Longmorn 16 Year (Discontinued)

Number 58 on the SDT is Longmorn, my initial experience with this less-recognized Speyside distillery. It's bottled at 48% ABV, non chill filtered, with a natural amber gold hue. Off to a good start. Initially, the aroma suggests a rich and heavy spirit. Dark sherry notes are present, alongside earthy mineral tones like damp stones on a shore, hinting at subtle peat. Caramel apples and maple syrup dominate, truly feeling like a sherry bomb. Pears, plums, and raisins are also detected. It shifts towards burnt oak, charcoal, and faint smoke, but these characteristics are fleeting. Hints of mint, licorice, and fennel appear, followed by wood resin, cherry pie filling, and saltine crackers. Honey, tea, orange peel, a touch of banana, and new leather are also present. The profile is quite varied and lacks cohesion. Adding a little water softens it and enhances the sweetness. The palate has a somewhat intense arrival due to the higher ABV, featuring cinnamon apples and grape/cherry cough syrup. There's a slight astringency with dry, green oak, tannins, and clove. Burnt toffee, caramel, bitter dark chocolate, and dark sherry are noticeable, though it's not as sherry-forward on the palate as anticipated. Honey, plums, leather, and earthy minerals with peat are present, but no smoke. Water slightly reduces the intensity without significant alteration. The mouthfeel is medium-full, oily yet dry. The finish is long, with dry oak, sherry, cherry cough syrup, and a hint of bitterness. This is a rather unusual Speysider, evoking more of a Campbeltown or Island distillery character. It presents a peculiar mix of flavors, differing greatly from typical Speyside scotch. It's all over the place and quite jumbled, seeming unsure of its intended style. While there are good and bad aspects, it leans towards positive. It's complex, but not harmonious, with flavors that don't quite blend. Some might enjoy it, others might dislike it. My rating is 3.25. Thanks for the sample. Cheers

This is the newer Longmorn 16 in the purple packaging. The difference between this and the older, gray Longmorn 16 (shown in the picture) is significant enough to mention. Nose: Typical Speyside sweetness. Big butterscotch and lemon citrus notes. Granny Smith apple and pear, along with honey, toffee, and raisin. I also detect cinnamon roll and shortbread cookie. Finally, there's a burst of spicy cinnamon, undoubtedly due to the higher ABV (48%). Great nose. Palate: Roasted nuts, caramel, vanilla, honey, and toffee. A bit of white chocolate. The lemon note is still present, but it's somewhat reminiscent of a cough drop here. I also get more of the cinnamon roll right after pouring; however, this fades the longer it sits in the glass. The other notes become more prominent with time. Before the finish, another cinnamon kick. Solid palate. Finish: Moderate to long, leaning toward the latter. It's all cinnamon spice, combined with some residual citrus, though it's more like lemonade now. Nothing new here, but a satisfactory end to a great pour. Another whiskey that improves with time. I wasn't impressed when I first opened this one. However, it has improved significantly with oxidation. Initially, this one seemed disjointed. It was all Speyside sweetness followed by an abrupt shift to heavy spice. Like hitting a brick wall. With time, however, this contrast has vanished, and the transition has become smooth and subtle. This is precisely why I wait until I'm at least halfway through a bottle before reviewing it. This one performs above average in both nose and palate. My only complaint is the price. $110 is a steep price tag. However, it boasts a respectable age statement and ABV, and it delivers in the glass. I wasn't convinced at first, but I've grown quite fond of this one. Looking forward to trying the gray box-Longmorn next.

As we continue to explore all the active distilleries in Scotland, we arrive at this Speyside distillery - Longmorn. A sample of this was kindly provided by our newest group member. This is a distillery direct bottling of their 16-year-old malt, bottled at a robust and surprising 48% ABV. It has a true golden color and produces slow-forming, short legs in the Glencairn. It's incredibly oily and clings to the glass even when swirled with some force. The primary aroma is green apples, with faint notes of worn leather and rustic oak tannins also present. There's not much alcohol on the nose, which is great considering the higher ABV. The palate is intensely hot for me, with a lot of oak spice and pepper. Mid-sip, it's drying and strong but fades into some light, orchard fruit notes. It's so hot, though, that I felt I had to endure the heat just for those subtle, lingering fruits. I can't say it's worth the discomfort, lol. The finish is long and dry, overwhelmed by strong, oak spice. This is a powerful dram for a 16-year-old. Overall, I struggled to find an enjoyable balance. I added a generous splash of cold water to try and mellow it, but even after 10 minutes, it only made it harder to keep the aroma prominent. Even the apples faded quickly. It's definitely a heavy drink. It was somewhat taxing for me, even though I was mentally prepared for a bolder single malt. Perhaps this would be more palatable if bottled at 40-43% ABV, in my opinion. Thanks again to the provider for helping us check off these distilleries. As it stands, this was a 2.75-star dram. Cheers.

