Springbank Palo Cortado Cask Matured 10 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Springbank is working its way through a series of sherry cask matured whiskies. Each whisky is finished in a different cask type. In 2022 they released a 10 year old Pedro Ximnez version (which was less to my taste) and in 2023 this Palo Cortado version. The whisky spent six years in refill bourbon barrels and then another 4 years in fresh Palo Cortado hogsheads, made from Spanish oak.

A lot of red fruit sweetness. Strawberry jam, caramelized nuts and nougat, with some sharper cranberry juice and goji berry. Mossy hints in the background, as well as milk chocolate and a creamy, almost buttery hint. Then just a hint of tobacco leaves and mild minerals. Hardly any funk. Overall similar to an Oloroso version, but fruitier and more subtle.

A fairly sharp attack the texture is thinner than how I remembered it. The minerality seems bigger, with more smoke and tobacco too. Red fruits mingle with dried cranberries and cola sweets. Hints of graphite and a good dose of white pepper. Then macadamia nuts, orange oil, hints of red velvet cake and bike tires.

Rather long, with cold coffee, caramel sweets and berries, as well as a light salty and gingery edge.