DISTILLERY FOCUS: MANNOCHMORE

Mannochmore is a recently founded distillery built by Distillers Company Limited in 1971 in the Speyside area, near its sister distillery Glenlossie. The distillery was mothballed in 1985 and was reopened in 1989. It is now part of the Diageo group. Mannochmore has eight stills and a total production capacity of 6 million litres per year. As the distillery produces spirits mainly for blended whisky, official bottlings have been rare over the years. To date they have released only the Flora & Fauna Range 12 Years, launched in 1992, and the 25 Years, released in 2016 as a special edition series, both being floral, fresh and dry. The following three Mannochmore whiskies, all matured in bourbon casks, have been released by different independent bottlers.

First up is a 20 Years bottled by Cadenhead's, featuring linseed oil, beeswax, lime cordial and cooking apple aromas on the nose. Gooseberry, barley water and meringue on the palate. At the finish, poached pears, candied ginger, salty.

Shop Now: Cadenhead's Mannochmore 20 Years

The 11 Years bottled by A.D. Rattray is the first Mannochmore the independent bottler has ever bottled! This single cask has notes of fresh melon, soft peach and honey on the nose. Orange peel, rhubarb and ginger on the palate. Subtle mint on pear tarte tatin at the finish.

Shop Now: A.D. Rattray Cadenhead's Mannochmore 11 Years

The 9 Years bottled by The Single Malts of Scotland is a sweet dram. On the nose, a wooden canister of baking sugar, spiced with ginger and sweet cinnamon, sits alongside a tray of freshly toasted almonds, drizzled with blossom honey. A box of scented candles – vanilla, sandalwood and red berries, with waxy undertones. On the palate, before water, it’s gum tingling and mouth drying, with notes of sweet black tea & spun sugar. With water there is crisp hazelnut praline, smashed and sprinkled over vanilla ice cream. Aromas waft from the oven, freshly baked vanilla-sugar-topped butter cookies. A sweet, light and spiced finish lingers.

Shop Now: The Single Malts of Scotland Mannochmore 9 Years