Hazelburn 2010 12 Year-Old:

[@WhiskeyForge]

Second to none. The best scotch on the market right now. And a true integrity malt.

[@topshelfwhisky]

“Integrity” is a favorite descriptor of Dustin’s. I’ve always liked it and it applies here.

[@RomainRiviere]

I guess I'll be the only one to truly regret it if one day, Dustin was to forget and not bless us all with his signature gesture towards the bottle in the opening seconds of each video. I'm praying for that woeful nightmare never to happen.

[@topshelfwhisky]

Even does it on sample reviews. Watch the Octomore OBA when it comes up. Pointed at air.

[@topshelfdustin3060]

lol...i feel like I gotta do something vs just staring blankly.

[@EverythingElla247]

Hazelburn just has such a rich, textured, and complex distillate and when you combine it with a good to decent cask ….great things happen. Great review boys…..thanks for the tip on this one Dustin!

[@TheMadtownMaltster]

Just found this on the shelf of my local liquor store yesterday. I celebrated by cracking the 10 yr. I had on my shelf that I picked up a few months ago. To my dismay the 10 yr. was cork tainted. I’ve experienced that with wine before, but never with whisky. Guess I’ll have to crack the 12 yr. soon to console myself. Based on your review it will do the trick. I really enjoy your videos. Keep up the good work!

[@topshelfdustin3060]

That's a shame, I for better or worse am not well versed on cork taint. Please share your feelings on this one when you crack it.

[@TheMadtownMaltster]

⁠@@topshelfdustin3060Cork taint is more common in wine then whiskey. I have had several bottles of wine that were cork tainted, but this was my first bottle of whiskey with the issue. From Wikipedia: “Cork taint is a broad term referring to an off-odor and off-flavor wine fault[1] arising from the presence of 2,4,6-trichloroanisole (TCA), a chemical compound that represents one of the strongest off-flavors, and one "generated naturally in foods/beverages", in particular wines, that considerably reduce the quality of these products.” I took my bottle of Hazelburn 10 back to the store I bought it from and they gave me store credit as a refund. I will share my thoughts on the Hazelburn 12 when I open it. Thanks for the reply!

[@topshelfwhisky]

These continue to impress. Favorite vintage?

[@MrPsiman]

There is just a class to Hazelburn that is hard to describe. It’s got beauty down to a tee. I think they are blended to be the classy selection from J.A. Mitchell.

[@mikebennett3741]

Happy to see this review, as I have a bottle waiting for me a couple states away. Time for a road trip!

[@topshelfwhisky]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@MrPsiman]

J&A Mitchell seems to be taking extra care of Hazelburn the last handful of years with the sherry casks. I think you will like the Campbeltown Loch sherry edition because it’s done right and not saturated or a light teaser

[@topshelfdustin3060]

still haven't seen that make it here. Will certainly consider it if I do.

[@peterc3822]

Glad to have found a bottle in Vienna for 85 euros while travelling. Well worth the suitcase space it looks like! Keen to compare it to the Hazelburn 14 from Open day 23 I grabbed also from the distillery

[@topshelfwhisky]

Always leave extra luggage space. I hate to throw away shirts

[@Caydendoesmm2]

I bought 2 bottles from auction based on your review. So hard to get in Canada. Paid $125 USD each shipped. I am excited to try. Also, got a 2017 lagavulin 12 and 2018 laphroaig 25. 🎉

[@topshelfwhisky]

That’s a good run! Both the Lag and Laphroaig are arguably the best year in the last decade for both and they have excellent texture. Excellent examples of southern Islay done well

[@garyk3675]

Great review - as always. I am a fan of Hazelburn and, happily, have many versions including (but not only) the 13yo, 14yo, 15yo, and 12yo of this Oloroso series. I was debating getting the 12yo - so great to hear your shared views! I am heading to Islay and Campbeltown next month - so am drinking a bit more of Campbeltown and Islay whiskies to prepare! Currently enjoying the 14yo Hazelburn from this series.

[@topshelfwhisky]

I’m envious, enjoy the trip! Buddy of mine from Montreal’s. Heading there soon as well. I’ve enjoyed all of these Oloroso bottles.

[@jameslim7093]

I also agree with you both! I compared the last year version (15 year) and this one on Canada Day. Both are great whisky, but I like the 12years one better for its fresh red fruit note. Cheers!

[@topshelfwhisky]

No losers in that side by side

[@zedman8720]

Just got a bottle today and so looking forward to it after your great review . Thanks for the insight guys. Cheers.

[@RomainRiviere]

looking back at this great video, I am talking in the name of many of your viewers: when are you finally going to taste the 15 and 12 side by side? Can't wait, would be a great Christmas battle.

[@topshelfdustin3060]

Someone...might have finished his 15. But a new 15 is coming this year lol.

[@RomainRiviere]

@@topshelfdustin3060 true, looking forward to it

[@topshelfwhisky]

Of Dustin has another 12, I have a few 15’s.

