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Private
Collection 1961
from Longmorn Distillery
By
Gordon & Macphail
The Beguiling
nature of twins
Some twins are inseparable, almost identical in character as well as physical form, mischievously keen to mislead. Others develop differently, keen to explore and celebrate their own individuality.
Filled on the same day into casks of different oak, our Private Collection 1961 from Longmorn Distillery 'twin' whiskies, selected by identical twin brothers Stuart and Richard Urquhart from the owning family, are the oldest Longmorn single malts ever released.
Join Stephen Rankin, Director of Prestige, member of the family that owns Gordon & MacPhail, and father of twins, on his journey to explore the beguiling nature of human twins.
No Two
casks are alike
On 2 February 1961, George Urquhart commissioned a filling of first fill Sherry casks at the Longmorn Distillery, on the outskirts of Elgin, his home town.
Both whiskies began life with inherently the same DNA. The only difference between the two being the species of oak: Cask 508 was made from European Oak (Quecus Robur) while Cask 512 was built using American Oak (Quercus Alba).
Over the next 57 years, the whiskies gradually evolved and now exhibit distinctly different flavour profiles.
Join Professor David Purdie, a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians, on his journey to explore how his research could apply the maturation of our twin whiskies.
Cask No.512
"As someone whose day-job is applying the family’s knowledge of how to match spirit with the perfect cask, the nuances of our Longmorns, distilled 57 years ago, were especially intriguing."
Selected by Stuart Urquhart, Associate Director, Whisky Supply
Distilled
2nd February 1961
Bottled
2nd February 2018
Aged
57 Years
Cask Type
First fill Sherry American Oak hogshead
STRENGTH
40.8% ABV
NUMBER OF DECANTERS
97 released for sale worldwide
Tasting note by Stuart Urquhart
COLOUR
Rich Mahogany.
AROMAS
The nose on this intricate and well-aged Speysider is quite complex yet well balanced. Initially, notes of subtle vanilla come to the fore, underscored by distinctive charred oak. Fruity aromas, red cherry, raisin, and orange peel, develop – graceful highlights resulting from fifty-seven years of Sherry cask maturation. Towards the end, the base notes are sweet and lingering, hints of maple syrup and almonds, almost marzipan like, add depth.
FLAVOURS
Surprisingly fresh and lively initially for an ultra-aged Sherry-matured single malt. Bitter orange and lemon become more rounded, rich, as they combine and mature into tropical fruit flavours – ripe banana and kiwi included. The bitter decadence of dark chocolate adds a fascinating depth. This Longmorn is intricately layered, as the robust sweetness dissipates, a grounding earthiness comes to the fore with the lightest of touches of distinctive coriander and lingering hints of peat smoke in the background.
FINISH
Substantial! Charred oak, dark chocolate, and orange peel linger. A fascinating, smooth finish. One to be pondered and enjoyed before taking the next sip.
WITH WATER
The sweet almond aromas are now truly marzipan; burnt melting sugar combines with a touch of cooked apple. The palate is softer now; the vivid fruitiness has matured into ripe banana, summer peach, and plump and juicy raspberry. There is an underlying vanilla pod intricacy throughout.
Cask No.508
"For much of our lives, Stuart and I have shared similar environments, growing up together, sharing a flat while attending the same university, sailing competitively as a team, and now working under the same roof. It’s intriguing to see how our individual characters, much like the whiskies, have diverged despite the similarities."
Selected by Richard Urquhart, International Sales Manager (Asia & the Americas)
Distilled
2nd February 1961
Bottled
2nd February 2018
Aged
57 Years
Cask Type
First fill Sherry European Oak hogshead
STRENGTH
45.0% ABV
NUMBER OF DECANTERS
97 released for sale worldwide
Tasting note by Richard Urquhart
COLOUR
A beautiful mahogany with red highlights.
AROMAS
Sweet aromas of heady rum and raisin intermingle with distinctive marzipan; hints of dark orange chocolate follow. Fresh and lingering notes of crushed mint in a pestle mix with notes reminiscent of our old wooden teak deck. The nose of this Longmorn has a lovely and delectably intense fruitiness, softened only slightly by hints of vanilla pods and thick sticky treacle.come to the fore, underscored by distinctive charred oak. Fruity aromas, red cherry, raisin, and orange peel, develop – graceful highlights resulting from fifty-seven years of Sherry cask maturation. Towards the end, the base notes are sweet and lingering, hints of maple syrup and almonds, almost marzipan like, add depth.
FLAVOURS
The initial flavours of this ultra-aged Longmorn are quite captivating and comforting: dry-roasted coffee notes infuse with dark chocolate and hazelnuts balanced perfectly by delectably sweet marzipan. Zesty orange peel transforms into a mouth-coating creaminess; dry fruits and dates weave pleasantly with the smooth butter notes. Mouth-warming chilli spice prickles the palate evolving into lingering cracked black pepper notes.rounded, rich, as they combine and mature into tropical fruit flavours – ripe banana and kiwi included. The bitter decadence of dark chocolate adds a fascinating depth. This Longmorn is intricately layered, as the robust sweetness dissipates, a grounding earthiness comes to the fore with the lightest of touches of distinctive coriander and lingering hints of peat smoke in the background.
FINISH
Smooth, creamy, and satisfying. The incredible Longmorn spirit has developed nicely in the European Oak Sherry cask; the marriage of the two stays with you, for a long time, with an enjoyably fruity finish.and enjoyed before taking the next sip.
WITH WATER
The warming spice is mellowed and the creaminess becomes more pronounced. The malt is sweeter, more defined fruit notes, really bringing out more of the Sherry hogshead’s influences. The orange peel notes have mellowed slightly, while milk chocolate and cocoa become more prominent, and then, to finish it off, hints of coffee.The palate is softer now; the vivid fruitiness has matured into ripe banana, summer peach, and plump and juicy raspberry. There is an underlying vanilla pod intricacy throughout.
BORN TOGETHER.
MATURED SEPARATELY.
ENJOYED ETERNALLY.
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