Thosop bottlings (a label founded by Luc Timmermans) are now co-selected and distributed by The Whiskyman a.k.a. fellow Lindores member Dominiek Bouckaert.
Recently we’ve had Longmorn 1976’s bottled by Malts of Scotland and
The Whisky Agency, both very attractive. Let’s find out how this new one compares. Unfortunately at the moment I can only do a direct head-to-head with the Malts of Scotland version.
Longmorn 35 yo 1976
(53%, Thosop, bourbon barrel, 134 btl.)
Longmorn 35 yo 1976Nose: very fruity and apparently more complex than the other 1976’s I’ve tried so far. Citrus, tropical fruits (kumquat, mango), gooseberries. Quite some mint and eucalyptus as well, certainly more than the MoS release. Less vanilla though, and almost none of the great pastry notes (you can’t have it all). Then a plethora of small layers in the background: soft and slightly dusty oak, hay, pepper and cinnamon. Excellent.
Mouth: oily, with plenty of fruits: grapefruit, tangerine, mango. Balanced by spices (ginger, pepper) and softly resinous oak. Overall more fruity than the others. A little leather. Herbal tea (without the dryness) and hints of toffee towards the end.
Finish: long and fruity, with a soft resinous / grassy edge.
On the nose, this Longmorn plays the card of freshness and complexity. The Malts of Scotland version is warmer on the nose (slightly more honeyed / marzipanny), but overall there are more layers to discover in this Thosop version. I’m happy to give it an extra point for its wonderful balance and richness, despite the fact that I’m instantly in love with the MoS nose every time I try it. Around € 200. I’m sure it will be gone quickly.
Score: 92/100