New Malts of Scotland releases have reached us a bit later than normally. The oldest of the latest batch is this 36 years old Longmorn 1976. Stocks of this praised vintage are quickly drying up.
Longmorn 36 yo 1976 (53,7%, Malts of Scotland 2013, bourbon hogshead, MoS 13029, 143 btl.)
Longmorn 36 yo 1976 (53,7%, Malts of Scotland 2013, bourbon hogshead, MoS 13029, 143 btl.)Nose: the typical warm nose that’s full of apricot jam, orange juice and honeydew melon. It’s not the most tropical 1976 but there are still hints of mango and pineapple. Beehive notes like wax, pollen and honey. Soft polished oak. Hints of bergamot after a while. Some brioche and mocha. Nice!
Mouth: initially warm, sweet and fruity. Oranges and apricot pie. A second wave is really spicy: ginger and pepper, some mint and plain tannins (a bit more than the 2010-2011 siblings). Returns nicely to honey and the pink grapefruit that we find in many 1976 Speysiders.
Finish: long, fruity but also pretty oaky with some resin and wee touches of Nivea cream. Or anti-wrinkle cream for old malts.
A beautiful profile – we knew that already – and great to see another example of that. Generally in line with the previous Longmorn 1976 releases, although the best examples had probably been discovered already. Around € 250 – it seems they are still available in most stores.
Score: 91/100