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Triumph of time: Longmorn celebrates 130 years of dedication with 18- and 22-year-old single malt whiskies

Embracing a refined new aesthetic, the distillery reaffirms its commitment to small-batch excellence.

Triumph of time: Longmorn celebrates 130 years of dedication with 18- and 22-year-old single malt whiskies

The Longmorn 18 Year Old and 22 Year Old represent significant milestones in Longmorn’s legacy, with each bottle showcasing the rich, creamy toffee profile that is a hallmark of Longmorn. Photos: Longmorn Distillery

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“Quality is not an act, it is a habit,” the famed philosopher, Aristotle, once said. Not far from Elgin, a quaint town along Scotland’s northern coast, stands a distillery that fully embraces this ethos.

For more than a century, Longmorn Distillery has remained steadfast in its pursuit of perfection, continually refining its craft to produce its special brand of single malt whisky. It is this dedication that has earned Longmorn a well-deserved place among the elite ranks of Speyside whiskies. Now, as it celebrates its anniversary, Longmorn welcomes a new generation of aficionados with a refreshed image and the unveiling of two specialty whiskies, each aged for a minimum of 18 years.

A SIGNATURE LEGACY

At Longmorn Distillery, tradition reigns supreme. A visit to the distillery today feels like a journey back through time, where century-old practices still hold sway. While modern touches ensure consistency, the same waters from the Moray Aquifer flow into the facility, where visitors can glimpse the old water wheel.

Malt is ground, mashed, fermented and distilled just as it has been for generations, preserving the creamy toffee notes that Longmorn fans have come to enjoy. And while this recipe remains infallible, there is always room for refinement under the watchful eyes of experienced makers.

After 130 years of legacy, Longmorn marks a new chapter: It now commits to releasing only single malt whiskies matured for no less than 18 years.

The debut of the 18 Year Old and 22 Year Old expressions exemplify Longmorn’s enduring philosophy. Both are non-chill filtered single-batch whiskies aged primarily in American oak casks, presented at cask strength. Longmorn’s copper stills, with their distinct smooth shoulders and elegant swan necks, continue to work their magic, yielding whiskies with familiar, yet nuanced flavours.

The 18 Year Old boasts rich toffee apple notes that are followed by a summer trail of apricots and tropical fruits before culminating in a subtle finish of creamy milk chocolate. The 22 Year Old, aged longer in curated hogsheads, presents a balanced profile of hazelnut praline and toffee, with added complexity from delicate citrus and poached pears for a sweet, smooth finish.

A PLEASURABLE WAIT

For insight into Longmorn’s legacy, one has to look towards its enigmatic founder John Duff. A visionary entrepreneur, Duff traversed the globe in pursuit of markets for his spirits. After establishing Longmorn in 1894, his tenacious spirit remained embedded in the distillery, providing it with the resolve to persist through grain shortages and the tumult of war.

He had progressive ideas, many of which involved crossing borders. A prime example was his recruitment of the talented Masataka Taketsuru as an apprentice in 1919, who later became known as the founding father of Japanese whisky. It is said that the stills at two of Taketsuru’s own distilleries today are modelled after Longmorn’s.

In his quest to expand Longmorn’s reach across the globe, Duff spared no effort, even constructing a dedicated railway for the distillery. This narrative of exploration finds resonance in the elegant packaging of the distillery’s latest releases.

The new packaging features slender golden arches against a backdrop of deep royal purple, evoking the imagery of train tunnels and bridges connecting two points. These visual motifs encapsulate the essence of Longmorn’s journey, bridging the chasm between artisanal tradition and purposeful innovation. They also reflect timelines, shifting us from the Industrial Revolution of Longmorn’s inception to the digital age of today.

The introduction of the 18 Year Old and 22 Year Old expressions is not merely celebratory; it’s a reaffirmation of Longmorn’s belief that true appreciation of the finer things in life requires patience and discernment.

Enjoy a sip of craftsmanship and heritage. The Longmorn 18 Year Old and 22 Year Old single malt whisky are available at select retailers and Le Cercle. Plus, mark your calendar for September 2024, when the Longmorn 30 Year Old will be available exclusively at Le Cercle.

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