Hazelburn 13yo Oloroso (2020)


Hazelburn 13yo Oloroso (2020)

Whisky: Hazelburn 13yo Oloroso (2020)

Region: Campbeltown

ABV: 50.3%

Price: £57

Hazelburn is one of three spirits produced at Springbank distillery. It’s unpeated and triple distilled.

Nose

Brine and seawater gives way to typical notes of oloroso. Maldon sea salt flakes, zesty lime notes, milk chocolate. Cask and spirit seem very well integrated.

Palate

Cakieness, bitter black tea leaves, demererra sugar, cherry and blackberry casis. Alcohol is nicely balanced, it’s not overwhelming but gives a nice warming tingle on the finish.

Nose (with water)

Sherbet powder, tropical fruits, dunnage warehouse funk, sandy beach.

Palate (with water)

Nesquik chocolate milk, double cream, salted caramel, custard cream biscuits.

Conclusion

A very well balanced Campbeltown dram, but this Hazelburn lacks the complexity of some Springbanks that we’ve tried. It’s a very good whisky, well made, but not super exciting.

Score: 7/10

  • 10 - Perfection. A whisky that we’ll remember forever.
  • 9 - Amazing. We’d pay through the nose for a bottle.
  • 8 - Great. Pick this up at RRP.
  • 7 - Good. Happy to have a dram or two but wouldn’t buy a bottle.
  • 6 - Passable. Would accept a dram, but wouldn’t seek it out.
  • 5 - Poor. Would drink if it was the only option.
  • 4 - Bad. Maybe it can be saved by ginger beer?
  • 3 - Awful. It can't be saved by ginger beer.
  • 2 - Pour it out
  • 1 - We’ve never tried a whisky rated this low and hopefully never will.

Have you tried Hazelburn 13yo Oloroso (2020)? Let us know what you think in the comments section below.

Interested in trying drams like these? We've created the Two Whisky Bros Dram Club to help you get access to high quality, rare whisky by the dram.

You also might be interested in...

Springbank 30 (2025 Release) & Springbank Local Barley 8yo (2025 Release)
Springbank 30 (2025 Release) & Springbank Local Barley 8yo (2025 Release)
Another year, another batch of Springbank 30 and Local Barley to review.. it's a tough life.
Read More
Longrow 100 Proof 2025 & Cadenhead’s Longrow 9yo Authentic Collection March 2025
Longrow 100 Proof 2025 & Cadenhead’s Longrow 9yo Authentic Collection March 2025
We've got the first release from the replacement of the Longrow Red series, alongside a single oloroso sherry cask Longr
Read More
SMWS March 2025 Outturn Review
SMWS March 2025 Outturn Review
Find out which bottles are the winners from the Scotch Malt Whisky Society's March 2025 Outturn.
Read More

Leave a comment


Please note, comments must be approved before they are published