Longrow Peated

Surely no need for lengthy waffle here but suffice to say that this is the peated style from Springbank. This I believe, replaced the 10 a few years back and is double distilled as opposed to 2 and a 1/2 times for SB and triple for Hazelburn.

Bottles been open about a month with three quarters left. This is a 30 ml pour, neat (it doesn't benefit from water, imo), and tucked into from the off.

Nose - Salt and smoke that's more fireside embers than ash tray like and that always comforting nip of peat. Some herbal and creamy barley notes, and full, with lots of lemon pastries. Tarte au Citron, oui? There are definitely sour fruits at play here. Clean and inticing.

Taste - Lemon cheesecake covered in forest fire ashes. Lemon, lots of lemon. The smoke is earthy and mingles nicely with the sweetness. Quite sour as it develops and it's very soft for 46%.

Finish - Fairly short as you'd expect for a 7 - 9 year old whisky (far as I can tell) but smoke, some salt and light tannins stand out. Crisp.

This is my first Longrow and, like everything else from Springbank, this also impresses. The smoke reminds me more of Ardmore than anything from Islay but it suits the barley forward style nicely. It's a straightforward (elemental?) whisky but the quality is clearly there. A good 'summer' peated whisky for sure and would make a nice change from Islay peat, if that's your thing; but don't expect phenolic fireworks, the peat is more restrained and balanced than in, say, a Laphroaig.

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