Longrow Red 11 Year Cabernet Franc

I preferred Springbank before this, but this is what made me a huge fan. I wish I had bought more. Nose - I detect leather and wool, damp oak, salt, and maybe a walnut. Some wine notes are present, of course, but I don't recall it being this dusty, wooly, and leathery. As it sits, I get more of a light baked pastry. After about 10 minutes, there's almost a hay and barnyard character here. Taste - Big, bold, and intense. I had to add water immediately as the alcohol content initially overwhelmed me. It mellows nicely and becomes sweet, like those overly sweet pastries or American white bread. Then you get wine, salt, oak, and that familiar old leather taste found in very old whisky (could Longrow be adding some older spirit?). I'm definitely a fan, though I'm experiencing some palate fatigue and might need to revisit this one later and update my thoughts. Finish is long, lingering, complex, nuanced, and includes a bit of everything. Score of 4.0; it's not the best in the Springbank range, but it's truly special.

Enjoying this after Thanksgiving at a bar in MA that had a good whisky selection. I usually like these Reds, though they aren't quite bottle-worthy. This one has a pleasing oily texture, tart red berry flavors (even cranberry!), and a satisfying puff of smoke at the end. A great way to finish the day.

This is a fantastic drink. The prior 17 year expression I sampled some months ago was decent, but this one was exceptional. A very robust red wine character dominates and is nicely complemented by the alcohol content exceeding 55%. I'd rate it between 4.25 and 4.5.

The nose presents peat with dark fruits, touches of orange peel, and a bit of brine. The palate begins with a boozy impact followed by sweet fruits and smoke. The finish is dry and brief.

A very well-balanced whisky. The nose is quite sweet, perhaps like caramel, and this sweetness persists on the palate, leading to a pleasant smoky finish. It's truly wonderful.

A deep, rich, and woody drink. Flavors of caramel, dark cherry, and cream are present. The finish is quite intriguing, offering a slight minty tingle. Truly one of a kind. Delightful!