Whisky : Longmorn 13 Year SMWS 7.183 “Chocolate cherry cordials”

Country/Region : Scotland/Speyside

ABV : 59.3%

Cask : First Fill Ex-Bourbon

Nose : Soft sweet notes of cocoa and cream, chocolate pudding, chocolate truffles, and malty Melba toast.  Fruity notes join the party over time: raspberry coulis, strawberries, a creamy berry yogurt cup, and hints of melon rind.

Palate : Bright and fruity with loads of dried tropical fruits, cherries, apricots, and waxy apples.  Soft spice of cassia bark and ginger root, salted caramel fudge brownie, and grassy matcha ice cream.  Bits of pastry arrived near the end with cherry cola.

Finish : Lingering salted caramel candies and dried fruit.

Score : 7

Mental Image : Cherry Cola & Snickers

Something Better : Balcones 3Y SMWS 140.1 (similar cola/fruits, more pastries/citrus)

Something Similar : Longrow Red 13Y Malbec (similar cherry/cola notes, more smoke/spice)

Something Worse : Johnnie Walker Platinum 18Y (similar cherry cola/fruits, lighter body/finish)

Notes : Longmorn rarely disappoints and this was no exception.  Absolutely wonderful profile of fruit, spice, and cola.  The flavor profile took me straight back to childhood summers when my favorite afternoon snack consisted of a Snickers Bar and Cherry Coke.  That was all I needed to remain sugar powered for the remaining hours of sunlight— even later in life a snickers and coke was a favorite post work-out snack.  I do not have the sweet tooth for that anymore, but this Longmorn brought back the taste of the chocolate, caramel, and fruity soda that I adored.  Really a great Longmorn and one that was heightened by the nostalgia that it dredged up.