Longmorn 1974-1988 Samaroli 20th Anniversary Bottle

A rich sherried cask with aromas reminiscent of herbal liqueur. Longmorn LONGMORN 1974-1988 SAMAROLI 20th ANNIVERSARY 50% One of 540 bottles, SHERRY WOOD The nose features strong sherry notes with nuances of mitarashi (sweet soy sauce), mirin, black sugar, prunes, dried fruits, and herbal liqueur. The palate begins with a smooth mouthfeel, expanding powerfully with concentrated sweetness from grape juice, plum jam, and mitarashi, balanced by a pleasant acidity. Notes of burnt caramel sauce bitterness add depth to the rich and complex flavor profile, leaving a long, luxurious finish. [Very Good] This Longmorn 1974 was bottled in 1988 as a Samaroli 20th Anniversary commemorative release. Visually, the deep color strongly suggests sherry cask influence, and upon tasting, the sherry character is indeed prominent. While there are pleasant nuances of grape juice, the sherry notes feel heavier rather than noble, evoking mitarashi sauce, black sugar, prunes, and a herbal liqueur-like sweetness. The palate is remarkably rich and powerful for its ABV, with the concentrated sweet flavors of cooked fruits and mitarashi balanced by assertive bitterness that adds depth. Overall, it's a warm-featured malt with less of the tropical fruit or peach-like nuances typical of Longmorn, instead showcasing strong cask influence. Despite this, the body is thick without overt maturity, successfully retaining the character of 1980s Samaroli bottlings.