Scotland, Speyside: Single malt whisky through the producing distilleries: history, making, production and tasting notes
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Longmorn

Description of the whisky

The distillery

Longmorn distillerie
Longmorn Distillery
Longmorn, Elgin
Morayshire
IV30 3SJ
+44 1542 783 042
Owner: Pernod-Ricard
Creation date 1894

photos

Build on the site of an old chapel, the Longmorn distillery has been founded by John Duff and two associates, Charles Shirres and George Thomson in 1894, together with its neighbour Benriach.
John Duff founded the Glenlossie 19 years earlier.
Despite his good position within the whisky world in those days, John Duff was crippled by debts because of the great recession in the whisky industry at the end of the 19th century. He was forced to sell everything to pay his creditors.
Among the candidates for buying the distillery, John Grant (from Glen Grant) through his company Hill Thomson & Co who marketed amongst others the "Something Special" blend.
In the early 1970's, Longmorn merged with the distillery "The Glenlivet" to create "The Glenlivet Distillers Ltd".
The distillery doubled its production capacity in 1972 and again in 1974. The number of stills went from 4 to 8. Seagram purchased the distillery in 1977. Longmorn is one of the few distilleries who never stopped production. Longmorn is part of the collection "Heritage Collection".
The distilleries belonging to "The Chivas and Glenlivet Group", part of Seagram have been bought by the French group Pernod-Ricard on 19 december 2001.
Parts of the production are used in the blends Something Special and Queen Anne.

The whisky

A propos des notes de dégustation Your own tasting notes

List of the bottles

Description of the distillery

Longmorn: official bottlings

Longmorn

15 years
Collection
 The Heritage Selection
Age
 15 years
Alcohol percentage
 45,8 %
Bottler
 Official
=25 euros=25 euros
links & average quote
 Forum 82/100
The colour is gold, the nose rather sweet and full is fruity (peach, exotic fruits) no a slightly woody and vanilla background.
The palate detects some peat hints and some nice fruity touches.
The finish is marked by barley and yeast (beer) with a kind of sweet bitterness.

(la Maison du Whisky)

Another very good whisky from North of Speyside. The distillery is the neighbour of Linkwood, and the unusual alcohol degree leaves an excellent memory on the tongue. A great bottle
79/100
At the second tasting, the nose was very rich and sweet. Some vanilla hints were detected, on a slightly peppery background. In the palate, this whisky also develops lots of very complex aromas, fruity and sweet. A slightly hint of peat. A short but rather pleasant finish.
84/100
A quite clear nose, with fruit and vanilla hints, and some light tangerine hints mixed with almonds. In the palate, nice aromas, allying the taste of malted barley with some slightly acid touches and fruit hints. The finish is relatively short and confirms the mouth, with however some kind of bitter touches on the background.
84/100
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Longmorn: independent bottlings

Longmorn

Chieftain's Choice 10 years
Collection
 Chieftain's Choice
Age
 10 years
Alcohol percentage
 43,0 %
Bottler
 Ian McLeod
=25 euros=25 euros
links & average quote
 71/100
Unlike the official Longmorn version, this bottling is just 10 years old and the alcohol degree is 43%. I do not know if this is the reason of my disappointment, but my impression was from the very beginning that this was not a very great whisky. The aromas are not really impressive and the taste remind me some young spirits. The prestige of the collection did me let this bottle a second chance. It is true also that this bottle is rather cheap compared to other bottlings in the same collection.
70/100
The second tasting did change nothing to my first conclusions..
70/100
A rather discrete nose with hints of cut grass, menthol and pepper recalls a Lowland whisky. In the palate, a great freshness and little character. The malt seems to be too young. The finish is pleasant, no more. The typical complexity of Speyside malts is hard to find in this bottling.
74/100
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Longmorn

Scott's Selection 1983
Collection
 Natural Cask Strength
Age
 20 years
Alcohol percentage
 54,5 %
Bottler
 Scott's Selection
Cask
 Sherry
Particularity
 Non chillfiltered cask strength
=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros
links & average quote
 88/100
Longmorn Scott's selection
The nose is very clear, nice sherry and woody hints, chocolate notes, malt as well. The whole is very complex and announces a great whisky. An excellent impression in the palate, deliciously complex, hints of liquorice mixed with woody and malty touches. At the time smooth and bitter. A very nice finish, lingering and recalling the woody and malty impressions, again between smoothness and bitterness. A very impressive bottle.
88/100
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Longmorn

