Burns night Reviews #36-38: Springbank trio. Hazelburn 12, Longrow Peated, and Springbank 12 Cask Strength Batch 13

These three Scotches are all from the same distillery in Campbeltown. Their big thing is they are only distillery in Scotland to carry out 100% of the production process on one site. Lets see if this practice carries over to quality products. I have only had Longrow Red so this is pretty much my first exposure to the core of Springbank and Campbeltown. I thought it was a fitting line up for Burns Night.

Hazleburn 12

Campbeltown - 12 Year - NCF - NCA - Sample (Price at the local, I'd guess $80-90) - 46%

Color - Amber

Nose - Apples, cereal, honey, hints of baking spice, pear, lavender

Taste - Medium body - Honey, cereal, vanilla, some dairy, sweetness

Finish - Big with medium length, sweet cream, vanilla, dry

Overall - 6 - This is a nice dram that goes from fruity on the nose, to sweet vanilla on the palate and finish. I don't like when a dram crosses over and gets to milky. This does a nice job of bringing dairy without it being overwhelming. I am a fan of this lovely easy drinking dram. The 12 is not available around me but the 8 and the 10 are and strangely the same price. I will pick one of them up someday.

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Longrow Peated Campbeltown

Campbeltown - NAS - NCF - NCA - Sample ($60 at the local) - 46%

Color - Old Gold

Nose - The nose is muted, vanilla and cream. Not picking up peat or much else. A little disappointing.

Taste - Vanilla and cream again, there is something medicinal, not iodine hard to place. Nice body.

Finish - Short and small - Vanilla and smoke

Overall - 5.5 - I was a little disappointed in this one. I really loved the Longrow Red dram I had so I was expecting more. However, the nose and finish were just small. The taste is nice and balanced but the finish and nose just don't do it for me. I am starting to pick up a pattern throughout the Springbank lines, vanilla. I am interested to see if that continues to the actual Springbank.

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Springbank 12 Cask Strength

Campbeltown - 12 - NCF - NCA - Sample ($90 at the local) - 56.3%

Color - Chestnut

Nose - Aniseed, Christmas tree and smoke

Taste - Cigar box, baking spice, vanilla, toffee, great mouthfeel and oily

Finish - Medium - Rich caramel and toffee, baking spice, sweetness and surprise, vanilla

Overall - 7.5 - This is some tasty stuff. The nose is different from anything else I have had. So much pine needle. Then once it hits the mouth, it is big and bold. To me, this is how to showcase wood. The dram stays interesting from nose to finish. I am looking forward to exploring the Springbank vertical.

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Rating system is price influenced as it is based on my shopping decisions when buying a bottle.

10 Best in Show

9 Great Dram for Special Occasions

8 Worthy of consistent spot in my collection

7 Worth picking up a bottle if in the mood

6 I would buy a bottle if it went on sale

5 I would drink it happily if offered

4 I would drink it if offered on the rocks

3 Maybe some soda will make this potable

2 I'll Pass

1 Toilet cleaner

Inclusive Ratings

Overall 6.1