Springbank 8 Year Old Fresh Madeira Cask Society Bottling

Description

Springbank 8 Year Old Fresh Madeira Cask Society Bottling Bottling Note

Springbank 8 Year Old Fresh Madeira Cask Society Bottling is a distinctive single malt created exclusively for members of the distillery’s fan club, the Springbank Society, fully aged in fresh Madeira hogsheads for eight years and bottled at a robust 54.7% ABV.

This whisky traces its origins to a deliberate and distinctive cask selection made in February 2017, when six fresh Madeira hogsheads were filled with new-make spirit at the Springbank distillery in Campbeltown.

Unlike many expressions that undergo finishing in wine casks, this release was fully matured in Madeira wood from start to finish, allowing the fortified wine’s influence to permeate every layer of the spirit. The decision to use fresh Madeira casks—rather than refill or seasoned ones—was a bold move by the Springbank Society, aiming to explore the full potential of Madeira’s rich, oxidative character in shaping the whisky’s profile. After eight years of maturation, the whisky was bottled in August 2025, yielding a limited outturn of just 1,761 bottles.

The manufacturing process adheres to Springbank’s traditional, hands-on approach, which includes floor malting, direct-fired distillation, and a unique two-and-a-half times distillation method. This technique—neither double nor triple distillation—results in a spirit that retains weight and complexity while achieving a refined balance. The spirit was then laid down in Madeira hogsheads, which are typically 250-liter casks previously used to age the sweet, fortified wine from Portugal’s Madeira Islands. These casks impart a distinctive combination of fruit, spice, and earthy depth, interacting with the Campbeltown spirit’s natural oiliness and subtle peat smoke.

Springbank 8 Year Old Fresh Madeira Cask Society Bottling represents a compelling intersection of tradition and innovation, showcasing how a full-term maturation in fresh Madeira casks can elevate and transform a Campbeltown single malt. It is a testament to the Springbank Society’s commitment to crafting unique, small-batch releases that push the boundaries of flavor while remaining rooted in artisanal production methods.

Springbank 8 Year Old Fresh Madeira Cask Society Bottling Tasting Note

Nose: Rhubarb stalk and leather notes initially, followed by fruit compôte and brandy sultanas alongside gentle peat smoke.

Palate: Upon first taste, there’s forest fruits; namely blackberries and raspberries. Following on, we get tinned peach syrup, vanilla custard, pepper and dark chocolate.

Finish: Moving into the finish, there’s a clay/mineral note, followed by prunes and a coastal saltiness.

Overall: Springbank 8 Year Old Fresh Madeira Cask Society Bottling is a masterclass in full-term wine cask maturation. The fresh Madeira hogsheads have imbued the spirit with a layered complexity that complements Springbank’s robust distillate rather than overpowering it. It’s a whisky that rewards patience and exploration, revealing new facets with each nosing and sip. The balance between sweetness, spice, smoke, and minerality is finely tuned, making this a standout expression in the Society’s portfolio.