More Springbank 'Cage' Bottles

I've reviewed some Cage bottles before here, this time I'm back with a pair of Springbank, a Hazelburn and a pair of Longrows thanks to the ever generous Callum & Kate!

Let's see what they are like!

Review of my whisky year - 2023

Firstly thanks to all of you who have read my blog (c228,000 up from 147,000 last year) and followed me on Twitter (c6,350 up from 5,300 last year).

This blog has been going for 7 years now and this is the 682nd blog post! In that time I've reviewed over 1,810 whiskies! Let's review 2023!

Side by side : MoM Campbeltown 8yo

Tea-spooned Campbeltown malts from @MasterOfMalt, what's not to like?  Part of a new range of reasonably priced 'Exclusives'.

Lets try them!

Campbeltown Loch

Most will know the famous Andy Stewart song from the 60's Campbeltown Loch, some will know of J&A Mitchell's releases under this name.

This time we're trying this year's release a blend of whiskies from all 3 current Campbeltown distilleries, featuring the three Springbank malts, Glengyle and Glen Scotia.

#BTC18 #BlindDrams Tasting Notes

 These are my tasting notes from the Blind Tasting Consortium's 18th #BlindDrams evening.

These drams were picked by Damian @newdramrising

Side by side: Five 10 year olds

There aren't a lot of distilleries sending out standard bottlings at 10 years of age, most leave it another couple of years for their entry level age statements.

In fact the Balvenie 10yo I'm trying here has been discontinued and replaced by a 12yo.

Whisky 'machinery' - the Washback

Continuing the series looking at some of the 'machinery' used in a distillery to create whisky - this time the Washback or fermenting vessel.

I've covered the basic process of creating whisky here, but I'm going to explore the machinery a little more in this series.

Side by side : A trio of Hazelburn

Not quite the runt of the litter but you don't see much love for Hazelburn on social media. Springbank and Longrow seem to take all the attention.

I was able to buy an old bottle and here compare it against two more recent ones.

Whisky 'machinery' - the Malt Mill

A new series looking at some of the 'machinery' used in a distillery to create whisky - this time the Malt Mill.

Glen Moray's Porteus Malt Mill

I've covered the basic process of creating whisky here, but I'm going to explore the machinery a little more in this series.

Whiskybroker's 21yo Springbank

You don't see that many independent bottlings of Springbank but somehow @whiskybroker managed to get their hands on a cask.

This one is a 21yo distilled in 1999 and matured in Sherry Hogshead 412.

Side by side : Springbank from Cadenhead's Cage

If you've ever been to Cadenhead's shop in Campbeltown you will have had a look in The Cage, a simple wooden cupboard with chicken wire doors and a padlock - you can look but you can't touch!

You can ask them to open the doors if you have chosen a bottle to buy.

Batches : Springbank 12yo Cask Strength

Distilleries often release whisky in batches, the same name but subtly different recipes, ABVs, maturation periods etc. In this new, occasional series, I'm going to review a number of different Batches in my Side-by-side format to see if I can detect any differences, does each batch get better or are they to all intents and purposes the same?

This time I'll be reviewing batches #17 and #19 of 12yo Cask Strength from @Springbank1828 distillery, what differences are there?

Side by side : Port Wood Matured

As you probably know I love a port finished dram so for this side by side I've got three!

Looking at three different Port Wood matured drams from @PenderynWhisky, @Springbank1828 and @GlenScotiaMalts - How do they compare?

Review of my whisky year - 2019

First of all thank you to all the people who have read my blog (c48,000 up from 29,000 last year) and followed me on Twitter (c2,600 up from 1,700 last year).

My highlights of 2019 were:

BlindTastingOnTour : Springbank

    

Tuesday morning arrived all to quickly and brought a few sore heads, memories of an empty Cage and the damp weather didn't improve the situation.

BlindTastingOnTour : Campbeltown

The second annual #BlindTastingOnTour started with a 4.15am alarm clock, a 4.30am taxi and a 4.55am train from home to Carnforth to meet up with the rest of the gang who drove up from further south.

Youtube clips

I've appeared in a few Youtube clips talking about whisky or doing reviews - here's an updated list of them!

The Whisky Family (Was Maltman Mike & Friends)

Glen Scotia Campbeltown 1832

Review of my whisky year - 2018

First of all thank you to all the people who have read my blog (c29,000 up from 16,500 last year) and followed me on Twitter (c1,680 up from 900 last year).

My highlights of 2018 were:

Claxton's @TweetTastings

I was lucky to be picked for a @TweetTasting with drams supplied by Claxton's an indie bottler from North Yorkshire. Previously I'd only tried one dram from them, which was pretty good, and was interested to see what else they put in their usually square bottles!

Mini-review: French No.63?

Blind sample from @GregsWhiskyG

In the glass : Interesting brown coloured bottle so I had no idea of colour before I opened it. But it is quite a dark coloured dram, swirls cling to the glass and not much in the way of legs.... High ABV?

Nose: This seems quite complex - there's a little dunnage warehouse, some damp hay, maybe even a hint of smoke? After a little time in the glass there's some honey and toffee coming through too.

Palate: Lots of honey, very sweet, a little toffee. Not getting any of the smoke from the nose and not much in the way of spice. I think I'll reverse my thoughts on a high ABV - this seems to be a low 40s% ABV. From the honey notes I'd suggest a Speyside or maybe a Highlander?

Finish: A hint of spice on the finish, and again maybe some smoke? Lovely malty finish - very warming. I'm going to go out on a limb here and suggest a Benromach ?