Smell: Woody and fruity. Apples, pears, and some herbal notes. Raisins and caramel toffee, vanilla. A strong oak character is present. After airing, much more citrus fruit, spice, and leather became obvious. It's quite restrained initially and the aroma needs time to settle. Taste: A malty and fruity arrival, rich but again very restrained and unengaging at first. As it develops and opens, citrus notes (especially lemon flavors), herbal grassiness, green tea, and some spice appear. There's a background oakiness that leans towards resinous and never truly softens. Finish: Medium/long. Drying and tannic. When I first sampled this, I recall being very unimpressed. The aroma seemed faint and uninteresting, and the taste was a general mix of mild flavors. However, over time, I began to appreciate it more. The aroma improved significantly as it oxidized in the bottle, and giving it ample time to rest in the glass always yielded good results. The aroma gained much fruitiness and became more fragrant overall, while the taste developed spicy, nutty notes and dried fruit that, combined with the original toffee character, gave an impression of light fruit cake. A splash of water also helps to accelerate the opening process and mellow the pervasive oaky nature. At 48% ABV, it can handle a dash of water without detriment. This review is based on the old grey-brown box version. The new one in purple packaging is similar but different, with more bright fruit and honeyed tones. This has an almost mythical status for some people, but I can't fathom why. It's a good whisky, nothing more. "Good": 83/100 (3.5 stars)

Out of 33 open bottles in my collection, ranked via multiple blind tastings. Counting them down! #20: Longmorn. Single Malt Scotch. 48% ABV. 16 years old. Cost $94 No regrets on this purchase. This is the discontinued gray packaging. The newer purple packaging (I've heard) is inferior and costs $110-120. No longer a worthwhile purchase. This is simply a great example of a Scotch influenced by bourbon. When the bottle was first opened, it had a wonderful spiciness that suggested a French oak finish. After a few months, the spiciness has largely faded. What remains are the characteristic notes and flavors of a younger, less expensive bourbon-matured Scotch, but with greater richness and depth, enhanced by a coastal saltiness. Its profile is comparable to Balvenie 12 Year Single Barrel First Fill, but it's sweeter and smoother. Orchard fruits, buttery vanilla, and honey are present, with just the right touch of wood. Even now, as the bottle nears empty, it still has some spice and salt. The bottle and packaging are stylish without being excessive. The leather base inside the bottle adds a touch of purposeful luxury. The simple 'Long no more,' upon opening the box, must be the finest marketing slogan ever printed on a whisky box. MARK: 87/100 PREVIOUSLY, ON BATMAN: #21: Maker’s Mark 46. $35 (375mL). 47%. NAS. 87/100 #22: Benjamin Prichard’s Double Barreled. $104. 45%. NAS. 87/100 #23: High West Campfire. $62. 46%. NAS. 86/100. #24: Balvenie Single Barrel First Fill. $59. 47.8%. 12 years. 86/100. #25: Bulleit Barrel Strength Batch 5. $55. 62.7%. NAS. 84/100

I haven't tasted spirits in a while, though I've enjoyed drinks on weekends. From my collection of older samples, I chose Longmorn 16, which a friend provided for our semi-virtual tasting group. Bourbon notes are noticeable on the nose: vanilla, caramel, with a hint of baking spices like cloves and cinnamon. Gala apples, pears, and crumb cake. A light salty sea air permeates throughout. It's sweet, but not excessively so. An inviting aroma that requires considerable time to develop. Be patient. The initial sips are hot and sharp. The body is substantial and oily. Once your palate adjusts, a subtle butterscotch sweetness becomes apparent. Aged oak, leather, and ground cinnamon with traces of Irish tea. Simple, yet satisfying. The finish is long, oaky, and drying, with notes of ginger root, cinnamon, and surprisingly, artificial grape flavor (like grape soda). This is a scotch that reveals itself slowly, but the more you allow it time, the more you realize you're sipping a solid whisky. The mild sweetness and slight spiciness complement each other without overpowering. A perfect dram for an autumn evening by the sea as the sun sets. [87/100][Tasted: 8/17/18]