When I read a review of this one by my good friend Sjoerd (here) I was intrigued, as I’ve never heard that combination “Sherry” and “Pipe”. We mostly hear pipes next to “port”. Pipes in this context mean tall barrels in which Port is usually aged. But we live and learn and apparently sherry is also sometimes aged in those pipes. Happily when I visited the NL last September , Sjoerd was kind enough to pour me a few samples and this one one of them. So let’s get busy, nosing:
Springbank 14, 1995-2010, Fresh Sherry Pipe, 57.1% , €100
Nose: This is rather sharp on the nose with lots of zest and barley also a hint of peat. The high abv is well felt here, and I dare say this is one of those times one should resort to a few drops of water(something I do not do frequently).
Palate: Much peatier and and saltier over here than I’d guess from nosing this one only. Lots of salt and some sweeter notes .If you’re a sherry head you might be a little disappointed in this one since it’s not a big sweet sherry kind of dram by all means. More a savory sort of dram. With some time in the glass it opens and you also get some pepper, apple peel and some nuts.
Finish: Salty with a whiff of dirty peat and malt. A bit nutty too.
This is an interesting dram, a Springbank already, though I’m not too sure what to make of it. It isn’t bad, but It’s not brilliant… not over complex, but enjoyable.
Score: 86/100
many thanks to SDK for sharing