Springbank distillery produces three single malt brands and of these, the Hazelburn is perhaps most unique in that it is one of the few whiskies produced in Scotland that are distilled three times (far more normal for their brethren whiskies across the water in Ireland). Distilling an extra time can remove more of what is often described as the “burn” provided by the alcohol in a scotch. Another unusual twist to the Hazelburn 14 is the maturation. While it is not uncommon to finish a whisky in another cask near the end of its aging for a few months or a year to give it additional character, this expression spent the entirety of its maturation in fresh ex-Oloroso casks.
Distillery: Springbank
Region: Campbeltown
Age: 14 years
Strength: 49.3%
Price: $114.99
Maturation: First fill ex-Oloroso sherry cask
Barrel: Distilled October 2004, bottled February 2019; 9,900 total bottles
Location: Campbeltown
Nose: Sherry, candied orange peel, smoke, raisin, tobacco, oak, mineral
Palate: Smoke, raisin, sherry, citrus, lemon, cedar
Finish: Sherry, smoke, coffee, burnt toffee
Comments:
Adam – I remember not being the hugest fan of our first Hazelburn many years ago, yet find myself charmed by this slightly older offering. The nose is slightly prickly, though I wonder if that’s less to do with the alcohol strength and more to do with some of the elements themselves, between the mineral, tobacco and raisin elements before you get to some of the deeper fruit and sweet notes. The palate is both lush and brisk, the sherry influence dominant but not overbearing, carrying a strong mix of tangy flavors into a very pleasing finish of smoke, coffee and toffee on the tongue. The finish does not sink into your chest but the flavors remain in your mouth for quite some time, pleasantly so. The raisin, citrus and cedar with the accent of smoke on the tongue come very fast, so that it can take multiple sips and hard inspection to peel them back, but this dram rewards the scrutiny. An unusual mix of elements that shouldn’t work anywhere near as well as it actually does. This is the kind of darkly luxuriant scotch I feel is best suited for the depths of midwinter.
Meghan – I have yet to understand how Springbank, Hazelburn, and Longrow can be from the same region and from the same distillery and yet be so different. A comparison side-by-side tasting may be needed someday, but that would be for a post all on its own. I enjoyed this Hazelburn more than the first one Scotchology reviewed, back in the day. However, I don’t think it’s ever going to produce a whisky that I fall in love with. Hazelburn is like the perfectly acceptable date: there’s nothing wrong with it but it doesn’t blow you away or draw a strong emotional response. But on to this particular Hazelburn. The nose brought me the image of an abandoned old fashioned in a smoky jazz joint. Complimenting the whisky are hints of bitter orange and candied cherry along with the scent of tobacco smoke (good tobacco – no Swisher Sweets here). Unfortunately, only the tobacco aspect follows from the nose to the palate. On the tongue, the varied fruits turn to the raisin-y aspect of Oloroso. There is some burnt sugar sweetness to the dram but the tobacco overpowers it more than I’d like. For the sake of experimentation, I added a couple drops of water. My hope was that this would bring the citrus and coffee aspects from the nose into the palate. It didn’t. Instead, it amplified the sherry components so that it overpowered the other flavors on the palate. There is a lot of tobacco on the finish, such that the empty glass smells like an ashtray. This whisky could actually be the perfect base for an old fashioned, especially the kind where a burned orange peel is rubbed around the edge of the glass. However, its price point isn’t what I want to spend to put in a cocktail. This Hazelburn falls into a problematic place for me. It isn’t interesting or impactful enough for me to want to drink straight but it’s too expensive to want to use as a mixer.
Ben – There’s a whole festival in my mouth. Some of it is sweet tobacco, some of it is hard candy, with different fruit flavors like citruses and lemon drops from your grandma’s house. There’s a heat in it. I’m in. In between sips, there’s a tannin sense hanging out in your mouth that inspires you to the next food or next sip of whatever is in front of you. The empty glass smells like Czech kolaches.
The empty glass smells like Czech kolaches.
Kate – I feel like the Hazelburn 14 is a French lady. I think the nose smells like stale cigarettes and perfume. You taste it and you feel that is kinda smooth at first but then you wonder if it’s more interesting than you are. I’d drink it if someone gave it to me but not sure I’d get it on my own. The smell of the empty glass is like second hand smoke on your clothes.
Henry – Like a glass of sherry with an orange stuck in it. Candied orange and sweet sherry on the nose. Sweetness, oaky toastiness, and sun-dried leaves follows through on the palate, with just a frisson of fresh tobacco. I like it. It’s a party in your mouth.
Curtis – The most interesting thing to me about the Hazelburn 14 is in the third act. There is a flavor that comes in from the back of the mouth that isn’t there in the first two thirds. The beginning feels very sweet while the finish feels more bitter and harsh, but in a good way. The nose, palate and finish each offer their own distinct experiences.
