Longmorn 19 Years (1996/2015) - Signatory Vintage
This 19-year-old Longmorn from Signatory Vintage from the Cask Strength Collection comes from hogsheads (casks 97632 and 97633) and remains clearly on the non-smoky Speyside track. It is precisely this malt character that otherwise ends up in blends of the parent group Pernod Ricard/Chivas Brothers and shapes brands such as Ballantine’s or Chivas Regal.
Tasting Notes
Nose
Basil, plus a malty base and a pronounced punch of caramel and vanilla. Molasses follows, with a rum touch that makes the whole thing rounder. Mint sets a cool counterpoint and keeps the sweetness in check.
Palate
Slightly mineral, then like an herb garden in the mouth: green, aromatic, but not playful. A slight saltiness meets vanilla and again a bit of malt. Full-bodied, but not complex – more straightforward than multi-layered.
Finish
Slightly warming and surprisingly long for a non-peated malt. Spicy, oaky and at the end slightly bitter, with a hint that could be reminiscent of star anise.
Thoughts
Marcel 87/100 - (Excellent)
A wonderful journey through the herb garden. If you express the profile "floral" in whisky, then it is this one. The nose is a bit stronger than on the palate, but the overall package is what counts.
Sascha 86/100 - (Excellent)
Full-bodied, but not complex – that is not an insult here, but a sober assessment. The shift from the sweet, malty, vanilla nose to a relatively spicy, slightly tart profile makes it exciting. Anyone looking for herbs, spice and clear lines will find what they are looking for here.
Value for Money: 3/5 (Fair)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Longmorn 19 Years (1996/2015) smoky?
No, it is not smoky (not peated). This also shows in the finish: long and spicy, but without peat smoke.
Which casks does this bottling come from?
From hogsheads, specifically casks 97632 and 97633.
What is the flavor profile according to the tasting notes?
On the nose, basil, malt, caramel, a lot of vanilla, molasses, a rum touch and mint dominate. On the palate it becomes slightly mineral, herbaceous, slightly salty, vanilla-driven and malty, full-bodied but not complex; in the finish spicy, oaky and slightly bitter with a possible hint of star anise.