Springbank 19 YO Dr Jekyll's Expression

Springbank 19 YO Dr Jekyll's Expression, 58,8 %

Today I present a review of something very special. In Oslo we have several very nice whisky bars. One of them, which we frequent quite often for obvious reasons (whisky!) is called Dr Jekyll's. Over the past few years they have released their own bottlings of four different whiskies, in a series they have named 'Dr Jekyll's Expression'. These four whiskies have been from Highland Park (see review), Glengoyne, Karuizawa (see review) and Laphroaig (see review). On Thursday November 6 they released the fifth installment in the series; the Springbank 19 YO Dr Jekyll's Expression.

This release is the result of a collaboration between the team at Dr Jekyll's, Jon Bertelsen (the Springbank importer to Norway) and the Springbank Distillery.

Springbank 19 YO Dr Jekyll's Expression was distilled in May 1995, matured in a bourbon refill cask, then bottled at 58,8 % ABV in July 2014. The total outturn was 234 bottles. A total of about 100 bottles was released for sale through Vinmonopolet on the following Friday, at a very reasonable price of NOK 1200 (item number 1858801). Not surprisingly it sold out before lunch time!

At Oslo Whiskyfestival this weekend this latest Dr Jekyll's Expression was entered in to the competition for best whisky from Scotland older than 12 years. This is a competition where all the attendees of the festival get to vote for their favorite candidates. The Springbank 19 YO Dr Jekyll's Expression won on knock-out numbers! More than twice the number of votes that number two on the list got. Congratulations to everyone involved in the project!

Nose (24/25): Super fresh for being 19 years old. Eucalyptus, salt, vanilla, soft peat, mild caramel and nuts - peanuts and almonds. It's full, rich and complex. A lot going on here, but hardly any hint of the farmyard notes I often pick up on Springbank. There's faint hints of something herbal or grassy given time, but is is more like a distant memory. I also pick up something reminiscent of balsamic vinegar. Strange and fun.

Taste (23/25): Smooth and still fresh. Caramel, mint, camphor and smoky chocolate notes. Vibrant and very much alive.

Finish (23/25): Slightly more herbal on the finish. Caramel, summer fruits, and white sugar. Fresh, fresh, fresh. Long and lingering.

Balance (23/25): Very well integrated, a complete whisky, robust and vibrant. Happy to have secured some.

Score (93/100)

Sláinte! - Thomas