Отзывы Whiskybase
учтено 178 заметок · текстовых 84 · полный lossless-снимок WB (полнота подтверждена)
Суммаризация отзывов
Springbank 08-year-old Local Barley получает в основном похвалу за сложность, маслянистую текстуру и баланс при 8 годах, но часть отзывов критикует молодость, резкость спирта и серные/металлические ноты. Мнения расходятся вплоть до прямо негативных оценок и сомнений в оправданности цены.
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В большинстве отзывов виски хвалят за впечатляющую для 8 лет сложность, маслянистую текстуру и хороший баланс, при этом солодовый характер и дымность дистиллята пробиваются сквозь влияние бурбона и шерри. Его описывают как мощный, «грязный» в стиле Springbank, с дымно-торфяными, солёно-минеральными и травянисто-фанковыми нотами, а также фруктовыми и пряными оттенками; упоминаются тропические фрукты, цитрус, кожа, табак, травы, мёд, ваниль, ягоды и дубовая терпкость. Часть дегустаторов отмечает неожиданно сильную дымность вплоть до сравнения с Islay, а также что виски выигрывает от воды и отдыха в бокале, становясь мягче.
Однако есть и заметная критика: несколько отзывов отмечают молодость — металлические и серные ноты, резкость спирта, «необузданный» спирт и местами короткий финиш. Звучат мнения, что напиток уступает предыдущим релизам Local Barley, что высокий ABV делает его менее отточенным, что он менее сложен и более резок по сравнению со старыми версиями, а при добавлении воды «плохо плавает». Есть прямо негативные и сдержанные оценки: «грустно по сравнению с предыдущим релизом», «не особо хорошо» для премиальной линейки, предпочтение обычному Springbank 10yo или Kilkerran 8yo, критика дисбаланса, слишком высокой цены, неприятной «искусственной» и серной ноты, грубости и излишней резкости без длительной выдержки, а также сомнения в оправданности раннего розлива. Встречаются и противоположные оценки — от «Unremarkable, fairly good» и «how is this likeable?» до восхищения «gobsmacking»; при этом несколько отзывов называют его одним из лучших или очень удачным, несмотря на молодость, хваля полноту, сложность и развитие в бокале со временем.
собрано 84/178 текстовых отзывов · полный lossless-снимок WB
· 2026-11-13T08:33:46Z · источник evidence
нос 88 · вкус 87 · финиш 86
Impressive complexity at this age (which is now no longer a surprise with young Springbank), and the balance of bourbon and sherry allows the familiar distinct distillate to come through, while offering complimentary layers of sherry influence, all in a very well integrated and oily texture.
нос 90 · вкус 87 · финиш 87
Normally I think these bottles are overrated, but this is really good. If you have a bottle you could easily flip it, but then you're missing out on pleasure for the sake of making a few bob. Get it supped - belting.
нос · вкус · финиш
| Нос | 88 | One of those where you can smell it as soon as you start pouring - plenty of sweet fruit notes, with a rich spice coming through - like a buttery apple strudel. |
| Вкус | 89 | The mouthfeel is really good - a lovely oily feel - the taste is lovely and rich, plenty of buttery, fruit notes with a really nice spice note. Well balanced - just a beautiful dram. |
| Финиш | 89 | Long, lingering lovely - just want to keep going back for more. |
Nose: Honey and vanilla intertwined with buttery toffee, green apple, citrus peel and a hint of smoky peat. Palate: Rich malt sweetness and orange blossom honey, paired with dark chocolate, toasted nuts and warm spices, showing the complexity of the wine. Finish: Long and balanced, with hints of salt, oak tannins and a rich toffee sweetness, with a lingering smoky flavor.
нос 87 · вкус 90 · финиш 89
Interesting leather notes but not dirty actually, good SB profile but of course, there were better LBs before - overall not bad
нос · вкус · финиш
| Нос | 87 | Hay, new leather, tobacco, herbs, little citric, spices, pepper, hint of vanilla, almonds, little leafy notes, hint of honey, dough, hint of grain |
| Вкус | 88 | Punchy, oily, creamy, citric, spices, pepper, lemon peel, good sweetness, yellow fruits, honey, more new leather, herbs, tobacco, little yeasty, ginger, woody - not bad |
| Финиш | 88 | Long, warm, spices, citric, pepper, woody, leather, little fruity |
нос 88 · вкус 88 · финиш 87
нос 87 · вкус 87 · финиш 86
нос 89 · вкус 89 · финиш 88
нос 87 · вкус 85 · финиш 86
нос 85 · вкус 87 · финиш 86
Peat on nose Peat on palate with some sweetness and fruits Lingering peat ... Nearly thought it's an Islay .....
нос 87 · вкус 88 · финиш 86
and here is the youngest Local Barkey and here is bere barley again. And again extremely tasty. Wonderful balance. Variety and depth of taste. The palette of aroma and taste changes every 5 minutes. From malty, sweet taste of oatmeal cookies, fruit and even a hint of tobacco to mowed hay, wildflowers and earth. Extraordinary!
