A STRAWBERRY VINEGAR – Score: 4/10
Each year, the venerable Springbank distillery honors tradition by releasing a peated Longrow expression finished in wine casks — a series aptly named RED, a nod to the vinous influence and the deep color it imparts. Over time, this range has carved out a niche of its own, attracting both collectors and curious connoisseurs with its bold cask selections and limited runs.
The 2024 edition is no exception in form, though less convincing in substance. This latest bottling is a seven-year-old whisky, matured initially for four years in bourbon barrels, then finished for three years in Pinot Noir casks — a stylistic choice that, on paper, promises fruit-driven elegance balanced by the robustness of peat.
A total of 10,000 bottles were released, aimed at a market that, while less speculative than it once was, still harbors a dedicated following for the RED series — those who prize rarity, thematic consistency, and the potential for long-term collectibility.
However, we approach this release not as collectors but as tasters, and with that in mind, this Longrow regrettably misses the mark. On the nose, one might expect bright berry notes and subtle vinous charm, yet the wild strawberry character is swiftly dominated by harsh wine tannins and an assertive oak bitterness. The interplay between cask and spirit feels poorly resolved, lending the whisky a disjointed and somewhat abrasive profile.
The peat — ever-present in Longrow — offers a gentle smokiness but fails to elevate or unify the experience. Its role here seems secondary, as though adrift in a sea of competing influences rather than integrated with intent.
In the end, while the concept remains compelling, the execution does not quite deliver. This expression is perhaps better suited to the shelf of a devoted collector than to the glass of an eager enthusiast. For those expecting the finesse and balance that have characterized previous editions, this year’s vintage is likely to disappoint.
