Longmorn was one of the distilleries that licensed its brand to Gordon & MacPhail to produce official releases in the 1970s and 1980s, not having the capacity to do so itself at the time. This good standing with the distillery furnished the Elgin-based independent firm with a steady supply of high quality casks, and subsequently, high quality releases.

A single cask bottling, this is part of their iconic Book of Kells Series, bearing label art based on the mediaeval, illuminated manuscript for which the series is named. The liquid was drawn from single first fill sherry butt #370.

Distilled in 1965 and bottled 46 years later at cask strength exclusively for The Whisky Fair in Limburg.

A pedigree that will make even the most experienced taster drool, not to mention a moderately experienced one such as yours truly. Colour: red amber. Nose: this is insane, this little baby is as fresh and vibrant as… some fresh fruit (I had been willing to mention a female singer but finally thought that was a bad idea). Imagine a full basket of peaches and raspberries, a few bottles of the best Sauternes and Alsatian vendanges tardives, some perfect dates (I mean the fruits, eh!) and then the softest curry powder. Mix, shake well and you get this. Brilliant! Mouth: breaking news, someone invented some kind of device that literally ‘disoaks’ old malt whiskies. I cannot find any other explanation of the fact that this is so fresh and fruity. Granted, it’s ‘polished’ but never oaky, while many dried fruits including figs, pears, dates, raisins, orange zests and even apples dance on your tongue. To keep this short and sweet, this is a wonderful old liqueur… Finish: long, creamy, with more honey and spices and a feeling of ‘mulled wine’ in the aftertaste. Cloves and a little mint.

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