Whisky Review/Tasting: Hazelburn 9 years Barolo

Physical Whisky Characteristics

Origin: Campbeltown, Scotland.
Type: Scotch Whisky.
Distillation: Triple distilled at Springbank Distillery.
Maturation: Matured for 6 years in first-fill bourbon barrels, followed by 3 years in refill Barolo wine hogsheads.
Age Statement: 9 years.
ABV: 57.9%.
Filtration: Non-chill filtered.
Coloring: No added coloring.
Color: Nice golden color, with less influence from the wine casks due to longer maturation.
Bottle Design: Features a strong capsule and a nice cork, indicating quality packaging.

Initial Impressions: Freshness reminiscent of lemon.
Complexity: A complex blend of spiciness and fresh fruits, with hints of cinnamon, curry, honey, and banana.
Dominant Flavors: Spicy and bitter notes, including pepper, bell pepper, dried and oxidized fruits, raisins, chocolate, and cacao, with a touch of coffee.
Sweetness: Not dominantly sweet; starts spicy with a balance of slight sweetness.
Mouthfeel: Dry with a significant presence of tannins.
Overall Balance: A well-balanced Scotch with a spicy, bitter profile and a hint of sweetness.

Distillery: Hazelburn is a brand from Springbank Distillery, known for its unique distillation processes, including double, two and a half, and triple distillation methods.
Production Insights: The Barolo wine casks used for finishing the whisky are subject to strict regulations, including a minimum maturation period of 62 months, with at least 18 months in wood casks. This contributes significantly to the whisky's flavor profile.

Barolo Wine Influence: The Barolo wine, from Piedmont, Italy, is known for its premium quality and strict production regulations. The use of Barolo wine casks for finishing adds a unique dimension to the whisky, integrating the cultural and geographical significance of the wine into the whisky's identity.

"A complex one. You do have other fruits in there as well. A little hint of honey, a little hint of banana."
"A hefty, spicy, bitterness, little bit of sweetness whiskey. Great balance for a scotch."

Triple distilled Scotch whisky from Campbeltown, aged 9 years.
Matured in bourbon barrels and finished in Barolo wine casks.
Complex flavor profile with a balance of spiciness, bitterness, and a hint of sweetness.
Non-chill filtered, 57.9% ABV, with no added coloring.
Cultural significance due to the use of Barolo wine casks from Piedmont, Italy.

For the Adventurous Drinker: Those interested in exploring complex flavor profiles with a mix of spiciness, bitterness, and subtle sweetness.
For the Scotch Enthusiast: Scotch lovers looking to experience the unique influence of Barolo wine cask finishing.
For the Whisky Collector: Collectors interested in unique expressions from Springbank Distillery, especially those with a penchant for triple-distilled whiskies.