Whisky: Longrow 20 Year (2001) for Springbank Society Members

Country/Region: Scotland/Campbeltown

ABV: 47.9%

Cask: Refill Bourbon Barrel

Age: 20 Years (Distilled Oct. 2001, Bottled Aug. 2022)

Nose: Seashells, sandalwood chests, and tobacco smoke; dried grass, bleached coral, shellfish, brine and mineral-rich tide pools, copper and hints of metal, orange and tangerine.

Palate: Medium-bodied and mellow, coastal with a soft brine and minerality, herbal with tobacco and dried grass, wispy smoke, orange and tangerine citrus, subtle peach, mellow shellfish and copper.

Finish: Medium to long with subtle orange citrus, brine, and dried grass.

Score: 7

Mental Image: Off-Season Pirate Cove

Narrative & Notes: A hidden coastal cove came to mind as beachy and maritime notes filled the air. A sea shell collection with arms of bleached coral appeared between brine, dissolved minerals, shellfish, and igneous rocks. An old sandalwood chest arrived with tobacco smoke and dried grass, while copper and metallic notes hung in the background. Floating between notes of salty rocky tide pools were orange rind and tangerines. Medium-bodied, the flavors were mellow and mild on the palate, with a dominant maritime element and more subtle layers of herbs and citrus with hints of wispy smoke. A soft coastal brine and mineral-laden water carried on throughout with herbal tobacco, dried grass, and a sweet orange and tangerine citrus. Peach appeared with more time, often like a sweet syrupy accent to shellfish, copper, and a kiss of salt. The finish was medium to long with subtle orange citrus, brine, and dried grass.

The aroma was lovely and reminded me of my seashell collection as a child. I have no idea why my parents let me bring home a wild variety of beach discoveries, but they tolerated my treasure hunting for coastal miscellanea. The aroma was often less a crisp, coastal salt as it was the faint maritime aroma that escaped when I opened the chest of beach treasures.

Overall, a lovely and well-integrated Longrow. The flavors were soft and well-balanced as they slowly transitioned from layer to layer, and the maturity of the malt was apparent at every turn. Accents of dried grass and copper provided some additional depth to the citrus and salt top notes. A nice salty butter quality emerged with more time or a few drops of water. Hard to go wrong with something like this if one can find it and afford it-- not always a straightforward proposition.

Image Credit: Whisky Hammer