A Mannochmore 2008 single malt from indie bottler Watt Whisky, matured in a pair of ex-bourbon hogsheads of 12 years that were married and ‘rested’ in an ex-brandy butt (cognac?) for three months before being bottled in 2020.
Mannochmore 12 yo 2008 (54,8%, Watt Whisky 2020, ex-brandy butt, 663 btl.)
Nose: starts on overripe apple with hints of honey and brown sugar, as well as vanilla cake and hints of hazelnuts and almonds. Some toffee notes and the creaminess of a latte. Subtle dusty oak spices.
Mouth: sweet and spicy. There’s a nice fruity core (apples, melons, lemon sweets) with honey and a touch of syrupy apricot in the background. Candied ginger, white pepper, marzipan and vanilla cake. Becoming drier and more leathery. There’s also a slightly spirity / woody combination that I associate with Spanish or French brandy indeed, but it doesn’t overpower in any way.
Finish: medium, back towards nutty notes now, with a hint of char, caramel and golden apple.
Quite a full-bodied whisky, not extremely expressive but with some interesting touches. I think brandy finishes will be seen more often in the future. Available from The Whisky Exchange or local retailers like The Bonding Dram (also offering samples).