Hazelburn 13 Year Oloroso Cask Matured

Score: 17/23 This is the final Hazelburn sample I have, and it is notably higher in proof compared to the others, which were all 46% ABV. I'm curious about the reason for this difference. Nose: Wonderful! It's rich and full of character. Malt with complexity from the distillation process and some indulgent tangerine notes. It's not the most intricate nose, but it is strong and inviting. A subtle smoky aroma also appears. That's essentially all there is. Palate: The higher proof is evident, yet it doesn't taste excessively alcoholic. I detect a slight immaturity, but not a significant amount. The palate is absolutely loaded with dried fruit; it sometimes makes me think of cognac. I taste a lot of raisin, along with some apricot and cherry. There's a considerable amount of the unrefined distillation character, bringing waxiness and a hint of crab. Some chocolate and spice notes are present too, with subtle vanilla and very muted wood in the background. The spices don't really develop much beyond a slight burn, unfortunately. A mild layer of ashy smoke resides at the base. As much as I appreciate the individual flavors, the palate as a whole doesn't quite harmonize. It's good, certainly, but it lacks sufficient depth. Finish: This is somewhat disappointing. I detect some clear, acrid alcohol, and some of the other sharp flavors persist. A trace of ash. - Summary - While I do enjoy this, its impressiveness diminishes with each taste. I would prefer it over Hazelburn 12 (16/23), but the difference isn't substantial. The gap between this and Hazelburn 10 (2019) (15/23) is larger, though not huge, as I appreciate the yeasty character of the Hazelburn 10. Bladnoch 17 California Red Wine Cask (17/23) is slightly more intriguing and enjoyable than this. It's not a major improvement, but it is an improvement. After all these comparisons, I'm considering this a 16. That's a good score, but it's a pity it's not better given its delightful nose. As a reference point, I sampled this alongside my bottle of Hazelburn 13 (2021). The 2021 is considerably more complex and well-rounded, lacking any excessive bitterness. The 2021 truly embodies triple-distilled Springbank. It's not perfect, but I believe it represents what Hazelburn should strive to be. Glenfarclas 25 (23/23) is much more aged and smooth compared to this. However, the difference isn't as vast as I anticipated. And the 2021 Hazelburn isn't standing out as much as I expected either. This dram seems to be growing on me again. It's still not outstanding, though. Comparing my final sip to the Bladnoch, they now seem much closer. I'm revising my score upwards to a 17. It's a respectable dram, but not at the current asking prices. Thank you to a friend for sharing this with me! It is indeed one of the superior Hazelburn expressions.

Edition: 2020 I'm new to this distillery. The few I've tried have been above average to exceptional. Pulled from a backlog of samples, from, I believe a friend. Sadly, I lost track of who sent this (all apologies, but thank you). This was the winner. For this holiday weekend, it seemed like a pour to sit back and savor this Saturday evening. A light aroma greets you. There are a variety of small notes, like a 1000 piece puzzle. Perfume, floral, cedar, vanilla, milk chocolate, molasses, honey, pine resin, caramel, toasted coconut, ocean breeze. All these disparate aromas, when put together, form a coherent, cohesive picture of what the palate can expect. Like the nose, there are several flavors that form a picture. But the flavor palette is comprised of different set of colors than the nose. Some are of the same spectrum but tinted slightly richer and bolder. The body is medium-light and delivers an initial sweetness of brown sugar, vanilla and caramel. Bitterness of dark chocolate. Spiciness of ground cinnamon, cardamom, ginger and wood. Earthiness of leather. Burnt whole wheat toast. Oranges and lemon citrus. Grilled apples, pears, pineapples and toasted coconut. Raisin bran cereal fades to the finish. The finish is long with charcoal, tobacco, oranges, brine, coffee and rubber tires all with a metallic overtone, which lingers. A nice long ride out until the next sip. It’s been a while since I have had a good scotch pour. This one broke that streak. There is this musical group that just keeps the palate off beat, syncopated and dancing. The sweetness is not overblown but on the fringe. Balanced by spices and tropical spices. That is the key: balance. I get a slight similarity to another distillery with a charcoaled edge. Well crafted. A slow sipper that you don’t want to end. [92/100][Tasted: 5/28/22]

Located this Hazelburn 13yr Oloroso Cask at Specs. I paid $106 on sale and believe I secured a good deal based on my reading...let's see. A triple distilled sherry bomb from Springbank. No added color or chill filtration and 100.6 proof, pot still distilled - yes, please. This is incredibly complex. Poured neat, a drop added to the nose reveals nutty maple fudge, dark plump prune/raisin, buttercream frosting with malt and light oak. It doesn't immediately announce itself, so allow it time. There's some sharp heat interfering. The oily mouthfeel leads to a palate of rich sweet cookie dough and dark sherried fruits with a pleasing malty undertone. Notes of raw honey, semi-sweet chocolate, quality pink Himalayan salts, and leathery oak are present. Good complexity and depth in the flavors, though it leans a bit bright. The finish is rich with supple leather and sweet pipe tobacco, transitioning to tannic barrel and salty malt. Just a trace of smoke. It maintains a crisp cleanness throughout, thanks to pot and triple distillation. It delivers a special Redbreast character with significantly more flavor. You can detect Springbank's signature funk in its foundation, but it's been refined. While that might sound negative, it isn't; it's simply a different interpretation of the absolutely wonderful new make spirit. Springbank produces such high-quality, dependable products that you can essentially purchase anything they release. This Hazelburn (9900 bottles produced) is no exception. I purchased this based on outstanding reviews from some individuals, so kudos to them. I'm simply sharing my experience. 93/100. I perceive an overall old-fashioned fabric note that I can't quite pinpoint. It resembles vintage linen (like a tablecloth/napkin) or the scent released when opening a vacuum-sealed bag containing fibers from an antique rug. It's dusty and aged, and I find it appealing.

