So far this month I’ve reviewed whiskies released in 2021 (this Highland Park), 2017 (this Caol Ila) and 2009 (this Talisker). Here now is an even more untimely review: of the Longmorn 15. This release was discontinued in 2006, being replaced the following year by the just about whelming Longmorn 16. The 16 yo added three more percentage points in abv but you would have had a hard time finding people then who preferred it to the 15 yo. But we took what we got. Back then there was barely any official Longmorn on the market, as most of it went—and still does—into the group’s blends, particularly Chivas Regal. Your best bet beyond the 15 yo, and then the 16 yo, were the occasional limited 500 ml releases in the Cask Strength Edition series from Chivas that used to be available at the group’s distilleries and a few retailers. Now there are three official releases: an 18 yo, a 22 yo, and a 30 yo. I haven’t tried any of them and couldn’t tell you when they were introduced. I have an idea though that they probably cost a lot more than the 15 yo or even the 16 yo ever did. The 15 yo, in case you’re wondering, went for about $50 back in the day (hell, the 16 yo cost me $70 in 2012). Anyway, this bottle remained unopened for about two decades. No longer. Let’s see what it’s like.

Longmorn 15 (45%; from my own bottle)

Nose: A big hit of citrus off the top (orange, lemon); tart-sweet apple below that. As it sits the apple moves to the top and there’s some polished oak as well. With more time some of the toffee from the palate emerge here as well. Water pulls out some citronella and some paraffin.

Palate: As predicted by the nose. A bigger bite than the 45% abv might lead you to expect; nice texture. On the second sip there’s some bitter notes of walnut skins/paper and some dried leaves as well. Sweeter as it goes, with the citrus turning to orange hard candy and a bit of toffee emerging to join it. Water pushes the bitter notes back and pulls out a hint of coal and soot.

Finish: Long. The citrus keeps going, picking up more of the rind in the process. Softer and sweeter here as well but the bitter note keeps up (transitioning from lemon rind to oak and dried leaves). As on the palate with water.

Comments: As lovely as I remember, and quite superior to the 16 yo. Indeed, I’d be shocked if the current 18 yo is better.

Rating: 87 points.