Longmorn 15yo, 2004, SMWS 7.246
ABV: 60.4%
Region: Speyside
Price per bottle: °°°
Bottling: Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS)

Cask type: Refill ex-Bourbon Barrel, then refill ex-Nicaraguan Rum Barrel (157 btl.)

 

Colour: Gold.
Nose: Sweet notes of vanilla and rum aromas on the nose first, followed by yellow fruits like mirabelle and pineapple. Spicy oak and some ginger spiciness join them.
Palate: First dry on the palate, then gradually sweeter with sticky fruit - mirabelle, gooseberry and pineapple - and creamy vanilla. Altogether intense and strongly warming, also due to the high alcohol content. Light notes of banana, coconut as well as spicy oak, nutmeg and some cinnamon towards the finish.
Finish: The finish shows a medium length with sweet vanilla and jammy fruit notes. Becomes drier towards the end with oak and subtle ginger as well as cinnamon.
With water: After the addition of water sweetish and prickling on the nose with vanilla and distinct rum aromas. Sweet vanilla and rum aroma also on the palate, followed by coconut as well as some bitter yellow fruit and orange peel. Only slightly warming. The finish is of medium length, creamy with vanilla and yellow fruit, followed by dry oak.
Comments: An intense Speysider which, after 14 years of maturation in an ex-Bourbon cask, was allowed to spend the rest of the time in a former rum barrel. To the vanilla sweetness are added discreet rum aromas, tropical fruits and a little cinnamon, which result in a round, harmonious, rich, delicious and strong single malt. However, it can be enjoyed neat, but in peace and quiet and very slowly.


Longmorn 17yo, 1996-2013, Cask Strength, The Ultimate
ABV: 60.1%
Region: Speyside
Price per bottle: °°
Bottling: van Wees
Cask type: Sherry butt (#105092, 582 btl.)


Colour: Mahogany
Nose: A massive hit of sherry and molasses, with the classic heavy ripe dark fruit tones of cherries, plums and finally raisins. Rich and thick.
Palate: Wow! A huge and hot palate. Very sweet, full of sherry, Demerara sugar, raisins, plums, and dark thick fruit compote. Almost chewable. Turns into dark chocolate and earthy notes.
Finish: Long and surprisingly soft with lingering sweetness. This one sticks on the tongue for hours.
With water: The sweetness cannot be tamed by water but feels a bit tingly on the tongue with spicy oak tones while the dark fruits keep present.
Comments: A big sherry monster. Sherry and dark ripe fruits shine through all the way with great elegance. A complex dram and quite drinkable neat despite its high alcohol content.