Springbank Tasting Set Society Bottles (30ml x 2)

Springbank Tasting Set Society Bottles (30ml x 2)

• Springbank 5 Year Old Fresh Sherry Matured Springbank Society 2024 Release (30ml, 57.1%)
• Springbank 5 Year Old Fresh Bourbon Matured Springbank Society 2023 Release (30ml, 57.1%)

While most of the world is chasing 21 and 25-year-old expressions, true Springbank "funk-hunters" know that the 5-year-old Society releases are where you find the raw, unadulterated power of the distillery.

Both of these releases sit at an identical 57.1% ABV, offering a perfect side-by-side study of how Springbank's oily, industrial spirit interacts with "Fresh" (first-fill) wood over a short, intense period.

Tasting Notes

Springbank Society 5 Year Old Fresh Bourbon (57.1%)

• Nose: Vibrant and coastal. Vanilla pods, unripe pineapple, and grapefruit zest hit first. Then comes the classic "Springbank Funk"—damp wool, engine oil, and sea spray. It smells like a working pier in the morning.

• Palate: Explosive and peppery. Salted caramel and honey fight against a sharp, acidic citrus bite. Mid-palate, it turns earthy with notes of clove and dunnage floor.

• Finish: Long, salty, and "fizzy." It leaves a lingering trail of lemon peel and mineral smoke.

Springbank Society 5 Year Old Fresh Sherry (57.1%)

• Nose: Dark and brooding. Sticky dates, balsamico, and dark chocolate. The smoke feels heavier here, more like smoldering charcoal. There’s a savory undertone of leather and cured meats (Prosciutto).

• Palate: Thick and syrupy. A massive arrival of black cherries and treacle, followed by espresso beans and tobacco. The spirit's oiliness carries the heavy sherry tannins perfectly, resulting in a salted licorice note.

• Finish: Decadent and dry. Cocoa nibs, pipe tobacco, and a final, oily puff of peat smoke.

Why it's special

• The "Fresh" Wood Intensity: Springbank often uses "refill" wood for their core range to let the spirit lead. These use First-Fill (Fresh) casks, which means the wood influence is at its most aggressive and "loud." Seeing how a 5-year-old spirit stands up to that intensity is a masterclass in distillation.

• The 57.1% ABV: This is the traditional "100 Proof" (British scale). At this strength, the oils are fully intact, creating a "chewy" mouthfeel that makes these feel significantly older and more substantial than their 5-year age statement suggests.

• The Transparency of Youth: There is nowhere for the spirit to hide. These bottles represent the "Springbank Revival" at its most honest—showing that even at five years, this is arguably the most complex spirit being made in Scotland today.