Hazelburn 15 Year Oloroso Cask Matured

Instead of a review that would sound like all others for a first-fill sherry bomb, I decided to compare the 14 year, the 2020 13 year, and this new 15 year. Why not? First, some housekeeping: the 13 year has had at least 4 different expressions; the most distinct was one I missed and was all refill sherry. However, at least 1 or 2 used a mix of refill and first-fill casks. Here, we're using the 2020 which is 100% what Springbank calls "Fresh sherry" or a wet cask. 2017 was refill and first-fill; I don't own the 2018 to check; the 2021 was all refill, and the 2019 was the 14 year. That's the history since 2017 when I became aware; there could be older expressions, but I believe this covers the complete history. Next, the ABV. For this comparison, we have the 13 year at 50.3%, the 14 at 49.3%, and the 15 at a higher 54.2%. That's a significant increase, and it comes with more age! Aroma - all 3 expressions offer their own slightly nuanced take on a rich first-fill sherry cask. The 13 year gives off gummy candies and light milk chocolate with a noticeable hint of sulfur. The 14, by contrast, is much more reserved, with rich oak notes dominating. Still sweet, it favors chocolate over fruits and leather over milk chocolate. The 15 is less oaky than the 14 and much more chocolaty than either. It might also be offering the most sherry sulfur. Oddly, when not tasting them side-by-side, I wouldn't even notice the sulfur. Overall, the 15 might be the most inviting as it also seems to give off a nice vanilla bean note; you'll never hear me say that when reviewing it alone. The profile on these is old-world sherry, funky oak, light sulfur, and juicy fruit-forward sherry that I absolutely adore. With leather notes that remind me of much older expressions. Taste - Surprisingly, they all really do take their own unique path. The 13 year is this fruity, chewy, lovely red fruit bomb with some sour fruits coming through, giving off an oak and sour note that I quite like. The 14 is stately, with huge oak giving way to bookshelves and rich leather with big spices and this overall lovely sweet body. The 15, however, is the truly unique and different one here. Soft on the front, giving way to funky and youthful sherry and malt. A bit of funk, almost like uncooked stewed fruits, with this HUGE, bold, and powerful finish. The longest finish of the group. On a second taste, I get leather and nuts. I've said this before, but as I sip this down, I get more and more reminders of perhaps even a Glendronach 18 year old. I'm sure side-by-side would make me laugh at that comparison, as they have huge differences. Overall, 3 very different expressions of a similar whisky when tasted side-by-side. When tasted weeks apart, you'll think they're all pretty similar. Winner in all this? I hate to say it, but me! OK, but seriously, I think I like the 15 the best. I prefer the oak note on the 14's finish. I like the upfront sweetness of the 13 best. But as a complete experience, I think the 15 is the one I most enjoy. I could go on for another hour about the differences, but I think this covers it well enough. Final thoughts - I was considering giving the 15 a 91 initially. Having tasted the 3 together, I think that was a bit of exuberance from my excitement to even get this bottle. I love this series, and I had almost given up hope of getting it this year. Thankfully, that issue was resolved as I found them on the shelf. The new price of $170 for a 15 year old, even at a good proof, is a bit steep, but I think the value is there, albeit not the value it was when these were $130 not so long ago. 4.25 stars, same as the 2020 13 year. Lovely stuff. But if you miss out, I think you've just missed out on a great sherry bomb. Not an epic, all-time whisky.

The nose begins with a blend of dark chocolate-covered pretzels, cherries jubilee, and leather-bound books, followed by figgy pudding, freshly lit pipe tobacco, and a seaside rocky minerality. It then presents grilled peaches, poached pears, and musty grapes, transitioning to hay, mild baking spices, and polished mahogany with a moderate ethanol burn. The taste offers a medium to full mouthfeel, starting with creamy orchard fruits and light florals before a gentle spice that quickly fades to dark chocolate mocha, cherries jubilee, and leather-bound books. This is followed by baked figs, freshly lit pipe tobacco, and seaside rocky minerality, then raspberries, pear tart, and musty grapes, transitioning to hay, mild baking spices, and polished mahogany with a moderate ethanol burn. The finish is long, commencing with sweet orchard fruits that rapidly give way to mild black pepper, dark chocolate-covered raisins, freshly lit pipe tobacco, seaside rocky minerality, leather-bound books, and polished mahogany. This is an exceptional sherry bomb where the rich sherry elements are prominent, alongside dark chocolate and red berries, creating a superb balance with the Hazelburn spirit that makes me want to explore it further with each sip. Anything from Springbank seems to command an outrageous price lately, but I managed to find this at a cost I deemed reasonable. It's a wonderful whiskey I plan to share with friends, but if you can't find it at a fair price, I'd suggest waiting for the liquor store to significantly reduce the cost, as I did, and then pick up another option while you wait.

Nose: strawberry or cherry followed by a slight Springbank signature funkiness. Vanilla cream emerges. Musty oak. The sherry is most prominent. The palate has a bit more intensity than I anticipated. Plenty of sherry here, but a solid malty foundation lies beneath. Vibrant red fruit and a little nuttiness. There's a subtle fizziness that reminds me of strawberry soda. Some dark chocolate, cinnamon, leather, and tobacco appear as it moves toward the finish. Off the top of my head, the closest comparisons I've tried are Springbank 15, Tamdhu Batch Strength, and Macallan Classic Cut. I'd say this surpasses all of them, which places it at another 4.5 for me. Many thanks to a friend for sharing a taste of this one!

Hazelburn, likely the least desired of the three Springbank brands, still surpasses most Scottish single malts. Rich notes of blackberry jam, chocolate cookies, and pipe tobacco rise from the glass, complemented by plums, mild pepper, and cloves. The arrival is intense and spicy, then the palate softens with stewed fruits, spearmint, and a hint of salt. Mineral, earthy, and citrus notes emerge. Measured oak, roasted coffee, and blood oranges transition into the lengthy and slightly dry finish. A superb sherry-driven expression from Scotland's most renowned distillery. RATING: 4.2/5.0 stars ≙ 89 pts → FIRST-CLASS [+]

A wonderful pour with abundant sherry flavors complemented by the salty and funky character of Campbeltown. Aroma: Dark Chocolate, Raisins, Morello Cherries, Chili Peppers, Raspberries, White Chocolate, Pineapples Palate: Raisins, Tobacco, Leather, Raspberries, Cloves, Dark Chocolate, Chili Peppers, Salted Honey, Butterscotch Finish: Raisins, Dark Chocolate, Mackerels, Raspberries, Salted Caramel, Ginger, Cinnamon, Licorice, Cloves

On the nose: gardenias, rose water-infused cream puff, brine soak, fresh sticky white rice, hickory wood smoke, followed by hints of sweet maple syrup and Coke. On the palate: viscous cream, light brown sugar, dark meat kebabs grilling in the back of the mouth, sharp clove spice with a strong burn on the finish. A nice, interesting combination that isn't overly complicated; the afterburn is quite intense.