Introduction

I’ve always had a soft spot for Campbeltown malts, and Hazelburn in particular tends to be the most understated of the Springbank trio. So when an Oloroso cask-matured 8 year old Hazelburn came up for 2025, I was curious to see how their unpeated, triple-distilled spirit would interact with a full-term sherry maturation. Knowing Hazelburn typically leans into lighter, fruity tones, I wondered whether the richness of Oloroso would add depth or overpower its subtleties. Spoiler: it’s far from subtle.

Nose

Right out of the glass, this whisky makes a strong first impression. It opens with dense earthy notes — damp cellars, old leather, and even a hint of dunnage warehouse, which took me a bit by surprise given the clean nature of the spirit. As it settles, I started picking up prunes, walnut loaf, and burnt caramel. There's also a curious savoury side to it — almost like cured meat in the background. A splash of water helped reveal spiced cherry jam and roasted almonds. It’s heavy, brooding, and not aimed at those looking for a delicate dram.

Palate

The texture is thick and slightly oily, with a sweet-sour intensity from the first sip. Dried figs lead the way, followed by dark chocolate and espresso bitterness. There’s heat, too — plenty of it — but it fits the bold character. Mid-palate, I noticed cracked black pepper, hazelnuts, and an underlying damp earth note that recalls its Campbeltown roots. It's robust and not especially refined, but there’s honesty in how it presents itself — no glossing over the rough edges.

Finish

The finish is long and dry, with lingering notes of cocoa powder, tobacco leaf and burnt orange peel. I also found an ashy element creeping in toward the end, which seems slightly at odds with the unpeated nature of Hazelburn — possibly some cask influence at play here. There's a final touch of salt and dark spice that continues to build well after the sip is gone. It leaves your mouth warm, dry, and wanting a glass of water — or maybe another pour.

Price and Value

Hazelburn’s 8 year old Oloroso 2025 sits in a fairly competitive price range for limited edition, cask-driven malts. For what it delivers — strong sherry influence, a bold and distinctly Campbeltown profile — I’d say the value is reasonable. That’s especially true if you’re already a fan of drier, more challenging sherry bombs. It’s not the kind of bottle I’d reach for regularly, but I'm glad to have it on the shelf for the occasional evening when I want something intense and uncompromising.

Background

Hazelburn is produced at the family-owned Springbank Distillery in Campbeltown, Scotland. It's the unpeated and triple-distilled arm of the operation — a point of differentiation from Springbank’s lightly peated, partially triple-distilled style and Longrow’s heavily peated profile.

This 2025 release was aged exclusively in Oloroso sherry casks for eight years, bottled without chill filtration or added colour, and comes in at cask strength. It continues Hazelburn's recent trend toward more sherry-forward expressions, showcasing how their spirit handles that kind of maturation. The vintage sells in limited volumes and tends to attract collectors, but it’s a whisky designed to be tasted, not just admired.

Final Notes

Would I buy this again? Not for daily enjoyment, but yes — it has a strong character that's rewarding on the right mood. It’s not really beginner-friendly, though. The dryness, the earthy intensity, and some heat on the palate may feel a bit much for someone new to whisky. I’d liken it more to something you'd pull out after dinner with friends who appreciate a full-bodied dram.

Is it different from other Campbeltown malts? It is — in large part because of the unpeated and triple-distilled base spirit being paired with such assertive casks. You don’t get the coastal peat of Longrow or the balanced funk of Springbank, but there’s a shared DNA that comes through in subtle ways. For lovers of sherry maturations looking to try a different take on the style, this Hazelburn is worth exploring.