Springbank 15 yo for The Gallipoli Association 52.8% distilled circa 1999 vs Askaig (Caol Ila)  13 yo 1983 for Master of Malt 43%

A pair of interesting independents from corners of the world when whisky didn’t take itself so seriously.

Springbank 15 yo for The Gallipoli Association 52.8% distilled circa 1999
Young, feisty but clean and bright. Were these the clean years now? Clean white smoke, sun heated plaster, clean petrol (or as clean as can be), lemon and salt pastilles on white fruit. It’s a rum cask and a little of that characteristic olive and gherkin salty funk comes through, mixed in with some wet wood and blackened banana peels, which accentuates the rummy-ness  of it. Somehow I am reminded of cream cheese. 88 pts

Askaig (Caol Ila)  13 yo 1983 for Master of Malt 43%

To prove that the label Askaig was already in use back in the 90s. Here’s a big, tarry and oily peat, nevermind the 43% it’s all there. Rooty earth, brine, petrochemicals, lampblack and graphite oil. Now comes the salt lemon wedges, seaweed and tangy sting. Simple, classic and pristine. 89 pts