The Last Call

Springbank 5 Year Single Malt Scotch Whisky Review.      Springbank is one of those distilleries that almost feels mythical at this point. Bottles appear, vanish, and suddenly everyone is talking about them again. Over the course of 2025, I was fortunate enough to track down the 10, 12, and 15 year expressions at close to SRP, and each one reinforced why Springbank has such a devoted following. The 10 was excellent, the 12 downright phenomenal, and the 15, while still very good, didn’t quite live up to the expectations set by its siblings.      So when Springbank announced a 5 year old release near the end of the year, curiosity immediately took over. On paper, it makes very little sense. This comes in younger than the flagship 10 year, at a higher proof, and priced almost identically. That combination raises questions right away, especially when the 10 year is only a few dollars more. Still, Springbank rarely releases anything without intention, so this fe...

Springbank 15 Year Single Malt Scotch Whisky Review.      Springbank is one of those names that immediately raises eyebrows among Scotch enthusiasts, and for good reason. Limited production, traditional methods, and a reputation that borders on cult status have made these bottles increasingly hard to find. Spotting the Springbank 15 Year on shelves in Indiana felt like a small miracle, especially after missing out the first time and circling back weeks later to grab one of the last remaining bottles.      Having already enjoyed the Springbank 10 and 12 Year expressions, expectations for the 15 were understandably high. This release carries extra intrigue thanks to its full maturation in Oloroso sherry casks, not merely a finish, which immediately sets the tone for something richer and more layered. Springbank’s production is famously hands-on, with traditional floor malting, direct-fired stills, and partial triple distillation contributing to the distillery...

Springbank Cask Strength 12 Year Single Malt Scotch Whisky Review.      Springbank is one of those distilleries that seems to live in a constant state of pursuit. Bottles appear in waves, vanish just as quickly, and leave behind a trail of regret for anyone who hesitated. I didn’t expect to find the 12 Year Cask Strength sitting on a shelf months after missing it the first time, but when it showed up locally, there was no chance I was letting it slip again.      After being blown away by the Springbank 10 and securing the 15 shortly after, the 12 Cask Strength felt like the missing piece. Given Springbank’s reputation and scarcity, expectations were high, but the real intrigue lies in how this whisky is put together.      This release is matured using a thoughtful and deliberate cask composition. Sixty percent of the whisky spent time in ex-bourbon casks,thirty-five percent comes from ex-sherry casks, while the final five percent is aged in e...

 Kirkland Signature Lowland Single Malt Scotch Whisky Review.      Kirkland’s Lowland single malt scotch whiskey immediately caught my attention, not just because it’s a bit of a rare find here in Indiana, but also due to Kirkland’s reputation for solid, well-priced bottlings, often available at Costco. While I’m a big fan of Kirkland’s Highland and Islay releases, this Lowland offering had me curious but cautious, wondering how it would stack up.      Now, this whiskey’s story is pretty classic. It spent most of its time in ex-bourbon barrels like most scotches, but then got finished in ex-sherry casks, something I always appreciate because it usually adds a nice layer of sweetness and complexity. It’s bottled by Alexander Murray & Company, who do a lot of these Kirkland releases, and honestly, they tend to nail it more often than not. I didn’t see a distillery name, which isn’t unusual, but the cask choices and the 46% proof tell me they were aim...