Longrow 100 Proof Review

Longrow 100 Proof Review: The Next Best Thing From Campbeltown… or not?

I have changed my mind about this whisky several times already, which is usually a sign that there is something interesting going on beneath the surface. The first dram left me impressed but uncertain, while the second made me realise I was enjoying it far more than I expected to. By the third pour, I had pretty much settled on the fact that I genuinely prefer this over the Springbank 100 Proof release, even if I still do not think it reaches the heights of the best Longrow bottlings Springbank Distillery has produced over the years.

And maybe that sounds slightly unfair, but that is also the strange reality of reviewing modern Springbank whisky. The distillery has spoiled enthusiasts with so many memorable releases that “very good” can somehow feel underwhelming when compared against its own back catalogue. Every new bottle now arrives carrying impossible levels of expectation before anyone has even removed the cork, and I think this Longrow 100 Proof Review ultimately comes down to separating the whisky itself from the endless noise surrounding the distillery.

Because once I stopped comparing this bottle to what I hoped it might be and started paying attention to what was actually in the glass, I found myself enjoying it more and more with every pour.

In fact, among recent peated Campbeltown whisky releases, this might genuinely be one of the strongest value bottles Springbank has released in quite some time. There is no elaborate presentation here, no heavy-handed finishing gimmick and no attempt to disguise the spirit beneath aggressive cask influence. Instead, Longrow 100 Proof feels refreshingly straightforward — heavily peated Longrow whisky bottled properly at 57.1% ABV, with refill bourbon and refill Pinot Noir casks adding character without overwhelming the distillery profile underneath.

Thankfully, the Pinot Noir influence stays restrained throughout the whisky. Too many wine-finished peated whiskies end up tasting like sweet berry syrup poured over smoke, but this avoids that trap almost entirely. The casks add flashes of dark fruit and gentle richness while still allowing the oily, coastal and slightly industrial Longrow character to remain front and centre. More importantly, it still tastes unmistakably like Longrow, which probably sounds obvious until you remember how many modern cask experiments gradually lose sight of distillery identity altogether.

Tasting Notes: Longrow 100 Proof

Stats

• Age: NAS
• ABV: 57.1% (100 Brittish Proof)(114.2 US Proof)
• Distillery: Springbank Distillery
• Region: Campbeltown
• Flavour Profile: Smoke & Storm
• Chill-Filtration: No
• Colouring: No

Nose

The smoke arrives first, although not in the sharp medicinal style often associated with heavily peated whisky. Instead, it feels earthy, coastal and slightly weathered, reminding me more of damp driftwood, extinguished beach bonfires and smoke clinging to heavy jackets after standing outdoors all evening beside the sea.

With a little time in the glass, the whisky starts opening into something far more oily and industrial. Warm engine oil, wet rope, coal dust and old harbour workshops all started appearing in my notes alongside smoked almonds, burnt rosemary and charred brown sugar. The Pinot Noir casks drift quietly underneath everything rather than dominating the whisky, bringing hints of burnt raspberry jam, sour cherries and overcooked cranberry sauce that add sweetness without ever pushing the profile into wine-heavy territory.

What I enjoyed most is how the nose becomes dirtier and more coastal with time rather than softer or sweeter. It feels rugged, slightly untamed and completely comfortable showing a few rough edges.

Palate

This is where the whisky really started to win me over.

The texture immediately feels thick, oily and mouth-coating, delivering earthy peat smoke, salty malt and cracked black pepper before opening into smoked meats, burnt herbs and dry ash. There is a really enjoyable tension running through the palate because the whisky never fully settles into either sweetness or smoke. One sip leans into dark cherries and grilled strawberries from the Pinot Noir casks, while the next suddenly swings back towards bitter espresso, charcoal and dry peat smoke again.

I kept going back for another sip because the profile never seemed to fully settle into one direction.

