An intriguingly categorised and intriguingly matured Longmorn. 14 years in an ex-bourbon barrel followed by an additional maturation in a refill Nicaraguan rum barrel for a year has resulted in this being slotted into the Oily & Coastal category. Colour me interested.
Nose: Overt rum influence with molasses and overripe fruit – guava and banana. This fades a touch with time in the glass revealing melon and lychee set against a mineralistic aspect that evokes shale and beach shingles. Running throughout – marshmallows, green beans, hothouse vines and spearmint chewing gum. An absorbing combination. Dilution presents mint tea alongside lemon thyme and fresh cotton sheets.
Taste: A well defined texture helps with the delivery of salted pineapple chunks, golden caster sugar and a plate of Danish pastries. The mid-palate again offers up coastalness with hewn granite and sandy beaches played off against spent coffee grounds, gentle pepper and medicinal vapour rub. Reduced, there are cough sweets and lemon peels together with a malty backbone of cereals and oat cakes.
Finish: Medium with pepper and peppermint. Intriguing still.
A highly thought-provoking Longmorn which eschews easy categorisation, but certainly feels at home in the Society’s Oily & Coastal category. One wonders how active the original ex-bourbon barrel was given the still high bottling ABV, but regardless - the rum influence here has brought forward both sweetness and natural underlying minerality to good effect. Highly unusual in composition, but very drinkable nonetheless. If you’re looking for something ‘out there’ this month, here's your pick.