Tasting 3 Mannochmores

Mannochmore is a small distillery which produces whisky every other year, and are owned by Diageo. I believe this distillery could be closed if it weren't for their rich owners, that I believe still keeps this distillery open more as a curiosity than something to make money off of. It shares staff with Glenlossie, but somehow one of the distilleries has got a substantially better reputation than the other. I'm hoping this small distillery will show some great bottlings in years to come and maybe get a bit of word around.



Mannochmore 22yo 1978-2000 55.8% Scott's Selection

I've never found Talisker, Ardbeg, Macallan or Longmorn from Scott´s, instead I find Mannochmore, Craigellachie, Fettercairn, Balmenach and other less recognized malts, not that their necessarily of inferior standard. But it seems by choosing whiskies from distilleries with a lesser popularity, the good casks may come at a cheaper price, or at least I hope so. So, look out for possible scoops from Scott's Selection. The color on this one is amber. It smells of oak, mud, coleslaw, a bit sour-bitter and dirty, goes on with pickled cucumber, oregano, yeast, playful little thing. The taste is of ginger, white wine, gooseberries, peppermint, red paprika, red grapes, very unusual, but nevertheless a great whisky. I believe there's some fino-casks involved here.

A bit like a whisky-version of sangria: 7


Mannochmore 11yo 1990-2011 59.8% James MacArthur's cask#2755

James MacArthur's is another IB from where you can find great whiskies at tolerable prices. I have done many times. This is a high strength youngster from Mannochmore, which I think, if good, could be a goldmine for those about to dare put their money into it. Just look at all the great whisky from Kilchoman even at only 6(or is it 7?) years at most. The color on this one is light golden. It smells of honey and vanilla, barbecue smoke, ashes, bubble gum, pear soda, very sweet and weird, artificially made fruity flavors is what comes to mind. The taste is sweet, grapefruit, mango, bananas, lime, sweet oranges, white grapes, peaches, a real fruitbomb. Almost reminds me of some sweet white rums. It's not nearly as heavy and complex as the SS, but its still a great whisky on its own, one to enjoy whenever, wherever, it will never disappoint.

Superb everyday dram: 7


Mannochmore 16yo 1977-1994 61% Cadenhead's

Ending this small session with a high strength Cadenhead's, a lot of great whiskies in this series, especially the sherried ones. The color on this one is amber. It smells spirity, sweet, a bit like the flavors you find if chewing a banana leaf. Bittersweet, a bit spirity, raw, minty, more oaky and malt, not nearly as refined as the SS and JMcA. Time to taste. It tastes of dry sherry, smoky aromas, tobacco, red onions, honey, coconut juice, cherries, thick, leather, rubber, cinnamon, pomegranate, starfruit, aniseeds, another fruity sensation from this distillery.

I think, due to the added spicy richness, this is my fav tonight: 8



Next tasting: Glengoyne Distillery