Springbank 31yo 1994 Vintage Series & Hazelburn 7yo Oloroso Cask Matured

Springbank 31yo 1994 Vintage Series

Region: Campbeltown

ABV: 45.1%

Price: £1000.00

Distilled in 1994 and bottled in 2026 after 31 years of maturation, this Springbank forms part of the distillery’s Vintage Series. This edition is a vatting of 80% bourbon casks, 10% sherry casks and 10% red wine casks. A limited outturn of 1,180 bottles.

Nose

The nose opens with chocolate coins, mangoes, hessian cloth and damp wood. Going back, there’s also lemon juice, toffee, pineapple juice, vanilla buttercream and a little peppery spice from the alcohol. The alcohol is more noticeable than we were expecting. A pleasant nose, but. it doesn’t smell as old as the 31 years old.

Palate

The palate brings many of the notes found on the nose, along with dark chocolate and orange. Cracked black pepper spice appears on the mid-palate alongside toffee and passion fruit. Actually, we’re getting a bit of a Pornstar Martini vibe. That cracked black pepper spice continues into the long finish, accompanied by the aforementioned notes. It’s spicier than expected, but the mouthfeel is good for the ABV.

Nose (with water)

Water has brought out sour cherries and blackcurrant. The alcohol spice is less noticeable now, and more of the tropical fruit notes, such as papaya, start to shine.

Palate (with water)

Like the nose, water has diminished the spice somewhat on the palate, making it more approachable. That dark chocolate note has shifted more towards roasted coffee and, like the nose, the tropical fruits have come to the fore. The mouthfeel has held up well and the finish remains a good length, albeit with less spice. Some Campbeltown funk is now starting to show.

Conclusion

A solid whisky that perhaps doesn’t drink quite as old as its age statement would suggest. There are some lovely tropical notes throughout, adding plenty of character and keeping things interesting. We were just expecting more from this

Score: 7/10

Value

Yes, it’s expensive, but all Springbank of this age is.

Hazelburn 7yo Oloroso Cask Matured

Region: Campbeltown

ABV: 47.9%

Price: £78.00 

Released in 2026, this limited edition Hazelburn was matured for 7 years entirely in Oloroso sherry casks. 9,000 bottles were released.

Nose

The nose is very sherry-forward, with plenty of dark fruit notes such as cranberry, raspberry and Robinsons fruit cordial. There’s also some tobacco. The alcohol is well integrated and, as we return to it, we begin to notice red cola, Vicks VapoRub, thyme and milk chocolate. It drinks older than its age we found that it benefits from a little time in the glass to properly open up.

Palate

The palate opens with zingy lemon, damp earth, pink peppercorns, barley sugars and a little pineapple in the background. There’s a fizziness to the dram, not effervescent but like carbonated lemonade. We’re also finding coastal salinity, and it has quite a thick and oily mouthfeel. It’s a little hot on the finish, a little too much pepper coming through, but there’s a balance of sweetness and coastal earthiness too. 

Nose (with water)

Water hasn’t wildly changed the nose. It’s still very sherry-forward, and we’re now getting hints of cola cubes, treacle, honey, burnt toffee, lime juice and beef olives, while some of that slightly smoky note has disappeared. The alcohol remains in good balance.

Palate (with water)

The mouthfeel has held up well to dilution, but it feels a little spicier now, showing almost as fizzy cola. The finish remains a good length, albeit with a touch more bitterness. There’s also heaps more honey on the palate. Although toffee and chocolate dominate. It’s still very sherry-forward.

Conclusion

We’re impressed given the age. Perhaps a little simple, but the dram punches above its years.

Score: 7/10

Value

Some will say this is too expensive given the age, but good luck getting hold of a bottle.

• 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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