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!
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- Highland Park 21 yo 1961 / 1983 Broadwell Vintners by R.W Duthie 46% vs Highland Park 27 yo 1968 Hart Brothers 43%
- Laphroaig 1968 Sestante Pinerolo Import 40% ~triangular bottle vs Laphroaig 1968 Gordon & MacPhail for Donini 55.3%
- Port Ellen 1969 Gordon & MacPhail for Donini 63.1%
- Caol Ila 1969 Connoisseurs Choice Gordon & Macphail ‘brown label’ 40% vs Caol Ila 1969 Gordon & Macphail for Donini 58.1%
- Mortlach 1969 Gordon & Macphail for Donini 56.3%
- Irish Single Malt 24 yo 1991 / 2016 Formosa Whisky Society #12019 48.2% vs Irish Single Malt 28 yo 1989 / 2018 The Perfect Dram 49.9%
- Longmorn 1964 James MacArthur 57.5% vs Longmorn 1976 James MacArthur 54.7%
- Lochside 20 yo 1981 / 2001 Blackadder #615 58.4% vs Lochside 20 yo 1981 / 2001 SMWS 92.10 61%
- Ardbeg 24 yo Cadenhead for Sestante 54.4% ~ attributed 1965
- Craigellachie 1991 / 2010 Connoisseurs Choice Gordon & Macphail 43% vs Craigellachie 44.115 12 yo 2007 / 2019 SMWS 60.8%
