Here were have two recent Longrow expressions. The first is a 23 year old sherry cask from Cadenhead’s Original Collection. A semi-official release so to speak.
After that we have a true official bottling: the second release in the new Longrow 100° Proof series. We had the first batch (Pinot Noir) last year. I still don’t understand why the name Longrow Red had to change if it’s still about red wine casks after all.
Longrow 23 yo (43,7%, Cadenhead’s Original Collection 2026, Oloroso sherry hogshead)
Nose: smoked fruit. Big hints of strawberry jam, blackberries and cherries. This comes with mild sooty notes and a nice dustiness, old leather and hints of cigar boxes. Then caramelized almonds, tobacco leaves, dark cocoa and prunes. After a while it comes closer to Springbank, with more brightness and a nice citrusy side.
Mouth: a rather waxy fruitiness, not unlike those 1991 Laphroaigs of late. Some medicinal notes, becoming a little bittersweet and tangy. A winey touch, but nothing disturbing. Then dried fruits, lots of burnt notes, charcoal, black peppercorns, coffee beans and more smoked strawberry. Also polished brassware and tobacco. Perhaps a little soft-voiced.
Finish: quite long, with drops of Fernet Branca, chocolate and ashes.
A very pleasant, evolved character. Overall it’s more on the sweet side of the spectrum and shows only subtle smoke for Longrow. I got my sample from a Whiskybase tasting set and they still offer full bottles.
Longrow 100° Proof (57,1%, OB 2025, Batch #2, refill bourbon + Rioja finish)
Nose: a bit of mustardy sharpness up front, with smoked bacon and a very light funky / winey note. Ripe plum, blackberry, a lot of damp moss. Then back to herbal top notes and some musty cellar aromas.
Mouth: sweetness (plums or cherries) with sharpness (pepper, bitter orange peels, juniper) and a bit of boozy heat. Ginger, cranberries, charcoal and a gentle meaty note. Roasted chestnut and light salinity as well. Quite robust and perhaps a little young, especially after the balanced Cadenhead’s.
Finish: fairly long, drier and more coastal now, mixing in smoked berries, black pepper and mineral notes in the very end.
Young, not entirely balanced, but certainly not unpleasant. I think the Rioja influence works better than the Pinot Noir and avoids some of the roughness of the first batch. A decent starting point for the Springbank spectrum. Score: 86/100