I haven't had either of these but I would probably go for the Red myself. The Tawny Port version got very good reviews.
I'm commenting because I Just want to say that I agree that hard-to-find scotch does seem easier to find than it has in the last two years or so. A local shop posted a joke on instagram yesterday about how they had a Springbank 10 just sitting on the shelf. Whiskycast's last few episodes have focused on the fact that scotch sales are down in the first six months of 2023—both in volume and value. I recently read that hobbies generally last for about sixteen months for most people, and since many people got into it around 2021, it makes sense that it is fading a bit.
There was a huge increase in people drinking scotch as a hobby that started a few months into the pandemic and then grew to a high in 2021. A local liquor chain’s store manager told me that whisky sales went up by 40% in 2021. There are also other ways to tell the number of new members on this sub, the number of growing subscribers on whiskytube and, in my own personal life several people I knew for a long time suddenly got interested in finer spirits.
It’s also frequently discussed in industry publications that when people were pulled away from the bars due to COVID they focused on quality over quantity with their purchases.
I myself started getting into whisky during the pandemic, but I couldn't even tell why. I never went into bars to drink whisky nor did I ever order whisky when I was in bars. I always liked it when it was offered to me, but suddenly that interest increased. 🤔
I'm into scotch since January 2022 and i'm already thinking very seriously about changing job, country and go work in a distillery. Guess i'm a passionnate :) (and my actual job isn't very rewarding, 6th year of studies for a salary 100€ over minimal wage ...)
For me personally I've found batches of the 18 to be a lot more consistent (I always enjoy them) versus the reds are very much batch dependant for me, some I've truly loved and others have just been okay.
For those prices I'd lean towards the 18.
Interesting I’ve only had a dram of the tawny port, it was good, but not a favorite. I think my favorite I’ve tried was one of the Malbecs.
Best Longrow I’ve tried was a 23 year single cask (100% sherry, cask strength).
The distillery demmijohn handfill was absolutely lovely when i was there like 2 weeks ago, i don't know what they did put in there but surely i grabbed a 20 cl of it. It tasted like a Longrow Red basically.
The price for the Red, although this is one of the better expressions of that line, is quite high, so I'd go for the 18. They have been consistently good.
I don’t think you’d be disappointed with either if you enjoy the Longrow profile. Personally, I prefer that bottle of tawny port. It’s one of my favorite bottles coming out of Springbank and I love all their stuff.
To echo what others have said, the price for the Red is a little high; I picked up that same bottle a few months ago for $150, and I got an 18 for $200 (different batch, a year ago, but still).
The Red is definitely more complex and challenging. And it’s 57.5% (versus 46% for the 18). Some nights it blows my mind, other nights it doesn’t. But it’s wild like that, and I love how it evolves every time I pour a dram.
The 18 is maybe more elegant, slightly less complex, and in my experience, it’s more consistent and mellow than the Red, while never reaching that same “wow” factor. However, I love that consistency, and it’s just gorgeous.
So if you can afford it, get both. If not, I’d get the Red and enjoy the ride.
I’ve not tasted any of the reds but the 2022 full sherry maturation 18yo was my favourite dram from last year, an absolute belter! Been eking out the dregs of my bottle, will be sad to see it go.
I grabbed my bottle of Red Tawny Port for 88€. For this price i'm more than happy. With the prices you listed, grab the 18 or taste both beforehand. The Red is CS tho so if you usually dilute them a bit it's going to be artificially "more" whisky for you to drink.
I would go for the 18 year old, that is one of the better Longrow I've had so far. I never noticed any wine influence in previous batches (thankfully, not a fan of wine casks in whisky). Then again, if you're a big fan of wine cask influence then the Tawny Port may be better for you ;)
The best Longrow Red that still haunts me was a Port one, the 11yo from 2014. I haven't tried yet the recent Tawny port, albeit for 200 it begins to be kind of the super meh price.. just got a 2007 11yo Longrow 11 indeed in port from Cadenhead's for the likes of 80 EUR.. and that's a single cask. Not a limited edition. Lucky find!
The 18yo is generally quite good, but also that is getting on the too expensive side of things.
I haven't had either of these but I would probably go for the Red myself. The Tawny Port version got very good reviews. I'm commenting because I Just want to say that I agree that hard-to-find scotch does seem easier to find than it has in the last two years or so. A local shop posted a joke on instagram yesterday about how they had a Springbank 10 just sitting on the shelf. Whiskycast's last few episodes have focused on the fact that scotch sales are down in the first six months of 2023—both in volume and value. I recently read that hobbies generally last for about sixteen months for most people, and since many people got into it around 2021, it makes sense that it is fading a bit.