Wilson & Morgan, Rum finish 1990
Collection
 Barrel Selection
Age
 15 years
Alcohol percentage
 46,0 %
Bottler
 Wlson & Morgan
Cask
 Rhum
=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros
links & average quote
 BT2006 77/100
Longmorn 1990 Wilson & Morgan
This is clearly not a discrete nose, with its strong animal hints, some stable and wet hay smell. Pepper and some custard aromas, probably due to the rum maturation cask. Rather complex, even if the smell palette is limited, but a nice development from the first impressions to peppery and malty notes.
The palate is sligtly bitter, and some evidence of alcohol presence warms the palate, and then smoother notes appear after a while, while revealing some discrete smoky notes on the background.
The finish is quite long and pleasant, and light alcohol hints come back in the mouth. The finish remains in the same tones as the mouth was, and does not bring any new surprise.
79/100
The nose is composed by a mix of hay and yeast. Not really complex, and even unpleasant. An aromatic profile which does not fit with mine at all.
In the mouth, things are going slightly better, but the first negative impression remains. Hints of yeast and a kind of undefined bitterness dominate the palate, which remains however pleasantly smooth.
The finish is short and is probably the most interesting part of this tasting
74/100
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Longmorn

Cask 1973
Collection
 Cask
Age
 34 years
Alcohol percentage
 54,4 %
Bottler
 Gordon & MacPhail
Cask
 first fill sherry
Cask number
single cask 3649
Dates
 Distil: 21/4/1973 Bottling: 15/5/2007
Particularity
 Non chillfiltered cask strength
=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros
links & average quote
 84/100
Longmorn 1973 Gordon & MacPhail

The nose is so intensively marked by sherry that the question could be: is this still whisky...? Apart from that, there are many very pleasant fruity smells and a touch of bitterness.
The very first mouth is rather dry and develops quickly on acid touches with still this woody bitterness on the background. The general impression is that it feels like a whisky soaking for a while in a (not empty) sherry cask for a very long time. This gives it a nice complexity along with clear woody notes. For those who do not consider woody notes as a hinder, this is a very good whisky.
The finish is extremely long and remains marked by sherry. Bitterness disappears at this stage and the whole is very pleasant.
84
Rich sherry flavours overrun the nose at the first contact. Hints of plum brandy and some fruity notes appear behind this really dominating sherry, but after a while, other fragrances like nutty notes come trough the sherry veil, giving this whisky a nice complexity.
In the palate, a mix of woody bitterness and acid notes develop rather quickly but sherry dominance is back after a few minutes.
Finish is also very marked by sherry. This bottle is essential for sherry monster lovers.
84/100

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Longmorn

Aged 11 years
Age
 11 years
Alcohol percentage
 60,2 %
Bottler
 Bladnoch forum bottlings
Cask number
single cask 163302
Dates
 Distil: 25-11-1997 Bottling: 27-03-2009
Bottle
 200 of 311 btls
Particularity
 Non chillfiltered cask strength
=25 euros=25 euros
links & average quote
 87/100
Longmorn bladnoch

The nose is very fresh, made of floral and peppery notes. Nice fruity ones come soon. Ripe fruit, plum and pear and a touch of smoke.
Fruit is the first impression in the palate. Then mice notes, both sweet and sour. And from this point, the whole develops slowly on slightly bitter notes, milk chocolate with cashew nuts.
The finish perfectly prolongs the mouth and is dominated by those both warm and slightly bitter notes of chocolate and cashew nut.
87/100
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Longmorn

Cask Strength Collection 1989
Collection
 Cask strength Collection
Age
 18 years
Alcohol percentage
 54,5 %
Bottler
 Signatory
Cask
 hogshead
Cask number
single cask 18753
Dates
 Distil: 14-12-1989 Bottling: 25-06-2008
Bottle
 165 of 256 btls
Particularity
 Non chillfiltered cask strength
=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros
links & average quote
 81/100
Longmorn 1989

The discrete nose consists of nice fruity and vanilla notes. Very smooth at first then develops on peppery notes to finish on a floral touch.
The first mouth is quite acid. It develops quickly on fruity hints (citrus fruit) before even amplifying the acid character which clearly dominates the whole tasting.
Acidity also dominates the long and fresh finish. Some aggressiveness is to be noted here too...
81/100
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Longmorn

