Longrow Red 10 Year Refill Malbec Matured

Nose: Mild, well-rounded cereal scents with a hint of sea air and gentle smoke. Floral grapes, red berries, farmyard, a horse stable, and diesel fuel are present, though the nose truly awakens with the addition of water. Neat, an irritating alcohol sharpness distracts from the abundant rich aromas, like trying to hear a great singer over loud bar patrons. Add water gradually until the alcohol intrusion fades, then let the whisky rest for a few minutes. You'll discover toffee, milk chocolate, cherries, leather, malt syrup, and tobacco, all harmoniously blended. Palate: Spicy and sweet, with tangy dark citrus on the initial taste. Molasses and dark cherry develop, but like the nose, this whisky truly shines after dilution. Neat, it's somewhat raw and harsh, but water smooths it out, enhancing the texture with increased density and a velvety silkiness. The characteristic Longrow ashy peat is also noticeable, along with an umami quality reminiscent of a sauce I prepare for pan-fried pork using ginger, allspice, tamarind paste, and coconut syrup. Finish: Medium length. Features ashen malt, sweet tobacco, burnt sugar, and a touch of brine. The finish is acceptable but not exceptional, representing the whisky's only minor flaw. This is a very good Longrow Red. While perhaps not the absolute best expression of Red, it significantly surpasses many other whiskies. Like other "old school" profiles (e.g., Ben Nevis and Mortlach), Longrow possesses an unmistakable aroma and taste that imparts a sense of age and tradition, however abstract that may seem. This dram is divisive, with some prominent critics strongly disliking it, but for me, the combination of Longrow's earthy, mild peat and quality red wine casks is consistently magical and always worth exploring. "Very Good": 86/100 (4 stars)

When I first opened the sample and poured it, it was straight alcohol and sour red berries, but after a healthy dose of water to calm it down and some time, the flavors began to emerge. The nose starts with a moderate peat, sun-baked hay, floral and slightly sour red berries, then a campfire next to the ocean that recedes to reveal diced, sugared strawberries on angel food cake, cherries jubilee, and canned peaches. This transitions to seaside rocks with ocean waves crashing over them, leather, and mild oak, with a high ethanol burn. The taste has a medium mouthfeel, beginning with a tangy barbecue sauce fruit flavor, then a mix of moderate peat, burning hay, dried wildflowers, and slightly sour red berries, followed by a moderate smoke from a campfire next to the ocean. This fades to the background of strawberry pie, maraschino cherries, and caramelized peaches on vanilla gelato before shifting to a deep minerality, leather, and mild oak, all with a high ethanol burn. The finish is medium length, featuring a strawberry balsamic reduction, vanilla pound cake, lemon zest, burnt hay, black pepper, and moderate oak spice. This is an enjoyable spirit that manages to incorporate flavors of red berries, orchard fruit, tangy barbecue sauce, earthy funk, sea spray, and minerality, all harmonizing well with good balance. However, its youth is evident in a slight astringency. I suspect a few more years of aging would have smoothed out these rough edges, but it's still a very tasty whisky. At over $170 near me, I don't see any value here, as there are many other options available for much less. A huge thank you to a friend for the generous sample.

Longrow Red Refill Malbec Matured is 10 years old. It spent 7 years in bourbon barrels and 3 years in South African refill malbec barriques. A limited run of 10,000 bottles were produced. It's bottled at cask strength, 52.5% ABV. I'm unsure of the MSRP and doubt you could get it at that price. I purchased this one on the secondary market for $200. I'm a big fan of Longrow Red. There's something incredibly satisfying about the robust, diesel-like character of Longrow combined with the refined fruit notes from a quality red wine. Each release feels enhanced because the red wine barrels used were from genuinely drinkable sources, and the wine's impact is significant. This tastes like malbec grapes reduced to just under sauce consistency, layered over a savory, potent, cask strength Longrow. You can still detect the malbec grapes on the nose. It's infused with diesel fuel and earthiness. On the palate, there's a mouth-watering tartness from the strong wine influence, reminiscent of raspberry and balsamic vinegar, yet it retains that meaty, ashy core of Longrow. The progression from something bright and lively to savory and umami, and finally to cigar ash, is an experience you can't resist. While this isn't the absolute best Longrow Red I've had – that honor goes to the 15-year Pinot Noir – it's still a Longrow Red, and they share many similarities. If you've never tried one, I'd suggest sampling a dram first, as it's certainly not for everyone. If you end up enjoying it as much as I do, try to find any bottles at a fair price; I believe the Octomore price range (around $300) is reasonable. It's that exceptional.

Nose - oily peat, honey, flint, rhubarb, grape juice, raspberry, fig, boozy chocolate, prepared caramel, vanilla cream, lemon, orange, cinnamon, moderate to high ethanol burn. Taste - oily peat, lemon pith, orange, cherry, raspberry, caramel, brine, apple skin, vanilla, sweet floral notes, flint, dry oak, clove, moderate alcohol bite, finishing medium length with bitter citrus, red fruit, and oily peat flavors. This 10 Year Refill Malbec Red is the next in the Longrow line. The spirit ages for seven years in bourbon barrels, then is finished in refill Malbec casks for three more years. Let's explore. The nose is bright and juicy, with fresh red fruits and tart rhubarb aromas. It has a creamy quality with vanilla, honey, and sour citrus rounding out a pleasant bouquet. The palate is full of juicy red fruit and pithy citrus. The brine flavor creates a mouthwatering, thirst-quenching sensation. Based on what I've seen, this might not be among the best Red releases, but I find it quite good. While some noticeable youth detracts from the experience, I'd rate this slightly better than the standard Peated version. Unfortunately, at over $150 locally and double the price of the Peated offering, the value isn't really there.

Strangely, this arrived locally, appearing a year behind schedule. Moving on to the initial tasting. Smell: Extremely buttery. Oak, and a peculiar malt and funk reminiscent of Springbank, yet not quite? I often detect sugar cookies in Springbank, but this smells more like buttered savory bread with an odd note and perhaps some old, dried wine lingering. Sea salt, chocolate, a touch of fig, and a slight alcohol sting. Taste: The flavor brings to mind classic Longrow, but the savory buttery quality is still amplified to the extreme. Very salty and intensely sweet. However, it lacks depth and complexity. It's quite rich with a full body and plenty of flavor. Ultimately, I find it too immature at 10 years. It could have benefited from more time in bourbon casks to achieve better balance. I give it 2 stars. It's not worth the $160 it cost. I'm having trouble elaborating further, but I'll let it breathe and see if that improves it.

Nose: Initially fresh, floral, with raspberries and cherries, transitioning to earthy peat, diesel, tobacco, dark chocolate, vinegar, and black pepper. Palate: Oily, earthy, with diesel, tobacco, leather, black pepper, hints of raspberry, caramel, cocoa, and sour citrus; sweet tropical fruits appear later. Finish: Medium length, presenting sweet, sour, and savory notes. I wish I had a bottle of this. My thanks to a friend for the sample.