Whisky Connosr
Menu
Buy Whisky Online

Hazelburn 10 Year old

Velvety and posh...

2 688

@hunggarReview by @hunggar

2nd Jul 2015

0

Hazelburn 10 Year old
  • Nose
    ~
  • Taste
    ~
  • Finish
    ~
  • Balance
    ~
  • Overall
    88

Show rating data charts

Distribution of ratings for this: brand user

I’ve got a dram of Hazelburn here with me today. If you’re not familiar with Hazelburn, it’s the other, other Springbank. With Springbank being the legend that it is, and Longrow being heavily peated, the gently peated and triple distilled Hazelburn is often left overshadowed by its more popular siblings. Well, who doesn’t love an underdog? Anyway this one’s 10 years old, and is part of Springbank’s recently revamped lineup.

Nose: The nose is light and crisp, but rather closed initially. Big vanilla, red apple skin, apple cider, coconut, honey, cream éclairs, oak, woodspice, wood chips, toffee, aloe.

Palate: What an incredible mouthfeel. They don’t come any silkier and creamier than this. Sweet coconut, vanilla frosting, whipped cream, mango, kiwi, icing sugar.

Finish: Between medium and short, which suits the style. Cream, sweet coconut, vanilla frosting, icing sugar, whipped cream, faint peat, faint earth, roasted malt, anise. and lingering red apple.

Thoughts: I like this one a lot. Very light sipping, easily one of Springbank’s most “accessible” whiskies. Rarely does a whisky’s texture strike me as much as this one does; it’s got a really velvety mouthfeel. I’d say this belongs in that special category of whiskies wherein my use of the word “smooth” is meant very much as a compliment. Beyond that, there’s also a unique set of flavours. Quality barley, coconut, icing sugar, vanilla, whipped cream, and fruits give us a pretty distinctive profile. I like how the individually sweet flavours don’t culminate into anything cloying or syrupy. They come together nicely and reach a good balance. Cool stuff, and quite different. Probably not the Springbank you know. Less rugged, more posh.

Related Hazelburn reviews

6 comments

@Ol_Jas
Ol_Jas commented

What is this recently revamped lineup of which you speak?

9 years ago 0

@hunggar
hunggar commented

Well, I'm basing that just on what I've seen locally. The 10 year old Hazelburn is now much more readily available than the 8. Also, a series of flashy new Springbank labels and whiskies have been showing up lately. Also, whiskies like the Longrow CV have been replaced with Longrow "peated," which (I've heard) is the same or similar. Much of Springbank's range has been revamped, at least in Taiwan.

9 years ago 0

@Ol_Jas
Ol_Jas commented

Interestante! What are the new Springbank labels by you?

In the US, the Longrow "Peated" replaced the CV at least two years ago, so I wonder if we're seeing different products by market or similar changes on different timelines.

I've never seen a Hazelburn 10 here, except the R&K.

9 years ago 0

@hunggar
hunggar commented

Well, I think we may just be late for the party, as most of the new labels and releases have only become visible on local shelves over the past six months or so. The new 10 year old Hazelburn (not R&k) is recent enough. Lately I've noticed Springbank Green 12, Springbank 17 Sherry, as well as a series of the brand's blends. All new to me.

9 years ago 0

maltmate302 commented

All the one's you speak of have been out a while now .Do try the blends if you get the opportunity. I especially recommend the Spirit Of Freedom plus at 52%abv (75% malt 25% grain). If you can't get that one the Campbeltown Loch is also well worth a try .

9 years ago 0

@hunggar
hunggar commented

@maltmate302, yes it seems they have. Again, I guess Taiwan's late for the party. I've not tried the Spirit of Freedom but that's definitely one to look out for. I tried Campbeltown Loch from a mini and wasn't impressed. Maybe that one warrants a revisit. Thanks for the input.

9 years ago 0