North Sea Whisky

Tasting whisky by the sea.

springbank

Aug 23, 2026

Review no. 20: Hazelburn 10

Back to Earth after last week’s review of the Springbank vintage 1994. Because of the quality of the distillery’s new makes, their maturation seems to me less linear than others. For my palate, 10 years is often the perfect age for Springbank. Younger ones I usually find a bit raw, and the distillates are so… Continue reading

Whisky Reviews

campbeltown, campbeltown-whisky, hazelburn, hazelburn-10, single-malt, springbank, tasting notes, triple-distilled, whisky-review
Aug 17, 2026

Review no. 19: Springbank Vintage 1994

I was quite disappointed with last year’s Springbank Vintage 1998, as it was defined by the blandness of modern sherry casks. It is usual to have drier and woodier aspects which can take more than an hour to lift off these old whiskies. In the case of the 1998, they never did, shading the distillate.… Continue reading

Whisky Reviews

campbeltown, scotch, single-malt, springbank, springbank-vintage-1994, springbank-vintage-1998, tasting notes, vintage-1994, whisky review

About Me

My name is Rich, and I’m a whisky hound, but this is not my portrait.

Pictured* is Bonnie, board advisor and general overseer at the NSW household. She leaves the heavy lifting to me, that is, tasting whiskies by the sea and writing up what I think about them. Bonnie has the keener nose, but she isn’t interested in single malts, although a little bit of warm wort goes down a treat.

*With a little digital help. The real Bonnie is not likely to use a tumbler nor pour one half full; she’s class.

springbank

Review no. 20: Hazelburn 10

Review no. 19: Springbank Vintage 1994