Here are two of the latest releases from The Duchess in The Netherlands. Two middle-aged whiskies from Longmorn and Dalmore, both matured (or finished?) in casks from Southern Spain.
Longmorn 16 yo 2009 (52,5%, The Duchess 2025, PX hogshead #34)
Nose: mild prunes, raisins and toffee, along with ripe blackberries. It combines nicely with the innate sweetness of the spirit. Candy apples, stewed pear and a light hint of vanilla. Later also nutty notes, some oak and the grassy character that isn’t uncommon for Longmorn either.
Mouth: dark berries, hints of figs, more toffee and brown sugar, along with some baking spice. Then dark chocolate, with cinnamon and slightly tangy hints of clove. It’s a specific mix of syrupy notes and oak influence, rather modern in that sense. Red apples, some herbal honey and blackcurrants, as well as some liquorice.
Finish: quite long, with a dark and slightly bittersweet layer, apple sweetness and generous amounts of caramelized nuts.
Probably a PX finish, adding obvious syrupy PX markers but never taking over entirely. A modern style, decent quality. I can’t find this one in shops. Sold out or still to come, I don’t know.
Dalmore 12 yo 2013 (56,2%, The Duchess 2025, Oloroso hogshead #9002541)
Nose: a spicier profile. Black pepper, cinnamon and nutmeg provide a good backbone for dried fruits. Raisins and spiced marmalade, along with boozy cherries and blood orange. Some earthiness and a subtle leathery note. Then also an aromatic / ethereal edge, in between shoe polish, peppermint and potpourri.
Mouth: the cask is leaving a big footprint. Pepper, peppermint and a bourbonny hint of charred oak, oak shavings and walnuts. Orange peels, plenty of baking spice and leather. Then back to cherries and cold brew coffee, but also a firm backbone of tree bark again.
Finish: long, quite wood-driven, with drying spice, more earthy notes and some tobacco.
Youngish whisky from very active wood again – heavily toasted, no doubt. Perhaps a little over the top, but I have to admit it brings a lot of flavour to the table. The distillery is anecdotal here. This one is mentioned on the Best of Wines website. There’s no buying link, but the price seems too high anyway. Score: 85/100