Longmorn 1969, Gordon & Macphail for La Maison Du Whisky
Longmorn is a fine fine whisky – one of those ‘God I hope it gets more appreciation but not too much that profit-lust overtakes quality and common sense’ whiskies.
This one comes with thanks from a friend. 1969, a year before the floor maltings closed, and 5 years before the distillery’s 4 stills became 8. Of course stills were still coal fired till 1994, so yes. Old school whisky this time.
Longmorn 1969, Gordon & Macphail for La Maison Du Whisky, cask 5295, 50%
Nose: Some sherry casks here. First floral and fragrant – rose and geranium, golden raisons and cherries in syrup. Lots of honey. Lots of cooked oranges.Very classic, very balanced, rich but elegant. Some turnip mashy-earthy old hay notes and crushed almonds. With water: All the sweeter and rounder. More honey, more florals, and now creamy and some old oak. Orange slices, cinnamon.
Palette: Punchy! Rich and weighty, sweet sherry but with backbone. lots of spice – cinnamon and woody aniseed. Zest and juicy. Lush! Best feature is its firmness – really holds up. With water: Rounder and richer, less punchy but sweeter and fruitier. Playing the same game here.
Finish: Long, surprisingly dry and pristine on the finish. Orange zest.
Not too sure exactly how old this is – I mean I know it’s old (1969!!) Probably 30+. But if blind, I would have guessed 20s. So vibrant and fresh. Great whisky!
Whiskyrific RSS
- Port Charlotte 12 yo 2004 Highland Laird 57.3% vs Octomore 6.1 / 167 5 yo 57% vs Octomore 7.1 / 208 5 yo 59.5%
- Bowmore 11 yo 2001 / 2013 Berry Bros 20197 46% vs Bowmore 12 yo liquid Library 2001 / 2013 52.9%
- Ben Nevis 17 yo 1996 / 2014 The Nectar of the Daily Drams 49.3% vs Ben Nevis 1997 / 2015 Pearls of Scotland #614 50.9% vs Ben Nevis 16 yo 1998 / 2014 Lady of the Glen #1407 52.1%
- Dailuaine 34 yo 1980 Special Release 2015 50.9% vs Dalmore 27 yo 1990 / 2017 MacKillop’s Choice #252 54.6%
- Bruichladdich 21 yo 1993 / 2015 Douglas Laing DL10706 51.5% vs Bruichladdich 25 yo 1992 / 2017 Cadenhead 175th Anniv 53.8%
- Springbank 21 yo 1993 / 2015 Lockett Brothers #470 49.4% vs Cooley 22 yo 1991 / 2014 SMWS 117.5 55.5%
- Wardhead 19 yo 1997 Pisces Stellar Selections Japan #186 50.7% vs The Huntly Burnside 18 yo 1997 Dimensions Duncan Taylor #6481 52.5% vs Westport 18 yo 1997 The Oceans Duncan Taylor for Whisk-e Japan #1500071 58.4%
- Port Ellen 1979 / 2014 Gordon & Macphail R0/14/01 46% vs Port Ellen 35 yo 1978 / 2004 Douglas Laing for Alambic Classique DL655 61.1% vs Port Ellen 35 yo 1982 / 2018 Signatory 30th Anniversary #2040 55.1%
- Benromach 28 yo 1965 / 1993 Cadenhead 47.6% vs Laphroaig 10 yo ‘Original Cask Strength’ 57.3% 33.33cl duty free bottle
- Jura 21 yo 1992 / 2014 Hunter Laing for FassZination (Vom Fass) #VF10272 46% vs Jura 27 yo 1967 Stillman’s Dram 45%