нос 89 · вкус 88 · финиш 89
нос · вкус · финиш
| Нос | 90 | salty, strawberry jam, cereal, malt sugar, blueberry, custard cream, warm brownie with roast peanuts |
| Вкус | 88 | creamy texture, little bit fizzy, malty, lemon, salted caramel biscuit, dry earthy peat, wet nettle comes back to nose, more mineral and salty with dash of water |
| Финиш | 88 | medium long with mineral, chocolate and salty peat smoke, surfer, citrus note with dash of water |
нос 89 · вкус 89 · финиш 88
Good dram. When I do the blind tasting of it, I feel better than I scored before
нос 89 · вкус 89 · финиш 88
нос 89 · вкус 88 · финиш 89
нос 88 · вкус 87 · финиш 88
86.5
нос 86 · вкус 87 · финиш 87
нос · вкус · финиш
| Нос | 87 | sweet fruit notes ( Mango, citrus, pineapple, passionfruit)... maltiness and a hint of smoky peat. |
| Вкус | 88 | Nice mouthfeel , very oily ,mineral notes and tropical fruits |
| Финиш | 87 | Again Tropical fruits, spicy, medium / long finish |
нос 85 · вкус 82 · финиш 80
Just malty scent and pungent sherry flavor. It's sad compared to the previous release.
нос 85 · вкус 84 · финиш 82
нос 87 · вкус 86 · финиш 86
As a member of the Sppringbank's premium product line, its performance was not particularly good.
нос · вкус · финиш
| Нос | 86 | The alcohol has a somewhat harsh taste. Moreover, when the bottle was first opened, the flavor was quite chaotic and lacked a clear direction. |
| Вкус | 89 | Powerful yet comfortable smoky flavor, outstanding taste. When drinking, the sweetness of malt sugar and the smoky flavor blend together, accompanied by the flavors of caramel and a hint of mocha coffee. Later, there are the tastes of salt-baked nuts and burnt resin. The flavor is complex, the taste is rich, and the combination is harmonious. |
| Финиш | 87 | The finish is not so pleasant, the alcohol content is a bit high, and a woody bitter undertone has emerged at the end. |
нос 88 · вкус 87 · финиш 86
нос 91 · вкус 92 · финиш 92
нос 88 · вкус 89 · финиш 89
нос · вкус · финиш
| Нос | 84 | N: Barley, Egg, Metallic, Acidity, Lactic, Tea leaves, Roasted barley, Springbank funk, Orange, Smoky The sulfur is quite strong. A nosing where sulfur and barley dominate more than two-thirds of the profile. Savory, damp, and stale notes are all present. An overall messy impression on the nosing. The citrus and acidity of orange. A bit of smokiness. Lactic notes. An unpleasant nuttiness that tends to surface when sulfur is strong. |
| Вкус | 87 | P: Nuts, Berry, Smoky, Pepper, Cloves, Ginger, Malt On the palate, the sulfur is much more settled. The proportion of nuttiness has increased, and the tartness of the berry has also improved. Smoky peat. Spicy and hot baking spices of pepper, cloves, and ginger. Even so, it's not amazingly good. |
| Финиш | 86 | F: Nuts, Malt, Pepper, Smoky, Earth, Berry Berry and an awkward nuttiness. The savory, damp character of malt. A kick of pepper. |
нос 88 · вкус 89 · финиш 89
нос · вкус · финиш
| Нос | 86 | Quite noticeable chemical peat smoke. Dried oak and maybe some licorice root? Nose is not the most exciting, but not in any way bad either. |
| Вкус | 88 | Heavy and full bodied. Meaty, light smoky and with quite a lot of mint (and maybe some chocolate). Salty, lime-y and with some minerals too... |
| Финиш | 89 | Lasting savoury sweetness. |
нос 88 · вкус 89 · финиш 87
нос 86 · вкус 87 · финиш 86
нос · вкус · финиш
| Нос | 87 | |
| Вкус | 87 | |
| Финиш | 88 | The 10th release in Springbank's new Local Barley series. After bottlings ranging from 9 to 16 years, it's now an 8-year-old addition. With 13,500 bottles worldwide, this one sits at the higher end of previous releases. What makes it special? Distilled from Bere Barley, a rare, tricky-to-process grain last seen in the 2017 LB release. Grown on Paul McCartney's High Ranachan Farm, just two miles from the distillery. Aged in 50/50 Bourbon & Sherry casks - a first for the Local Barley series. EYE/NOSE Bright gold with rosé hues, thick legs hinting at high viscosity. Honey, roasted almonds, cocoa powder, and a touch of salt. Fresh ginger candy and pink grapefruit, with smoke building up like a Longrow. Dark honey, butter cake, and a hint of ash add depth. PALATE Oily, bold, and complex. A mix of smoke, spice, and citrus, with some noticeable alcohol heat. The peat influence is stronger than on the nose. Candied orange peel, salty minerals, and deep spice, while the sherry casks bring creamy chocolate. The youth is evident, but the barley stays front and center. FINISH/VERDICT Long, warming, and malty, with lingering spice. The classic Springbank DNA is there, but the high ABV and youth make it a bit less refined than earlier LB release. Very solid, but at 8 years, the concept might be stretched to its limit. Maybe it's time for an 18yo Local Barley instead? PODIUM Does it make the podium? Nope. My ranking of the top three new LBs still stands: 16yo > 13yo > 9yo. Further notes and reviews on Facebook: #Maltkanzlei |
finished a 10 cl sample surprisingly voluminous for 8y - looks like the bere barley had some good influence, hence i'm happy it's been bottled young more smoke than usual - the bere barley gives strong cereal influence covered by heavy duty engine fumes
нос 89 · вкус 89 · финиш 88
A bit young and metallic, but it shows this wonderful distillery profile in an honest light It has that wonderful springbank funk, with farmyard and oranges, but seems a bit light and metallic.
нос 87 · вкус 88 · финиш 88
нос 88 · вкус 89 · финиш 87
despite the high appreciation and undisputed status of Local barley releases from Springbank, this one seems rather young to me. Adding water rounds up the rough edges, but at the same time removes the raw power from the whisky. Frankly speaking, I would prefer regular Springbank 10yo to this one, and Kilkerran 8yo would be even a better option. After few tasting I had to change my rating from 89 to 87.