Provenance: 10 years Summer Distillation
Collection
 Provenance
Age
 10 years
Alcohol percentage
 46 %
Bottler
 Douglas Laing
Dates
 Distil: summer 1999 Bottling: summer 2009
=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros
links & average quote
 80/100
Longmorn Provenance 10 years
The nose is both bitter and smooth. Malty smoothness seems to dominate this pleasant though not really complex nose.
In the palate, the same smoothness develops quickly on slightly bitter notes. Clearly more complex than the nose was, the mouth vacillates between malt and coffee while offering a nice palette of close tastes.
Coffee seems to dominate the finish.
79/100
Colour: Old gold
The nose is a pleasant but not very complex and vanilla notes blend harmoniously with a slight bitterness and nice notes of milk chocolate . A gentle bitterness seems to float after a few moments.
The mouth is slightly behind the nose. A certain lack of balance makes that the promises of the nose of a beautiful whole between vanilla sweetness and bitterness of cashew nut is not fulfilled. The mouth is nevertheless enjoyable.
The finish is quite short and the feelings of the mouth are confirmed.
The obvious contrast with the previous notes seems to illustrate the differences that may exist in the assessment of a whisky tasting at the other ...
81/100
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Longmorn

Daily Dram: Longmorn 13 yo
Collection
 The Nectar of Daily Drams
Age
 13 years
Alcohol percentage
 49,4 %
Bottler
 Bresser&Timmer / The Nectar
=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros
links & average quote
 0/100
Longmorn 13 Nectar
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Longmorn

Adelphi 20 years, Haitian earthquake special charity bottling
Age
 20 years
Alcohol percentage
 50,5 %
Bottler
 Adelphi
Dates
 Distil: 1990 Bottling: 2010
Bottle
 214 btls
Particularity
 Non chillfiltered cask strength
=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros
links & average quote
 91/100
Longmorn 20 for Haiti
Superb fresh nose with its refined notes of cut grass and fruit. Citrus fruit, pear and remote notes of cashew nut (thus very discrete bitterness). Spices too. No hinder due to alcohol.
The mouth is marvellously complex. Developing between fruit and nut with nice chocolate hints, this palate is extremely pleasant. Superb balance between nut and orange, very nice presence in the palate.
The finish is lingering and warm. Prolongs perfectly het pleasure of the mouth.
Excellent bottle.
91/100
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Longmorn

Longmorn 1975
Age
 36 years
Alcohol percentage
 46,4 %
Bottler
 Malts of Scotland
Cask
 Bourbon Hogshead
Cask number
single cask 3977
Dates
 Distil: 03/1975 Bottling: 05/2011
Bottle
 54 of 122 btls
Particularity
 Non chillfiltered cask strength
=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros
links & average quote
 91/100
Longmorn 75 MOS

Color: Gold
A nose of rare complexity. Very cool mix of notes (cut grass, sour apple) and a slight woody giving a very nice bitterness (Gentian). The whole is fully integrated and has an outstanding balance. Freshness dominates the bitterness, which only heightens the pleasure of the nose.
The first impression in the mouth prolongs the nose: a fresh green apple slightly bitter. Here too, all very nice, always with the predominance of the freshness of the bitterness.
A mouth without reproach.
The finish is long and soft, contrasting strikingly with the mouth. Here toffee notes seem to take the place of green fruit and gentian marking the nose.
91/100
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Longmorn: samples

Longmorn

1963
Age
 40 years
Alcohol percentage
 40,0 %
Bottler
 Gordon & MacPhail
=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros
links & average quote
 88/100
Longmorn 1963
A remarkable nose with a straightaway conclusion: this whisky has an history. A history of more than 40 years spent in a wooden cask which gave it all its aromatic richness, its tannin without killing its fruity hints. Despite all this long years spent to acquire its qualities in the dark humidity of a warehouse, this whisky remained very fresh, with cut grass hints and this touch of citrus acidity.
In the palate, first impression is bitterness which makes soon room to sherry hints but also some regrets due to the percentage of alcohol. This would have been much nicer at a lesser dilution percentage, or even at cask strength, even if after so many years, the natural percentage could be very close to 40. Probably the pleasure in the palate would have increased, to equal the one of the nose....
And the pleasure of the finish would probably have been even greater. But the finish remains very nice, even if not very long. Woody hints are present, but are accompanied by some other subtle aromas prolonging the happiness.
88/100
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Longmorn

30 years, 1974-2004
Age
 30 years
Alcohol percentage
 54,7 %
Bottler
 Kingsbury
=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros
links & average quote
 0/100
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Longmorn

