I totally forgot that sample was in there. I'm glad I was able to spare your survivor bottle - he deserves to be around for a while =) The Longrow Red is a weird release - you have to really like red wine finishes. I'll have to crack my 100ml heel fill bottle tonight and have a refresher. A release from the different era. This might have been the last time I was not only able to pick up a bottle, but was able to casually pick up a second bottle at some point. Things get really out of control after this point with Springbank releases =/
The survivor bottle perseveres. It was also the last time I was able to get a Longrow Red, bygone days. I have found some Red Wine finishes overbearing but Longrow's Spirit seems to hold up to it better than some others. Still, probably would have been better in Ex-bourbon or Sherry casks with more time, but maybe not as fun. Thanks again for this sample man. Cheers Hex 🥃
Thanks for the review! I just saw this in a shop and passed on it for a Kilkerran 8 Sherry. I’m still thinking about going back for the Longrow though.
I would have left the shop with both but that's because I have only seen one Longrow on the shelf in my province before. I tried that KK 8 Sherry while in Edingburgh and I could see why people went crazy for it. As long as you left with a bottle there's no wrong answer Kevin. Cheers 🥃
I'm not a peathead... and I'm definitely not a fan of wine cask finished whiskies. Yet, I do have this bottle in my stash (uncorked). Why? I was too curious, when I bought it a couple of years ago. So it'll be interesting, when I uncorck this one some fine day. Maybe my preferences have changed before then - or will change because of it, who knows. Excellent review, great to hear your thoughts. Cheers.
I'm deeply suspicious of most wine cask finishes. And if this bottle stuck around on shelves long enough I would probably try before I buy, but that's no longer the world we live in with Springbank anymore. Longrow is one of the whiskies I think holds up reasonably well to wine casks. I hoep that when you do get around to opening it that you end up enjoying it. Cheers Benny 🥃
Thanks for the comparison of the long row demi johns. I agree the longrow is sensational value for money, possibly the best £ for buck whisky u can buy if as u say they are not far away from the aged longrows. I also love any of the batches of the Kilkerran HP, £45-50. Cask strength, any batch, I think it’s phenomenal value whisky, had one last night and for me I don’t need to spend more on whisky.
The KKHP is a fantastic bottling at a killer price. I'm almost afraid for when the place an age statement on it eventually. Hopefully it will still stick on shelves then. And yeah, those demijohns are killer value. Cheers Mike🥃
I only tried samples of Tawny Port and Pinot Noir 15, both are outstanding whiskies. I wish to try the Cabernet Franc release, from what I've heard it's the 'dirtiest' of the bunch
That Tawny Port Longrow was really quite good. The dirtiest Longrow sounds like an incredible whisky, I hope you get to try that Cab Franc someday soon! Cheers Man 🥃
I'm generally not a fan of wine finishes, but the Longrow 15 Pinot has grown on me. I had a couple of drams and poured off some samples earlier this year, then pushed it to the back of the shelf. I pulled it down last night and was pleasantly surprised that it had really improved with more headspace in the bottle. Definitely less tart/tannic than I remember. Same goes for the Ledaig 9 Bordeaux which I really didn't care for at first. Funnily enough, this year on 2 separate occasions (and 2 different shops) I happened to walk in and see Longrow Red on the shelves (the 15 Pinot and 11 Tawny Port). Instinctively I grabbed them and waited until I was back in the car to look at the receipt (in my trembling hands) and see how much they cost me 😆
That's some great luck to tumble across Longrow Red twice! Buy first check the bank account balance second! I tend to look rather suspiciously at wine cask finishes, they can go sideways so easily. I do find much more luck with peated wine finishes/maturations. Glad the Longrow 15 Pinot and the Ledaig Bourdeaux worked out in the end. Cheers eh!🥃
Nice review. I think I echo some of your sentiments regarding scoring this one. I have the L13 Chilean red. I appreciate it but don’t reach for it often. Been open at least 2 years. I passed on your Malbec10 when it came out @ $150 US. I’ve sampled all the new ones including the SB 10cs PX but passed on buying due to $$$. However I do want the new SB 10 CS Palo Cortado if/when it comes to my area. That will be a splurge bottle. Cheers 🥃
You and me both have our hearts set on that Springbank Palo Cortado. Love that cask type and I think this one will beat the pants off of the 10 PX. Cheers John 🥃
According to Windows Co-Pilot: The Longrow 10 Red was finished in refill malbec casks from Argentina, while he red wine casks used to age Longrow 13 Red are Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon casks. The label on the 13 says Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon. Anyway the 10 is indeed aged in malbec casks. Argentina is the country that produces the most Malbec in the world.
Always good to hear from you Dileep. Either the back of the bottle is wrong or Windows Co-pilot is wrong 😄 I even did a take where i said it was Argentinian Malbec casks, checked the label and then had to rerecord lol. While 100% of the Malbec I've had has been Argentinian(Finca Los Primos in particular) the back of this Longrow states "refill Malbec Barriques from the De Toren private cellar in Stellenbosch South Africa." I'm guessing maybe their was a similar release at some point in time that matches your info. Cheers friend 🥃
@@whiskyonthewestcoast I would trust the back label on the bottle. Another search I did also said Malbec barrels from De Toren in South Africa. The 13 makes it easier by putting it on the front label!
