Not only is it hard to buy these days, it's also very expensive for what it is. It's twice the price of the 18. I agree with Dustin and believe Springbank must have a certain sherry cask in mind when making Longrow. That dirtiness can sometimes go wrong though because I've twice had sulphured old expressions and at these prices that's not good enough. (Enter WT rant) I've had sulphured Kavalan as well and it pisses me off that prestigious distilleries sell expensive whisky they know to be flawed because they have a captive, non-critical, fan base who will buy anything. I also agree with Dustin about the 46% issue and it's been a big, negative, question mark for a number of enthusiasts. 46% does it no justice and makes it seem even more unattractive as a purchase. When you consider the overall package it ought to be 50% to deliver. I also have to say that the age of 'top dressed' whisky (age statement with older stuff in it) is almost a thing of the past. Appreciate the final scores and comments. Springbank has enjoyed a level of ridiculous hysteria for a few years and the time to get real is long overdue. It makes quality stuff but for Christ's Sake can we put things in perspective? Thank you for doing so. WT
Death, taxes and WT thinking whisky is overpriced 😉. But of course you’re right. I think this is simply older whisky for the sake of a 21 year age statement. I’m always glad to have the option to buy but obviously we can do better. Cheers buddy
To be fair, if you put this next to a 2014 longrow 18, it's 20-30% more flavorful. I expect these will get better as springbank uses better casks and explores other cask types with the longrow malt down the road, just like they did with the 18 year. Springbank's evolution of casking seems to be a few years behind on the longrow line vs the regular.
It is clutch to see beyond the credentials. Great review for the reality. Looks good on paper but for the cost the value is all about the Springbank. I've got access to a case of 2015 LR18'S for $199. It's a really great whisky but for $200 @ 46% it seems like a scam while other 18 year olds hover around $125. I just went back to try a dram and it's much more peat than I remember. There's alot going on and some of it is funky but it's not an everyday dram for sure. It's more of a compromise between minimum alcohol/taste and profits.
I think if you find newer longrow 18's you'll find the "value" a bit closer to retail. Springbank is a rare distillery that seems to be improving with time. Still, longrow 18 at 200++ (the us prices) is always a tough one to swallow. Especially when it's 120 at most in the UK...
I totally agree. I have this 2019 bottling and it is taking time for me to finish it. The 18 for me has always been the far superior product and is maintaining the quality whereas these later 21 year olds are not. I wonder whether they are holding back on some of the really good casks to bring out a 25 year old soon?
Side by side I notice more flavor on these 21's, especially vs the the earlier 2010 longrow 18's which this reminds me more of. The more recent longrow 18s however I just enjoy more.
I absolutely love the 18 and think it might be one of my favourite peated malts out there. I have been eyeing the 21 recently but always baulked at the price because it is expensive in South Africa - two and a half times the price of the 18. Based on you review, I'll be even more hard pressed to buy it. As for Springbank, I love their whisky but I'm getting really tired of the non-availability and when you can get some the retailers know it's rare and bump the prices through the roof. We recently saw ridiculous prices for the 21's in South Africa where guys would tell you they had and by the time you get to the store, they have doubled the price they quote you on the phone. Last weekend we opened a new Hazelburn 10. Absolutely loved it. Also loved the old 12 which was peated. I think their releases are improving every year.
They really are putting out better and better whisky, but you're right. It's getting harder and harder to get. I'd be mad, but they aren't doing it. We the consumers are doing it!
Well said, Doron. Sounds like South Africa has similar whisky challenges. If you’re a huge fan of the distillery then it’s worth it but not from a drink/value stand point.
I will stick with the Port Charlotte MRC-01, LOC-01 and PAC-01 that I know curb stomps Longrow in general and you can actually find it and not crazily priced. New Springbank 12 CS batch 23 is selling at $300 and more at some places here in Cali. It sucks that J&A Mitchell products have become like Buffalo Trace stuff
I just found a 2019 yesterday (haven't opened it yet). I also have the 2020 bottling. I'd be interested in a vs. I would agree with the 18's. My 2013 18yr longrow is more enjoyable than the 2020 21yr longrow.
