Cadenhead’s Hazelburn 19yo Authentic Collection November 2024

Cadenhead’s Hazelburn 19yo Authentic Collection November 2024

Region: Campbeltown

ABV: 49.4%

Price: £175.00

Distilled in 2005 and matured in a rum cask, this whisky was bottled in November 2024. A total of 150 bottles were released.

Nose

Initially, the nose offers notes of mangoes, passion fruit, bread, warehouse funk, and strawberry jam, with no noticeable spice or alcohol. On revisiting, it evokes memories of Um Bongo, alongside aromas of pineapple, sugar cane, and digestive biscuits. There’s clearly some influence from the rum cask here, but it’s on the more subtle side of things.

Palate

The palate opens with notes of cinder toffee, pineapple juice, and candied orange, transitioning into muscovado sugar and vanilla syrup on the mid-palate. The finish brings a black pepper spice. Unfortunately, the mouthfeel is disappointingly thin for the ABV, and the long finish loses its sweetness too quickly for our liking. Similar to the nose, the rum cask influence is subtle.

Nose (with water)

With water, the pineapple and passion fruit notes become more prominent, accompanied by hints of caramel, lemon, and lime. However, most of the other fruity notes are noticeably subdued. Personally we prefer the nose without water added, but others may disagree.

Palate (with water)

With water, the mouthfeel takes a noticeable hit, becoming thinner. Notes of honey, pomegranate, and grapefruit bitterness come through, along with the pre-dilution notes. As we sip it we’re finding it a little mouth drying. The finish feels shorter now. Personally, we’d recommend skipping the water.

Conclusion

For us, this whisky has a lovely nose that we could enjoy all day, but it’s let down by the palate. While there are some tasty flavours on the palate, but the thin mouthfeel and lack of sweetness on the finish bring the overall score down.

Score: 6.5/10

Value

We’re a bit surprised, as Cadenhead releases are usually much better value for money. That said, this sold out before launch, so perhaps the price isn’t as steep as it initially seems.

• 10 - Perfection. One in a million
• 9 - Outstanding. Exceptional whisky.
• 8 - Great. Would seek this out.
• 7 - Good. Quality whisky.
• 6 - Above average. Happy to have a dram.
• 5 - Average. Drinkable whisky.
• 4 - Below average. Passable.
• 3 - Flawed. Noticeable negatives.
• 2 - Defective. Significant faults.
• 1 - Offensive. Pour it out.

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