[@RomainRiviere]

did you get the new 15? Is there a review coming? @@topshelfdustin3060

[@boswineguy5461]

Nice one, have only had the 2018 bottled 13yr 47.4%, nursing this one as it’s the only bottle I’ve been able to get. Was $110 srp back then, a sensational deal.

[@topshelfdustin3060]

I miss the old prices for sure.

[@krishnar3493]

Marked up prices of these Hazelburns are matching up to some of the Kavalan Solist sherried whiskies prices. Now, if drinking good whisky is a priority, its hard to find an excuse to buy these.

[@topshelfdustin3060]

I've still never owned the standard solist sherry, we've never had it locally. But you're right some over seas bottles are about these prices. But man, they are different animals.

[@hanqb10]

Both great whiskies, but I prefer last year’s 15 because of the dark earthy dirtiness. Love that Springbank is delivering 2 amazing sherried whiskies in different ways. Would love to see a side by side by side of all your sherry bomb hazelburns.

[@topshelfwhisky]

We have talked about and will do the Hazelburn comparison… I, too, prefer last years 15 but they are both nice offerings.

[@topshelfdustin3060]

I have a bad habit of just drinking this darn things. They're just so tasty.

[@RomainRiviere]

​@@topshelfwhiskythat sounds great

[@boingmaster]

Wowza! Some high scores for this one. I had a couple ounces of this one and felt it wasn’t worth the price $180 + tax in most places… not a bad whisky of course, but it’s similar to the HB 13s from a few years back of which I owe a couple bottles already. I really like the dirtier 15 year and 14 year of the most recent releases. Believe Dustin scored this on par with some of the Springbank 21s you two have reviewed!

[@topshelfwhisky]

Very similar to most of the offerings from this distillery, little bit of time opens this one up quite a bit… but you seem very familiar with the expression so maybe I’m wrong.

[@topshelfdustin3060]

I like this more than any 21 i own to be completely fair. Not sure it's as good or better, but this is my kind of sherry bomb.

[@boingmaster]

@@topshelfdustin3060 if you are getting 91 point whisky for less than $200, that’s a great day my friend!

[@boingmaster]

@@topshelfwhisky yea especially that 13 yea that was 75% bourbon. Grower not a show-her. Really opened after bottle got down to the neck. Decided to try the HB12 again next to the 13 year fresh sherry from 2020. Pretty comparable. More red fruits on the 2020, more vanilla and cookie dough in the HB12. Both good. I would gice the nod to the HB12 though. It’s about an 87-88 for me. Now on to the Hazelburn 23 year today… you need to review a 20+ year Hazelburn. Would be very curious to hear your opinion. Happy 4th gents!

[@10use]

How would you guys compare this with the 22' 15year Olorosso 54.2% Do u prefer one over the other, if so why?

[@Whisky_Total]

Great Hazelburn 🥃🥃👌🏻

[@topshelfwhisky]

very solid

[@dramyankee2914]

Had not grabbed the 15, but after this review……DAYEM, gonna have to hunt this down. As always guys, thank you so much for these reviews! Could you share what price range I should expect on my hunt for this? Cheers All!

[@dramyankee2914]

DOH!! Apparently, I wasn’t paying attention the first time viewing the review. Heard Dustin say ~ 180 out the door.

[@topshelfdustin3060]

@@dramyankee2914 150-230 is what I'm seeing where people are just out to get you in the US. I'd guess 150 is MSRP but a lot of stores are doing larger markups than my store (who are now doing small markups on springbank products). Under 200 and I'd be happy with this, which is crazy for a 12 year. If I'd just had a sample, I'd stop nothing shy for 300 for one though. It's that good to me.

[@dramyankee2914]

Dustin, I tracked it down at one of my small watering holes for $185 out the door

[@djbeacon6895]

​@dramyankee2914 Jerry, did you pick one up and if so, whadda think? I'm really liking this oloroso bomb. CHEERS!!

[@100puremustard5]

I couldn't pay more for this 12yr than last years 15yr, maybe a mistake? But I did find a Signatory Bunnahabhain 10yr 1st fill sherry 65.4% abv $99.99, I think I'll go with that!

[@topshelfdustin3060]

I think I paid about the same, but it doesn't seem springbank feels that the cost and age on these should be associated. And inflation was 10% in the UK so if they're the same price in a way you're getting a discount (terrifying). That Bunna sounds pretty good too, but just call me a sucker for whatever casks are being used on the bottles. Just hands down the best sherry casks on a moderately obtainable bottle in 2023.

[@andypike1234]

I have 14yo oloroso 2004/19. Have you had that one?

[@topshelfdustin3060]

We never reviewed it, but yes I do. It's the most oak forward of the series from memory. The 15 is more earthy while the 14 is oak. This is the polar opposite with bright juicy fruits jumping out like none of the others.

[@andypike1234]

@@topshelfdustin3060 Sounds delicious!

[@efuchsman]

Man... I have a 15 and know a 12 at a shop 159.99 but I just spent 220 on an LB earlier today. Y'all are dangerous for my wallett.

[@topshelfwhisky]

Never regretted buying a good whisky! 💀