Auld Goonsy’s Mannochmore

Auld Goonsy’s? @GlobalWhisky? No I've never heard of them either but they bottle some very interesting whisky...

Let's have a look...

Global Whisky are based in Glasgow "Established in 2017, an independent bottler with a simple goal; to create distinctive Scotch Whisky that deliver true quality and value. Since then, we have procured a portfolio of three outstanding brands; Auld Goonsy’s Malt, The Red Cask Company and Concept 8. Each one tells a story."

I've had a few Red Cask Company bottles - we had an Inchgower in a recent #BlindDrams which won on the night! I'd not heard of Auld Goonsy’s Malt or Concept 8 before I started a bit of research for this dram.

David Gowan, the director of Global Whisky, used his father as the inspiration behind the legendary Auld Goonsy! 

"Auld Goonsy is an old timer in the whisky industry and has a wealth of knowledge and experience having worked in the cooperage of bonded warehouses and also in distilleries throughout Scotland. He relishes in reminiscing about his time in the industry and regularly meets with old friends, former distillery managers and other well respected whisky enthusiasts."

This particular dram was a sample care package from my mate Mike @whiskyrover it's a 13yo Mannochmore finished in a 1st Fill Amontillado Hogshead and bottled at 57.1% ABV

Bottler info:

Mannochmore 13 years old

Distilled 29 Sept 2009
Finished in 1st Fill Amontillado Cask no. 9321
Bottled at Cask Strength 57.1%
297 Bottles.

Tasting notes:
Nose – Sweet, fruit tart and apricots
Taste - Stewed apple, caramel and sherried spices
Finish - Vanilla, pear and nutmeg

AULD GOONSY says: This takes him back to the Summer Beer Gardens, relaxing in the fresh air, barley in the fields and surrounded by berries.

My thoughts:

Appearance: dark gold in the glass, swirls cling as a thin line, take some time to bead up and fall as slow thick legs.

Nose: Nuts! Hazelnuts, walnuts, Brazil nuts and almonds. There's some dried fruit, brown sugar and a little minerality or salinity. Some Fry's Turkish Delight hides at the side of the glass, revealed with a little swirl. There's some toffee chewing nuts and a hint of sweet honey. Orange marmalade rounds things off.

Palate: thick chewy arrival: dried fruit, chocolate and marzipan to start followed immediately by a huge bite of ginger spice and a drying on the tongue as the liquid disappears. A few more sips reveal hedgerow berries, a little tropical fruit and more lovely orange marmalade.

Finish: long, dry and spicy - ginger with some orange zest and a little salinity.

Overall : a lovely dram but I'm not sure how much of the Mannochmore distillery character is left? The Amontillado finish has blanketed it in lovely nuttiness, spice and marmalade. Is the minerality / salinity distillery character? I'm not sure - I don't recall trying a 'plain' ex-bourbon bottling.

Many thanks to Mike @whiskyrover for the sample!