Review 129: Chieftain's Springbank 1974-2003

As promised, here is another single malt scotch distilled in 1974. This time, it's a Springbank matured in a sherry butt (#1161) from Chieftain's. Interestingly, this whisky is only 28 years old, because it was bottled way back in 2003. That mean's it's spent nearly a decade in the bottle. That's probably not long enough to notice any old bottle effect, especially given that this is a cask strength dram, but I'm sure a little has changed. Well, let's get on with it!

Chieftain's Springbank 1974-2003

Color: Amber +0

ABV: 56%

Aroma Neat:
Crayons, Waxed Apples/Stewed Apples, Stale Ash, Dull Peat, Cinnamon/Allspice, Creamy Cooked Malt, Pencil Shavings (lead/graphite, sawdust), Peach Skin (slightly), Coppery Apricots, Tame Vanilla, Mineral Water, Farmyard/Manure (slightly), Hay, Walnut Oil, Polished Leather Boots.

This is another waxy old whisky, waxier even than the Strathmill. It's very faintly fruity, but a broken down peat/woody ash character is more notable. Not an easy style of whisky. It comes at you from bizarre and unexpected angles, which is bewildering at first. For a malt nerd, it's beguiling, complex, and reasonably unique. 

Aroma Water:
Waxy/Crayons, Malted Grain, Baked Apples, Cinnamon, Raw Vanilla, Quiet Oak, Cocoa Beans, Vegetable Oil (very slightly), Mineral Water, Metallic Peat/Lead/Tin, Pineapple (slightly), Earthy Honey, Cooked Pears, Boot Polish (slightly), Coconut Oil, Stale Ash, Twigs, Soil.

A little more focused than neat, with malty notes reining things in, but still a guerrilla ambush of disparate aromas. I rather like it, but I think are are many who would be turned off by it. Definitely "old style" malt whisky.

Taste Neat:
Metallic Peat, Coal Smoke, Crayon Wax, Mineralic, Ashy Barrel Char, Chewy Boiled Fruits, Smoked Honey (beeswaxy...), Wood Smoke.

Peatier than the nose and still quite waxy. A little easier, but this is no beginner dram!

Taste Water:
Crayons, Metallic/Tangy Peat, Mineral Water, Spiced Oak, Ashy Barrel Char, Cola (very slightly), Dry Malt, Grass/Hay, Baked/Dried Apples, Cinnamon, Fresh Nutmeg, Wood Smoke, Honey.

Opens beautifully with water. Very complex and multifaceted.

Finish:
Oak (slightly spicy), Wax (melting crayons), Mineral Water, Copper/Apricots, Wood Smoke, Fragile Peat.

Long lasting and in good keeping with the palate, though a bit woodier and smokier.

Conclusion:
Exceedingly complex nose, but it takes time to, er... "understand."

Complex palate as well, which is similarly challenging.

Long lasting and multilayered finish.

Rating: 93/100

When I first tasted this whisky, I thought it was probably a low 80's dram. It confused me and presented me with an experience which was a little alien. After a few drams over a couple of weeks, I feel like I've come closer to "figuring out" this whisky. I think it's quite wonderful that a whisky can be so complex and interesting as to warrant that level of study. This is probably the most difficult and inaccessible whisky I've tasted, but if you put in the time you'll be rewarded.

Josh