Scotch Whisky Review #496: Longmorn 15 Year

Image Credit: Whiskery Turnip, you can view his review here

Distillery: Longmorn.

Region: Speyside.

Age: 15 Year.

ABV: 45.0%.

Price: Sample courtesy of Whiskery Turnip.

Color: 1.1, Burnished.

This sample was reviewed blind with the a note indicating that this was unpeated.

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Nose: On the sweeter end of things here, perhaps a bit of sherry from the start. A light grass note comes through before apple juice takes over and dominates proceedings.

Palate: There’s a bit of malt, a bit of apple, and a bit of grass on the palate. Water doesn’t seem to change much but it feels like this one has more secrets to tell. I’m kinda reminded more of one of those dusty old drams than anything modern. There’s also something that feels like peat and smoke even though the label says it isn’t. Overall it’s like a little bit of bacon and onion jam on some apples.

Finish: Short in length. It starts a bit creamy on the first few sips. That little bit of the almost-peat note and roasted barley are what you get on later ones.

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Guess: I’m freaking stumped. The nose had me thinking one thing then the palate and finish have me thinking something completely else. I’m gonna guess Tobermory, 15-19 years of age. 46-50% ABV, Refill sherry cask.

Reveal: Longmorn 15 Year.

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Conclusion: Longmorn! I’m not sure I would have ever guessed this as Longmorn with that almost-peaty-savory note that shows up palate and finish. It is certainly different than the more modern Longmorn 16 year old, another whisky lover friend speculates the 15 year was from Longmorn’s direct fire distillation days which would explain the stark difference in character. Frankly, this needed that bit of bacon and onion jam twist to make this interesting and something beyond a bit of a cookie-cutter dram. Fun one to taste and I’ll certainly will have to be on the lookout for older, direct fire still Longmorn!

Rating: 81.

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Scotch Whisky Review #496, Speyside Review #176, Whisky Network Review #661

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Scoring Legend:

• 95-100: As good as it gets. Jaw-dropping, eye-widening, unforgettable whisky.
• 90-94: Sublime, a personal favorite in its category.
• 85-89: Excellent, a standout dram.
• 80-84: Quite good. Quality stuff.
• 75-79: Decent whisky worth tasting.
• 70-74: Meh. It’s definitely drinkable, but it can do better.
• 60-69: Not so good. I might not turn down a glass if I needed a drink.
• 50-59: Save it for mixing.
• 0-49: Blech.