HAZELBURN SHOWDOWN Hazelburn 8-Year Hazelburn 14-Year Oloroso Cask Hazelburn is a brand distilled by Springbank. While I’ve reviewed the Hazelburn 14 previously (April 21, 2022), I have yet to review the 8-year offering. I love the Hazelburn 14, and I love Springbank, so let’s see how the 8-year-old compares. Hazelburn 8-Year Clear, light Pantone 129. Fruity nose shows an effusive cornucopia of dried apricots, an Oban-like pear nectar, wet hay, apples, peach cobbler, a little pineapple, and salt. A little oily and mouthcoating on the palate; the fruits appear initially, and are followed with a honeyed sweetness. The finish begins with white pepper spice, a Springbank peanut-brittle note that I usually notice, and some drying tannins on a long finish, along with a slight smoky element—even though this is a completely unpeated whisky, as is the case with all Hazelburn. The nose is initially reserved, but with patience becomes quite fruity. The slight smokiness is unusual for the lack of peat, and the drying finish detracts from the overall experience. The general effect is a little rustic. This is a whisky that opens up with air, and becomes significantly better after 20 minutes or so. It looks like this can be found online for ~$200. I paid less than half that a few years back; the high price is due to its scarcity. Would I buy it again? Not at the price it’s commanding now (if it can be found), but I’m very glad that I have own a bottle. 3.75 on the Distiller scale. 46% ABV. 5,100 bottles produced. Unpeated; non-chill filtered; no added coloring. Hazelburn 14-Year Oloroso Cask The sherry-influenced color is analogous to a clear Pantone 160. Nose shows raisins, brown sugar, prunes, hazelnuts, toffee, some bacon fat, cocoa, and that Springbank peanut brittle. Beautiful palate in terms of both mouthfeel and taste, with more dark fruits, and a sweet and savory component like fig paste on prosciutto. White pepper spiciness, and again, that Springbank peanut brittle on the finish, along with some smoke and a lighter version of the drying tannins that I experienced with the 8-Year bottling. I love this whisky. And what’s not to like? It is very complex, with sweet, salty, and smoky notes, buttressed by a relatively high ABV. I didn’t get the tannic notes that I’m experiencing now on my previous review. Easy 4.5 on the Distiller scale. 49.3% ABV. Distilled October 2004; bottled February 2019; 9,900 bottles produced. Non-chill filtered; no added coloring. N.B.: All spirits tasted neat in a Glencairn glass.