Longrow ‘Rundlet’s and Kilderkins’ 11 year old Single Malt Review

I know what you’re thinking, I was thinking it too, just what exactly are the ‘Rundlet’s and Kilderkins’ that are in the name of this 11 year old Longrow? They are not a Scottish folk band (but it’s certainly a good name for a folk band) so there’s no commercial tie in, as if Springbank would ever stoop to such lows anyway. It’s not the name of some ancient heritage barley variety either. No, this odd name refers to barrels!

A Rundlet has a capacity of 15 imperial gallons (or roughly 68 litres) and a Kilderkin has a capacity of 18 imperial gallons (or roughly 82 litres), so quite a bit smaller than a standard bourbon barrel (190 to 200 litres) or a hogshead (225 to 250 litres). As such there is quite a bit more wood interaction inside these barrels.

Of course this allows many to proclaim that the whisky will ‘mature’ faster. But maturation isn’t solely about the wood. Time, climate, oxidisation all play vital roles in the final outcome of the whisky. These smaller casks just allow the wood to influence the spirit at a quicker rate. Personally, I’ve not really been super impressed by the over judicious use of small casks such as blood tubs or octaves as sometimes it can become so over-oaked it feels like you are drinking splinters which isn’t super pleasant.

But of course the good folks at Springbank know a thing or two about maturation so I’m sure we are in safe hands with this release. This release is actually from a trio of  Rundlets and Kilderkins expressions. There was a Springbank at roughly 10 years old, this Longrow at 11 years old and a Hazelburn that was again around 10 years old. All three releases were fully matured in the smaller Rundlet and Kilderkin casks that had been re-coopered from their original sizes. As to what these original casks held, well…we just don’t know. As ever all these whiskies were non chill filtered and natural colour with the Longrow being bottled at 51.7% abv.

This expression cost just shy of £60 when released in 2013. Back then that was superb value and frankly it’s hard to believe that Springbank releases in general haven’t really gone wild in terms of pricing over the last 12 years, especially in comparison to the likes of Diageo or Pernod Ricard brands that come to mind. A quick glance online and I have found some of this still available but at the rather exasperating price of £450 and up, pricey by anyone’s standard.

I’d like to thank Rose aka @fromwhereidram for the generous sample that made this review possible.

Nose: Old school whisky vibes straight away - A medium amount of peat with rubber, new pennies, soot and brine. Bread and butter pudding, caramelised sugar, pepper and clove. Lemon peel, white grapes and tinned pineapples. Some salted caramel too.

Palate: The mouthfeel is great. There is sweetened vanilla custard and spun sugar before a serious whack of peat smoke. Straw and engine oil. Below the dirt is green apple, cut grapes and pineapple rings. Licorice, dark chocolate and fresh ginger. Clove, copper and candied citrus fruit.

Finish: Long with drying ash and woody spices.

Score: 8 out of 10

Overall: An absolutely lovely drop, I wish I’d been able to get a whole bottle rather than just the generous sample I was given….Thanks again Rose! It’s a classic Longrow with a load of complexity that segues between fruity, funky, savoury, and earthy. 

It’s having drams like this that keeps you from plugging away through so much of the modern whisky mediocrity. Whisky ultimately should be an experience, memorable, life affirming and this is one of those drams.

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