Whisky is more than what we drink. It’s a story. A moment. A celebration of time, place, and connection. This year, no bottle captured that magic more for me than Longmorn 18, single malt Scotch, which is an easy pick for my personal whisky of the year in 2025.
Let me explain.
I first laid eyes on the Longmorn 18 in the case at Smith Street Spec’s in Houston. I told HSWS member and Spec’s employee, Matt, half-joking and half-serious, that one day, after selling a house or hitting some big milestone, I’d finally splurge on it. Unbeknownst to me, my wife overheard the conversation and secretly returned later to surprise me with the bottle. That gesture made Longmorn 18 part of my story before I’d even pulled the cork.
From that point on, we opened the bottle together for celebrations, birthdays, good news, and quiet victories. Something truly remarkable happened: the whisky evolved. Six months after opening, it didn’t just breathe, it transformed. The spice mellowed. Fruity sweetness blossomed. Peaches, mangoes, and apricots danced from the glass. It was like tasting time itself.
That’s why this bottle wins my top spot, not just for the spirit in the glass, but for everything it represented: memory, growth, connection.
Longmorn 18
Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Color: Rich Gold
Nose: This is where the whisky shines. Absolute magic in a glass. I nosed it for 30 minutes before and after sipping. Aromas of old library leather chairs, red oak smoke from a winter fireplace, strawberry shortcake with vanilla ice cream, sweet malt, burnt brown sugar, cherry pipe tobacco, Crème Brûlée, lemon peel, and even a hint of clean diesel.
Score: 95/100
Palate: A waxy texture opens the door to rich vanilla, deep caramel, stone fruits, pear juice, and a luscious wave of Crème Brûlée. Comforting and layered.
Score: 89/100
Finish: A long, dry finish carries notes of spicy oak, white pepper, soft honey, and lingering vanilla.
Score: 88/100
Final Thoughts
I’ve tasted technically more refined whiskies this year, but none that matched the emotional and sensory journey this one delivered. From the surprise gift, to celebratory pours, to the slow evolution in the bottle, Longmorn 18 embodies everything I love about whisky.
Overall: 91/100
Because the best whisky isn’t just about complexity or age. It’s about what it means to you.
Slàinte Mhath!
