Longmorn, the single malt from Speyside, the “holy land of malt whisky,” renowned among whisky enthusiasts, has become an independent brand with a renewed taste! Simultaneously, the bottle design has been revamped. We were among the first to sample the newly released "Longmorn 18 Year Old" and "Longmorn 22 Year Old"!

Longmorn, the reliable and consistently delicious single malt, has refreshed its taste and bottle design. On Monday, February 5, 2024, "Longmorn 18 Year Old" and "Longmorn 22 Year Old" were released. I was honored to attend the unveiling event and am thrilled to share the details with you.

Longmorn is a whisky born in Speyside. While Islay often dominates Scotland's whisky fame, wait a moment! Speyside is a major production region, home to nearly half of Scotland's malt whisky distilleries. Along the Spey River, which flows through the northern Highlands of Scotland for about 170 kilometers, fifty distilleries are clustered together.

A long time ago, I visited Speyside (ahem). Although I couldn't visit Longmorn, the presence of the Spey River and its tributaries was quite significant. Many distilleries use water drawn from the Spey's headwaters, and it was incredibly beautiful and mystical. Perhaps it was my imagination (no, I don't think it was), but the aroma of whisky seemed to linger in the air.

And now, Longmorn. This distillery has been continuously producing whisky since its establishment in 1894, without a single pause in operation. Previously, it was part of the 'Secret Speyside' collection by Pernod Ricard Japan—a series featuring single malt whiskies with an age statement of 18 years or more, selected from distilleries in Scotland's Speyside region, comprising four distilleries including Longmorn. Now, it has been elevated to a more prestigious independent brand. The "Longmorn 18 Year Old" and "Longmorn 22 Year Old" have been unveiled with a renewed taste and packaging.

I attended the tasting event, and it was quite elaborately organized.

Longmorn once had a railway line built within the distillery grounds to procure raw materials and export its products. In the 19th century, when the distillery was founded, it was the height of the Industrial Revolution and the whisky boom. While other distilleries also had railway access, the desire to deliver their finished whisky even further afield is truly moving.

Reflecting this history, the new brand logo incorporates a motif of the railway built by founder John Duff within the distillery. The distinctive arch evokes the luxury of train travel. The venue for this tasting event was the "Tokyo Station Hotel," located within the Marunouchi Building of Tokyo Station. For the tasting, four pairing foods curated by the Head Chef of the Tokyo Station Hotel were served in a bento box style, enclosed in traditional wooden trays. See? The dedication to the railway theme is quite something, isn't it (laughs)?

We enjoyed the tasting at tables set up in a banquet style, sitting up a little straighter. Even that somehow felt reminiscent of a dining car.

"Longmorn 18 Year Old" is a single malt that faithfully reproduces the Speyside style, leaving a subtly sweet, fruity, and creamy finish. Oh, perhaps some of you are wondering what the Speyside style is. Simply put, my understanding is: 'an elegant and fragrant aroma, fruity, sweet, and easy to drink.' I also have the impression that many Speyside whiskies are well-balanced. "Longmorn 18 Year Old" indeed possesses the classic Speyside taste. As noted in the tasting notes, the balance between the sweetness of honey and caramel, and the fruitiness from mango and apricot, was superb.

Incidentally, the reborn Longmorn adheres to a few principles. It is long-matured for over 18 years in carefully selected American oak casks. Furthermore, it employs cask strength (bottled at its natural alcohol content without dilution) and a non-chill filtered process. This results in a pure style of whisky.

The malt is made from high-quality barley sourced within a 50-mile radius of the production site, and the water used is groundwater drawn from near the distillery. It is truly a native Scot (spirit...?). In the future, it will be bottled once a year, with new batches released annually. This is likely to enhance its value as a collectible.

Returning to "Longmorn 18 Year Old," the lingering notes from the American oak casks, with which it spent 18 years, were fragrant. Adding just one drop of water from a dropper further expanded its aroma and flavor. The pairing foods, which enhanced the fresh sweetness characteristic of Speyside, were also excellent.

Meanwhile, "Longmorn 22 Year Old," which is about four years older (or perhaps younger?), is characterized by a sweeter, smoother finish. Those four years make a significant difference; it has become more mellow and easier to drink. I think even those who are not accustomed to drinking whisky might find this approachable. (Though personally, I'd be reluctant to share something so precious!)

The tasting notes mentioned aromas of Madagascar vanilla, toffee, and hazelnut praline. Indeed, it possesses an indescribable creaminess. The taste is intensely sweet, like honey or Victoria sponge cake, layered with tropical notes, yet it is incredibly rich and satisfying. Adding water drop by drop from a dropper here also revealed hidden flavors, lending it a more refined character.

While neat or on the rocks is excellent, I personally think a strong highball would also be fitting. It's quite exciting (laughs). Well, after all the talk, the main point is that both are delicious!

While enjoying sips, I watched a talk show by photographer Hide Kato, who has visited over 100 distilleries in Scotland. He was sharing fascinating spots in Speyside that are worth visiting beyond the Longmorn distillery. Oh dear, I've completely fallen into a travel mood (laughs)! Well, for now, I'll savor the new Longmorn and let my thoughts wander to Speyside.