The 2022 edition of Hazelburn Sherry Wood is a 15-year-old that spent its full life in oloroso casks and was bottled at cask strength, 54.2% ABV. It takes Springbank's lightest spirit and wraps it in dark fruit, chocolate and spice.
About This Whisky
Distilled in December 2006 and bottled in April 2022, this release was matured full term in oloroso sherry casks rather than finished in them. Around 9,000 bottles were filled at natural strength. Hazelburn's sherry-wood series is released in small annual batches, each with its own age and strength, and this edition is older than the 13-year-old releases that came before it.
Tasting Profile
- Nose: Orange and tangerine zest, milk chocolate, wine gums and rich fruitcake.
- Palate: Cinnamon, toffee, nutmeg and gingerbread over dried fruit, with cigar box and black pepper.
- Finish: Warming and long, with dark chocolate, candied peel and a nutty oak dryness.
Serving & Food
At cask strength this wants a splash of water once the first sip is done. A wide tulip glass at room temperature suits it. Serve with sticky toffee pudding, Manchego with quince paste or roast duck with plum sauce.
How to Enjoy
Sherry lovers curious about Springbank, and anyone who likes big oloroso flavour without peat smoke.
Product Details
Producer: Springbank Distillery (Hazelburn label)
Style: Triple-distilled, unpeated Campbeltown single malt
Age: 15 years old
Release reference: 2022
Distilled / Bottled: December 2006 / April 2022
Cask type: Fully matured in oloroso sherry casks
Outturn: 9,000 bottles
Country/region: Campbeltown, Scotland
ABV: 54.2% (cask strength)
Format: 700mL
About the Distillery
What makes Hazelburn different starts on the malting floor. Springbank malts all of its own barley on site, turning it by hand before kilning, and the three house styles are separated at the kiln: Springbank gets a few hours of peat, Longrow a long peat smoke, and Hazelburn nothing but hot air.
The unpeated malt is then distilled three times through one wash still and two spirit stills, giving a lighter, cleaner new make than the distillery's other two whiskies. Hazelburn accounts for only around a tenth of Springbank's output, and everything is matured and bottled in Campbeltown without chill-filtration or added colour.