@@topshelfdustin3060 So it turned out that the website where I thought I was purchasing a 2019 Longrow 21yr was actually a 2022 bottling. I just received it in the mail today. I'm a little disappointed, but not entirely. Apparently the 2022 bottling is a single rum cask special selected for Pacific Edge Imports; with a out turn of 222 bottles. The ABV is only 40.1%, could this be cask strength??
@@topshelfdustin3060 will do Dustin. I'm hoping for some nice ex-rum sweetness a long with earthy peat funk🤞🤞 I got it from Uptown Spirits out in California. Price was $550 though 😬
My advice to you, my dear friend, is to just leave it alone. We aren't talking about golden nectar here. It's just whisky and there's plenty of good stuff out there that's just as good. I just polished off a great Craigellachie 13 which is just as good as the Longrow 21.
@@welshtoro3256 I'm already on that Craigellachie 13 page... FOMO doesn't happen here often thanks to all of the excellent substitutions that can be made.
Comparison of the 2019 vs 2020?
Great review, gents! There’s always a place for dirty drams😁 That 21 year sounds like a fun pour to experience🥃
Not only is it hard to buy these days, it's also very expensive for what it is. It's twice the price of the 18. I agree with Dustin and believe Springbank must have a certain sherry cask in mind when making Longrow. That dirtiness can sometimes go wrong though because I've twice had sulphured old expressions and at these prices that's not good enough. (Enter WT rant) I've had sulphured Kavalan as well and it pisses me off that prestigious distilleries sell expensive whisky they know to be flawed because they have a captive, non-critical, fan base who will buy anything.
I also agree with Dustin about the 46% issue and it's been a big, negative, question mark for a number of enthusiasts. 46% does it no justice and makes it seem even more unattractive as a purchase. When you consider the overall package it ought to be 50% to deliver. I also have to say that the age of 'top dressed' whisky (age statement with older stuff in it) is almost a thing of the past.
Appreciate the final scores and comments. Springbank has enjoyed a level of ridiculous hysteria for a few years and the time to get real is long overdue. It makes quality stuff but for Christ's Sake can we put things in perspective? Thank you for doing so. WT
Death, taxes and WT thinking whisky is overpriced 😉. But of course you’re right. I think this is simply older whisky for the sake of a 21 year age statement. I’m always glad to have the option to buy but obviously we can do better. Cheers buddy
@@topshelfwhisky I'm in agreement Mike.
To be fair, if you put this next to a 2014 longrow 18, it's 20-30% more flavorful. I expect these will get better as springbank uses better casks and explores other cask types with the longrow malt down the road, just like they did with the 18 year. Springbank's evolution of casking seems to be a few years behind on the longrow line vs the regular.
I love the tire factory smell on older Longrow, especially when the sulfur note is more ‘gunpowder’. That combo does it for me.
This will work well for you then.
You found your whisky 🤣🤣🤣
I've only had the Longrow 18 and it was decent. Great review.
It is clutch to see beyond the credentials.
Great review for the reality. Looks good on paper but for the cost the value is all about the Springbank. I've got access to a case of 2015 LR18'S for $199. It's a really great whisky but for $200 @ 46% it seems like a scam while other 18 year olds hover around $125.
I just went back to try a dram and it's much more peat than I remember. There's alot going on and some of it is funky but it's not an everyday dram for sure.
It's more of a compromise between minimum alcohol/taste and profits.
I think if you find newer longrow 18's you'll find the "value" a bit closer to retail. Springbank is a rare distillery that seems to be improving with time. Still, longrow 18 at 200++ (the us prices) is always a tough one to swallow. Especially when it's 120 at most in the UK...
I totally agree. I have this 2019 bottling and it is taking time for me to finish it. The 18 for me has always been the far superior product and is maintaining the quality whereas these later 21 year olds are not. I wonder whether they are holding back on some of the really good casks to bring out a 25 year old soon?
Side by side I notice more flavor on these 21's, especially vs the the earlier 2010 longrow 18's which this reminds me more of. The more recent longrow 18s however I just enjoy more.
