The 5th release of the Longrow Red series after previous releases finished in Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Pinot Noir and Port casks.
This time it is the turn of Malbec, a red wine made famous in Argentina and better known in France as le Cot or the black wine of Cahors.
Nose: Smoked pink grapefruit, crunchy red berries (cranberry & redcurrant) pink wafers , some earthy/strawberry plant notes, red liquorice, salted rose water.
Palate: Stewed plums, redcurrant jelly, crunchy tannins, black grape jelly, peppery strawberry, leathery, liquorice, salty smoked shortbread.
Finish: Dry and leathery, big red wine/black grape tannins, peppery red chilli flake heat but balanced by smoked red berries and some salty-meaty/savoury notes late on.
A superb heavily peated offering from the ever reliable Springbank distillery and not often you see Malbec casks being used for finishing whisky.