Longrow Red 11 Years Tawny Port Cask Scotch Review

By Randall H. Borkus

Rating: A-

First distilled in 1973, Longrow is produced at Springbank Distillery in Campbelton, and is one of three distinct brands to come from that distillery. Longrow was initially conceived as an oily, peaty malt to serve in a blend being created at that time, and consequently it is more heavily peated than other Springbank whiskies.

The Longrow Red is released annually and bottled at cask strength. Each year, a different red wine cask is used to mature the whisky, with the 2022 expression being matured for seven years in ex-bourbon barrels followed by four years in fresh tawny port barrels. Longrow Red 11 Years Tawny Port Cask is bottled at 57.5% ABV and only 8,400 bottles have been produced.

The Scotch
The whisky’s color under a light is Tawny Port-style red with flashes of golden amber, so lots of Tawny Port barrel influence here!  FYI: I so enjoy a good tawny port.

The nose held a delightful hit of smoke, but was a tad non-descript at first. With some air it improved almost immediately. As the whisky opened, I found ripe raspberries, over-ripe cherries and an attractive hint of the old god’s earth. After a tiny sip of this nectar, the nose came across with gentle ocean breezes, strawberry preserves and hints of leather and a spot of fresh harvest dust.

The front and mid palate was full-bodied, oily with a composite of mature apricots, dried cherries, cranberries, and hints of a parmigiana sauce blended with figs wrapped in a smoky earthy dry oak leaf. A few drops of water changed the mouth feel significantly, as the whisky becomes oilier and extra viscous with the hints of sweet sugars from the Tawny Port. The mid-palate explodes with extra ripe figs, boysenberry jam and a hint of sweet and sour cherry mash.

The finish was long and coupled with overripe berry preserves and just the right touch of smoky dryness.

Six drops of water exacerbated the jam preserves sweetness, while further opening up a sugary dried cherry essence that clung to my palette with more subtle dry smokiness that is absolutely enjoyable. At cask strength, it drank delightfully smooth and a few drops of water only further enhance the flavor experience.

This is a must have if you are a Longrow Red fan, or like me, you just dig Scotch finished in Port barrels.

The Price
This bottle retails at Binny’s Beverage Depot for $169 in Chicago, limit one bottle per person.