Today is the start of the Campbeltown Malts Festival 2025, which means I’m dusting off samples from two editions ago. We’ll be taking a closer look at a Hazelburn 14 Years matured in ex-Oloroso casks, a Springbank 24 Years from both ex-Port and ex-Oloroso casks, and finally a Longrow 8 Years from ex-Oloroso casks.
While having visited Campbeltown numerous times over the years, those visits never coincided with the Campbeltown Malts Festival. I’ve never been to Fèis Ìle either. I suppose that’s sort of a gap on my Whisky Curriculum Vitae, but it’s also not something I particularly mind. I’m in Scotland often and I quite enjoy the calm and tranquility of this beautiful country. Visiting distilleries and smaller events outside of the busy season suits me just fine. I’m certain I will attend those festivals at some point, but I’m in no hurry.
Having said that, I’ll undoubtedly experience some sort of FOMO once the inevitable onslaught of pictures from the Campbeltown Malts Festival start popping up on my social media feeds. The Warehouse Tastings, the Malt Barns Dinner, the Blending Sessions and just the big gathering of like-minded whisky people in one place. I know there will be some envy at some point, but at least I’ll have these tasting notes.
Hazelburn 14 Years (49.8%, OB, Campbeltown Malts Festival 2023)
Nose: Hints of cloudy apple juice alongside hessian and hints of almonds. Slivers of rancio, dunnage and blackcurrants too. Also a touch of bramble, some shortbread and tinned pineapple, becoming more tropical over time – maybe even guava and mango.
Taste: Great oily texture. Pleasantly sweet arrival with a hint of honey liqueur, but also damp oak, chalk and bung cloth. There’s a touch of nougat and mocha, as well as some gentle notes of coffee and chocolate. Then some charred oak and brown sugar too.
Finish: Medium length. Hints of pepper, some burnt caramel, refined sugar and coffee grounds.
Springbank 24 Years (47.6%, OB, Campbeltown Malts Festival 2023)
Nose: Nice waxiness with hints of caramel sauce alongside a slight floral note, as well as some chalk and minerals. There’s also slivers of hessian, leather and a touch of raspberry jam. Some signature Springbank smoke is left, but not much.
Taste: Somewhat dusty, slightly vinous, a fair bit of damp oak and slivers of leather. Also some coconut and lavender. Then cracked black pepper, hints of plums and pollen too, as well as a touch of brine and subtle earthy peat smoke. Maybe some pralines.
Finish: Medium length. Lingering floral notes alongside more of that earthy peat, soft tannins and jammy fruits.
Longrow 8 Years (54.9%, OB, Campbeltown Malts Festival 2023)
Nose: A proper savoury dram initially with hints of smoked paprika powder, grilled beef and charcoal. Also a strong whiff of dark chocolate, before settling into notes of brioche, melted butter and ashes. Then there’s hints of plaster, soil and white pepper, as well as gentle farmy notes.
Taste: Sweet at first (honey-esque), but then slivers of prosciutto, an encore of the charcoal, hints of brine and some peat smoke. Also black olives and tobacco with a touch walnuts.
Finish: Medium to long. Hints of buttery sweetness with dried fruits and lingering ashes.
Photos: Whisky Auctioneer
