Springbank 1968-2007 39yo Acorn's #617 47.6%

My apologies, it was an incredible whisky. Springbank SPRINGBANK 1968-2007 39yo ACORN'S #617 47.6% The aroma features apricot, strawberry jam, rich oak, salted peanuts, young leaves, Assam tea, and a subtle caramel and peat note. On the palate, it expands elegantly with a delicate viscosity, retaining the jammy strawberry notes from the aroma alongside a sweet, full-bodied flavor. A briny character emerges later, accompanied by woody nuances reminiscent of incense and a hint of shellfish umami, along with subtle peat. The finish is long and intoxicating. 【Very Good/Excellent】 This Springbank 1968 was bottled by Acorn in 2007. Likely from a refilled sherry cask, the aroma strongly conveys jammy strawberry notes, complemented by rich nuances of Assam tea and salted peanuts. The mouthfeel is viscous and aromatic, with a deep, jammy strawberry sweetness and a touch of briny umami. The brininess arrives later, adding complexity. Despite its considerable aging, it lacks over-oxidation and maintains a strong presence. The long finish carries the characteristic 1960s Springbank elegance, which was a pleasant surprise. At the time of bottling, it was relatively expensive, and as it was a Japan-specific cask, its circulation was substantial. I believe this was one of the last remaining 1960s Springbank bottles. At launch, Acorn's representative remarked it was 'firm and would take time to open up,' a sentiment echoed in my tasting notes at the time: 'It has the 1960s Springbank character and is tasty, but its firmness and heaviness lack elegance.' At that time, I avoided purchasing it as other 1960s Springbank bottlings from distillers like Signatory or Ian Macleod were more approachable and available at lower prices. However, over time, it sold slowly, and by the time its value became apparent, it was no longer available. This recent tasting surprised me. The firmness has mellowed, and the heaviness has transformed into complexity and depth, retaining its 1960s elegance while intensifying the strawberry jam character into a layered, profound aroma. Though I never expected Springbank—renowned for needing time—to evolve this way, it has surpassed even the thick, peak-period bottlings I prioritized at the time. As a long-time favorite Acorn original, I now regret not purchasing it. #Springbank (SPRINGBANK)