Aside from the three wine influenced 2007 Classic Casks we reviewed just a few weeks in the past, Mossburn additionally launched two particular bottlings. Each are over 20 years of age. First we have now a Jura 1993, adopted by a Springbank 1999. Indie Springbank certainly!
Jura 28 yo 1993 (48,2%, Mossburn ‘Classic Casks’ 2021, cask #20.0493.SC5, 220 btl.)
Nostril: oh so very waxy – it jogs my memory of a Nineteen Seventies Clynelish and even these 1966 Ben Nevis. Behind this we discover marzipan, buttercream, cooked apple and hints of papaya. Then again to castor oil, putty and whiffs of shoe polish. Damp hay and gorse flowers. Digestive biscuits. My kinda whisky.
Mouth: pretty fruity with an oily, waxy texture once more. Extra biscuity notes, in addition to previous oak, almonds, dandelions and sunflower oil. Hints of curry spice and aniseed. It stays on the candy facet whereas others have confirmed some bitterness and mustard – not right here. As an alternative we have now branches and leafy notes, spearmint and candy natural tea. Hints of dusty books as effectively.
End: fairly lengthy, with spearmint, aniseed and wildflower notes.
This Jura 1993 (a classic we hadn’t seen from indies earlier than) begins nice, with stunning waxy notes and an old style, dusty facet. Then on the palate it’s creamy however rather less advanced. Extra really useful Jura! Out there from Grasp of Malt or cheaper from TyndrumWhisky for example.
Springbank 22 yo 1999 (54,7%, Mossburn ‘Classic Casks’ 2021, bourbon barrel #01.1099.SC4, 206 btl.)
Nostril: a reasonably light profile. We discover a few of these waxy notes once more, on the expense of the same old coastal / medicinal Springbank notes. Some vegetals, chalk and buttery notes. Candy lemons and stewed fruits within the background. A touch of yellow apple. Then additionally leathery notes and a wee trace of smoky tobacco.
Mouth: finally, some peat smoke and a touch of camphor and menthol that add a medicinal facet. Hints of cardamom and pepper, with a barely bitterness from the wooden. It stays fairly spherical and candy although, with fruitcake and candy mint.
End: lengthy, relatively traditional, with light sooty notes, a obscure fruity sweetness and hints of black peppercorns.
Two actually good whiskies. The truth is they’re nearer collectively than you’d count on. Though this Springbank exhibits some traditional markers and a excessive drinkability, some die-hard followers will in all probability suppose it’s too clean. A posh dram however I believe the Jura is extra distinctive. This one is offered out at Grasp of Malt anyway, and I’m undecided the place you may nonetheless discover it. Rating: 89/100
