Mannochmore | Whisky Den

Bought: Whisky Barrel, 6^th May 2015

Ratings:
95.5/100 – Whisky Bible 2015
83.6/100 – Whiskybase (average from 7 member votes)

Founded in 1971, it will be a while before Mannochmore distillery will be celebrating its 200^th Anniversary like Ardbeg and Laphroaig are doing this year. There are only 7 different single malts listed in the Whisky Bible 2015 by Mannochmore, 2 by the distillery, and 5 produced by independent bottlers. The 2 distillery bottlings are a 12yo scoring 84/100 and a ‘Manager’s Choice’ notching up an embarrassing 71.5/100. Of the 5 independent bottlings, here are their scores:

96/100 – Scottish Malt Whisky Society Cask 64.42, aged 22 years
95.5/100 – Gordon & MacPhail 1994 Connoisseurs Choice
91.5/100 – Old Malt Cask 13-year-old
91/100 – Cadenhead’s Authentic Collection 17-year-old
89/100 – Provenance Over 14 Years

As you can see, if you want to buy a bottle of Mannochmore, the Whisky Bible recommends going for an independent release, rather than direct from the distillery.

My bottle by Gordon & MacPhail is 2^nd on the list with 95.5/100, which classifies it as a “superstar whisky that gives us all a reason to exist”. The Bible author, Jim Murray, says of the taste “if you locate a more spotless exhibition of intense yet clean and sugary barley this year, give me a call. The lilting poise of the oils beggars belief.” And summarises with “full of vitality, charm and class. Quite irresistible.” Definitely a worthy addition to my collection!

Bought – Online Whisky Auction, 31st October 2013

Ratings:
87.33/100 – Whiskybase (average from 3 member votes)
84/100 – Malt Maniacs (from one reviewer – here)

After posting about a bottle of Dallas Dhu from 1971 we now have another miniature but this time from a distillery that was founded in 1971, Mannochmore. This example by the independent bottler Cadenhead’s was distilled in 1977 and bottled in February 1994. With a cask strength of 61% it’s going to pack quite a punch.

84/100 on Malt Maniacs is a very good score but over 87/100 on Whiskybase is excellent. A member leaves these following tasting notes:

Nose: an old style “fat” whisky, probably bottle maturation added a good share of nice flavours. The sherry is well rounded and not too dominating.
Taste: rich as well and the body is mouth-coating, very nice.
Finish: medium but very enjoyable.

Someone comments, “it needs water to open up (no wonder given its 61% abv). Without water it is rather closed, uninspiring and hot. But adding a good measure of water unfolds a real “refill sherry” beauty of the past. There are some traces of sulphur, but not intimidating and in the end (I never thought I would ever say this) almost enjoyable. All in all a nice dram to sip during cold winter nights – it keeps you warm and in a good mood.”