Longmorn | Gordon & MacPhail | 2008/2022 | 46%

The Longmorn Distillery is located in the Speyside region of Scotland, near the town of Elgin, and was founded in 1894 by John Duff. The distillery has a long and eventful history, marked by various ownership changes and modernizations. Today, Longmorn is part of Chivas Brothers, a subsidiary of Pernod Ricard.

Longmorn is known for its high-quality single malts, available in various age statements and bottlings. Popular releases include the Longmorn 16 Year Old and the Longmorn 18 Year Old. These whiskies are characterized by their rich, fruity flavor profile with notes of apple, pear, vanilla, and a hint of sherry. The maturation mainly takes place in bourbon and sherry casks, resulting in a complex and well-balanced aroma structure.

Historically, Longmorn played an important role in the Scottish whisky industry. The distillery was one of the first to use steam to heat its stills, significantly improving production efficiency. In the 1970s, the distillery was expanded and modernized to meet growing demand. Despite these modernizations, Longmorn remains true to its traditional production methods, ensuring the high quality and distinctive character of its whiskies.

An interesting fact is that Masataka Taketsuru, one of the founders of the Japanese whisky industry, worked at Longmorn in the 1920s and brought many of the techniques he learned there back to Japan. This highlights the international significance and influence of the distillery.

Gordon & MacPhail: A Guide to the Scottish Whisky Bottler with Tradition

Gordon & MacPhail is one of the oldest and most prestigious independent whisky bottlers in Scotland, with origins dating back to 1895. Founded by James Gordon and John Alexander MacPhail, the company remains family-owned, managed by the Urquhart family, and is headquartered in Elgin, in the heart of Speyside, a region famous for its whisky production.

Over a Century of Whisky Expertise

Over the years, Gordon & MacPhail has developed unique expertise in maturing whisky. The company is known for selecting exceptional casks and aging them to perfection in their own warehouses. Many of their whiskies mature for decades, some for over 30, 40, or even 50 years before bottling.

A Diverse Portfolio

Gordon & MacPhail's range includes various product lines such as 'Connoisseurs Choice', 'Private Collection', and 'Generations'. Each line features its own theme and style, ranging from young, vibrant bottlings to rare, decades-old whiskies. Notably, Gordon & MacPhail also offers whiskies from closed distilleries, providing connoisseurs the chance to experience historically significant single malts.

Commitment to Sustainability and Innovation

In addition to preserving tradition, Gordon & MacPhail places great emphasis on sustainability and the advancement of their production processes. The company has recently announced plans to gradually reduce its role as an independent bottler and focus more on producing its own distillates. This includes using whisky from their own distilleries like Benromach and The Cairn to enhance the quality and uniqueness of their products.

For whisky enthusiasts, Gordon & MacPhail offer not just a tasting of top-quality malts but also a profound experience of Scottish whisky history, marked by the company's dedication and passion.