A closer look at Springbank’s sought-after Sherry Series – and why this quietly traditional distillery has become one of the most coveted names in Scotch whisky today.
For whisky enthusiasts these days, few names carry the quiet authority of Springbank. Tucked away in Campbeltown – once the self-proclaimed whisky capital of the world – the distillery has built its reputation not through marketing flash or eye-popping annual outputs, but through a steadfast commitment to doing things the old way. In an era where efficiency too often trumps tradition and a handcrafted approach to quality, Springbank remains a rare outlier, and the result is a spirit that has become increasingly prized by collectors and drinkers alike.
The Springbank Sherry Series, first introduced in 2022, is a compelling extension of that philosophy. Rather than releasing a single sherry-cask expression, the distillery opted for a more thoughtful approach: a five-part exploration of how different styles of sherry casks shape the same underlying spirit. Each release is aged for 10 years, bottled at a robust 55% ABV, and presented without chill filtration or added colouring – and for us, a high ABV, no chill filtration, and no colouring reflects the ‘holy trinity’ for whisky production that we believe allows the whisky to communicate its character fully and honestly.
A STUDY IN SHERRY CASK INFLUENCE
Sherry casks which once held the prized fortified wine from Spain have long been used in whisky maturation. With several different styles of sherry, each quite unique, there’s a lot for whisky makers to work with. The styles are categorized based on how the sherry is aged and its relative sweetness. As a quick primer, here are the main six styles, listed from driest to sweetest:
The Springbank series began with the Pedro Ximénez (PX) expression, a rich and indulgent whisky that leans into dark fruits, molasses, and warming spice. PX casks are quite popular in the whisky maturation world, and are known for their sweetness. Here, they wrap Springbank’s naturally oily, slightly maritime character in a generous layer of dried figs, raisins, and treacle.
In 2023, the Palo Cortado release followed, offering something rather more nuanced. Palo Cortado sits stylistically between Amontillado and Oloroso sherries, and that complexity translates into the whisky. It is drier than the PX, with notes of toasted nuts, citrus peel, and subtle oak, allowing more of the distillery’s signature profile to come through.
The 2024 Amontillado edition continues that progression, bringing a balance of gentle sweetness and oxidative character. Expect layers of almond, light caramel, and a faint saline edge – a reminder of Springbank’s coastal origins.
Finally, we have the Fino and Manzanilla releases, made available in 2025 and 2026, respectively. These lighter, drier styles of sherry provide an intriguing counterpoint to the earlier bottlings, emphasising freshness, minerality, and the distillate itself rather than overt cask influence.
Taken together, the series is less about individual bottlings and more about the broader interaction between spirit and wood. It is a thoughtful, almost academic exercise, but one that remains highly enjoyable in the glass.
WHY SPRINGBANK IS HAVING A MOMENT
Plainly speaking, a lot of what makes this series so compelling is the distillery behind it. Springbank, which was founded in 1828, is one of the last producers in Scotland to carry out the entire whisky-making process on site, from malting a portion of its own barley to bottling. Production methods remain deliberately traditional and manual – slower, more labour-intensive, and far less scalable than those used by larger distilleries. You won’t find banks of computers controlling the distillation process here. The entire operation is decidedly and deliberately kept in the 20th century (if not earlier).
That commitment to craft is evident in the whisky itself. Springbank’s spirit is often described as complex, slightly oily, and faintly maritime, with a character that feels unmistakably old-school. It is not always the easiest whisky to categorise, but for aficionados, that is precisely the point.
At the same time, supply has not kept pace with growing global demand. As interest in authentic, traditionally made Scotch has surged, Springbank’s small output has become increasingly difficult to find, especially for special releases. The result is a classic imbalance: limited availability meeting a rapidly expanding audience of enthusiasts. Collectors may regularly despair, but any first-year economics student understands all too well.
For drinkers, this has translated into rising prices and near-instant sell-outs on release. For collectors, it has cemented Springbank’s status as a must-have name. Yet despite the hype, the whisky itself remains grounded, unpolished in the best possible way, and refreshingly free of gimmicks. Among enthusiasts, there’s a sense that – unlike some brands – Springbank has earned its cachet and near-cult status.
A WHISKY FOR THOSE WHO PAY ATTENTION
We feel that the Sherry Series captures much of what makes Springbank so appealing. It is not about chasing the trend of the moment or producing headline-grabbing limited editions with soaring age statements (and prices to match). Instead, it offers a structured exploration of flavour, rooted in Campbeltown tradition and executed with care.
For those who enjoy comparing cask influence, this series provides a rare opportunity to taste how different sherry cask styles interact with and influence a consistent distillate. For long-time Springbank followers, it is another chapter in a story that has been unfolding quietly for generations.
And for anyone new to the distillery, it serves as a reminder that great whisky does not need to shout. Sometimes, it is enough to let the craft speak for itself. We’ve always appreciated that about Springbank, and as the whisky industry appears to be heading into a moment of reckoning as global drinking and buying patterns shift dramatically, we can only hope a few more distilleries follow Springbank’s lead, doing more with less, and – rather than chasing the bottom line and prioritising shareholders over craftsmanship – return to a simpler approach that’s driven by more than just pure economics.
These days, in a whisky landscape that can often feel crowded and overly polished following years of amazing growth, Springbank manages to stand apart simply by doing the work and doing it well. The Sherry Series only reinforces that position – a thoughtful, well-executed collection without fanfare that rewards curiosity, patience, and a genuine appreciation for the art of whisky-making.
Look for Springbank whiskies – or get added to a waitlist – at Single and Available in Bangsar Shopping Centre, or at WhiskyPLUS Kuala Lumpur, scheduled for August 2026.
