Mortlach Whisky – The Ideal Tipple

When people think Scotland, they think whisky, and rightfully so. Scotland has a rich and storied history of distilling this delicious spirit, and to this day, still produces arguably the finest whisky on the planet.

While you are spoilt for choice when deciding on a Scotch, if you are in the mood for a wee dram, Mortlach whisky is most certainly highly recommended.

Situated in Dufftown, Moray, Scotland, the Mortlach Distillery was founded way back in 1823, on the site of an old, illicit distillery in the wake of the Excise Act. Mortlach is a historical distillery as it was Dufftown’s very first legal distillery.

Currently owned by Diageo, this distillery has the capacity to produce as much as 3,700,000 litres.

There are of course, plenty of fantastic Mortlach whiskies to choose from, yet it is their 12, 15, and 16-year-old range that we’re going to be exploring today. So, sit back, pour yourself a wee dram, and get ready to find out more about Mortlach.

Mortlach 12-Year-Old ‘Wee Witchie’

This is Mortlach’s entry level single malt Scotch whisky, but don’t let that fool you, it is every bit as complex as many other brand’s premium whiskies, at a fraction of the price.

This single malt Scotch is a very respectable 43.3% ABV, and combines both aged sherry, and aged bourbon matured whisky. Known as the ‘Wee Witchie’ after their smallest still, this is a Scotch that has everything one could want from a Scotch.

With a gorgeous full amber colour, on the nose you immediately get oak and sandalwood, which slowly give way to nutty fruitcake notes with ginger and burnt marmalade.

On the palate, you are rewarded with brown sugar and bocheted honey with notes of toffee, finished off with warm winter spices and notes of mulled apple.

Mortlach 15-Year-Old ‘Six Kingdoms’

Fans of Game of Thrones simply must check out the Mortlach Six Kingdoms 15-Year-Old whisky.

Aged for 15 years, this whisky features a Game of Thrones theme, complete with a ‘Three-Eyed Raven’ on the label. Now, assuming you can forgive the final season and that shall we say, controversial, finale, Game of Thrones is the finest fantasy epic since Lord of the Rings.

The Mortlach distillery is situated on the site of a historic battle so the theming really is spot on here.

This burnt toffee coloured single malt Scotch is 46% ABV and has been matured in a combination of first-fill bourbon and oloroso sherry casks.

On the nose, you get notes of mulled wine with spiced apple, giving way to toffee apple and oak.

On the palate, you’re rewarded with rich vanilla, fruit cake, dates, and candied apple with whispers of oak. The oak continues into the finish, along with spiced pear and dark chocolate.

Forget Dornish wine, this is the finest tipple in all of Westeros.

Mortlach 16-Year-Old ‘Distiller’s Dram’

Distiller’s Dram is Mortlach’s 16-Year-Old single malt Scotch, and it really is something special.

This golden amber coloured Scotch is aged in sherry casks to give a smooth, yet sweet taste.

At 43% ABV, it isn’t as harsh as some of the other Scotch single malts out there, but the ‘burn’ is most certainly still there.

On the nose, you get orange peel and ginger, with notes of spiced apple and roasted chestnut.

On the palate, drinkers are rewarded with sticky dates and prunes, mature oak, and nuts, giving way to a smooth and complex finish with notes of walnut, light earth, and ginger.

Tags: Mortlach 12Mortlach 15Mortlach WhiskyThe Ideal Tipple

Greg

My name is Greg, and I’m a brand strategy consultant, writer, speaker, host and judge specialising in premium spirits. My mission is to experience, share and inspire with everything great about whisky, whiskey, gin, beer and fine dining through my writing, my brand building and my whisky tastings.