нос · вкус · финиш
| Нос | 87 | Surprisingly no alcohol kick from the start, considering the age and ABV (later on ABV gets noticeable). Malt, pastry, a lot farmy notes, wet wool, citruses. Distinctively young. Open up with dried fruit, sweet-sour berries, melon, maybe even mango(?) |
| Вкус | 86 | dense and peppery. More tropical fruit and typical Springbank notes. At full strength rather edgy and sharp. With water less body, but gets more fruity |
| Финиш | 87 | mid-long to long, less spicy with water. Mineralic, waxy and creamy, a bit of tropical fruit, herbs. |
нос 89 · вкус 89 · финиш 90
нос 88 · вкус 88 · финиш 87
Spirit-driven Campbeltown, 15Jun2025: Dunaverty 5yo https://www.whiskybase.com/whiskies/whisky/42868/dunaverty-05-year-old-es 88+ Kilkerran 8yo OB CS#11 https://www.whiskybase.com/whiskies/whisky/270925/kilkerran-08-year-old 87- Springbank 8yo OB 2016 Local Barley https://www.whiskybase.com/whiskies/whisky/266696/springbank-08-year-old 87- Springbank 10yo OB 2011 Local Barley https://www.whiskybase.com/whiskies/whisky/249396/springbank-10-year-old 88- Springbank 10yo OB 2009 Local Barley https://www.whiskybase.com/whiskies/whisky/156849/springbank-10-year-old 88- Springbank 13yo OB 2010 Local Barley https://www.whiskybase.com/whiskies/whisky/244883/springbank-13-year-old 87+
нос · вкус · финиш
Springbank Local Barley Tasting https://www.whiskybase.com/whiskies/whisky/77661/springbank-16-year-old 2016 - 88 https://www.whiskybase.com/whiskies/whisky/156849/springbank-10-year-old 2019 - 84 https://www.whiskybase.com/whiskies/whisky/168125/springbank-10-year-old 2020 - 90 https://www.whiskybase.com/whiskies/whisky/249396/springbank-10-year-old 2021 - 87,5 https://www.whiskybase.com/whiskies/whisky/244883/springbank-13-year-old 2023 - 87,5 https://www.whiskybase.com/whiskies/whisky/266696/springbank-08-year-old 2024 – 88
нос · вкус · финиш
| Нос | 87 | initially reserved, fresh, straw/malt, Galia melon, sweet, metallic, CT Funk, dirtier with water and more engine oil/lubricating oil, less sweet |
| Вкус | 88 | Candied orange peel, marzipan, forest honey, oily/creamy mouthfeel, dirtier with water and more oil, less sweet |
| Финиш | 88 | malty, sweet, long, slightly herbal, polish |
нос 87 · вкус 88 · финиш 87
god
Any 12cs drink tastes better than this.
нос 86 · вкус 85 · финиш 86
Worth it.
Online tasting with WCI “Campbeltown VIP Tour” Uses barley drink. Dist. July 2016, bottled 10/12/2024, casks 50% ex bourbon 50% ex sherry Color: gold. Very good, not an easy drink, a little grumpy, very robust, discreetly complex.
нос 87 · вкус 88 · финиш 87
Light golden color. Slight oiliness.
нос · вкус · финиш
| Нос | 88 | Delicate ashiness. Subtle smoke. Barley malt. Vanilla. Caramel. A touch of fattiness. Toffee. Sweet cream. Coconut. Honey. A snuffed cigarette. A dying campfire. Grilled citrus. Lemons. Grilled tropical fruits. Minerality. Menthol. |
| Вкус | 88 | Ash. Citrus. Grilled citrus. Full. Oily. Spices. Black pepper. Grilled tropical fruits. Grilled pineapple. Orange peels. Albedo. Grapefruit. Minerality. |
| Финиш | 89 | Minerality. Salt. Citrus. Grilled citrus. Oranges. Orange peels. Mandarins. Ash. Light smoke. Albedo. Grapefruit. Tropical fruits. Malt. Caramel. Vanilla. Cocoa. Heavily toasted barrel. Full, intense and long finish. |
S 7 Colour: Eiswein 07. Legs: Thin but heavy. The peat here is subtle as compared to usual Springbank, there’s also more oily character throughout. A lot to discover for a mere 8yo. Clearly Springbank when water is added. Also, it looked more Sherried than it actually is.
нос · вкус · финиш
| Нос | 87 | Poached snow pears with a spoon of salt. Tinned red fruits. Minerals. Muesli. Fish oil. Coastal smoke at the background. Crumble dusted with cinnamon. Some vanilla and honey hidden behind the charred oak spices. Nose warming. More vanilla as it breathes. Water releases even more of the bourbon cask influence. Vanilla custard even. But the salinity and subtly earthy wood smoke is here to stay. |
| Вкус | 86 | Very spicy landing, reflecting the ABV. Toasted & smoked barley husk. Nutmeg, chilli pepper, crushed peppercorn, allspice, star anise. Mouth coating. Slightly oily but also very fruity. Overripe yellow fruits - bananas, apricots, honeydew. Honey. Earthy peat and a touch of menthol. Salinity at the background now, |
| Финиш | 84 | Mid, slowly drying and mildly waxy finish. The yellow fruits remain alongside the coastal smoke and wet oak impression. Water makes the finish drier. |
нос 88 · вкус 90 · финиш 89
нос 88 · вкус 87 · финиш 86
нос 86 · вкус 86 · финиш 85
Aroma: it has a fruity yeasty profile, spicy, herbal, with a vegetable background (for those who drink Mezcal, this profile can be felt in the background) Taste: the whisky is Springbang dirty, mineral, spicy, fruity, a little earthy with a hint of anise
Quick hit review. Online tasting 11/2025. Is Springbank running out of older stock? I wasn't particularly sad that I didn't get a bottle this year (youthful age, mixed reviews), but after a blind tasting, the itch returned. A big sooty peat blast kicks off the nose, followed by ripe peaches, orange zest and wood spices. Mineral and funky notes reveal its Campbeltown origin. On the palate, pineapple cubes, mango and savory peat smoke blend harmoniously, with peppery oak emerging from the back. Citrus zest, honey and a touch of mint linger in the crisp and ashy finish. A raw and elemental dram! RATING: 4.0/5.0 stars ≙ 88 pts → FIRST-CLASS
нос 86 · вкус 87 · финиш 87
This one is good. However for me it was a bit fiery. With a good amount of water it calmed down and was more than drinkable.
