Hailing from the Speyside region, Longmorn Distillery is renowned for making quality Scotch whisky since it all began in 1894. Founded by John Duff – a true innovator in his time – Longmorn has been at the forefront of technological advancements in whisky production – including adopting steam engines to power distillery operations and building a railway siding directly to the distillery for easier transport of materials.

Japanese whisky buffs may even know this interesting Longmorn factoid: the Speyside distillery has a historic connection to the founder of modern Japanese whisky, who studied Scotch whisky-making at Longmorn Distillery in the early 1900s before applying his learnings in Japan. But that's a story for another time...

(Source: Japan Whisky Research Centre)

This year marks 130 years since Longmorn was established, and it seems they're celebrating in style with two new core bottlings with a whole new look. The new labels feature golden arches on a rich purple background, with motifs paying homage to train tunnels and bridges – and also seems to be a reference to the Art Deco style of the Roaring Twenties. Now, isn't that a nice bit of history and design rolled into one?

But it's not just about looks – they've kept things authentic by bottling both whiskies at cask strength, without chill-filtering or adding any caramel colouring. These are an 18-year-old and a 22-year-old single malt - both primarily aged in American oak casks.

The 18-year-old boasts a hefty 57.6% ABV and offers hints of toffee apples, apricots and a touch of milk chocolate on the finish. Meanwhile, the 22-year-old comes in at a respectable 54.5% ABV and tantalises with hazelnut praline, toffee, citrus and poached pears.

"This year is Longmorn's 130th anniversary. Throughout that time, Longmorn has never stopped producing, refining, and perfecting single malt whisky of the signature Speyside style from its inception by entrepreneur John Duff to today," says Jayne Murphy, Marketing Director of Malts at Chivas Brothers. "The new deep purple and statement gold design, which celebrates Longmorn's origin story, makes these bottles the perfect addition for any drinker, collector, or connoisseur's cabinet."

If you're keen to try them, these whiskies are available for purchase in Singapore at recommended retail prices of S$340 and S$540 from select retailers and from Pernod Ricard Singapore's members club – Le Cercle.

Kanpai!

88 Bamboo Editorial Team