New Release: Springbank 1999-2016 16 Year Old Official 'Local Barley'

I was delighted by the exceptional quality that exceeded expectations. Springbank SPRINGBANK 1999-2016 16yo OB 'Local Barley' 54.3% One of 9000 bottles The aroma is elegant, with orange and freshness, yet it carries a deep, strong barley note. Notes of white flowers, green strawberry, light minerals and brine emerge, with a subtle peat hint from the background. On the palate, it expands smoothly despite its high ABV, revealing a citrusy, condensed umami-rich barley flavor. A gentle sweetness of honey and acidity balance well with a strong saltiness, while faint tar-like peat notes linger. The finish is clean and pleasant. [Very Good] This is a newly released reissue of Springbank's 1999 Local Barley, aged for 16 years. I was aware that Springbank had been producing Local Barley since 1999, and coincidentally, I had just opened a Society bottling of the same vintage at home. Previously, only single cask releases were available, but this time, after much anticipation, it was bottled in 9000 bottles via vatting. It is available overseas and will soon be imported to Japan in hundreds of bottles. The aroma is characteristically Springbank, with multiple fresh fruits and floral notes, offering a deep, mature barley flavor without any greenness. A mineral note is present, though the briny and peaty elements are relatively subdued for this vintage, giving it a different atmosphere from the more commonly seen Longrow style. On tasting, its ABV is less noticeable, with a rich, citrusy barley umami that lingers on the tongue. Though I'm not sure if it's due to being Local Barley, its texture is remarkably smooth even after just a few days of opening, with the barley flavor deeply infused. The briny character is clearly present, and like the aroma, the peat is milder than expected. The balance of sweetness and acidity is well-maintained, with minimal cask influence and a clean, refined finish. It's also rare to see such an open expression from Springbank so soon after bottling. Despite its rich flavor, it's very drinkable, with a straightforward and delicious profile that makes you want to keep drinking. It's a truly impressive Springbank from the 90s, and I'm convinced that its reissue with a revived label was well worth the wait. It's an exciting release that makes me feel optimistic about Springbank's future. As mentioned earlier, I had been enjoying the Society bottling of Local Barley 1999 at home when I learned about this new release. While the 11-year-old version is delicious, it has a strong cask influence (Recharred Sherry Butt), giving it a rough, forceful character. I had expected something similar for this release, but it beautifully defied my expectations. Specifically, I had imagined a type with strong cask influence, common in recent Springbank releases, and a thick body with a bold barley character. While the barley's umami is indeed central to its appeal, it also has a wealth of other elements. Above all, it's a remarkably clean and balanced malt compared to recent Springbank releases. Despite the label, I doubted myself and drank it multiple times. Still, its deliciousness as a new release is undeniable—I could drink bottle after bottle. The 11-year-old version likely came from a distinctive cask used in this vatting, which had strong influence and matured quickly. I suspect it might have been released as a single cask. Perhaps a small amount of the same cask was used in this bottling as well. Additionally, I plan to publish an article about this soon. As Local Barley has been produced since 1999, I expect future releases to include different vintages or long-aged versions. I'm very much looking forward to those as well.