Springbank 18 (2021): Review

[@krishnar3493]

I get the glories of Springbank but the point is @11:17. That’s the problem with Scotch single malts. There is a crusade run to make it @ 46% abv, and even that comes too thin. With so many 55% + bourbons around, it becomes an uphill battle. Edit: Boys, the lighting and voice is excellent now. Nice work, D&M.

[@topshelfdustin3060]

Have to walk before we can run

[@RomainRiviere]

so glad you guys liked that one more than Rob did. Funny to hear you talk about the very dark Local Barley that he adored and Dustin loathed it and sold his stash. To each their own I guess. I personally loved this 18, just like you did, and I was very glad they decided to go 50-50 on this one.

[@topshelfdustin3060]

I love that we have a distillery we love and we still have differences. Just shows how individual we all are.

[@topshelfwhisky]

Always good to get a well rounded opinion. I still watch reviews all the time and disagree often on the scoring/judging of the whisky but completely agree on the tasting notes... sometimes what is said is more important then how it's said.

[@RomainRiviere]

@@topshelfwhisky Mike summed it all up

[@jeffreykasel3387]

Sounds like a good 18yr Springbank!Sherry, bourbon, and then sherry again; interesting. I'll have to keep my eyes out for this batch. Thanks 🥃👍

[@topshelfwhisky]

Sherry, bourbon then sherry again, in a nutshell. These are always fun whiskies.

[@jeffreykasel3387]

My local shop just got 2 bottles in yesterday. I bought them both...😅 I can't wait to try this beauty! 😁 Cheers

[@welshtoro3256]

Sounds like a good one. I have to be honest, I've had a badly sulphured Longrow 18 and Springbank 18. The casks aren't always so good. I really get pissed off with distilleries that bottle that stuff because they know its not good. I've also had a badly sulphured Kavalan. Again, they knew that when they bottled it. Bunnahabhain 12 has far more bourbon than sherry (vatted not finished) but people think it's a sherry whisky. Those great Springbank 12's also have a good mix of bourbon in them but the sherry comes through. Your enthusiasm is infectious but I wish I liked Springbank 18 more than I do. WT

[@topshelfdustin3060]

Always hard to talk sulphur as it's so polarizing. I think springbank, and especially longrow used to really like offering those types of notes. For me as I've obviously noted, I would rather get a sulphur for example than these recent burnt oak casks like the KK8 57.1. I think the springbank 18 we reviewed BEFORE this one was a bit more funky and maybe that's sulphur driven (I really am so NOT sensitive to it that I only notice at the extreme ends). Anyway cheers welsh, maybe you can find this at a bar. They really nailed this one and I'll agree with you. I generally am NOT a fan on springbank 18, especially when value factors in (US value, our retail is 2-2.5x yours). And as a result I don't buy nearly as many of these as other springbanks. But their last 3 releases have me really hooked.

[@welshtoro3256]

@@topshelfdustin3060 I wish I could by one these days. It's impossible in the U.K unless you visit the distillery.

[@topshelfdustin3060]

@@welshtoro3256 I'd hope at least some bars get it for fair prices?

[@welshtoro3256]

@@topshelfdustin3060 I'm sorry to say Dustin but that would be a rare event. A few high end whisky bars in Scotland and London might have some but they will charge seriously top dollar if they do. Springbank are just a dead end for most of us in the U.K now. Supply and demand - I get that, but you guys can get it easier than us. It sucks.

[@topshelfdustin3060]

@@welshtoro3256 wow, I can even get some of the really rare and hard to get bourbons at local places if i talk with the owners to know when they'll get it in or put it out. Sure a little leg work but nothing THAT extreme.

[@DarkSalmonz]

Gonna need to grab one of these for sure, cheers!

[@topshelfwhisky]

I'm looking for backups!

[@DarkSalmonz]

@@topshelfwhiskyIf you're still looking for backups, this just popped up at the Indy Total Wine today if you happen to run through town soon. $240 and they got 5 bottles left.

[@questionable9668]

Disappointing that these go for 300+ in my area, found a shop that had a springbank 21 2020 for 500 and the 18 2021 for 300. Opted for the springbank 21 2020. Any plans to do a springbank 21 2021 review? Haven’t seen them personally, but would be really interested in both of your opinions. Cheers

[@topshelfdustin3060]

If I see the 2021 for 500 or less, I might pull the trigger but I never saw a US 2020 even, they're getting so hard to find and prices are getting out of hand. I'm still going to chase springbank but I'm not willing to go to secondary sources.

[@WhiskyLoversSociety]

Loved the 17. Need to get my paws on a 18 sample.

[@drchoe7720]

Just got my springbank 18 from 2021. It says 17/388. What does that mean? Does it mean there were 388 bottles made and this is the 17th? Or is it the 17th drum out of 388 drums?

[@topshelfdustin3060]

Great question. The 17 is easy, that was a 2017 bottling, not a 2021 bottling. That one was bottled August 21st of 2017 and is 60% sherry and 40% bourbon. The 388...I have been told that is the day of the year, but clearly that can't be the case here. Springbank 18's are generally 3500-4000 bottles per release so that isn't bottle count either. I'm rather glad now they give us the bottle date on the bottle vs that code. Makes it a bit easier.

[@drchoe7720]

@@topshelfdustin3060 thanks for the reply. I see it now. It says 21/08/17 17/388. It was bottled on 8/21/2017. The year 2017 and 388th batch(?). And this leads to the next question. If it’s 2017 whisky, is it considered old and does that affect quality of it?

[@topshelfdustin3060]

@@drchoe7720 Yeah the batch just doesn't make sense. They don't do that many batches a year. As for old or not, nope you're good to go. Just be careful opening it. The cork could fail. I've got a 2014 Springbank 18 open right now now. People buy bottles from decades ago all the time.

