Mortlach Distillery is nicknamed “The Beast of Dufftown”, let’s see what they’ve got.
Mortlach Rare Old
Region: Speyside
ABV: 43.4%
E150: Yes
Chill-filtered: Yes
Container: Glencairn Neat
Colour: Gold-Amber
Nose: Honey, apple, pear, toffee, malt, melons, touch of spice. Very nice and sweet nose.
Palate: Apples, honey, malt, pepper, cinnamon, oranges, vegetal note, mineral water, touch of smoke. Not sure where the smoke came from, fairly sure this is unpeated.
Finish: Short finish, mineral, oak spice, pepper, touch of bitterness.
Score: 77/100
Started off with a somewhat promising sweet nose of a typical speyside, the palate and finish was a letdown.
SMWS 76.94 – Totally Flavoursome
Mortlach 26 Year Old 1986
Region: Speyside
ABV:59.4%
E150: No
Chill-filtered: No
Cask Type: Refill ex-Bourbon Hogshead
Container: Glencairn Neat
Colour: Gold
Nose: Lots of oak up front, vanilla, floral perfume, honey, acetone, tobacco, orange lollipop, malt, faint hint of leather note.
Palate: Oranges followed by huge wave of malt, ginger, pepper, oak, citrus, dough, more orange notes, light fruits, peach, hint of coffee.
Finish: Lingering spicy finish, ginger, pepper, chili pepper, oak.
Score: 90/100
While the Rare Old is no good, the SMWS 76.94 is completely different beast. Loaded with spices, lots of oak influence, and quite a lot of malt on the palate. Bold flavours throughout, very complex on the plate, and a pleasant spicy finish.