Longrow 12 Years Old 2002 Sherry Cask (53.1%, Cadenhead, 288 Bottles, 2015)

• ABV: 53.1%
• Age: 12 Years Old
• Bottling: Cadenhead
• Category: Campbeltown single malt scotch whisky
• Cost: £sold out
• Origin: Springbank distillery
• Vintage: 2002

What they say

Wood Range

This whisky has been matured in a sherry cask

• Distilled 2002
• Bottled April 2015
• Age 12
• Strength 53.1% vol
• Cask Sherry
• No. Bottles 288

Master of Malt tasting notes:

• Nose: Oily, earthy and slightly medicinal with soft smoke, A little meaty, with rich dark fruits and a touch of BBQ sauce.
• Palate: Big and oily with wet wood smoke, then blackcurrants, pancetta and apple chutney
• Finish: Developing smokiness fights through big fruity notes with a twist of orange and growing creaminess

What I say

The third of a quartet of Longrow expression sampled as a little vertical. Distilled in 2002 at Springbank, this was matured for 12 years in a sherry cask before bottling by Cadenhead’s.

My tasting notes:

• Appearance: Dark red bronze (15/20) quick, medium tears and long fine legs.
• Nose: Sherry initially, a touch rubbery and sulphuric, longrow peat also, oily and meaty, cherry, sultana, tannic oak wood, marzipan, almond, after breathing, brighter and sweeter fruits, plum, strawberry, rosewater.
• Taste: Meaty and robust and a touch spirity, some spice, cinnamon & nutmeg, rich red fruits, fruit cake with ginger, vinous, oily but not too smokey, sweet, herbal and salty like roast chicken and thyme.
• Finish: Long, drying spices, leather, engine oil, oily smoke eventually.

Overall

A hint of rubber at first but this quickly dissipates leaving a sweet and oily combination of sherry and peat smoke which is really quite lovely.

Score 88/100

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