Longrow Peated Cask Strength 700ML

Longrow Peated Cask Strength 700ML is a heavily peated Campbeltown single malt scotch whisky bottled at 57.0% ABV in a 700ml bottle. What sets this expression apart is its distinctive double maturation — first in refill bourbon casks, then finished in refill Pinot Noir casks — delivering a rare intersection of intense peat smoke and subtle red-fruit complexity at full cask strength.

Quick Facts: ABV: 57.0% (114 Proof)  |  Origin: Campbeltown, Scotland  |  Peated Single Malt, Cask Strength  |  Distillery: Springbank

Production & Heritage

Longrow is one of three distinct single malt brands produced at Springbank Distillery in Campbeltown, founded in 1828 and still family-owned by J&A Mitchell & Co. While Springbank itself is lightly peated and Hazelburn is unpeated, Longrow represents the distillery's heavily peated expression — the barley is dried over a peat fire for a full 48 hours, reaching approximately 50 phenol parts per million (PPM). The spirit is double distilled, then matured for almost four years in refill bourbon casks before spending over two additional years in refill Pinot Noir casks. No chill filtration is applied, and it is bottled at natural cask strength without dilution, preserving every layer of flavor the casks impart.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Campfire smoke and damp earth arrive first, followed by a briny sea-salt character and bright lemon peel. Beneath the peat, there are medicinal, almost TCP-like notes alongside hints of redcurrants from the Pinot Noir cask influence.

Taste: The entry is bold and smoky, with smoked bacon and mineral-rich peat asserting themselves immediately. At mid-palate the texture softens, revealing earthy, musty peat layered with crème brûlée, vanilla, almonds, raw honey, and cracked black pepper. The Pinot Noir cask finish introduces a subtle berry sweetness that keeps the heavy peat in balance.

Finish: Long and warming with persistent layers of ash, brine, and dry oak. The smokiness lingers well after each sip, gradually fading into a saline, slightly tannic close.

How to Drink Longrow Cask Strength

At 57% ABV, this whisky rewards a measured approach — start neat in a Glencairn glass, then add a few drops of water to unlock the red-fruit undertones hiding behind the peat wall. The cask strength intensity also makes it a formidable cocktail anchor. A Penicillin benefits enormously from the added smoke and body this bottling brings over standard-strength malts. A Rob Roy takes on a rugged Campbeltown character when built with this Longrow, the Pinot Noir influence harmonizing naturally with sweet vermouth. A Smoky Highball — simply topped with quality soda and a lemon twist — allows the brine and citrus notes to shine without losing the peat backbone.

Best For

• Peat lovers seeking a non-Islay alternative with genuine complexity
• Gifting to a whisky enthusiast who collects Springbank distillery expressions
• Side-by-side tastings comparing Campbeltown peat character against Islay malts
• After-dinner sipping sessions where bold, full-proof whisky is the centerpiece

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Longrow Cask Strength taste like? It leads with intense campfire smoke, smoked bacon, and mineral peat, then transitions into softer notes of crème brûlée, vanilla, honey, and cracked pepper, with a subtle berry undertone from Pinot Noir cask finishing. The finish is long, ashy, and briny with dry oak.

How does Longrow Cask Strength compare to Laphroaig 10 Cask Strength? Both are heavily peated, non-chill-filtered single malts bottled at full proof, but they diverge sharply in character — Laphroaig 10 CS leans into maritime iodine and medicinal intensity typical of Islay, while Longrow trades that coastal sharpness for a more earthy, oily peat profile enriched by its Pinot Noir cask maturation. The Campbeltown terroir gives Longrow a distinctive minerality that Islay expressions generally don't share.

Is Longrow Cask Strength good for sipping neat? Yes, its natural cask strength of 57% ABV is robust but not harsh, and a few drops of water open up additional layers of sweetness and fruit that make it an excellent neat-sipping whisky for experienced drinkers.

Where is Longrow Cask Strength made? It is produced at Springbank Distillery in Campbeltown, on the Kintyre Peninsula in western Scotland. Campbeltown was once home to over 30 distilleries and is recognized as one of Scotland's five official whisky-producing regions.

What foods pair well with Longrow Cask Strength? Smoked salmon or smoked trout complement the whisky's brine and peat character. Aged Gouda or sharp cheddar stand up to its intensity and echo its nutty, caramelized notes. Dark chocolate with sea salt mirrors the sweet-saline balance. Grilled lamb chops seasoned with rosemary match the earthy smokiness. Charcuterie featuring cured meats like bresaola picks up on the bacon and pepper tones.

What sizes does Longrow Cask Strength come in? This expression is primarily available in the standard 700ml bottle format.

Is Longrow Cask Strength worth the price? It positions as a premium expression within the Longrow range and the broader peated single malt category, justified by its cask strength bottling, dual-cask maturation including Pinot Noir barrels, and the limited-production nature of Springbank Distillery, which produces all three of its brands in relatively small quantities compared to major distillers.

Why Longrow Cask Strength?

Springbank Distillery is one of the few remaining Scottish distilleries that handles every step of production on-site — from malting its own barley through to bottling — and its limited annual output makes every release inherently scarce. This cask strength Longrow compounds that scarcity with a production twist rarely seen in heavily peated whisky: a finishing period in Pinot Noir casks that weaves red-fruit depth into an otherwise unapologetically smoky spirit. The result is a whisky that offers the phenolic intensity associated with Islay malts but filtered through Campbeltown's distinctively oily, mineral-rich distillery character. For drinkers seeking peat beyond the Islay playbook, this bottling stands as a compelling and genuinely different option.