The Beast of Dufftown – a whisky of bold, rich, complexity, tamed by two decades of ageing. Continuing our series of interesting whiskies that go beyond the everyday, we’re delighted to present Mortlach 20-Year-Old – a sherry-cask matured beauty from the very heart of Speyside.
Mortlach is famous for its fiendishly complicated distillation process known as ‘The Way’. It is an audacious approach to distilling that was invented by Dr Alexander Cowie back in 1896, the spirit criss-crossing between six copper stills of completely different silhouettes as it somehow manages to be distilled exactly 2.81 times. It is an exact, if mind boggling, science graced with a touch of magic from “The Wee Witchie” the smallest of the six stills.
Read MoreIt is in this diminutive copper chamber that the specific richness of taste, that which has earned Mortlach the reputation as “The Beast of Dufftown”, is created. Once matured in ex-sherry casks for 20 years, this rich intensity is polished and mellowed into a single malt of pronounced sweetness, depth and complexity. Lovers of the big, bold, heavily sherry influenced Speyside style that Macallans of the early 1990s are known for should look no further.
On the nose this Mortlach is dense, elegant & intriguing. Dried fruit, cedar wood, leather and tobacco. Developing on the palate is a coating of oiliness, aromatic citrus with hints of wood spice opening into a dark, meatiness of barbecue pork crackling. Berries, jam & cocoa nibs add brightness. Its finish is deep and complex, with gingerbread, raisin and a hint of liquorice.