Here we have a Longmorn that dating from the year Prince’s “1999” was quite literally everywhere— it was timely, and provided a bit of nostalgia for those who heard it back in 1982 and were now trying to come to terms with the calendar changing over to 2000. Matured in a refill hogshead, this was a bit different than the big cask bombs I have had from Gordon & MacPhail lately.

Image Credit for this one is my buddy Raygun on Maltrunners, check out his review here.

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Whisky: Longmorn 20 Year (1999), Gordon & MacPhail Cask 60472

Country/Region: Scotland/Speyside

ABV: 60.7%

Cask: Refill American Hogshead

Age: 20 Years (Distilled 1999, Bottled 6 Feb. 2020)

Notes: Walnut pastries arrived with a dry, buttery shortbread crust, ground nuts, brown sugar, and gentle baking spices. Malty sugars and polished wood lingered further in with more potted herbs and old robusta coffee tins. Given enough time, tropical fruit preserves took shape with subtle mango and kiwi. Medium-bodied, the flavor profile was spirited and peppery with plenty of oaky tannins and sugars leading the way. Vanilla and caramel came together with walnut pastries, crushed almonds, and malty sugars; I imagined fancy donuts and stuffed pancakes. Rather drying at times with the heady oak, a few drops of water tamed some of the peppery spirit and brought out more dried orchard fruits and a touch of cream— or was it Christmas cake and coffee? The finish was long and drying, peppery without water, as nutty pastries and brown sugar continued.

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Score: 6-7 (79)

Mental Image: Holidays at the Korean Bakery

Conclusion: I think most of us come to Longmorn searching for fruit, and on that count, this did not deliver. Yet, it was still a tasty whisky as its nuttier and maltier qualities paired nicely. Given enough time more tropical fruits took shape, though they were always frustratingly fleeting. This was also rather hot and spirited for a whisky that hit the two decade mark, water and time helped dim those peppery qualities, but they were a bit of a distraction and I wondered if this would have benefited from a lower bottling proof (heresy I know). Overall, enjoyable, albeit frustrating.