Longrow

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Longrow Peated Campbeltown Single Malt. Campbeltown, Scotland. ABV: 46.0%. Tasted at Helvetica, $19.

Colour: If there’s one thing I won’t miss about this Whisky a Day project, it’s having to come up with different ways to describe the colour of each dram. Particularly as colour bears little to no significance as to the whisky’s quality. Apart from notable exceptions such as the Kavalan Solist ex Sherry Cask which has a very unique colour, it’s very hard to come up with different ways to describe subtle variation in shades of gold/amber/straw. This one is a pale gold.

Nose: Peaty, but not as intense or smokey as your Islay peated whiskies, it’s got more suble medicinal qualities.

Palate: A smooth, cool entry. Dry woody notes, a little nutty too.

Finish: The peat certainly lingers but doesn’t envelop your mouth like bigger peated whiskies. Medium length, only light to medium heat.

Comments: If you find the heavily peated Islay malts a bit overpowering, this peated Longrow could be a good way to dip your toe in the water and explore some peat without the intensity.

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Longrow Burgundy Wood 14 Year Old Cask Strength Single Malt. Campbeltown, Scotland. ABV: 56.10%. Tasted at Helvetica, $27.

Colour: Rich Amber. It’s been a good night on the stripper’s pole for the old girl.

Nose: Oak is the first thing that hits you, followed by some sweet smokey bacon notes.

Palate: Smoother than I was expecting for one so strong. Tastes more like a sherry matured dram.

Finish: Sweet sherry flavours.

Comments: My mate Charles the Frenchman can’t find any burgundy in it. Sacré bleu!

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Colour: Like a varnished timber floorboard.

Nose: Creamy peat. Like the smell of a campfire the morning after as you stick your head out of the tent with a whisky hangover.

Palate & finish: Obviously I was enjoying the birthday festivities, as my notes here were as empty as the whisky glass which seemed to have developed a leak somewhere…

Comments: I didn’t know that Barolo was a variety of Italian red wine. Would not have picked this for having spent time in ex-wine barrels (it had 1.5 years, after having spent 5.5 years in refilled bourbon barrels). The peat is quite strong & dominates any flavours that may have been imparted by the Barolo casks.

Overall, quite a neat dram but not a standout – there are better examples from Longrow in my opinion (e.g. Longrow Red Cabernet Sauvignon Cask 11 Year Old).