нос 87 · вкус 88 · финиш 89
It tastes pretty good, with a strong peat flavor and decent complexity. I'd say around 88.
нос 88 · вкус 87 · финиш 88
нос · вкус · финиш
| Нос | 87 | Sooty, seaweed, pineapple, litchi, white pepper, cashew nuts and salted caramel |
| Вкус | 89 | Fudge, peat, milk chocolate, honeydew melon, peppermint, leather and walnuts |
| Финиш | 88 | Funk, cappuccino, white chocolate, cinnamon, tobacco, nutmeg, ginger and salted liquorice |
Gobsmacking, herbaceous delight. Chewy, thick, and showcases the Springbank spirit so well. A very fun local barley.
нос · вкус · финиш
| Нос | 90 | Immediately hit with a grassy note. Green meadows, tall grass, thistles, light dew. Malty grassy nose. Lemongrass, a faint citrus note. Ginger, stewed plums, blueberry jam. Fruit cake, raisins, butter cake. More lemongrass, and hints of funk. Farmy, vegetal and slightly fungal. Thick, viscous, machine oil, and more jammy fruit. Banana peel, melon. Honeydew rinds. |
| Вкус | 90 | Very lush and sweet mouth - sugar glazed doughnut with raspberry jam filling. Thick, chewy plums, prunes and icing sugar, more jam. Sheer gobsmacking delight. Viscous, oily body. So thick and full-bodied. Oil drenched wood, forest mushrooms, damp moss, grass and bramble. Just oil, honey and oak. Even more jam, blackberries, raisins. Buttery and tasty, minerals, pebbles from a stream. Long, lingering finish with a very faint hint of oak. |
| Финиш | 89 | |
нос 86 · вкус 87 · финиш 87
The plot development is so good
нос · вкус · финиш
| Нос | 87 | Tobacco ash |
| Вкус | 90 | Salt Herbal Orange |
| Финиш | 89 | Gentle Feet Long Remains |
нос 87 · вкус 89 · финиш 88
Springbank 8 Year Old Local Barley 2025 Release, 58.1%. 30ml sample from WhiskySituation. Consumed at home, March 2025. The first whisky in three weeks after covid and other bugs. Mid tone amber. Aroma is dense salt-crusted seeded bread, the sort of bread it’d take you a few minutes to chew a mouthful of. Over-cooked apple pie and low-sweetened carrot cake. A rich maltiness that seems sweet and creamy. A little cooking gas throughout. Teresa says lavender honey, hazelnut liqueur and sage – very good shouts all three, puts me to shame. Water brings out hot rubber and squash ball on the aroma. Burnt sage. Body is light, watery. Not as hot as a 58% beverage should seem after 3 weeks of no alcohol, but yes it’s still too ethanol-led for me. A little water and the taste is led by chalky white pepper and salt. Quite a dry, minerally profile with a youthful prickle to it. Spirit-led, which is usually a good thing - and is here too but for that overly spiky finish. Noses really nicely at cask strength - otherwise a fairly unremarkable, fairly good, dram. 3.475/83
Tasted one day after Longrow 100 Proof 57.1 %. Springbank is far more complex and less rough. Actually, feels more mature for a 8 YO. Ok, Longrow is a NAS, but seems like it is quite young Adding few drops of water is a plus for nosing it. Taste is too soft with water
нос · вкус · финиш
| Нос | 89 | Quite oily on the glass. Nosing this one is a pleasure. Intense , yet complex. |
| Вкус | 90 | More like classic bourbon. So little sherry influence that I think the sherry casks are 2-nd or even 3-rd fill ones. ABV is well supported and helps to a long aftertaste. For sure longer than Longrow's |
| Финиш | 89 | Long and pleasant |
нос 87 · вкус 86 · финиш 87
Local Barley = Quality Mark! Young, powerful, but cool whisky, ether (!) in the aroma at this age is super! 22 22+ 21 22 87+
Blog on www.longpouramour.com on 9 July 2025. My conclusion: "Young stuff, and I am not exactly sure how much of the Bere barley influence I have experienced. The sherry influence created a dirty edge that maybe eclipsed the barley note. Anyway, a good experiment, that deserves a longer maturation period." (I notice the discrepancy between my initial tasting of this whisky, and then the tasting for my blog.)
Tasted from a sample, in a head to head of two young Springbank releases, the recent Hazelburn 8 Oloroso (WB277986) and the 8yo 2024 Local Barley (WB266696). The Springbank shows more structure and development at this age, but its powerful spirit is still somewhat untamed. The Hazelburn is delicious and has matured faster, but its youth shows in the lack of development and finish. I think they’re roughly equal in enjoyment, but I wouldn’t go out of my way for a bottle, especially at auction prices for the Local Barley. The standard 10 is more impressive, and I’ve had much better Local Barleys. Still nice though, and they’re definitely not boring.
