I honestly don’t know anything about Mannochmore, except that I loved a Special Release from years ago. To be honest, I’m not even sure if I know where the distillery is. Isn’t it near Elgin? [Opens Google Maps…] Ah yes, at least my geographic knowledge of Scottish distilleries is still respectable.
Okay, so I guess we’ll have to get the Malt Whisky Year Book out — or a quick visit of Scotchwhisky.com’s Whiskypedia (praise be it’s still online) will suffice too. Let’s see: Built in 1971… used for Haig and Dimple… infamous because of Loch Dhu… capacity was upped in 2013…
Sure, not all distilleries have interesting peculiarities or a gripping history, but I was hoping to find out a little more. I guess Mannochmore is pretty much your basic Diageo blend filler.
Here’s hoping this release offers more intrigue. Bottled by Gordon & MacPhail, it aged for 18 years in a refill sherry butt.
Mannochmore 1999 18 Years (46%, Gordon & MacPhail, Batch 18/048)
Nose: It’s sweet with honey and a tinge of marzipan and fudge, but also grassy and with a whiff of varnish, lemon and greek yoghurt. A touch of fennel as well.
Taste: Slightly waxy, a touch of honey and more subtle sweet flavours. There’s a touch of tobacco here, as well as cappuccino. A little more dark and less vibrant than the nose.
Finish: Lingering bitterness, oak. Fairly long.
Score: 86
Really pleasant whisky and if it weren’t for the bitterness I would not hesitate to recommend it. Not everybody can appreciate that type of flavour profile though.
Photo: Whiskybase
