Longrow Red South African Cabernet Franc Cask Matured 11 Year Old Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

Fast sold out in the UK, here we go again with another Longrow Red! Always bottled at cask strength, every year a different type of red wine cask is used to finish the whisky. (Many collectors will be keen to maintain the series). Previous incarnations have enjoyed maturations in Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Port, Pinot Noir and Australian Shiraz casks. For those new to the label, Longrow is Springbank's heavily peated expression with less than 100 casks filled annually. This unusual 11 year old was matured in Bourbon barrels for nine years followed by a spell in fresh Cabernet Franc barriques for a final 24 months. The latter were sourced from the De Toren Private cellar in Stellenbosch, South Africa. 9000 bottles produced.

Notes from the producer… Nose: Initially, there is peat, peat and more peat. After leaving this to aerate red wine notes appear, as well as the sweetness of marzipan, toffee, raspberry jam and Eton Mess. Palate: The peat remains as does the sweet taste of caramelised sugar and toffee apples. This is balanced by the contrasting fruity flavours of stewed rhubarb and crisp, juicy red apples from the red wine casks. There is also a rich, buttery biscuit flavour on the palate. Finish: To finish, there are lovely, long, sooty, smoky burnt embers. This is accompanied by some dry oak vanilla tannins and phenolic antiseptic notes return to say adieu. Non chill filtered. 55.9% Alc.Vol.