Springbank Whisky Sample 5 Year Old Society bottle 2022 Release (30ml, 57.1%)

Springbank Whisky Sample 5 Year Old Society bottle 2022 Release (30ml, 57.1%)

While the 2024 release favored Sherry Hogsheads, the Springbank 5 Year Old Society Bottling (2023 Release) offered a completely different profile, having been matured exclusively in Fresh Bourbon Barrels.

This bottling is often cited by fans as the "Pure Springbank" experience. Without the heavy mask of Sherry, the 5-year-old spirit allows the raw, coastal, and "industrial" DNA of the distillery to take center stage, proving that Springbank's distillate is remarkably mature even in its infancy, and triggered the later regular Springbank's 5 year old 100 proof release.

Tasting Note

Nose: Sharp and coastal. It opens with a punch of sea salt, lemon peel, and green apples. Following closely is that unmistakable "Springbank funk"—notes of wet wool, paraffin wax, and oily rags. There is a light, sweet vanilla undertone from the fresh bourbon wood, but it remains crisp and mineral-forward.

Palate: Vibrant and oily. The texture is surprisingly heavy for a 5-year-old, coating the mouth in salted butter and vanilla fudge. Mid-palate, the flavor shifts toward savory territory: white pepper, grapefruit pith, and a gentle, earthy peat smoke. It feels raw and powerful, like a spirit straight from the spirit safe.

Finish: Clean, long, and drying. The maritime influence lingers with a taste of crushed seashells and brine, ending on a final note of toasted oak and a faint, ashy smokiness.