Speyside

Longmorn 1996 23 Year Old Sherry Cask Signatory The Whisky Exchange
Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky

58.8% ABV
$335
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What the Retailer Says

Matured in a single first-fill sherry butt for more than two decades, this 1996 Longmorn single malt was bottled by Signatory Vintage in August 2019, exclusively for The Whisky Exchange’s 20th Anniversary.
Bottling Date: August 2019
No of Bottles: 433
Cask Type: First-Fill Sherry Butt
Cask Number: 105100

Tasting Notes (from Billy Abbott)
Nose: To quote a certain anchorman: rich mahogany – both the colour and the first thing out of the glass. There are some leather-bound books as well, but beforehand this dives head-first into a bowl of dried fruit: dates, cherries, prunes and the expected raisins. There’s a touch of barrel-char smokiness behind the fruit, with a spoonful of brown sugar making sure it doesn’t get too much.
Palate: Softer than expected from the nose, but still thick and very rich. Malt loaf with cherry jam; liquorice sticks dipped in brown sugar; toasted schwarzbrot with honey. Clove-heavy speculaas biscuits sit at the back, with bitter liquorice pastels and a touch of charred oak.
Finish: Char and concentrated dried fruit hang around with an ever-changing cast of extras: cinnamon toast, blackcurrant jam, singed cloves and sweet liquorice.
Comment: A bit of a beast, but with more complexity than it has any right after 23 years in an active sherry cask. Endless layers of fruit spice.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Dark fruit notes of figs, dates, raisins and cherries, leather, pipe tobacco smoke, oak and raw honey.
Palate:  Thick, viscous and rich with fig, cherry, honey, anise, a bit of cinnamon with cloves, nutmeg, chocolate, walnuts and oak.
Finish:  Long and drying with spiced dates and figs.
Comments:  The words ‘Longmorn’ and ‘Sherry’ combined translate (for me anyways) to ‘happy place’. I have many fond memories of sipping mature sherry-bomb Longmorns on different occasions with whiskey friends, where the dram was improved only by the company (but tasting this one alone – still pretty damned good!) The nose reminds me of sitting in a wood-paneled library full of old books, worn leather furniture and wisps of pipe tobacco in the air (and a rock glass of Scotch, of course). A bit of water brings out a note of blood orange on the nose, and tilts the palate from chocolate towards caramel – but again, this is one I absolutely love neat.

Rating: Must Buy

Longmorn 18 Year Old Double Cask
Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky

48% ABV
$108 (700 mL)
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What the Bottle Says

Double Cask Matured
American Oak Barrels and Hogsheads
Elegant and fruity on the nose with notes of sweet pear and mango followed by creamy toffee and orange marmalade. The palate is rewarded with soft fudge and ripe juicy pear. Incredibly smooth and long finish with a touch of nutty oak.
Non Chill-Filtered

What Gary Says

Nose:  Rich and thick, fruity with pears, peach cobbler, hint of mango, butterscotch, buttered biscuits, leather, pipe tobacco and brown sugar.
Palate:  Thick mouthfeel, fruity with honey, maple candies, peaches, pears, smoke, praline and a bit of nutmeg.
Finish:  Long and damp with citrus notes, oak and a touch of pepper.
Comments:  I love Longmorn. There, I said it, and I’m not ashamed. I have many fond memories of putting a hurting on various independent bottlings of Longmorn over the years, made better given the company (but don’t get me wrong – these were some stellar bottles. This is a distillery bottling, and might be the first that I’ve had – so I wasn’t sure what to expect.  Not sure why – it’s freaking delicious – and ridiculously good given the price. Even with shipping to the states (which I despise paying for), this one would easily be worth it. A bit of water brings out more tropical fruit notes on the nose, and tamps the smoke on the palate bring the peaches to the forefront. I only added water to see what would happen, and was rewarded by watching it cloud up nicely. This is a delightful dram neat though.

Rating: Must Buy