16 years
Age
 16 years
Alcohol percentage
 48,0 %
Bottler
 Official
=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros
links & average quote
 Forum81/100
Longmorn 16 ans
The nose is pleasantly fruity and rather flat. A light veil of smoke hiding discrete malty notes. In the mouth, light hints of yeast merged with fruity notes and nutty hints. Generally good behaviour, some complexity but no more. The finish is specially long and marked by hazelnut and may be some chocolate. Good bottle.
79/100
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Longmorn

Daily Dram: 1983-2006
Collection
 Daily Dram
Age
 23 years
Alcohol percentage
 46,0 %
Bottler
 Bresser&Timmer / The Nectar
Bottle
 0 of 0 btls
=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros
links & average quote
 79/100
Longmorn Daily dram
Quite a spicy noise. Honey notes behind a light veil of smoke. Some discrete hints of citrus fruit. In the palate, first a great smoothness and a light bitterness following very soon. Quite a pleasant impression of complexity, but also some regrets as this whisky seems to have a lack at character. This is the kind of whisky you'd like to taste as a cask strength. It would probably have fully expressed all its expected potential. The finish is relatively short, and some nutty hints and paradoxically a burning sensation in the throat. Paradoxically because the mouth seemed to be too light.
79/100
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Longmorn

The ultimate single malt collection 1992
Collection
 The Ultimate Single Malt selection
Age
 No age statement
Alcohol percentage
 46 %
Bottler
 The Ultimate Whisky Company
=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros
links & average quote
 85/100
Floral and malty notes seem to be in concurrence. The nose develops quickly on fruit, citrus fruit. Slightly acid and with a medium complexity, this nose is very pleasant.
The mouth is smoother than the nose was. Both fruity and bitter notes, oranges and walnuts. No spectacular complexity here neither, but a pleasant balance between those fragrances.
A very long finish, where nuts win over oranges. Long and warm, this finish completes perfectly the mouth.
85/100
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Longmorn

1976
Collection
 10th series: landscapes
Age
 34 years
Alcohol percentage
 50,2 %
Bottler
 The Whisky Agency
Cask
 Bourbon
Dates
 Distil: 1976 Bottling: 2010
=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros
links & average quote
 87/100
Color: Gold
The nose at first quite complex with hints of mint mingling with ripe fruit. A slight bitterness, notes of wax, a nice acidity of green fruit on top. A wide range of odors forming a pleasantly harmonious combination.
The first palate is slightly in contrast with the nose. I expected a sharp attack, more related to the alcohol, but the mouth is smooth, with a complexity, however, comparable to the nose. A subtle blend of bitter notes (cashews) and acid touches (green apple), all in a harmonious and balanced set.
The finish is smooth too. Long enough, it is mostly just like the fruity palate, a nice balance between the bitterness of the walnuts contrasting with green apple acidity, which disappears soon, giving way to a softly malted impression.
(this was not a blind tasting)
87/100
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Longmorn not in collection

Longmorn

1990
Age
 13 years
Alcohol percentage
 46 %
Bottler
 Murray McDavid
links & average quote
 79/100
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Longmorn

12 years
Age
 12 years
Alcohol percentage
 40 %
Bottler
 Gordon & MacPhail
links & average quote
 74/100
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Longmorn

Single Malts of Scotland, 20 years

Age
 20 years
Alcohol percentage
 46 %
Bottler
 The Whisky Exchange
Cask number
 27841
Dates
 Distil: 1989 Bottling: 2009
=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros
links & average quote
 BT2010 85/100
voir: BT2010
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Longmorn

Longmorn-Glenlivet, 25 yo
Age
 25 years
Alcohol percentage
 40 %
Bottler
 Gordon & MacPhail
links & average quote
 BT2005 90/100
see: BT2005
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Longmorn

32 years, 1976-2008
Collection
 Shark Series
Age
 32 years
Alcohol percentage
 53 %
Bottler
 The Whisky Agency
Cask
 ex-bourbon hogshead
Particularity
 Non chillfiltered cask strength
links & average quote
 91/100
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Longmorn

1969/ The Whisky Exchange 10th anniversary
Age
 39 years
Alcohol percentage
 57,7 %
Bottler
 Gordon & MacPhail
Cask
 refill sherry cask
Cask number
single cask 5305
Particularity
 Non chillfiltered cask strength
links & average quote
 91/100
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Longmorn