I absolutely love the 18 and think it might be one of my favourite peated malts out there. I have been eyeing the 21 recently but always baulked at the price because it is expensive in South Africa - two and a half times the price of the 18. Based on you review, I'll be even more hard pressed to buy it.
As for Springbank, I love their whisky but I'm getting really tired of the non-availability and when you can get some the retailers know it's rare and bump the prices through the roof. We recently saw ridiculous prices for the 21's in South Africa where guys would tell you they had and by the time you get to the store, they have doubled the price they quote you on the phone.
Last weekend we opened a new Hazelburn 10. Absolutely loved it. Also loved the old 12 which was peated. I think their releases are improving every year.
They really are putting out better and better whisky, but you're right. It's getting harder and harder to get. I'd be mad, but they aren't doing it. We the consumers are doing it!
Well said, Doron. Sounds like South Africa has similar whisky challenges. If you’re a huge fan of the distillery then it’s worth it but not from a drink/value stand point.
@@topshelfwhisky keen to hear your thoughts on the new laga 12 special release you have this yet mike?
@@sidberns1373 purchased, drank, reviewed and set to publish 4/17. 😉
I will stick with the Port Charlotte MRC-01, LOC-01 and PAC-01 that I know curb stomps Longrow in general and you can actually find it and not crazily priced. New Springbank 12 CS batch 23 is selling at $300 and more at some places here in Cali. It sucks that J&A Mitchell products have become like Buffalo Trace stuff
Their pricing continues to inflate and getting them is always a challenge.
I just found a 2019 yesterday (haven't opened it yet). I also have the 2020 bottling. I'd be interested in a vs. I would agree with the 18's. My 2013 18yr longrow is more enjoyable than the 2020 21yr longrow.
I thought we'd done a vs....i was wrong. Well maybe we do need to do something.
@@topshelfdustin3060 So it turned out that the website where I thought I was purchasing a 2019 Longrow 21yr was actually a 2022 bottling. I just received it in the mail today. I'm a little disappointed, but not entirely. Apparently the 2022 bottling is a single rum cask special selected for Pacific Edge Imports; with a out turn of 222 bottles. The ABV is only 40.1%, could this be cask strength??
@@jeffreykasel3387 oh wow, that sounds really interesting. Let us know how it is. I'm assume we'll never see it with 222 bottles made!
@@topshelfdustin3060 will do Dustin. I'm hoping for some nice ex-rum sweetness a long with earthy peat funk🤞🤞
I got it from Uptown Spirits out in California. Price was $550 though 😬
@@jeffreykasel3387 that seems to be today's prices on these bottles. I've not been a huge rum finishing fan unless it's used in a blend of finishes.
Great video. What’s a “distraction bar?” An area with all of the misfit bottles that you need to be in the mood to drink?
🤣 I have a small bar that i stock with my worst whisky. Basically my worst 19 bottles… I keep everything else in a pantry.
@@topshelfwhisky Great idea, I have 4-5 in that category, most often single barrel products that just miss the mark.
Interesting review. Great price though for your 21’s as the L18 are $250+ in the states.
Cheers 🥃
Solid price for the age statement and distillery.
I don't agree with Mike. $250 for the 18 is a pass by a mile. Don't even consider.
Speaking of Hazelburn I have a 2019 Single Cask Hazelburn 14 Rum Cask and it is one of my favorite ever, have you had it? If not seek it out.
I have not. My history with Hazelburn is a short one.
i have an 11 year bourbon cask, but that's the only single barrel hazelburn I've seen to date.
Good luck finding ANY Longrow anywhere near me...
These are difficult finds. And when you do, jump hard.
My advice to you, my dear friend, is to just leave it alone. We aren't talking about golden nectar here. It's just whisky and there's plenty of good stuff out there that's just as good. I just polished off a great Craigellachie 13 which is just as good as the Longrow 21.
@@welshtoro3256 I'm already on that Craigellachie 13 page... FOMO doesn't happen here often thanks to all of the excellent substitutions that can be made.
Call your girl
Ive never been a big fan of longrow
Not my favorite side of the distillery either.