[@drchoe7720]

@@topshelfdustin3060 thanks! I’ll continue to watch and learn from the experts!

[@primewhisky]

Great review guys, love Springbank but 21y sold out in milliseconds here in Sweden so I missed out.

[@topshelfdustin3060]

I didn't even see the 2020 here locally, forget about the 2021. Thank goodness I found a few of these stunners!

[@topshelfwhisky]

I remember just a couple years back you could fine SB on shelves and more then one. those days are long gone.

[@SM-ec5vc]

Another great review, guys. I've just come to the conclusion that I'm not a Springbank-in-sherry kinda guy. Give me the 100% ex-bourbon or ex-bourbon/ex-rum releases. I'd love to find someone who has a 2018 SB21 to trade for my 2017 SB21...

[@wachinstuf]

You guys try the longrow 18 2021 by chance? It’s in my area but upper $200s in price so unsure if it’s worth it. But, anything springbank is hard to find around me nowadays

[@topshelfdustin3060]

That one didn't make it here locally and I blinked when I saw at in the UK...so never found that one.

[@wachinstuf]

@@topshelfdustin3060 fair enough! Thanks for the reply

[@Houman7]

Is this the newest one that came out in a tin instead of those cardboard boxes? I think my local shop still has few at 270$, 90$ increase in just a year!!! Anyway based on your review I’m getting it today

[@topshelfwhisky]

This is the 2021 and it comes in a round tube. it's darker then most 18's and i wish I could read the bottling code on the back of mine to help you out but I just can't make it out.

[@topshelfdustin3060]

Yep, this is the "paper tube" or "toilet paper roll tube" edition. Let me tell you, NOT an impressive change to the package lol.

[@topshelfdustin3060]

@@topshelfwhisky The date is in the description :)

[@Houman7]

Thanks guys, so it must be the same since US has just received this tube version.

[@RwingDsquad]

Great choice. Springbank is hot right now.

[@topshelfdustin3060]

should have batch 23 of the 12 CS up sooner than later as well. I love drinking and reviewing these bad boys!

[@topshelfwhisky]

These keep, getting harder to get but Dustin makes a concerted effort.

[@frankiehawkins3877]

Hi Mike and Dustin Have you tried the springbank 18year old from 2018 bottling, just curious, I have a bottle of it and just haven't opened it because I can't afford expensive whiskeys, I also have a bottle of the springbank local barley 9 year old, where I live springbanks are rare to find. I mostly want to know about the springbank 18year old 2018 to see what you think, cheers guy's for the great review of springbank, keep up the great work !!!

[@topshelfdustin3060]

I don't have that one, but i'm 90% sure Keith brought it over for a tasting with us and it was great. I do have the 9 year, which I don't think we've reviewed. It's a bit new make forward for my tastes, even among local barely's, but still a very enjoyable whisky. All be it perhaps one I found over priced. It's however a real show of that local barley which for some is why they love that series.

[@topshelfwhisky]

I can't be sure if I've had the 2018 and if I did, my thoughts on that year are lost... sorry

[@frankiehawkins3877]

@@topshelfdustin3060 Thanks for the great reply, I'm going to have to open the 18year old springbank, I think I will keep the 9 for another day, it's around $600.00 to buy right now, you guys are my favorite scotch reviewers, keep up the great reviews !!!

[@bodziokrakowski5613]

I was lucky to get 2 bottles! Na Zdrowie!

[@topshelfwhisky]

Always a great find... Na Zdrowie!

[@cato451]

One of the great distilleries in Scotland. The 18 YO is such a premium treat. Expensive but so damn good. Investment quality? No. Drink them people!!!

[@topshelfwhisky]

going back to the store today for more of these! well, sending Dustin

[@Halliskyes]

Investment quality? No? 😂

[@topshelfwhisky]

@@Halliskyes Springbank always is

[@Halliskyes]

@@topshelfwhisky always.

[@sowlegwhiskyreview5501]

Great review of a great whisky, guys🙂 Btw being surrounded by purple colors in your everyday life is more likely to decrease your sanity more than any other color. You know, just in case you want to get rid of some of those bottles😉 Don't you guys store away bottles as investments? I somehow just figured it was more likely, as you drink many high end bottles.

[@topshelfdustin3060]

Mike could likely buy a house with his whisky collection, but neither of us look at whisky as an investment in anything other than saving us from future cost increases on things we love.

[@topshelfwhisky]

Must be why I'm mad for this whisky :0 !!!!! I tell myself it's an investment as a reason to buy backups but my belief system is routinely challenged every time I open a bottle.

[@ameliaday3630]

🦖🦖

[@DonnerPassWhisky]

There is quite a jump in price at the 18 compared to the 15, 12, 10. Of course they are all hi now. Got a Longrow 18 (2019) back then when they were much more available as part of a UK order for around $100 less than the Springbank was going for. At that time the shop had 4 different years of Longrow 18 available. The good old days 😁

[@topshelfdustin3060]

I missed this one at UK prices :( What a mistake!

[@DonnerPassWhisky]

@@topshelfdustin3060 I got it because Keith told me about it, glad for the tip.

[@topshelfwhisky]

18 year age statements normally have a sizable uptick from 15 and below… but I get what you’re saying.

[@squinugie2091]

@@topshelfwhisky The 18 retailed here in the UK for £95 (against £61.70 for the 15) which I think was a fair price and I agree with Dustin that it is an improvement on previous years.

[@DonnerPassWhisky]

@@squinugie2091 Yes when they are available in the UK the prices are good just sounds like they sell out fast. In the US they are always high.