How is this likeable?
нос · вкус · финиш
| Нос | 82 | dirty sherry, metallic, "typical springbank", young, malty and peated nose |
| Вкус | 83 | Sweaty, malty, metallic, |
| Финиш | 83 | gunpowder |
Not bad, short finish but good bold flavors
нос · вкус · финиш
| Нос | 88 | Sweet, candied strawberries with a thistle and funk |
| Вкус | 89 | Prickly, hints of youth, big spice swell and sweetness, green notes of grassiness, stewed red berries, vanilla |
| Финиш | 86 | Short, sugary and a touch of oak |
нос 87 · вкус 89 · финиш 87
(Tasted blind) OVERALL: Total score 89 points.
нос · вкус · финиш
| Нос | 89 | NOSE: Sweet, honeyed ashiness. Some lemony notes. (89p) |
| Вкус | 88 | TASTE: The arrival is sweet, lemony, ashy-funky and black peppery. Lovely. On the mid palate more of the same, with an emphasis on honey and black pepper ashiness. (88-89p) |
| Финиш | 89 | FINISH: Ashy, peppery, swwet (89p) |
нос 88 · вкус 88 · финиш 89
нос 88 · вкус 88 · финиш 89
It has almost no bitterness, is oily and sweet, and is quite good.
нос · вкус · финиш
| Нос | 88 | An explosion of oily notes, white fruit, salty and savory flavors, leather, paint, and the greasy smell of old furniture. After a while, the aroma of vanilla cream ice cream begins to emerge. |
| Вкус | 87 | Sweet, orange soda, honey |
| Финиш | 88 | peat, wood, sea salt |
нос 86 · вкус 88 · финиш 88
нос 87 · вкус 88 · финиш 88
нос 88 · вкус 89 · финиш 88
Tasted during the Springbank Stallions Local Barley, 25th January 2025: Bere barley grown on Paul McCartney's High Ranachan Farm. This is a big dram, with lots of savoury notes, some meaty influences, nice wood. On the tongue it's very fierce with lots of spices but it terrifically displays the barley used. The sherry wood seems to enlarge this chocolate note quite well.
нос 88 · вкус 88 · финиш 87
нос 88 · вкус 87 · финиш 86
нос · вкус · финиш
| Нос | 89 | Vanilla, honey and creamy toffee are in harmony, and the bourbon cask adds a refreshing citrus note |
| Вкус | 90 | Vanilla cream and honey from the bourbon cask, along with a stronger texture than expected. Gradually, the rich dark feeling |
| Финиш | 88 | Gently lingering with sweet oak spice, dried fruit and a hint of peat smoke. |
нос 93 · вкус 91 · финиш 92
The quite strong sulfuric notes are less for my taste, especially for a Springbank. It's less refined that other releases and less to my taste. It may have some Springbank funk, but not fully in the right way for me.
нос 85 · вкус 86 · финиш 86
leather, citrus, smoke, tobacco, marzipan, spices, pepper, orchard fruits, fruity with some well integrated sherry notes, very good especially for an 8yo!
нос 87 · вкус 89 · финиш 88
Young, but passable. I'm wondering why malts with such potential are bottled so early. The profile certainly makes me want to drink a Springbank more often. For the full review, click here: https://keinehalbendrinks.de/2025/08/19/besuch-in-der-walhalla/
there's a lot going on, a balance between sweetness and bitterness, the mineral character of Springbank is a bit hidden and more in the background
нос 86 · вкус 88 · финиш 87
нос 88 · вкус 89 · финиш 88
Nose: Distinctly typical Springbank funk: malty, earthy, slightly oily. Herbs, pepper, a touch of smoke, and a dry grain note. Less fruity than previous Local Barley bottlings, but with a more rustic character. Palate: Powerful and direct. Spicy, peppery, salty-malty with oily textures. Hints of caramel, grain, and a touch of wood. Interesting, but not quite as balanced as one would expect from Springbank. Finish: Medium to long, dry, spicy, slightly smoky. The funk lingers. Conclusion: A characterful, edgy local barley with plenty of Springbank DNA, but less harmonious than previous releases. Ambitiously priced for an 8-year-old, good in taste, but lacking a real wow factor.
Springbank Tasting Comparison of modern day and older vintage Springbank Springbank Local Barley 08 yr old 24/279 WB266696 - 88 Quite a grassy, slightly maritime, honeyed, slightly farmy and distillate forward whisky. Good mouthfeel but all round lacks in complexity. I have just compared this with 1989 SMWS 27.42 8 yr old and a 1960’s Springbank Cadenhead 12. It cannot compete. Very good nonetheless. Springbank 12yr old Cadenhead 1960’s WB128633 - 92 Nose Honey, mineral funk, green grass, lemonade, lemon barley sugar cordial, underripe fresh yellow fruits, lemon squash, pink cordial, grapefruit, coastal Palate Fresh, oily, early hint of earthy peat, farmyard, great mouthfeel, spiced yellow fruits, weak lemon barley sugar cordial, after time in the glass these has got some interesting tropicality. Finish Salty, funky, hint of peat, citrus fresh, Getting a window into the DNA of 60’s Springbank is very informative. It has a nuance, fruitiness, delicacy and complexity I have not experienced in modern day Springbank which seems heavier on the funk and peat. The tropicality present reminds me of my favourite 2 Springbanks I’ve tried. Whiskylands #15 & 19. Springbank 08 yr old SWMS 1989 27.42 WB58001 - 91 Nose Heavy, tarry rope, oily, mechanical, peat, salt, fresh orange, hint of sulphur and farmyard Palate Oily, boisterous, funky, salty, rich, dark fruits, some fresh bright fruits Finish Oily, coastal, maritime salt, lovely wave of peat smoke Gee, I really really like this. Brilliant. Springbank 10 Amontillado WB262473 - 86 Goodness me, it’s a good whisky but the Amontillado has done it no favours at all. Its removed all distillery features outside its mineral, maritime character and to be honest it is disappointing and very linear. Springbank 12 Cask Strength Batch 27 WB277950 -88 Springbank 26 years, 1998, Whiskyland #1 WB259300 Nose Healthy dose of cranberries, raisins, pink lady apples and goji berries. Red fruits galore. Hint of maritime mineral funk. Some leather and tobacco. Palate Immediately good weight, lovely dried fruits develop, some more fresh red fruits but only a glimpse, hint of chilli spice and maritime notes follow, some lovely twiggy peat Finish Drying, mineral, some chalkiness, salinity, moreish, hint of peat.
