Rundlets & Kilderkins: Springbank and Longrow

I recently bought a bottle of Longrow Rundlets and Kilderins and thought it was a great opportunity of tasting it side by side with the Springbank released last year.

Both whiskies are matured in smaller, 60 and 80 litres, casks that helps speed up the maturation of the spirit ( mainly the woody character, the rest need years and years whatever the size of the cask. I learnt it the hard way… )

So the whiskies…

Springbank

“Quite interesting. Nose is an example of delightful integration of wood profiles in a whisky. I really love it”

90

An interesting experimental release from the folks at Springbank - distilled in November 2001 and bottled in January 2012 after maturation in Rundlets and Kilderkins, which are small 60 and 80 litre casks.

It's therefore had lots of wood contact over its 10 years and combined with Springbank's regular rustic charm it's a bit good. Noticeable smoke, brine & an oily texture.

This dram has a cooper-like color.

Nose (91): more than average. peat, honey, citrus, wood, spices, sandalwood, flowers. Quite nice nose with lots of different styles of wood inside but not woody at all at the very same time.

Palate (90): powerful, oily. peat, honey, citrus, spices, cinnamon, wood, liquorice.

Finish (89): longer than average. peat, wood, spices.

So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Springbank 2001 / Rundlets & Kilderkins Campbeltown Whisky with 90 points over 100.

Longrow

“Fantastic! Nose is so elegant with that notes of vanilla custard and that lovely Ardbeg-ish touch. I will buy another!”

91

A second release in Springbank distillery's Rundlets and Kilderkins series, this time it's a peaty Longrow that was maturing in the titular 60 and 80 litre casks between November 2001 and January 2013.

Small casks mean lots of wood contact and this combines Longrow's rustic smokiness with lots of wood influence for a sweet and peaty dram.

This dram has a amber-like color.

Nose (91): more than average. toffee, citrus, peat, vanilla, custard, earth. Fantastic! This nose has something Ardbeg-ish that really hit my little heart.

Palate (92): powerful, oily. peat, honey, citrus, spices, vanilla, fruity, pears, earth.

Finish (91): longer than average. peat, citrus spices.

So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Longrow 2001 / 11 Year Old / Rundlets& Kilderkins Campbeltown Whisky with 91 points over 100.

Miguel says…

Both of them wonderful whiskies and the price isn’t that bad, even if you compare with recent releases of other distilleries *ejem* Bruichladdich *ejem* Highland Park

I will definitively buy another bottle of Longrow. I have enjoyed it a lot.

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