New Release: Springbank 1996 17 Year Old for WHISKY LIVE! TOKYO 2014

A tropical-flavored Springbank that was interesting and delicious. Springbank 1996-2014 17 Year Old Official Bottling for WHISKY LIVE! TOKYO 2014, 58.7% ABV One of 226 bottles, Refill Bourbon Cask The aroma is elegant with orange, vanilla, tropical notes of guava and pineapple, good malty character. Upon drinking, the same tropical fruits like guava and pineapple are present, with a rich sweetness, sufficient saltiness, malty umami, faint peat, spiciness, and a slightly oily long finish. [Good/Very Good, Interesting] Bottled for the Tokyo International Bar Show WHISKY LIVE 2014, this is an official Springbank 1996 aged for 17 years in a Refill Bourbon Cask. The aroma is quite elegant, with the bourbon cask typical notes of orange and vanilla, but also a distinct tropical fruit character like guava and pineapple that I hadn't previously associated with Springbank. When drinking, the tropical fruit notes remain consistent with the aroma, offering a rich sweetness with a briny Bank-style character and the umami of barley, finishing with an oily, long aftertaste. While Springbank from this region often has peaty characteristics reminiscent of Longrow, this one stood out with its subtle peatiness typical of Springbank. It felt like a delicious 1990s-style Springbank with the addition of tropical fruit nuances, making it an interesting and flavorful new release.