Today we explore two high-strength whiskies bottled at 100 proof. And neither comes from Signatory Vintage’s famous series. Instead, we examine two new additions to Springbank’s portfolio: the Springbank 5-Year-Old 100 Proof and the Longrow 100 Proof. Springbank introduced the 5-Year-Old 100 Proof in 2025 as a permanent core range addition. It marks the triumphant return of a historic bottling that vanished in the 1990s. The Longrow 100 Proof represents the inaugural batch of a bold new series. It replaces the discontinued Longrow Red range. Both whiskies mark significant milestones for the Campbeltown distillery. Springbank offers consistent availability through quarterly releases. The Longrow debuts a fresh direction for peated Campbeltown whisky. It moves away from the divisive Red series into a new era defined by full-proof strength and red wine influence from Pinot Noir cask finishing.
Springbank 5-year-old 100 Proof (2025) Review
Springbank’s 2025 release of the 5-Year-Old 100 Proof marks the return of a historically iconic bottling that disappeared in the 1990s and adds a significant new entry to the distillery’s core range. The distillery matured this whisky exclusively in bourbon casks and bottled it at natural cask strength —57.1% ABV (100 proof in the UK measurement system) – without chill filtration or colour adjustment. Springbank theoretically priced the bottle at £48 in the UK, though the market has made it both difficult to locate and substantially more expensive, with European retailers asking for close to €100 when stock appears.
Colour:
Between pale gold and jonquille.
Nose:
Neat: Very fresh with distinctive smoke – an open bag of sour green fruit (Granny Smith apple, lime) mingles with tinned pineapple chunks, salty sea spray, fresh herbs, damp straw, buckwheat honey and vanilla. The nose demonstrates considerable charm for a five-year-old expression.
With water: Smoke intensifies, revealing fresh tar, warm soot, malt, grist and draff. The addition of water really opens the whisky towards its raw material: peated malted barley.
Palate:
’Neat: The arrival strikes with intensity and punch. Lemon (including its zest) dominates alongside forceful peat smoke, and the intensity reveals Springbank’s true peat character in youth – a quality that softens considerably by the time it becomes a 10-Year-Old or more. Characteristic Springbank funk runs through the palate, accompanied by green, unripe fruit, peaches and pears. Milk chocolate emerges with light wood bitterness, whilst a creamy, slightly ashy mouthfeel develops. Smoke returns in dual form – both peat smoke and car exhaust smoke – followed by soot and additional lemon notes.
With water: The palate initially turns sweeter, then lemon and smoke resurface. Strong alcohol heat follows, momentarily burning the top of the throat. The finish gains pronounced spices after dilution.
Finish:
Spices (pepper, oak spices), lemony custard, slightly raspy milk chocolate and smoke sustain for a relatively extended duration.
Comments:
Superb, very young and powerful Springbank – youth certainly does not preclude flavour and character here. The whisky tastes punchy and delivers stronger smoke than typical Springbank expressions, with reduction revealing the raw materials on the nose in a most compelling manner. Very good whisky indeed, though the greedy pricing from retailers who have capitalised on scarcity diminishes its accessibility at a reasonable price point.
Rating: 7.5/10
Longrow 100 Proof Batch 1 (2025) Review
The Longrow 100° Proof 2025 Edition is a new addition to the Springbank distillery’s range, replacing the discontinued Longrow Red series. This is the first annual release bottled at cask strength (57.1% ABV). The whisky is approximately 6 years old, matured for 4 years in refill bourbon casks and then finished for 2 years in refill Pinot Noir casks. The first batch (Batch 25/01) is heavily peated and double-distilled, characteristic of Longrow’s style, and combines peat smoke with red wine influence. It is bottled without chill filtration and without added colour. The 2025 release can still be found, with prices going from €80 in Italy to close to double that in some other shops.
Colour:
Deep gold.
Nose:
Neat: Vanilla and intense acidity emerge alongside dark red fruits, smoky bacon, plum and funk – the pinot noir cask influence manifests clearly. A very light touch of sulphur (struck matches, fireworks) mingles with mechanical grease and oil, musty dunnage warehouse notes and a light metallic aroma.
With water: A lactic quality develops with cheddar notes and hints of rotten bananas, though the nose becomes considerably more subdued with dilution.
Palate:
Neat: The palate initially feels thin, but thickens and deepens after a brief moment. Strong peat smoke and strong winey flavours converge – charred meat and industrial smoke meet redcurrants, musty grapes and milk chocolate. Rubber, brown sugar, chilli pepper and black pepper follow, with bitter wood and additional red wine notes.
With water: The palate turns sweeter, revealing wine gums and jelly beans, then pickled ginger and chilli pepper, followed by vegetable oils and winey flavours.
Finish:
Dark chocolate, smoke and wine sustain with slight salinity and rubberiness, then smoke dissipates, leaving a dentist moulding paste. The finish extends for a medium-long duration.
Comments:
A distinct dissonance emerges between the peat and pinot noir cask influence – the two elements collide rather than marry harmoniously. Longer maturation might well facilitate better integration between these competing characteristics.