Mortlach 14 years old (D.2008, B.2023) Signatory Vintage /46%/ – Mortlach, founded 1824, was the first out of seven distilleries established in Dufftown. The distillery had pretty rough start, it is now hard to believe but in 1831 it was sold for £270.00. The future certainly looked brighter after Johnnie Walker & Sons acquired the distillery in 1923 and Mortlach became one of the main components of the Johnnie Walker brand, especially Black Label expression. Throughout the 20th Century Mortlach enjoyed its “hidden gem” status and until the launch of 16 years old expression as part of Flora & Fauna series the whisky was known only to a narrow group of whisky enthusiasts. Here is Mortlach distilled in February 2008 and aged in hogsheads (nos. 302198 + 302199 + 302210 + 302218) for 14 years, then bottled at 46% abv by Signatory Vintage as part of The Un-chillfiltered Collection in January 2023.
Nose: vanilla, sponge cake, apples, pears, lemon curd, roasted peanuts, cinnamon, licorice, hints of sunflower oil, beeswax and oak.
Palate: apples, cherries, greengages, vanilla, toffee, cappuccino, sweet pastries, lemon grass, dash of white pepper, and oak tannins.
Finish: medium long, with notes of summer fruits, toffee, lemon peel, cinnamon, white pepper, and oak.
