Springbank Rundlets and Kilderkins.

Working in the ale trade we're all too familiar with Kilderkins. 18 Gallons. Sinch. But a Rundlet? Well that's an old measure for wine casks - 18 gallons again, but wine gallons - or 15 imperial gallons today. Well since 1824 when the imperial system came in. Ah, easy eh?

Anyhow, this new Springbank baby is matured in these smaller size casks - not sure for how long though - maybe since it was distilled in November 2001 until they bottled it in January 2012 - it's a good guess in lieu of any other concrete information. And these smaller casks mean that it has more contact with the wood and so therefore should mature that little bit faster. This Springbank is a bit of a limited run, limited to 9000 bottles and apparently they'll be doing a Longrow and Hazelburn version in subsequent years.

Well I got to admit this is a very fine dram. And it especially doesn't drink like one at 49.4% either.
The nose on this is fairly stunning and one that you can have a good half hour getting around.
It kicks off with a lovely barley presence and then, quite interestingly comes the citrus touch - more like preserved lemons - those one's in a jar. After this comes a whiff of smoke, a touch peaty but not overtly so. There's a dryness, brittle wood. Some sweetness, a suggestion of cough sweets. The nose is intense, hitting the back of the senses and making the mouth water. It's beautifully balanced with the wood going hand in hand with subtle smoke waves. There's a touch of sherry sweetness too. A little while on, it breaks down to a hot chocolate chip pudding. Slightly dusty again. Clean, fresh. A final note of a walk in the forest. The forest floor. Pine needles.

The palate continues the theme of the nose. It's a slow builder, taking a while to get going. A long intro. The smoke comes first, then the spice rises later on. The sweetness and a little touch of bitterness. There's a touch of nut, some orange and those preserved lemons make an appearance again. The wood and smoke are, like the nose, balanced against the spice. It finishes long, creamy and full bodied with a lick of sweetness.