If you visited the Limburg Whisky Festival this year, then you probably know this particular bottle. It was one of the highlights at Michiel Wigman‘s stand (sold out on Sunday if I’m not mistaken). Gordon & MacPhail had several of these Longmorn 1973 casks but this is one of the lesser known releases.
Longmorn 1973 (55,8%, Gordon & MacPhail ‘Cask’ 2003, first fill sherry hogshead #3240)
Nose: polished oak, as sophisticated as it gets. There’s lots of excellent Oloroso in there, along with juicy plums, dates and sour cherries. Then also excellent pipe tobacco and old leather, as well as subtle coffee and cinnamon. Plenty of raisins, or rather rum raisins. Also hints of cognac, in fact. We can go on with pecan pie and raspberry filled chocolate, and subtle candied ginger.
Mouth: still lovely. Sure, the leathery dryness becomes a little stronger, but there’s also loads of red berries, blood oranges, raisins, strawberry jam and figs. Sour cherries again. Polished oak, even a lightly toasted / smoky edge. Very rich and concentrated, but also so refreshing. Then coffee ganache pralines, hints of brioche and back to these cognac notes, or rather very old Maury wines, including the slightly meaty / mushroomy undertone.
Finish: very long, with great sherry notes, including coffee, tobacco leaves, chocolate, polished oak and lingering red fruits.
One of the highlights at the festival, in my opinion. Simply at the pinnacle of this heavy sherry style, yet very elegant and vibrant. Always a joy to try this kind of legendary profile.