Longrow Peated

The nose feels like an inverse triangle of peat. All the malt and sliced off, leaving just an inverted cone of sharp vegetation funneled up into your face. Maybe some lemon zestin there too. I guess it's younger than other offerings from Springbank, but it seems to have far less oil and viscosness. Yep, the palate is sharp too. Cutting and biting across the tongue. Smoking more like a steam-burn than a campfire. It's still got the organic streak that Springbank does like no one else, but it's random. Undisciplined. A bit like the 12 year old who only behaves when his dad is in the room. Honeycomb. Salt. Moss. And cold sunshine. Fun on occasion. But mostly makes you remember his older brothers.

Just a dash of peat

Smoky vanilla creamsicle

Nose - oily peat, nectarine, rotting lemon, charred orange, peach, apple, flint, honey, vanilla cream, toffee, white wine, nutmeg, black pepper, cashew, moderate ethanol burn. Taste - oily peat, spiced honey, lemon pith, orange, apricot, vanilla, flint, caramel, brine, apple, white pepper, nutmeg, clove, anise, oak, moderate alcohol bite, finishing medium length with oily peat, bitter citrus, and oak flavors. The Springbank review series continues with this entry level expression from Longrow, which is non-age stated unlike its Springbank and Hazelburn counterparts, but I’d peg it at an average of slightly under 10 years. The nose has the characteristic oily, sulphuric Springbank quality in spades. It’s not Islay peaty, but the peat is very present. There’s a juicy, creamy quality that counterbalances the spoiled off notes quite nicely. The palate is citrus-forward with lemon pith dominating. A brininess appears with some orchard fruit and an herbaceous, clove-like quality rounding out the experience. The mouthfeel is oily and the finish is better than average. This is really good, but not quite great. Slightly less sourness and bitterness would have made a significant improvement. I think I paid $70 for this last year. It’s increased to $80 near me, but I’d still consider picking it up at that price. Of the entry level Springbanks, I like this more than the Hazelburn 10 Year but less than the Springbank 10 Year.