More importantly though, the spirit itself still feels alive underneath the casks. The slightly dirty Springbank funk is absolutely present here, bringing a greasy, almost industrial quality that makes the whisky feel authentic rather than polished. It still has those rough edges too, which honestly feels like part of the appeal with Springbank at this point.

And this is exactly why I prefer it over the Springbank 100 Proof release. The smoke gives the whisky more shape, more energy and ultimately more personality at this strength, while the higher ABV allows those oily coastal notes to linger beautifully across the palate.

Finish

The finish stays smoky, warming and satisfyingly dry, lingering with ash, burnt oak, black pepper and salty minerals long after the sip has disappeared. Towards the end, I kept finding slightly bitter notes of charred orange peel and coffee grounds, which added another layer of dryness that worked surprisingly well alongside the earthy peat smoke.

Interestingly, the finish improved noticeably after the bottle had been open for a while. My earliest pours felt slightly hotter and more youthful towards the end, but after some air exposure, everything seemed to settle into itself much more naturally.

Food Pairing

This feels like a whisky built for heavily charred food and outdoor cooking. Smoked brisket, barbecue ribs and grilled sausages all pair beautifully with the oily peat profile, while mature cheddar and dark chocolate work surprisingly well if you want something simpler alongside the dram.

That said, most of my pours were enjoyed late in the evening without food at all, and honestly I think that is where this whisky feels most comfortable. There is something about the combination of smoke, salt and oily texture that suits slow drinking, cold air and absolutely no sense of urgency whatsoever.

Who Is This Whisky For?

I think Longrow 100 Proof works exceptionally well as an introduction to higher-proof Longrow whisky because it balances accessibility with genuine Campbeltown character. The smoke is present without becoming overwhelming, the 57.1% ABV gives the whisky proper texture and intensity, and the Pinot Noir casks add just enough sweetness to round things out without distracting from the spirit itself.

For long-time Springbank fans though, reactions will probably depend entirely on expectations. Some people online were discussing this release as though it might become another legendary Longrow Red-level bottling, and personally I just do not think it reaches those heights. If you gave me the choice between this and a great standard Longrow release, I would still take the regular Longrow every single time because there is something about the classic profile that feels slightly more complete and memorable to me.

Still, I also think this bottle offers far better value than many modern Springbank releases currently disappearing into auctions and secondary markets, and that alone makes it worthy of attention.

What Do Others Write About This Whisky?

• WhiskyNotes praised the whisky’s balance and restraint, particularly how the Pinot Noir casks support rather than dominate the peat smoke.
• Dramface highlighted both the quality of the spirit and the impossible expectations that now surround almost every modern Springbank release.
• Words of Whisky focused on the whisky’s oily texture, coastal smoke and pepper-driven Campbeltown character.

Verdict

Strengths

• Excellent value for a modern Springbank release
• Thick, oily texture at 57.1% ABV
• Peat and wine influence remain balanced
• Strong entry point into higher-proof Longrow whisky
• More engaging than Springbank 100 Proof

Weaknesses

• Does not reach the depth of the best Longrow releases
• Slight youthful sharpness occasionally appears
• Expectations surrounding Springbank may impact perception

Final Thoughts

The strange thing about writing this Longrow 100 Proof Review is that the whisky became more enjoyable the longer I spent with it. Not because it suddenly transformed into some legendary bottle, but because I gradually stopped comparing it to impossible expectations and started appreciating how much texture, personality and honest Campbeltown character it actually delivers for the price.

And viewed through that lens, this really is a very successful release.

It is smoky, oily, coastal and slightly rugged in exactly the way Longrow should be, while still remaining approachable enough to work as a gateway into Springbank’s peated style. Would I still take a great standard Longrow over this release? Absolutely. But would I happily buy another bottle and recommend it to peat lovers looking for distinctly old-school Campbeltown whisky? Without hesitation.

Thankfully, the timing works out rather nicely as well, because I will be back visiting Springbank Distillery again in two weeks, and after spending time with this bottle, I already know Longrow will be the first thing I reach for once I am there again.