Springbank 1968 Pacific Caledonian #489

Ten years have passed since Mr. Forrest's passing. Springbank SPRINGBANK 1968 PACIFIC CALEDONIAN #489 49.2% one of 271 bottles The aroma is lavish and strong, with notes of citrus, freeze-dried strawberries, white floral blossoms, white wine, unripe melon, a powdery and condensed nuance, dry barley or hay, with a gentle peat in the background. The mouthfeel starts softly and expands into a rich flavor, with condensed citrus, light apricot jam, vanilla, a dense sweetness with a powdery texture, good acidity from citrus, strong brininess, and a subtle bitterness from grassy notes. The finish brings a slightly sticky peat with tar-like elements, leaving an intoxicatingly long aftertaste. 【Very Good/Excellent】 This is a single cask Springbank 1968 bottled by the late Matthew D. Forrest under Pacific Caledonian. I believe the bottling occurred in the early 2000s. I have written about this before at Fingal, but this time it was opened on the 10th anniversary of his passing at Yurakucho. I took extra time to taste it carefully, as usual. The aroma is truly like a perfume of malt, with fresh yet matured and concentrated notes of citrus, freeze-dried strawberries, and grape-like white wine. The diverse fruits and florals are clearly expressed, creating an intoxicating experience. It is also very fruity when tasted, with a good balance of sweetness and acidity. Additionally, the strong brininess that defines Springbank was clearly felt. Moreover, there is a strong sense of powdery and condensed elements in both aroma and flavor, which are among my favorite characteristics, raising my enthusiasm. The peat also makes a clear statement, allowing me to enjoy its complex and intoxicating aroma. This type of 1960s matured Springbank differs from the typical sherried strawberry jam style. While I feel it shares characteristics of both freeze-dried strawberries and jam-like qualities, there are similar bottles in my collection such as the Signature 1969 (#266) and Duncan Taylor's 1967 (#1943). Because these bottles left a strong impression, I often feel a strong sense of 'this is it' when drinking this type of Springbank. Conversely, the 1960s Springbanks that are fully loaded with strawberry jam are also delicious, but I have not had the chance to finish an entire bottle at home. While they are excellent, they fall slightly short of the 'this is it' feeling compared to this type. There's no clear preference between them, but perhaps the difference lies in which one brings a sense of comfort. Additionally, there are drinkers who might feel this 'this is it' sensation in recent styles. As each distillery has its unique character and the distillers have their own attachments, I often find that different bottles evoke the 'truest' Springbank in different ways. For me, this is a Springbank that evokes the feeling of 'this is it,' and I drank it while thinking of Mr. Forrest. Although I could not speak directly with Mr. Forrest, I would have liked to share my thoughts on the bottle while also inquiring about the bottling's background and intentions.