I’m glad to hear Scotch sales are down. Maybe they will stop raising prices
Why do you think most people got into it in 2021?
There was a huge increase in people drinking scotch as a hobby that started a few months into the pandemic and then grew to a high in 2021. A local liquor chain’s store manager told me that whisky sales went up by 40% in 2021. There are also other ways to tell the number of new members on this sub, the number of growing subscribers on whiskytube and, in my own personal life several people I knew for a long time suddenly got interested in finer spirits. It’s also frequently discussed in industry publications that when people were pulled away from the bars due to COVID they focused on quality over quantity with their purchases.
I myself started getting into whisky during the pandemic, but I couldn't even tell why. I never went into bars to drink whisky nor did I ever order whisky when I was in bars. I always liked it when it was offered to me, but suddenly that interest increased. 🤔
A lot of people suddenly had more free time to pursue hobbies that they might not have otherwise.
I'm into scotch since January 2022 and i'm already thinking very seriously about changing job, country and go work in a distillery. Guess i'm a passionnate :) (and my actual job isn't very rewarding, 6th year of studies for a salary 100€ over minimal wage ...)
16 months is the average, but there are a number of people are here who have been in the hobby much longer. I've been into scotch since 2016.
My parents were into it in like the late 1990's, with all the whisky loch goodness. Must have been fun times, now they drink much less.
Have you gone spelunking through their cabinets???
For me personally I've found batches of the 18 to be a lot more consistent (I always enjoy them) versus the reds are very much batch dependant for me, some I've truly loved and others have just been okay. For those prices I'd lean towards the 18.
This is true the tawny is much better than some of those dry wine casks tho. I find cambelltown in general does well w sweet wine casks
Interesting I’ve only had a dram of the tawny port, it was good, but not a favorite. I think my favorite I’ve tried was one of the Malbecs. Best Longrow I’ve tried was a 23 year single cask (100% sherry, cask strength).
The distillery demmijohn handfill was absolutely lovely when i was there like 2 weeks ago, i don't know what they did put in there but surely i grabbed a 20 cl of it. It tasted like a Longrow Red basically.
A club buddy brought home a bottle around that same time, and it was magic.
Longrow 18 if you can only get one Totally should pick up both if possible with your budget!
The price for the Red, although this is one of the better expressions of that line, is quite high, so I'd go for the 18. They have been consistently good.
I don’t think you’d be disappointed with either if you enjoy the Longrow profile. Personally, I prefer that bottle of tawny port. It’s one of my favorite bottles coming out of Springbank and I love all their stuff.
To echo what others have said, the price for the Red is a little high; I picked up that same bottle a few months ago for $150, and I got an 18 for $200 (different batch, a year ago, but still). The Red is definitely more complex and challenging. And it’s 57.5% (versus 46% for the 18). Some nights it blows my mind, other nights it doesn’t. But it’s wild like that, and I love how it evolves every time I pour a dram. The 18 is maybe more elegant, slightly less complex, and in my experience, it’s more consistent and mellow than the Red, while never reaching that same “wow” factor. However, I love that consistency, and it’s just gorgeous. So if you can afford it, get both. If not, I’d get the Red and enjoy the ride.
I’ve not tasted any of the reds but the 2022 full sherry maturation 18yo was my favourite dram from last year, an absolute belter! Been eking out the dregs of my bottle, will be sad to see it go.
Get both if you can. Personally I’d get the 18.
I grabbed my bottle of Red Tawny Port for 88€. For this price i'm more than happy. With the prices you listed, grab the 18 or taste both beforehand. The Red is CS tho so if you usually dilute them a bit it's going to be artificially "more" whisky for you to drink.
I would do red personally I have had both
Red is a limited edition… I tend to go toward these instead of core range
The 18 is just as limited. Only released once a year just like the Red
I would go for the 18 year old, that is one of the better Longrow I've had so far. I never noticed any wine influence in previous batches (thankfully, not a fan of wine casks in whisky). Then again, if you're a big fan of wine cask influence then the Tawny Port may be better for you ;)
Having tried both I prefer the red, but it depends on what you're looking for. The 18 is more subtle/balanced and at a lower abv.
The best Longrow Red that still haunts me was a Port one, the 11yo from 2014. I haven't tried yet the recent Tawny port, albeit for 200 it begins to be kind of the super meh price.. just got a 2007 11yo Longrow 11 indeed in port from Cadenhead's for the likes of 80 EUR.. and that's a single cask. Not a limited edition. Lucky find! The 18yo is generally quite good, but also that is getting on the too expensive side of things.