This 2020 edition is bottled at 50.3%. I haven't reviewed one of these before, though I own several. Sherry-dominant whiskies are challenging to review in my opinion, and I'm still developing my approach. Nose: An intriguing aroma. It presents as a nice Springbank, with notes of underbaked cookies and bread, hints of old European oak, and subtle sherry undertones. As it airs, the sherry becomes more pronounced, revealing elements of a dunnage warehouse, dark berries, earthy characteristics, and pure raisins. Taste: The raisin note detected on the nose transforms into an intensely powerful raisin flavor on the palate, perhaps the most intense I've encountered. It's pure brown sugar and raisins, with alcohol-soaked rum, sea salt, and rich, well-aged oak notes. This drinks older than 13 years, yet it retains a vibrant grape juice and raisin character that lingers on the tongue. I'm a bit perplexed by the 50.3% ABV, as it suggests potential dilution, but the fresh sherry is exceptionally good. It's a more affordable version of my Springbank 19 Year Old Cask Strength single cask, and everyone deserves access to such a bottling at a reasonable price, which this offers. At $150, it's a significant price increase from previous years due to tariffs, but it's entirely justified. This is a standout and arguably the best sherry bomb under $200 available in the US, if not the absolute best. I highly recommend purchasing three bottles, as you'll be acquiring the finest non-single barrel sherry bomb for the money in the US. My rating is 4.0, possibly influenced by value, but I stand by it. Please note this review is for the 2020 edition; I believe it surpasses the other 13-year-old and 14-year-old expressions I've tried, though I haven't conducted a side-by-side comparison and can't recall the specific year of the others.

This whisky is excellent. The tasting notes are for the 50.3% alcohol by volume, bottle number 1 out of 9,900, a Hazelburn 2007 aged 13 years in an oloroso cask. Hazelburn was once an independent distillery in Campbeltown, which used to be the center of scotch whisky production. When it was closed in 1925, this distillery was one of the largest in the region, with 27 distilleries operating. Today, only a few distilleries remain in Campbeltown, including Springbank, which owns Longrow and Hazelburn. All three "brands" are made at the same location. It is bottled at 50.3% alcohol by volume and has a chestnut color. On the nose, it is absolutely wonderful. If you smelled it while blindfolded, you would definitely think it was 100% cacao dark chocolate. The scent is so precise and clear, it's unmistakable. Cocoa; cocoa butter; vanilla, strawberries, and oranges. It also has the aroma of a leather wallet, brownies, and a hint of salt. It's all about dark chocolate in every form. The palate was also delicious. It begins with chocolate-covered cherries, almonds, cocoa, and dark chocolate. A second taste brought Toblerone almond chocolate, tobacco, and smooth vanilla. The aftertaste was bitter and amazing. Sulfur, pepper, salt; dark bitter chocolate and tobacco leaf. A very smooth, strong, and long finish. Overall, this upholds my personal rule that "if the bottle looks bad, the whisky must be good because it doesn't need marketing." It was actually one of my favorite drinks of this past year, and I'm sure it will be in my annual top ten. An immediate favorite, I've given it a well-deserved score of 100 out of 100. You should buy it.

Nose - date, raisin, spiced honey, spoiled orange, flint, lemon, vanilla, toffee, raspberry jam, allspice, rich malt, sweet oak, white pepper, dark chocolate, walnut, moderate ethanol burn. Taste - raspberry, orange zest, lemon, raisin, black cherry, vanilla, flint, pineapple, rich malt, ginger, brine, light peat, honey, chocolate, moderate alcohol bite, finishing long with spoiled dark fruit, flint, chocolate, and rich oak. Aged for thirteen years in fresh oloroso casks, this is a completely different animal from the standard 10 Year. While the younger is rather timid and subtle, there’s nothing shy about this one. The nose is beautiful. Overripe jammy fruits, toffee, sulphur, and that oily, dirty funk that’s a hallmark of this distillery's whiskies. The palate is mouthwateringly delicious. Salted dark fruits, juicy citrus, chocolate, and more of the funk. The mouthfeel is oily and the finish is lusciously long. By now you can probably tell that I like this. It’s outstanding whisky and one of the best bottles I have in my collection. Better yet, at the price I paid for this last year, it’s the best value top tier whisky I own. It’s easily worth double that. The only thing holding this back from a perfect score is a slight youthful brightness which doesn’t detract from the experience, but it’s worth mentioning if I’m being especially critical. Still, if you see one and have a proclivity for the Campbeltown experience, buy one. You won’t be disappointed.