Hazelburn 10 Years Old Rundlets & Kilderkins 50.1% 2003

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Serge Valentin (83)

So Springabank treated their ‘Lowlander’ with these small casks that they’ve already used for their flagship malt that was bottled in 2012.

Colour: gold.

Nose: not big, and slightly sooty at first nosing, but some honey and wax start to come out after a few seconds, together with some burnt wood and even charcoal. A very wee earthiness too, but I think it’s no roaring malt whisky at this point. With water: that works! Lovely slightly smoky lime and lemon plus these very peculiar coastal notes (say hessian and sea water) that can often be found in all three malts from Springbank Distillery.

Mouth (neat): very creamy mouth feel and some very sexy lemony notes, but I feel the oak started to take over, with some green curry, plenty of very strong black tea and some kind of green, tart curry. It’s not unpleasant, at all, but probably a little ‘too much’. With water: it’s very okay now, more or less on peppered grapefruits.

Finish: rather long, with some peppermint, lemongrass and simply fresh oak.

Comments: this baby likes water. I was more a fan of the Springbank R&K (WF 87), I guess you need a really big spirit to stand small casks like those.