нос 87 · вкус 88 · финиш 88
It's a pity that the otherwise high quality of the Local Barley series is not achieved. Worst bottling of this series, unbalanced and far too expensive.
Awesome - best spring bank I’ve had
Hmm, a bit disappointed... undiluted, the full Springbank bench, but it's too strong at over 58%! Better with a little water, but be careful, the new LB is a poor swimmer!
Not one I'll soon forget, even if I've tasted better from Springbank.
нос 84 · вкус 86 · финиш 86
good taste peach、mango、passionfruit
Superb LB! Delicious despite its youth
нос 88 · вкус 87 · финиш 86
нос 88 · вкус 87 · финиш 87
нос 88 · вкус 87 · финиш 86
нос 88 · вкус 88 · финиш 87
нос 88 · вкус 86 · финиш 86
нос 88 · вкус 89 · финиш 88
нос 87 · вкус 89 · финиш 88
нос 88 · вкус 90 · финиш 89
A pretty powerful dram, but very flavorful. I can certainly understand why you’d want to get your hands on this!
нос · вкус · финиш
| Нос | 86 | A robust, somewhat heavy peaty aroma greets you first. Alongside this, you detect plums and raisins, complemented by notes of orange, iodine, cigars, and smoked meat. The scent is pleasant but very sharp. |
| Вкус | 88 | Grilled pineapple, soft peat smoke, black peppercorns, and raisins come to the fore first. These are complemented by rosemary, nutmeg, dark chocolate, lime, and orange peel. The taste is quite oily and somewhat robust. |
| Финиш | 87 | Medium-long, with peat smoke, soft leather, and warming spices coming to the fore first. You also taste honey, burnt sugars, and sea salt. Thanks go out to Hessel for the sample! |
Without context quite an ok whisky. Dirty, smoky, some sulphur, slightly hot. Judging it as a local barley, for me, it falls on the wrong side of the fence on most accounts. All the springbank markers are there, they are just not that nice or interesting
нос 88 · вкус 90 · финиш 89
Thick, oily, meaty profile, with chocolate and some burnt rubber. I'm also getting this artificial feeling, slightly medicinal "green sour candy" note that is very out of place. It's a unique LB expression, but not in a good way.
нос 87 · вкус 88 · финиш 88
Sweet smoke, slightly lemony, brown sugar. Heather honey. After a while, it becomes velvety, with ginger, pecans, exotic wood, egg custard, floral notes, beeswax. Prickly pears, papaya, braised pineapple. Tiger balm. On the palate, it's very smooth, candied banana, apricots, mandarin oranges, honey biscuits, then powerful spices, cloves, cumin, nutmeg. Explosive and quite long finish, charcoal, sun-browned cereals, breadcrumbs, a zest of lemon, cashew nuts. As usual, it's excellent, here we have a lot of beeswax, with a very light medicinal touch, and fruits of all kinds, especially exotic fruits. https://ilikesky2020.blogspot.com/2025/04/springbank-2016-local-barley-8-yo.html
нос 91 · вкус 89 · финиш 90
Nose: It has that farm yard quality I often get with Bruichladdich, that’s not to say it is similar to a Bruichladdich, just farmy - grassy, vegetal, hay. Sweet yellow fruits, apples, yellow pears, and maybe yellow plums (?). A thin veil of smoke that carries with it that special Springbank funky peat. I’m also picking up the sherry influence with light dried fruits, light apricots, and a metallic note that goes hand in hand with a touch of sulfur, but the sulfur is not off putting. Malted peat-smoked barley, and a herbal almost minty note. There is a lot going on here. Palate: Sweet and spicy. Lovely balance. Sweet yellow soft fresh fruits, and some dried yellow fruits, together with ginger-esque spice, sweet malt, vanilla, lovely hints of smoke and farmy hay infused peat. There is a sour note in there as well, seeming to come from the hay/vegetal spectrum. It’s not unpleasant, it’s like a citrus/hay combo. I’m picking up a hint of sulfur, but so far it does a good balancing act and it stays away from being unpleasant. On the development and finish the peated barley becomes more prominent and on the long finish that special Springbank funky peat lingers.
This young local barley is robust and distinctive. Decent quality and distinctive grain flavors. In my opinion, this is on par with the current 10 and 15 vintages, although this one isn't really comparable to the 15. One of the sherry casks used has definitely seen sulfur at some point, but the note is barely noticeable, and I may be mistaken.
