Longrow Red 13 Years Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon Review

Distilled & Bottled by Springbank

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.