This is the Cabernet Franc-matured expression from the Longrow Red series of red wine-cask whiskies produced by Springbank Distillery.

Of course, Longrow is one of the three mainstay brands produced at Springbank Distillery, and it’s the heavier-bodied and more peaty version. The Longrow distillate is made with malte that had been smoked with a higher percentage of peat, then eventually double-distilled to create the highly traditional Campbeltown style smoky character in Scotch popular before the 1900s.

As far as I know, the Longrow Red had been in production a little over 10 years since 2012. They are invariably ex-bourbon-and-sherry matured whiskies which are finished in some sort of red wine cask. The series began with the Cabernet Sauvignon in 2012, and moving on to various varietals around the world including Australian Shiraz, New Zealand Pinot Noir, Malbec, Cabernet Franc, and more recently Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon.

Now, Springbank is one of the most respected modern distilleries in Scotland. Yet on the whole, it appears that its Longrow Red series faces very mixed reviews. A small number of expressions were found to be too heavy on the tannins. Yet others were found to contain unpleasant sulphury off-notes typical of certain red wines.

That said, I’m also told that these Longrow Reds are a bit of a wildcard. Some are found to be quite pleasant tasting, so I’m not willing to write-off the Longrow Red just yet though. Several weeks ago, I came across this Cabernet Franc matured expression at a bar in Singapore and decided to give it a shot. This expression had been matured in ex-bourbon casks for 9 years before 2 years of finishing in Cabernet Franc barriques sourced from De Toren Private Cellars in Stellenbosch, South Africa. It was then bottled at cask strength at 55.9% ABV.

Learn all about how Springbank Distillery singlehandedly saved the Campbeltown whisky region.

Longrow Red 2018, 11 Years Old, Cabernet Franc Matured, 55.9% ABV - Review

Appearance: Light apricot.

Nose: Rich, oily and fruity. Opens with a rich notes of sweet-and-tart red fruits – I’m getting fresh raspberries, fresh cherries and tangy strawberry compote, developing along a gradient to bring out some barley maltiness, caramelised sugars, baking spices and buttery gingerbread cookies. A very mild meaty oiliness eventually shows up – much like Parma ham – then accompanied by fragrant notes of unlit cigars (tobacco) and a light ashiness.

Taste: Rich, sweet, full-bodied and well-balanced.

Opens with big, flavourful notes of red apples and fresh raspberries, pleasant lashings of honey and bright fruity sweetness that moves slowly into oaky depths of vanilla, cigar and tobacco notes, and a characteristic Springbank oiliness integrated with a mild diesel sensation and slight oily brininess of Parma ham. The palate is predominantly rich and sweet with smokiness only a second thought. There is also a prevailing rich barley maltiness on the back of the palate.

The texture is oily and tongue-coating, the spirit is smooth and approachable without any harshness or astringency whatsoever.

Finish: Lovely length with yet more red fruits. Red fruits trail off into a long aromatic trail of black tea leaves, tobacco, oak and mild vanilla. There’s only whisper of smoke at this point.

My Thoughts

👌🏻

We win this round’s Longrow Red roulette!

I’m glad I uncovered this - this one’s a real solid. This is a fresh-tasting Longrow Red with really well-balanced bright red fruits accompanied by a fragrant, restrained Springbank funk. It has all of the pleasant, fresh fruitiness from a Cabernet Franc cask, without the unpleasant sulphury notes of seen in some other red wine expressions. It also comes in at a hefty cask strength of 55.9% ABV, but it’s very well-matured with a smooth, approachable texture and no overoaking.

We live to try another Longrow Red.

Learn all about how Springbank Distillery singlehandedly saved the Campbeltown whisky region.

@CharsiuCharlie