Longmorn 40 Year Old 1975/2015 - Malts of Scotland
Nose
When we first smell it, we simultaneously think: "Grandma's old woodshed in the countryside." But how chic! There's a hint of rotten, damp wood in the air, as if someone had opened an antique chest. Behind it, heavy red fruits creep in – think of overripe plums that have been lying in the fruit bowl a little too long. A hint of beeswax makes it creamy, while slightly earthy notes (forest floor after rain?) provide grounding.
Then it becomes apothecary-like: nutmeg appears like an old acquaintance, followed by an entire apothecary cabinet full of tinctures and herbs. Chalk! Yes, damn it, school chalk. And as if that weren't confusing enough, rose water also floats through – elegant but restrained, like a distinguished lady who doesn't wear too much perfume.
This nose is complicated. It demands attention. It wants you to sit down and listen. We nod obediently, but only understand half of it.
Taste
The first sip makes your mouth tingle – you know, that prickly, almost electric sensation on your tongue. The spice hits you immediately: this is no gentle start, it's an explosion of flavour. But – and this is where it gets interesting – despite this intensity, everything remains incredibly well-rounded.
Freshly roasted coffee makes its presence felt, followed by slightly burnt nut cake (you know, the crust that everyone wants). White peach brings a fruity freshness that we didn't expect. The whole thing is extremely delicate and multi-layered – as if someone were conducting an orchestra in which each instrument plays solo at times.
The spicy oak is always present, but never dominant. It's like a good conductor: you know he's there, but he doesn't push himself into the foreground. After 40 years of barrel ageing, it would have been quite a feat not to become woody.
Finish
"It draaaaaags on like chewing gum," we note. And it's true. This finish knows no end. Soft wood nestles on the palate, lots of oak (surprise!) spreads out, and cinnamon and nutmeg slowly, very slowly, fade away.
You sit there, sip, wait, and the whisky is still there. Like that one party guest who doesn't get that everyone else has long since gone to bed. Except that we're not complaining here.
Thoughts
This Longmorn 40 Years 1975/2015 from Malts of Scotland is a "sedate" whisky. An old-school gentleman. Heavy in character, complex in taste, demanding in attention. This is not for a Netflix evening. This is for: dimming the lights, turning off the music, getting out your notebook, concentrating. The taste is so complex that you could spend hours searching for aromas. And you probably should. But let's be honest: we humans are sometimes too dull for that. After a long day, sometimes you need a whisky that doesn't demand so much of you. This one? It demands EVERYTHING of you. It's exhausting. Is it great? Absolutely. Is it for every day? No. Is it for special moments when you're ready to really get involved? One hundred percent.
Rating: 89/100 - Excellent (Marcel: 90 | Sascha: 88)
FAQ: The Most Common Questions
❓ How does a 40-year-old whisky differ from younger bottlings?
👉 A 40-year-old whisky like this Longmorn has developed an extreme complexity that younger whiskies simply cannot offer. The wood notes are more present, the aromas are more deeply layered, and there is a "maturity" in character. However, older is not automatically better – some prefer the freshness and directness of younger malts. At 40 years old, there is always the risk of over-maturation, but this has been elegantly avoided here.
❓ Should I drink this whisky neat, or is water allowed?
👉 At 46.7% ABV, this Longmorn is strong but not overwhelming. Sometimes water brings out additional aromas, especially in complex old bottlings. But please: just a drop, not a splash! And ice? Don't even think about it with this whisky.
❓ Why are independent bottlings such as Malts of Scotland often more interesting than official distillery bottlings?
👉 Independent bottlers such as Malts of Scotland purchase individual casks or small batches directly from distilleries and bottle them without the "corporate smoothing". This often means higher alcohol content, no chill filtration, no colouring agents – and sometimes wilder, more characterful profiles. Especially from distilleries such as Longmorn, which rarely release their own single malts, such bottlings are the only chance to experience the pure character of the distillery.