нос · вкус · финиш
| Нос | 89 | The nose reminds me a bit of the current 10, but this one is much more brutal, more soot and burnt peat. Burnt vanilla sugar and caramel, then pure barley, hardly any fruit, if any then grilled pineapple. Burnt matches (but no intense sulfur). |
| Вкус | 88 | The palate starts off strong, somewhat dry with a hint of rye. Oat flakes, yeast, and flor, then a tart sweetness, like a light herbal candy. No sherry aromas here; if anything, it's light leather. Again, a very slight matchstick note in the background. Not disturbing, not at all. |
| Финиш | 88 | The mouthfeel is very oily, a bit greasy, astringent, and then dry again. Slightly soapy. Ruf, peat and machine oil, grain / cereals. The finish is long, but not particularly complex or broad. |
нос 87 · вкус 89 · финиш 88
Austere, oily, industrial, definitely recognisable as SB but with a twist. At 88 I guess it’s my least favourite local barley so far, but still very good.
нос 86 · вкус 88 · финиш 87
The overall flavor is more like an enlarged version of Springbank, which is rich and strong while also showing its wild and dirty side. Unfortunately, it stings the tongue a bit when it is just opened.
нос 87 · вкус 87 · финиш 86
нос 88 · вкус 86 · финиш 87
нос 88 · вкус 87 · финиш 87
нос 88 · вкус 87 · финиш 87
If asked 'Do you want another dram?', my answer is a definite yes. The overall progression is quite similar to the 12 CS, but with an added layer of peach-like sweetness that makes it really enjoyable.
нос · вкус · финиш
| Нос | 88 | Metallic & Industrial: Distinct notes of iron/metal and WD-40. Corn Tea & Gearbox: Grainy sweetness of corn tea mixed with a "mechanical" gearbox aroma. Sweetness: A lingering sugary base. Impression: Interestingly, the peat doesn't show much on the nose. The metallic, gearbox scent is prominent—it's not exactly a "food" smell, yet it's strangely appealing and not off-putting at all. |
| Вкус | 90 | Sweet & Syrupy: Very sweet and viscous. The sherry influence feels stronger than the bourbon here. Cleaner than expected: Despite the "dirty" nose, the palate is surprisingly clean. Character: Not a "funk-forward" Springbank. Still feels a bit youthful with strong spirit-driven notes like green apple. Complexity: Hazelnut, dust, a hint of peat smoke, and a touch of saltiness. Taking a larger sip finally reveals that hidden Springbank funk. |
| Финиш | 91 | Bourbon Influence: A classic sweet bourbon-cask finish. "Junk Food" Sweetness: Notes of blueberry gum and artificial (but tasty) candy flavors. Fruitiness: More metallic hints mixed with Peach Mychew (soft candy) and purple fruits. Lingering: Surprisingly long. The sweet, fruit-nectar-like finish hangs around beautifully. |
Typical of spoiled wheat, yogurt, milkshake, licorice, Genting style is quite obvious, dirty sherry, with a comfortable and long finish.
нос 87 · вкус 88 · финиш 89
нос 89 · вкус 89 · финиш 88
The rich ash also had a hint of sweetness.
нос 89 · вкус 90 · финиш 89
нос 87 · вкус 88 · финиш 88
нос 87 · вкус 88 · финиш 87
нос 86 · вкус 87 · финиш 85
нос 88 · вкус 87 · финиш 88
Bere Barley is difficult to process, but the effort seems worthwhile when the end result is an 8yo Springbank of this quality. The similarly young Bruichladdich Bere Barley bottlings also exhibit astonishing maturity, so this seems like a grain worth keeping on your radar.
нос · вкус · финиш
| Нос | 89 | Although it exhibits a clearly defined Springbank aroma from the outset, there's another note that's spicier and maltier than usual for Springbank. Distinctly smoky, dried heather, chervil, and marjoram. Setting the glass down briefly and then bringing it back to the nose, the spicy aroma continues to intensify. Raisins and prunes, damp autumn leaves, lubricating oil, peat smoke. |
| Вкус | 89 | As expected, it has a strong start, but thankfully not a bite. Raisins, prunes, blueberries, pepper, sea salt, grated nutmeg and rosemary, yeast dough, malt, dried herbs, peat smoke, beet syrup, and brown rock candy. Initially oily, it quickly becomes dry and consequently woody-dry. |
| Финиш | 87 | Medium-length, dry, brown raw cane sugar, raisins, some malt, pepper and salt, intense maritime aroma. |
Impressively mature for his age, even if he's not fooling anyone. It's good, but not a fan of the profile.
It's actually OK. Most people can't stand such a strong salty taste, but I think this is just the right way to enhance the flavor concentration of the wine.
нос 87 · вкус 88 · финиш 86
Bright, dense, young, but with a noticeable character and a recognizable profile. A little calmer with a drop of water, but this is not necessary if you have a single dram in your hand.
нос 88 · вкус 88 · финиш 87
нос 87 · вкус 88 · финиш 87
Almost a cricket.
нос · вкус · финиш
| Нос | 88 | |
| Вкус | 90 | Let it roll |
| Финиш | 88 | |
нос 88 · вкус 87 · финиш 87
Very rough, irritating and sharp, requires a longer barrel aging process.
