Mannochmore 11 Year (2010), Signatory Vintage for Binny’s
Whisky: Mannochmore 11 Year (2010), Signatory Vintage for Binny’s
Country/Region: Scotland/Speyside
ABV: 57.8%
Cask: Dechar/Rechar Hogshead
Age: 11 Years (Distilled 25 June 2010, Bottled 10 Mar. 2022)
Nose: Maritime and mildly floral, tropical citrus with orange, calamansi, and shikuwasa, beach florals with naio, also known as false sandalwood, and mineral salt-laden breezes; hints of cream and coconut.
Palate: Medium-bodied and vibrant, juicy tropical citrus, orange, subtle brine and maritime breeze, sand dunes, waving beach grass, honey and naio, popsicle sticks and cream with more time, wispy smoke on occasion.
Finish: Medium to long with dried grass, honey, orange, and a kiss of salt.
Score: 7-8
Mental Image: Shave Ice Picnic on the Beach
Narrative & Notes: I poured this as dram #10 on a “Holiday Mystery Whisky Advent Calendar” and guessed it was a young peated Arran in an ex-bourbon cask. The salt, florals, fruit, and wispy hints of smoke reminded me of the few peated Arran I have enjoyed. Arran was one of my first loves, but their peated spirit has only occasionally tickled my fancy.
Wrong again! I will not be leaving my day job to identify blind whisky pours any time soon. This was the most characterful Mannochmore I have ever had. I often lump the distillery in with Auchroisk as somewhat bland but with some key characteristics that make it appealing for blenders. The dechar/rechar cask did a lot of work to provide those wispy hints of smoke that had me thinking there was something slightly peaty afoot.
I found this to be a classic beach dram, through and through. The lovely salt and citrus on the nose complimented the beachy florals and the crisp honey-ginger notes of naio, or false sandalwood. Hints of cream and coconut emerged with more time, though the pleasantly mellow aroma always remained with two feet planted in the sand. The flavor profile reprised all the same themes, though the fruits were juicier and more orange-heavy than they had been on the palate. Wispy hints of smoke ran throughout, but the dominant notes were all beach day impressions of dunes, grass, florals, and fruity shave ice with a drizzle of sweetened condensed milk.
Overall, more of this, please!
