Red pilot noir 15y

About

Longrow takes its name from a lost Campbeltown distillery that operated from 1824 to 1896, once standing next door to where Springbank now sits. Springbank revived Longrow production in 1973, choosing heavily peated malt — a distinctive move that sets it apart from most other Campbeltown malts. The Red series explores wine cask finishing; this 15-year-old matured for eleven years in bourbon barrels before spending four years in Pinot Noir barriques sourced from Valli vineyards. The marriage of peated malt and red wine casks creates an unexpected equilibrium. The nose opens gently — more refined than smoky — revealing tobacco, damp leaves, and red apple, followed by cherry and red berries. On the palate, the wine cask takes centre stage: cranberry, raspberry, and tannic red wine play alongside the underlying peat smoke and spices like cinnamon and pepper. The finish is oily and lingering, with red fruit, a whisper of buttery pastry, and a generous pinch of pepper. This is no straightforward Campbeltown peat-bomb. Instead, it offers a dialogue between smoke and fruit, where the Pinot Noir finish complements rather than overwhelms the peated malt. At 51.4% ABV, it feels substantial and layered enough to honour both characters.

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