LONGROW RED 15 YEAR OLD RED PINOT CASK MATURED

Review #052 Type: single malt scotch Proof: 51.4% Comments: Matured for 15 years, spending 11 years in bourbon barrels then four years in new pinot noir barriques from Grant Taylor’s Valli vintage in Central Otago, New Zealand. Limited to 9,400 bottles. Tasted alongside: Springbank 10 Appearance (no score): Brown sherry color. Swirling shows a thin line clinging to the glass, with slow-forming legs. Nose: 17/20 Raisins, charcoal, and leather are most prominent. With further nosing, it becomes sweeter, revealing red currants and strawberry jam. It possesses a creamy smoothness reminiscent of frosting, perhaps vanilla? It's incredibly enticing. Palate: 35/40 Enjoyable oily mouthfeel. The wine influence is quite evident here. The primary flavors are smoky wine tannins and salt, but in perfect measure. Beneath that, hints of orange zest and dark chocolate are detected. Finish: 36/40 Medium-long finish. Savory and sooty with a meaty character. Immediately, a peppery and tannin-rich taste emerges, evoking the sensation of sipping Cabernet Sauvignon while chewing smoked pork. Some of that Springbank character surfaces with faint notes of hay, wood, and metallic flavors. It maintains a mild saltiness throughout, harmonizing with the lingering grape sweetness. With Water: Avoid adding water to this whisky. It is rare to encounter a dram that does not benefit from water, but this is one such instance. Even a small amount transforms the entire glass into brackish saltwater. Total: 88/100 Final thoughts: An excellent fusion of peat and wine, highly enjoyable. The wine impact is substantial, which is agreeable to me. I anticipate trying the next annual release I can acquire. Price: $140 Would recommend: yes Would buy: yes Scoring Legend: 96-100: The perfect dram, absolutely exceptional, nectar of the gods, I will savor this bottle and make it last, 5 stars. 90-95: Near perfect, there is something truly special about this whisky, 4.75 stars. 85-89: Very good to amazing, almost the complete product, 4.5 stars. 80-84: Quite good, very enjoyable to drink, but doesn’t wow me, 4.25 stars. 75-79: Good, enjoyable but ultimately flawed, unlikely to purchase again, 4 stars. 70-74: A solid dram, but wouldn't go out of my way to get it, 3.75 stars. 55-69: Drinkable, 3.5-2.75 stars. Below 55: Suitable for cooking or direct contribution to the kitchen sink drain, 2.5 stars or less.

I'm still intrigued by this dram. It's spicy throughout, but not in a typical way. A bit funky, rich, and sweet but not overly so. The finish is rich and quick, with a substantial but not overwhelming weight.

The nose has notes of tar and leather, which mellow on the palate. It offers an almost gentle blanket of flavor. Still has that distinct funky still character. I still enjoy it. Now that I've tried the tawny port, it's less impressive, but I still find it very enjoyable.

A pleasant touch of funk from both the peat and the wine cask. It's also relatively smooth and mellow, despite the high proof. Well-balanced.

Bought at l'ile noire with some friends. Really good. Strong but syrupy.

Delicious nose reminiscent of kippers! Truly delightful.