Built on the site of an older illicit distillery Mortlach was the first legal distillery in Dufftown which is the epicentre on Speyside. Mortlach is again making its mark as a single malt with last years Diageo Special Release bottling selling out in record time. Distilled in 1999 and matured in ex Pedro Ximenez Sherry & Oloroso Sherry seasoned casks for no less than 21 years. Bottled at 56.9% abv and non-chill filtered. NOSE Rounded with dried dark fruits and rich sherry like notes, citrus peels, pancakes and salted butter, meaty with light savoury notes. PALATE Smooth and silky texture, dried fruits, savoury with chilli spice and dark fruits. FINISH Fruity and savoury notes, drying and rich.

A limited-edition 30-year-old single malt from Mortlach, Midnight malt was initially matured in a combination of refill American oak and European oak casks, before being finished in Bordeaux wine, Calvados and Guatemalan rum casks, then married and further matured in custom quarter casks. A release of just 350 limited bottles. NOSE A mellow nose with some initial prickle. This settles in time to reveal a savoury and faintly herbal top note, suggesting pork crackling sprinkled with dry sage. PALATE A richly winey, apple fruity and mouth-watering start delights the palate, backed by a long spicy intensity with a delicious black pepper note that really persists. FINISH Long, sweet and deep-flavoured, with a light peppery spiciness. With water, still sweet and softer, with the spicy heat joined by a suggestion of mint chocolate in the lingering aftertaste.

Part of Diageo's stable, Mortlach enjoys a cult status amongst whisky drinkers thanks to its thick, meaty texture. That unique spirit comes from a complex and unique distillation program, which sees the new make pass through a number of stills of varying shapes and sizes. In the end, it is said that Mortlach distill their spirit 2.81 times. The complex regime results in a thick, meaty spirit - one of Scotland's thickest - and has been prized by independent bottlers and drinkers since the vaunted 16-year-old Flora & Fauna release put it into the public psyche.

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