Longrow Red 11 Year Tawny Port Cask Matured

Another year, another Longrow Red release. This 2022 bottling spent 7 years in ex-bourbon casks followed by 4 years in fresh tawny port barrels. Although anything related to Springbank is extremely pricey, I only paid $10 for a 3cl sample, which was enough to form an opinion. That's a reasonable cost, even less than traveling from my location in NJ to just outside NYC. The nose is fantastic, presenting fresh strawberries, smoke, and the signature gritty earthiness of Springbank. The taste is oily, full-bodied, fruity, with a hint of smoke. Adding just two drops of water significantly enhanced the fruity flavors. This is a must-have for Springbank/Longrow enthusiasts or anyone who appreciates a well-executed port finish.

Full-bodied and rich, with port being the dominant flavor, but it blends well with the smoke. Much better than the most recent Red I've had (Malbec), so I guess it's a return to form.

Seriously, this is excellent. Light peatiness. Cinnamon aroma. The port cask's impact is nearly overpowering, but it's just so good.