Springbank Whisky Sample Society Hazelburn 16 Year Old Ruby Port Finished 2023 Release (30ml, 50.8%)

Springbank Whisky Sample Society Hazelburn 16 Year Old Ruby Port Finished 2023 Release (30ml, 50.8%)

This Hazelburn 16 Year Old is a rare and highly sought-after Springbank Society exclusive. Released in late 2023, it represents a departure from the usual sherry or bourbon maturations often seen in the Hazelburn range, opting instead for a deep, vinous journey through Ruby Port wood.

Triple-distilled and unpeated, the Hazelburn spirit acts as a clean, oily canvas that allows the bold character of the port to create a "dark" and sophisticated Campbeltown dram.

Tasting Notes

• Nose: Rich and jammy. Aromas of macerated blackberries, red grape juice, and boozy Christmas cake. Beneath the fruit, there are deeper notes of ginger snaps, tea leaves, and a hint of damp dunnage warehouse.

• Palate: Thick and syrupy. A massive arrival of dark cherries, milk chocolate, and blackcurrant cordial. It’s not just sweet; it carries a savory depth with notes of almond paste and roasted coffee beans.

• Finish: Long and drying. The sweetness of the port fades into a sophisticated oak spice and red apple skindryness, with a lingering hint of tobacco and dark cocoa.

Why this bottle is special

• Double Port Maturation: Most port-influenced whiskies only see a short finish. This Hazelburn lived in port wood for its entire 16-year life (13 years refill + 3 years fresh), resulting in an incredible depth of color and a structural "dark fruit" profile that is rare for unpeated spirit.

• The Triple-Distilled Contrast: Hazelburn is known for being light and floral. Seeing that delicate spirit stand up to 16 years of heavy Ruby Port creates a fascinating contrast—a "powerhouse" Hazelburn that retains its elegance.

• Extreme Rarity: With a tiny outturn of just 1,610 small bottles, this is a "blink and you'll miss it" release. It is a true collector's artifact from the world’s most famous independent distillery.