The Ultimate (van Wees) hits another home run. Like the Laphoroaig Sherry matured single cask I previously reviewed, these seven sherry cask Longmorns are real treats. I have a sample of cask 105091, and a real beauty it is.
Photo Credit: independentconnoisseurs.com
Longmorn was founded in 1894 and is now part of the Chivas Group at Pernod Ricard. It’s very popular with blenders, and plays a part in the Chivas blends, namely the Royal Salute and the Chivas Regal 18. Nevertheless, the relatively small amount of the single malt allocated to be sold as such is considered by many to be a real gem.
Another note of interest is the next door neighbor BenRiach and Longmorn have a long running cooperation stemming back to the days that BenRiach was named…..Longmorn 2.
The Ultimate (van Wees) – Longmorn 17 (1996), Cask 105091, Distilled 25.6.1996 Bottled 25.11.2013 (60.8% ABV, NCF, NC)
Photo Credit: whiskybase.com
Appearance: Deep bronze, very slow forming legs
Nose: Huge sherry bomb nose, leather, old books, dried fruit, smells like sherry in a glass with the creamy malt still very much in evidence. There’s also a faint note of balsamic vinegar. Water brings out more malt and dried fruit with some “Old Spice” spices.
Palate: Sweet, dried fruit, cloves light pepper (not extremely prominent), and red dry wine.
Linger: Medium linger with sweet notes on the tongue and an overall spiceyness.
Conclusion
This is a real beauty, and the septet of casks will surely become classics. Were I a little more of an adventurist, I’d go on a quest to compare all seven of these beauties 🙂
Some errant bottles are still available in stores across Europe, and if you can, snag yourself one. You’ll thank me!
Intriguing. I may have to hunt one down now.
You won’t be sorry you did, Sean!
Actually my friend, there are 7 of these.
I have tried 72315 and it fits your notes well.
Amazing sherry monster, at a very good price (at the time).
Seven is better than five, but makes a quest all that much harder….
Where can snag some of these bottles. I love Longmorn.
Tom, most stores are out of them. You need to do some hunting around fir a bottle. Some European stores have them still.
Michael