By Randall H. Borkus
Score: A
(Credit score: Randall H. Borkus)
Longrow is known as after a distillery that was as soon as situated subsequent to Springbank Distillery in Campbeltown, Scotland. The unique distillery was based in 1824 by John Ross and closed in 1896. The property was later integrated into Springbank, and Longrow’s outdated warehouse now homes Springbank’s bottling corridor.
Within the Nineteen Seventies, Longrow distillery itself was discontinued, however Springbank started distilling Longrow as a model in 1973 so as to add a heavier peated choice to its expressions. That peated spirit is matured in a mixture of ex-Bourbon and ex-Sherry. As a model, Longrow continues to thrive and contributes to the revival of Campbeltown as a big Scotch whisky-producing area.
Longrow’s heavy, smoky character is rumored to replicate the whisky type from Campbeltown throughout its Victorian peak. Its explicit taste comes from the heavily-peated malted barley, double-distilled whisky and from Springbank’s direct-fired wash nonetheless and gradual cooling by means of the spirit nonetheless’s worm tub. The malted barley is peated to 50-55 elements per million (ppm), which is way larger than the standard 8-10 ppm of the Springbank expression. Longrow 21-year-old is non-chill-filtered, free from added shade and bottled at 46%.
The Scotch
The nostril holds a stable hit of peat smoke, mocha, blackberry jelly and vanilla. The entrance and mid-palate is wealthy, creamy and viscus with a great deal of mocha, citrus, espresso and a crisp apple sweetness. The end is lengthy and oily with a smoky citrus splash, smoked pineapple and a sea brininess leaving me with a satisfying amalgamated dry sweetness.
This is a wonderful single malt that caught me off guard with its complexity and overwhelming mocha and fruitiness. If I’m asking Santa for a particular bottle, Longrow 21-year-old is on the prime of my checklist.
The Value
A 700ml bottle is retails for $549.99 on-line and $599.00 at Binny’s in Chicago.
