sheer persistence. I check store apps, IG posts, visit the stores regularly etc. It is out there if you make it a priority and take the time. Thanks for the review! Cheers!

[@heatherharrison264]

I always have a lot of bottles of spirits in my collection, and I have a tendency to work on them for years. If they are kept out of light and heat, and if they remain well sealed (which can be a challenge with the nasty, crumbly corks that bottlers unfortunately continue to use), the booze in the bottles lasts a very long time. I worry a little about unaged spirits since they haven't spent years in barrels being exposed to oxygen, but even they seem to hold up for a long time. For some strange reason, Springbank 10 has completely disappeared from the stores where I live, but Springbank 15 has been available. The people at one store that has a reliable supply of the 15 tell me that they have been trying to keep the 10 in stock but have been unable to obtain it. In the past, the 10 was the easiest one to find. I wonder what has changed. I love the 15, and I am slowly working on a bottle, but I also love the 10 and would like to be able to find it again. A local bar has the 18. It is great too, but I like the 15 a little better.

[@leejaybrown5567]

One of my go to bottles this one Kevin, just have to limit it lol

[@richardhall6391]

Sitting and watching someone nose and taste a fabulous dram for 10 minutes is almost as good as doing the same oneself! 😁

[@scottallen8292]

Love SB 10, one of my favorites! Cheers!

[@NastasiFitness-mp8jj]

I usually find Springbank gets better once opened as level goes down. Thanks for the review!

[@JollyRover]

For Springbank I find it is even more (compared to other distilleries) down to my own 'daily form', how great an experience it is, what notes I am getting out of it. Never had any bottle that was getting 'worse' with time per se - I rather agree with you, they might be getting slightly better over time actually. (My oldest open SB is 4 years open, so not superold of course.)

[@Letstalkwhisky]

It’s great to see that whisky doesn’t need rushed and it can keep all its good notes from start to finish. And 3 years for me with a little left in it just shows that the other whiskies on the shelf that I’ve been worrying about with a low level may also still be good. So another experiment to finish them… and of course create more space for new bottles. Slainte buddy

[@christinecamley]

I’m kind of bored with Springbank 10. Way too difficult to obtain. That has turned me onto many delicious scotch expressions that are as good or rival this Springbank expression. After 3 bottles of Springbank 10 I moved on tire complex Springbank. I think it’s further the Springbank has been open for so long! It stays delicious! Awesome video! Try the Lagavulin Offerman Edition 4!!! Fabulous!!

[@TheReal_DeanD]

55. Quid for a spring bank 10 you’re so lucky man. I have to pay $90 US for tax for a spring bank 10. Pre-pandemic spring bank 15 was readily available for 100 US. I drink that bottle so fast and I regret it. I can’t find a spring Bank 15 now and if I do, it’s 160 US before tax.

[@zedman8720]

Great descriptors Ken , I’m lucky as I have a few spares to enjoy down the track when I can’t get them. Cheers

[@gavsdrams]

My go to whisky never had a problem buying Springbanks Great review The last dram will be good will never loose its life

[@welshtoro3256]

You're extremely fortunate Gav. I don't know where you get your Springbank from but the vast majority can't buy it.

[@juiceterry1818]

Like Gav I've never had too much trouble finding Springbank. Admittedly you need to keep an eye on the release dates because of it's relatively small batch production, but if you do.that you can usually hunt one down. If you are reliant on online then it's not going to be easy unfortunately due to all manner of nonsense, but going to your local specialist retailer and supporting them in person usually brings its rewards

[@welshtoro3256]

@@juiceterry1818 That's the problem. Unless you live in Scotland and have a relationship with a retailer it's a dog's dinner. Outside of the privileged customer it's highly restricted, limited and gone within hours at best. Local Barley is invisible for people unlike Gav.

[@uilleachan]

There are several non online retailers dotted about with Springbank allocation where the 10 can be had off the shelf. It doesn't hang around & when one finds it it's incumbent on the finder not to be greedy. Interestingly standard Longrow doesn't seem to suffer the same über demand issues.

[@welshtoro3256]

@@uilleachan I've been drinking Springbank for a very long time and I do know a few retailers that get tiny allocations but they are tiny and usually allocated to a chosen few. You don't see it on shelves outside Scotland unless it's been marked up.

[@christinecamley]

Delicious dram!

[@russell3733]

Yep, it often seems that a whisky can improve once it's been opened. Many talk of a "tight" or a "reluctant to open up" impression on the initial neck pour, while some weeks (or months) later, it can seem to have "opened up" or gained "balance." Whatever the case may be, it's fun to enjoy different impressions of the same whisky on different days in different moods and in different company. On the German market, SB 10 is more often available than not available in more recent times and asking prices seem to have stabilized around roughly €60 for a 70cl bottle. That's the good news. The bad news is that the 12yo Cask Strength, the 15yo and the 18yo are virtually impossible to get at prices which are nothing short of completely ridiculous. Retailer mark-ups are phenomenal, in every negative sense of the word. So, yes Kev, let's enjoy the SB 10yo as the one reliably available SB on the market. And yes, let's not worry if it takes 5 or even 10 years to get to the bottom of the bottle. Cheers!

[@anthonysillett6678]

I have a few in my stash along with other Springbanks, only 1 open at a time. There are tricks in getting your hands on them though.

[@DonnerPassWhisky]

I do think Whisky is better once the level is down a bit and has had some time. For very low bottles, if you are concerned about long-term (mine will not last 3 years 😂😅) pouring into a sample bottle that is full, will get you indefinite storage. Cheers Kevin