Description

South Star Speyside (Mannochmore) Aged 10 Years Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

Volume: 700ml           ABV: 48%           Age: 10 Years Old       Country: Scotland

Date of Distilling: 2011
Date of Bottling: 2021
Matured In: Matured in 10 x Hogsheads Vatted. Hogsheads are commonly re-coopered ex-bourbon barrels, which impart classic vanilla and gentle oak notes without overpowering the distillery’s spirit. Vatted means a batch of these casks were combined

South Star Spirits is an independent bottling company founded by four whisky enthusiasts who share a passion for Scotch whisky. Their long-term vision includes building their own distillery, Dál Riata Distillery, in Campbeltown. While that project is underway, they’ve launched this series of independently bottled single malts to introduce themselves to the whisky world. They aim to celebrate Scotland’s diverse whisky regions and offer quality, matured single malts.

Independent bottlers purchase casks of whisky directly from distilleries (or brokers) and then bottle them under their own label. This allows them to release whiskies from distilleries that might not have official single malt bottlings, or to showcase different expressions (e.g., specific cask types or ages) that the distillery might not offer. This is what South Star Spirits is doing with their Highland, Islay, and Speyside releases. The specific distillery is often kept undisclosed, adding an element of mystery, but in this case, it’s widely known to be Mannochnmore Distillery.

Mannochmore Distillery is nestled in the heart of Speyside, Scotland’s most famous whisky region, near the town of Elgin. It’s close to its sister distillery, Glenlossie, and shares some resources. Mannochmore is a relatively modern distillery, built in 1971 by Scottish Malt Distillers (SMD), primarily to increase the production of malt whisky for blends. It’s part of Diageo’s extensive portfolio. For a period in the 1980s, it famously produced a peated spirit called “Loch Dhu,” known for its very dark, almost black color from heavy charring, which has since become a cult classic. Similar to many Speyside distilleries, a significant portion of Mannochmore’s production is destined for blended Scotch whiskies, especially Johnnie Walker. While official single malt bottlings are rare, independent bottlers like South Star Spirits provide a valuable opportunity to taste the distillery’s character on its own. The distillery uses traditional methods, including Lomond stills (though they operate as conventional stills for Mannochmore’s production) and long fermentation times, which contribute to a lighter, fruitier spirit. Mannochmore’s spirit is often characterised as light, sweet, and malty, with a delicate fruitiness, making it a classic example of a Speyside malt well-suited for blending.

Our Tasting Notes

Nose: Immediately inviting with a vibrant burst of orchard fruits, particularly crisp green apples and sweet pears. Underneath, there’s a lovely honeyed sweetness and a delicate floral note, perhaps chamomile or dried heather.

Palate: Smooth and creamy on entry. A wave of vanilla custard and golden syrup coats the palate, quickly followed by juicy lemon drops and a hint of soft white peach. The fruit notes intensify, becoming more candied. A gentle malty richness emerges, like digestive biscuits, perfectly complemented by a subtle nutty whisper and a touch of light oak spice. Medium-bodied and wonderfully smooth, with a pleasant viscosity from being non-chill filtered, allowing the sweet and fruity notes to linger.

Finish: Medium in length, clean and elegant. The sweetness fades into a delicate, dry oakiness, leaving behind a charming echo of fruit zest and a hint of gingerbread spice.

Overall Impression: A classic and approachable Speyside single malt. It’s beautifully balanced, showcasing Mannochmore’s inherent fruitiness and a delightful sweetness, making it an excellent example of the region’s style and a very easy-drinking dram.