1972. The Perfect Dram IV
Collection
 The Perfect Dram
Age
 37 years
Alcohol percentage
 51,3 %
Bottler
 The Whisky Agency
Cask
 refill sherry
Dates
 Distil: 1972 Bottling: 2010
Bottle
 231 btls
Particularity
 Non chillfiltered cask strength
links & average quote
 Forum 94/100
Longmorn Perfect Dram 1072
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Longmorn

1990-2010
Collection
 Cask Collection
Age
 20 years
Alcohol percentage
 52,7 %
Bottler
 Dewar Rattray
Cask
 Bourbon
Cask number
single cask 30025
Dates
 Distil: 26-02-1990 Bottling: 09-0802010
Bottle
 241 btls
=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros
links & average quote
 Forum 89/100
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Longmorn

Single Malts of Scotland, 19 years
Collection
 The Single Malts of Scotland
Age
 19 years
Alcohol percentage
 54,5 %
Bottler
 The Whisky Exchange
Cask
 Hogshead
Cask number
single cask 25003
Dates
 Distil: 26-2-1990 Bottling: 2-0-8-2009
Particularity
 Non chillfiltered cask strength
links & average quote
 Forum 88/100
long orn smos 19
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Longmorn

39 y.o. for Mash Tun
Collection
 The dram takers for Mash tun & KasK
Age
 39 years
Alcohol percentage
 58,9 %
Bottler
 Gordon & MacPhail
Particularity
 Non chillfiltered cask strength
links & average quote
 Forum 95/100
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Longmorn

1971-2011
Age
 No age statement
Alcohol percentage
 43 %
Bottler
 Gordon & MacPhail
=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros
links & average quote
 91/100
Longmorn 1971 GordonMacPhail
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Longmorn

Scott's Selection 1971
Collection
 Natural Cask Strength
Age
 No age statement
Alcohol percentage
 57,8 %
Bottler
 Scott's Selection
Dates
 Distil: 1971 Bottling: 1999
Particularity
 Non chillfiltered cask strength
=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros
links & average quote
 Forum 94/100
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Longmorn

46 years, Book of Kells
Collection
 Book of Kells
Age
 46 years
Alcohol percentage
 53 %
Bottler
 Gordon & MacPhail
Cask
 Sherry Hogshead
Cask number
single cask 1539
Dates
 Distil: 1964 Bottling: 2010
Particularity
 Non chillfiltered cask strength
=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros
links & average quote
 Forum 92/100
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Longmorn

35 years
Collection
 The Nectar of Daily Drams
Age
 35 years
Alcohol percentage
 44 %
Bottler
 The Nectar
Dates
 Distil: 1975 Bottling: 2010
Particularity
 Non chillfiltered cask strength
=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros
links & average quote
 91/100
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Longmorn

Perfect Dram III
Collection
 The Perfect Dram
Age
 33 years
Alcohol percentage
 52,5 %
Bottler
 The Whisky Agency
Cask
 ex-bourbon
Dates
 Distil: 1976 Bottling: 2009
Particularity
 Non chillfiltered cask strength
=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros
links & average quote
 90/100
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Longmorn

1976-2011
Age
 35 years
Alcohol percentage
 53 %
Bottler
 Thosop
Cask
 Bourbon
Dates
 Distil: 1976 Bottling: 2011
Particularity
 Non chillfiltered cask strength
=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros
links & average quote
 90/100
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Longmorn

12 years
Collection
 Berry's Own Selection
Age
 12 years
Alcohol percentage
 56,7 %
Bottler
 Berry Bros and Rudd
Cask number
single cask 56789
Dates
 Distil: 1996
Particularity
 Non chillfiltered cask strength
=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros
links & average quote
 76/100
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Longmorn

37 yo, for the Nectar and 3 Rivers, Tokyo
Age
 37 years
Alcohol percentage
 58 %
Bottler
 The Whisky Agency
Cask
 fino Sherry hogshead
Dates
 Distil: 1973 Bottling: 2011
Particularity
 Non chillfiltered
=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros
links & average quote
 Forum 91/100
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Speyside

Speyside Map

The Speyside area is situated at the North of the Cairngorm mountain and goes to the Moray firth. It is delimited by two rivers: the Findhorn at the West side and the Deveron on the East side.
The area is named after the river Spey. Most of the distilleries take their water in one of its affluents; the Fiddich, the Livet or the Avon.
About sixty distilleries from Speyside are described on this site.

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Click on the map for a list of the distilleries of the area, on the title for further information
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