Longmorn/Murray McDavid Longmorn 12 Year old 1994 by Murray McDavid

From the Murray McDavid "turquoise series", I managed to get a sample of Longmorn 12 year old (bottled 1994) from my Finnish whisky buddy. I didn't have high expectations 'cause I don't share the same taste with the buddy in question. And I usually don't like the very fruity ones outside Japan.

Apparently this whisky is originally from a bourbon but. After the handling of the independent bottler Murray McDavid, it's been on a old Tempranillo barrel used for Rioja wine.

Weird, was the first word that came into my head after tasting this one. But it was weird in a good way, it also seemed to have a fairly good balance. Being weird all the way I guess...

The weirdness turned into exciting after few sips. I had found an adventurous whisky that was good. Kinda like reading a Hunter S. Thompson book: although it's bouncing incoherently, it still excites you and you can't stop reading.

So, for an adventurous and weird but good whisky, there can only be one reference from the movie business: this had Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas written in it the whole time. This is the chance for whisky drinkers to go tripping.

Nose: Sweet vanilla combined with grape fruits and nuts. The influence of the wine is most dominant in the scent and it does show in the taste as well.

Taste: Just as exciting as the nose! Apples and grapes meet vanilla with licorice fading away in the back. I usually don't go for these kind of combinations but this was just so very refreshing.

Finish: Licorice is still there but ginger takes over with force. Bitter and woody.

Balance: Weird but good, weirdly in balance. The world definitely needs this kind of whisky.