нос 87 · вкус 88 · финиш 87
aroma: delicate, alcoholic, herbal, yeast taste: mild, spicy, earthy, herbal A sought-after whisky, but it didn't really suit me
нос · вкус · финиш
| Нос | 87 | |
| Вкус | 90 | |
| Финиш | 89 | Amazingly long finish. Lots of distillery aromas. A real Springbank. |
This release, while showcasing Springbank's local barley initiative, feels notably youthful compared to recent predecessors. Distilled from Bere barley grown at High Ranachan Farm and matured in a 50/50 mix of Bourbon and Sherry casks. Nose: The nose presents with an initial heat, indicative of its youth. While time in the glass reveals pleasant candy notes (lemon, grapefruit), earthy tones, and a hint of spice, it lacks the depth and complexity found in older or previous local barley bottlings. Palate: The palate is oily and carries the candy notes from the nose, along with barley and citrus. However, the youthful heat is quite prominent, especially neat, and can overshadow some of the more subtle flavors. While the brine and mineral notes are present, they don't quite achieve the same vibrancy as in previous releases. Finish: The finish is warm and salty, with a lingering barley character. The heat, again, is a dominant feature, reinforcing the whisky's young profile. Nose (with water): Water softens the heat and brings out some additional tropical and briny notes, but the overall complexity remains relatively less compared to previous local barley releases. Palate (with water): Water helped to bring down the heat, allowing more of the citrus and mineral notes to surface. However, the mouthfeel is somewhat diminished, and the overall impression is that of a whisky still finding its balance. Conclusion: This 8-year-old Local Barley is a decent dram, particularly for those new to Springbank's local barley series. It provides a good introduction to the distillery's style and the unique character. However, it doesn't quite stand out among the exceptional local barley releases of the past 5-7 years. The youthful heat and somewhat less complex flavor profile are noticeable, and it lacks the depth and refinement found in older expressions. While it's a good whisky in its own right, it doesn't reach the same level of excellence as its predecessors. It is a good bottle to obtain, especially for those who have not tried the local barley springbanks, but it is not one that is standing out against its peers.
нос 86 · вкус 87 · финиш 86
During the tasting of these whiskies Springbank 10-year-old (WB271316) and Springbank 08-year-old (WB266696), an unfortunate mistake occurred, the whisky glasses were mixed up. Thus, a description was incorrectly added that matches the taste of the whisky, but does not match the bottle I described. First of all, I apologize to the whisky! This is definitely a classic Springbank nose, but it's not very typical for a Local Barley. It's tasty, round and clear. But for me from start to finish there are more hints of the regular Springbank 15 year old release. It feels like it was simply mixed in with 10 years in bourbon and 15 year old in sherry. Although I understand that this is the work of typical distillery barrels. During the testing I can't help but think that the Springbank sherry is more active here than the bourbon. The nose, taste and finish only confirm this. Light sherry sulfur, eraser and berries on the nose, sharp taste and chewy tannic sherry finish. Overall tasty. Nose - 22 Taste - 21 Finish - 21.5 Balance - 21.5 Rating - 86
22,5+22+22+22
87.5
нос 87 · вкус 88 · финиш 87
нос 87 · вкус 86 · финиш 88
нос · вкус · финиш
| Нос | 87 | Papaya, peat, grass, biscuit, apple, caramel, vanilla and a whiff of motor oil. |
| Вкус | 88 | Mango, briny peat, chocolate biscuit, honey and avocado. |
| Финиш | 88 | Peat, mango, dark chocolate, honey, marzipan and vanilla. |
Initially: shy on the nose. Confined. Still: aromatic, with green herbs, light peat, vanilla, dark caramel. Taste: complex, bursts with more peat, caramel, spicy. A bit dry / astringent. Juicy and fresh. Great fullness of flavors. Finish: Long lasting, dry mouthfeel, herbal, almost medicinal. Copes well with water, benefits from some rest in the glass. Give it time. LB SB seldom disappoints.
нос 85 · вкус 87 · финиш 88
I compared it with the Chinese whisky "Dongwei." Both are robust whiskies, and I learned that the body of this style evolves over time during decanting. Each time I smell it, something interesting and new emerges. Re-tasting: After being bottled for over half a year, the aroma is: peat, heavy malt, full-bodied, honey, vanilla, lemon; oily, sweet, rich, minty, peppery, well-defined overall; finish: a refreshing sweetness lingers at the bottom, not bad.
нос · вкус · финиш
| Нос | 89 | Peat, comforting malt, a rich, murky aroma, a hint of iodine, toasting bread, and the constant emergence of new things during oxidation. |
| Вкус | 89 | Oily, malty, sweet, and yellow fruit slowly emerges in the cup as it steeps; the overall transformation is remarkable. Time will allow it to reach its full potential. |
| Финиш | 88 | The tail isn't particularly long, but it's sweeter, with a light malt flavor, and very comforting. |
нос 88 · вкус 87 · финиш 88
Neck Pour
нос 85 · вкус 86 · финиш 86
It wasn't even worth the original price (£90). It was poorly made and undrinkable. Its only redeeming quality was its relatively complex and balanced flavor profile. I paid for it out of faith. Reference price (based on rating): CNY 2250
нос · вкус · финиш
| Нос | 87 | There's a hint of alcohol. A touch of peat, roasted pineapple, pink blush, ripe apples and plums, sour lemons, grapefruits and limes, some chilled milk, a touch of minerals and pebbles, some saltpeter and gunpowder. The alcohol gradually intensifies towards the end, with some spice and chili notes, but on the pungent side. |
| Вкус | 83 | The alcohol sensation gradually intensifies, and the feeling of dehydration in the mouth gradually increases. However, a relatively balanced blend of temperate yellow fruits, red and black berries, and citrus fruits with skins and stems can still be detected, along with some dark chocolate and coffee beans. In the middle and later stages, there are hints of ash, peat, and pebbles, as well as a gradually becoming more pronounced taste of nitrates. |
| Финиш | 84 | The first half features mineral, sweet orange with peel, orange peel oil, and dry woody notes, followed by a savory, barbecued finish. The intensity is moderate, and the duration is medium. |
нос 88 · вкус 86 · финиш 86
нос 87 · вкус 89 · финиш 88