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Distilled & Bottled by Springbank
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Region: Campbeltown
Type: Single Malt
ABV: 51.6%
Age: 13yr
Color: Reddish copper
Initially matured in a combination of sherry hogshead & ex-bourbon barrels, this whisky then spent 3 years finishing in Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon casks before being bottled at cask strength without chill filtration or added color.
Tasting Notes
Nose: A big hit of vegetal peat up front with a stern, wafting campfire smoke before sweetening up with fresh berries, vanilla cream, and an apple cider reduction with nutmeg & cinnamon spice.
Palate: Oily and pleasant mouthfeel. Rich, sweet notes of caramel and cooked fruit balanced by a nice amount of toasted oak.
Finish: Long and warm with barley malt and rotting vegetation. The Cabernet Sauvignon gives plenty of wine tannins and some slight sulfur-y notes. Spices that were present on the nose now come out at the end as well.
Rating: 7.5/10
Conclusion: This is quite tasty. I think the tannic Cabernet Sauvignon grape works well with Longrow’s aggressively peaty malt. This has a lovely balance of sweet & spicy notes supported by a good amount of peat influence. Overall, a delightful and interesting whisky.