🥃 Whisky Auctioneer

Quick hit review. I enjoyed batch 1 of Longrow 100° Proof (86 pts), despite the Pinot Noir casks in the mix. Let's see if Rioja works equally well. An abundance of red fruits awaits on the nose, think of apples, currants and cranberries. Whiffs of dirty peat smoke emerge, followed by wood spices, vinegar and spearmint. On the palate, strawberry jam, peppery oak and a thick layer of ash give way to licorice, cinnamon and a touch of menthol. It is youthful, but packed with flavors. Raspberries, orange zest and lingering ash dominate the fresh and herbal finish. I think this is slightly better than the previous batch - a bold and punchy dram! RATING: 4.0/5.0 stars ≙ 87 pts → FIRST-CLASS

While Batch 1 matured in refill bourbon and refill Pinot Noir casks, Batch 2, after four years in refill bourbon casks, was then finished for two years in Rioja casks. Pinot Noir is generally a good match for Longrow—as past experience has shown—but Batch 1 couldn't really be considered a success. Batch 2, however, is a completely different story. It's truly enjoyable from start to finish and completely avoids the harsh notes of Batch 1. Batch 2 is very drinkable, has a beautifully balanced blend of berries and smoke, and doesn't taste nearly as young as it actually is.

Similar quality to the last batch from the Red series, not younger or less wine cask-driven than that.

The wine cask adds a pleasant layer of flavour to the dram and works to compliment it - rather than overwhelm it. The alcohol provides a ice finish - overall a good value for money for dram, which I wopuld be happy to have sitting on my drinks shelf.

Pinkish color. Oily texture.

Good fruity-farmhouse notes. 22-21.5-21-21.5

Very pleasant, not too sweet, but with a single malt edge. The alcohol is completely imperceptible, pleasantly warming, and a bit dry on the palate in the finish.

I am a fan of Springbank Distillery products. I would have preferred this Longrow to be a bit older. The whisky is not bad, but the youth is a little too prominent. The price of 75 euros is borderline; I wouldn't buy it for more than that.

Tried from a 2cl sample

Longrow is great! So good :-) This second batch 100 proof is young but characterful! Longrow delivers again: the refill bourbon gives a decent backbone of vanilla and leans into the distillery's rather raw, peaty DNA. The 2 years of rioja finish give off a beautiful dirty vibe with meat, fish, red berries. Combine this with the Campeltown funk and with the oily character of the whisky and you get a dram that is not polished, a little stubborn, slightly dirty and very complex and layered. Lovely!

Much better than Batch 1, it just lacks a bit of funk and grit, but is harmonious and without an overly intrusive red wine influence.

despite being myslef a faithful fan of Springbank, in this case I was not able to fully understand this release. Young Springbanks / Longrows can be very successful. This one lacks ppm on one side, and complexity on another side. It is enjoyable and drinkable, but I would prefer Kilkerram 8yo bourbon cask to this one any time of the day.

During this Campbeltown tasting, six expressions were tasted that together provided a nice overview of the character and diversity of this iconic whisky region. The line-up consisted of: WB295658 Kilkerran 12 (2026) – 86 points WB293403 Kilkerran 8 (Batch 12) – 88 points WB293900 Longrow 100 Proof (Batch 2) – 85 points WB294212 Longrow 23 (Cadenhead's) – 88 points WB293494 Springbank 18 (2025) – 90 points WB270988 Springbank 30 (2025) – 88 points General impression It was a successful tasting in which both young and older expressions came into their own. For me, the Springbank 18 clearly stood out as the winner, followed by the Kilkerran 8 and the Longrow 23. The Springbank 30 was undoubtedly impressive, but at the same time raises questions about the price-quality ratio. Kilkerran 12 (2026) An accessible and honest whisky that delivers exactly what you would expect within its price range. Fresh on the nose, lightly peated, and friendly in character. Not particularly complex, but pleasant and well-balanced—a solid choice for everyday enjoyment. Kilkerran 8 (Batch 12) While the 12 is primarily mild, the 8 reveals a very different profile: powerful, full-bodied, and distinctly peated, with a lovely fruity undertone. An expressive whisky with plenty of character at an attractive price. Although the previous batch in particular was possibly even slightly more impressive, this remains a strong bottling. Longrow 100 Proof (Batch 2) This expression lags somewhat behind compared to the rest of the lineup. It lacks a clear focus and fails to truly excel anywhere. Certainly not bad, but not memorable either. Compared to the earlier Longrow RED series, this bottling feels like a step backward, although it must be said that that line itself was already showing signs of decline in the last (7-year-old) release. Longrow 23 (Cadenhead's) Here, a clear step up is taken in terms of complexity and depth. The age is clearly noticeable, with a refined balance between fruitiness and a light wine-like finish, despite the influence of sherry. An elegant and interesting whisky, although a slightly higher alcohol percentage would have given it extra power. The price is steep, and although the quality is high, there may be alternatives in this segment with a better price-quality ratio. Springbank 18 (2025) The absolute standout of the tasting. This whisky convincingly combines complexity, balance, and character. The subtle sharpness adds extra tension and makes it particularly captivating. Although this expression has become pricey by now, the price-quality ratio remains excellent. A bottle that is absolutely worth having—and opening. Springbank 30 (2025) An impressive, old whisky with a soft, round, and refined profile. Everything is right, but the price places this expression far out of reach for most enthusiasts. It raises the question of where the line lies between maturation and added value. Nevertheless, it remains a special experience to be able to taste this whisky. Conclusion Based purely on taste, the battle for me would be between the two Springbanks. Even without considering price, the 18 is my preference due to its liveliness and tension. Nevertheless, the 30 remains a unique experience—a whisky you won't soon forget. And should the chance arise to drink a glass of it again, it is undoubtedly a moment to cherish.

A bit young but good balance with not too much wine influence and alcohol well integrated.

2cl sample tasted today. One of the worst peat & sherry "expressions" survived yet. That pungent peat with rioja finish is complete mess. Well, after a while nose is "bearable", but the taste is still bit out of place. BTW I really appreciate good peat & sherry whisky, but this is not the case.

Had a few glasses out of the bottle, touch of water in the glass, it was nice but didn’t blow me away.However, after leaving the bottle for a couple of months. What can i say, simply wow! I add a touch of water leave fifteen to twenty minutes and it is simply stunning, buttery smooth with a smoky finish just lovely!

When opened for 3 to 4 months, it becomes the best whisky in its price range. . It's really well made and I'm already looking for another bottle... A dirty taste with fruit and vanilla... Very tasty...

Finally a MASSIVE Longrow with an Oomph factor. One of better wine cask finish ever tasted. Magnificent exemple of how young peated Springbanks can actually taste better than older versions. Having been through many Longrow expressions, I confirm this is expression is BANG ON. Phenomenal release.