Springbank 14 Year Old Fresh Sherry Hogsheads Society Bottling

Springbank 14 Year Old Fresh Sherry Hogsheads Society Bottling – Bottling Note

Springbank 14 Year Old Fresh Sherry Hogsheads Society Bottling is a single malt Scotch whisky produced at Springbank Distillery in Campbeltown, Scotland. Released in 2026 as the second exclusive bottling of the year for the Springbank Society, the distillery’s membership organisation, it is part of the Springbank range produced by J&A Mitchell & Co. Ltd., the family-owned company behind the distillery.

Distilled in June 2012 and bottled in October 2026, this 14-year-old single malt was matured entirely in first-fill Oloroso sherry hogsheads. The whisky from these casks was subsequently vatted together to create the final expression. Bottled at 57.9% ABV in 700ml bottles, the release was limited to 1,828 bottles.

The origins of this bottling can be traced to the 2026 Campbeltown Malts Festival. During the festival, the Springbank Society held blind tasting sessions in the Malt Barns, where a sample of 2012 Fresh Oloroso Cask Springbank was presented as ‘Whisky #5’. Following each session, attendees voted for their favourite dram, with the winning whisky intended for a future Society release. The 2012 Fresh Oloroso expression received the most votes and was subsequently selected for this exclusive bottling.

Established in 1828, Springbank Distillery is known for retaining traditional production methods, including its own floor maltings and distinctive two-and-a-half-times distillation process. The distillery carries out malting, distillation, maturation and bottling in Campbeltown. Springbank’s house style is characterised by a substantial malt character, gentle peat smoke, coastal salinity and an often oily texture.

Unlike the standard Springbank 10 Year Old, which combines bourbon and sherry cask maturation, this Society bottling was matured exclusively in first-fill Oloroso sherry hogsheads. It also differs from the sherry-led Springbank 15 Year Old through its specific cask selection, 14-year maturation period and limited release exclusively for Society members.

The flavour profile brings together rich blackcurrant and bramble fruit notes with cocoa, roasted nuts and coastal smoke. The influence of the first-fill Oloroso casks is complemented by Springbank’s characteristic maritime qualities, creating a distinctive expression that reflects both the distillery’s traditional character and the particular casks selected by Society members at the 2026 festival.

Springbank 14 Year Old Fresh Sherry Hogsheads Society Bottling Tasting Note

Nose: Rich aromas of blackcurrants and bramble jam mingle with the smoky character of a beachside campfire. Notes of tobacco leaf and raisins add further depth, bringing together ripe dark fruits and gentle coastal smoke.

Palate: Salted liquorice and the sweet-tart character of Morello cherries are accompanied by the bitterness of cocoa nibs and the citrus lift of orange peel. Hazelnuts and pralines introduce a rich, nutty sweetness.

Finish: Flinty mineral notes and the salinity of a pebble beach give way to sweet cinnamon sugar. The caramelised, spicy character of brandy snaps is followed by the lingering sweetness of maple syrup.

Overall: A richly flavoured and distinctly coastal Springbank that brings together the depth of first-fill Oloroso sherry maturation and the distillery’s characteristic maritime style. Concentrated dark fruits, cocoa and nutty sweetness are balanced by smoky, saline and mineral notes, while warming spices and lingering sweetness add complexity to the finish. Bottled at 57.9% ABV after 14 years of maturation, this Society exclusive offers a particularly expressive interpretation of Springbank’s sherry-matured character.