Longrow 21 Year (2019 Release)

OK so 2019 release, 60% sherry and 40% bourbon casks. Color would indicate that the sherry casks weren't dead but not that active either. Nose - A rather nice mix of berry notes, perhaps even a captain crunch berry version. Some salt and campbeltown peat notes on the back end. There's a bright and lively note backed with nice baked sweetness on the back end. Taste - This really does everything boldly. It's savory with meaty peat elements, sour, bitter oak, then sweet backed goods with fruity elements from sherry and light chocolates coming through. The overwhelming sweetness comes from baked breads and hints of sugar cookies with the peat perhaps the secondary note. Everything comes at you at once and seems to battle for your attention. A touch of sulfur perhaps throwing things down the wrong path however. I look forward to seeing how this bottle opens up but for now a 3.5. Complexity really driving that score, perhaps not overall enjoyment of the spirit.

The peat from campeltown is a bit different from highland and very different from islay. As i said in prior note, not distinct enough to seek longrow out given it’s so hard to find in New Jersey. But my palette might change in the future and it campeltown minerality might be a very appealing alternative to highland and islay peat at that point

Following up the 2020 LR18. Nose on this is a little more interesting, but the three extra years aging adds a little oaky bitterness and a drier, shorter finish. It's very good, but I found it very slightly less enjoyable than the 18, so certainly not worth twice the cost.

Threatens to be amazing, but there is something missing. Good complexity, lots of flavours floating around, but not sure they really come together. Big sherry hit, lots of tannic sweetness coming through. Almost meaty tastes coming through.

Excellent dram but not betteor even very different from a sherried Islay of similar age eg Laphroaig. Kind if tastes like what an older Kilchoman might taste like in a decade. Too expensive and hard to find to seek out a bottle of this

This dram is very complex. Classic Springbank funk, Caramel, peat, sour....worthers. Spices coming through mid pallet cinnamon, nutmeg, white pepper. There is a lot more. Will revisit.