Hazelburn 2018 Oloroso Cask Matured

The Hazelburn Oloroso Cask Matured bottlings are getting younger and younger: last year only 8 years old, now even younger. Next year, another 100° Proof with 5 years like the Springbank, or perhaps even no age statement at all like the Longrow? (More on that later). Now comes the "but": but actually, age doesn't really play a big role at Springbank. Yes, Springbank bottlings aged 18+ years are more common than those exceeding the magical 90-point mark, but there are countless Springbank bottlings of a much younger age that just barely miss this mark. This 7-year-old Hazelburn gets so much right and appeals to me as a Springbank enthusiast so much that I hardly care about its age. Compared to last year's eight-year-old Hazelburn Oloroso Cask Matured (2025), I even prefer it; the finish is significantly longer, it's not fizzy, and it has no menthol notes. I have the feeling that a few more casks from older Hazelburn were used here than in the 8-year-old. And that's a good thing! Incidentally, next year there will be no Hazelburn 100° Proof, but rather another 8yo.

Good, but not that good. Definitely add water too.

Often overlooked as the Springers take all the plaudits, but this is a lovely dram with plenty going on - well worth trying - a dram to enjoy with friends.

Nose: Strawberries, raspberries, red grape and apple compote. Plenty of heavy sherry, oak, and gooseberries. A light minerality and characteristic floor varnish in the background. Palate: Much less red fruit than the nose suggested. Pickled lemons, unripe watermelon, green jelly in sugar, grapefruit, and albedo. Add a touch of honey and spices. Finish: Slightly peppery. Plenty of chocolate, vanilla, and buckwheat honey. A touch of tannins and acidity emerges after a while. A very pleasant whisky.

The cork comes out and… surprise. This isn’t the sherry profile I was expecting. Not even close. Instead I have by dark forest honey with a slightly resinous edge, chunks of cola candy, and that unmistakable Campbeltown minerality with an almost funky twist. What a start! Thankfully, this Hazelburn does what so many Springbank bottlings do. It asks for a little patience. Give it a few minutes in the glass and it starts to unfold beautifully. The darker side of the whisky gradually takes over with black cherries, plum preserves, rich fruitcake, and plump sultanas. Then come nougat, dark chocolate, freshly roasted hazelnuts, and just enough butterscotch to round things off. Every minute adds another layer. The palate picks up exactly where the nose leaves off. Soft, creamy, and pretty approachable from the first sip. Dark honey wraps itself around ripe cherries, dried fruit, and cocoa, while the sherry stays rich without ever becoming overpowering. The oak brings gentle spice and enough grip to keep everything in balance. For such a young unpeated malt, it comes across as remarkably mature. Had the label said fourteen years instead, I wouldn’t have been surprised. The finish sits comfortably in the long range with plum syrup, sultanas, dark cherries, chocolate, and well integrated oak spice. Towards the end, the familiar mineral note returns, accompanied by the faintest touch of (charring) smoke, neatly bringing the whisky full circle. What I like most is how much this whisky changes. If you’re willing to give it a little time, you’ll be rewarded. Further notes and reviews on Instagram and Facebook: #maltkanzlei

Dangerously delicious! [88~91] Very nice. Complex, interesting, fun, I can spend a lot of time with this, "want it" :-D

Colour - 22 - light oak, very pleasing Nose - 22 - alcohol predominates. But plenty of fruit cake,red apples, marzipan and cinder toffee Palate - 21 - bit of petrol, fruitcake, quite short Finish - 15 - petrol predominates in a short finish Total - 76

Sweet, approachable, and dangerously drinkable; you can practically buy this bottling sight unseen, I haven't had a bad one yet, top-notch craftsmanship - 08/08/2026

It's hard to improve on a 7-year-old, heavily sherry-influenced malt.

Very pleasant, fruity whisky, no 84 - spicy, jammy, with dark fruit.

Love the mose on this one, Sherry with dark fruits, cherry preserves, plums, blackberries, dark chocolate covered raspberry jelly candies.  Touch of mustiness, engine oil and salinity.  On the palate, it’s not as sweet as expected but more dry sherry, salty, and industrial.  Very interesting!

Hazelburn is truly something of Springbank's underrated child. This is absolutely unjustified; Hazelburn is beautiful. And so is this bottling. What others fail to achieve with a 15-year-old, this brand simply manages with a 7-year-old whisky. Fortunately, there is some positive grit in the bottle: plenty of oak, tannins, and a lovely hint of sulfur. A very successful whisky!

Dried fruits, quite a lot of spices both on nose and palate, floral, nutty, and funky notes. Hints of licorice, pepper, and oak. Oily. Funky, but yet somewhat clean taste. Quite short finish.

Soft caramel, chocolate fondant. Molasses, toffee, dates, redcurrants, prunes, Muscat grapes, wine-soaked peel, cherry in brandy, spongy leather, acacia honey, hazelnuts, brown sugar. Very fruity on the palate: raspberry, pomegranate, blueberries, quite oily, a hint of tobacco, pepper, and clove. Fairly long finish: fig and raisins, earth and nutmeg a bit too strong, coffee grounds. The wood is very present, with a touch of bitterness. Peach pit, pipe tobacco. Very slight salinity. The product's youth isn't too noticeable, but the sherry influence is intense. This results in a lovely nose and a very pleasant palate, and the finish is good, but the whisky was on the verge of becoming too oaky. https://ilikesky2020.blogspot.com/2026/09/hazelburn-2018-oloroso-cask-matured-7-yo.html

The Oloroso cask introduces tannins and sulphur which completely smothers the excellent Hazelburn distillate character which I really enjoy. The excellent nose promises considerably more than the palate delivers, while the bitter oak and drying tannins undermine the entire experience. A deeply disappointing whisky, particularly because the nose is so good. It remains the lowest-scoring whisky in the lineup.

Wonderful, sweet, very fruity, delicious, even perfect. Despite its youth, it's very refined. It's also worth mentioning its beautiful mahogany color and very deep and perfectly hidden alcohol.

Industrial oils, leather, red fruits, a hint of maritime peat, oak spices, dried fruits, honey, brine, minerals, tannins. Medium finish and the 47.9% abv is integrated nicely. It's a little flat which is expected with only 7 years, impressive for the low age nonetheless. All the Campbletown characteristics are there with the exception of a subtle peat note in the background. More easy going and friendly then the previous 8yo but younger less exciting. One thing these Hazelburn Oloroso Casks releases have in common is that the quality is consistent.