Whiskeytemple_Vladimir 
Mortlach Rare old single malt whisky
Is it possible a distillery to costs 270£? It is, if we talk about Mortlach, sold in 1831 by its outgoing owners to John Robertson, who undoubtedly has made the deal of a lifetime. What else interesting can be said about Mortlach? One of the first legal distilleries in Dufftown /Speyside/. The first decades of its existence have been marked by frequent changes in management, at one of which Mortlach was purchased by John and James Grant, the owners of Glen Grant, which dismantled part of the equipment.
Instead of whisky, the distillery produced beer, until the early 50s of the 19th century when the whisky flows again in its „veins“. In the late 19th century, among the employees was also and William Grant, who after years of experience founded the well-known Grant’s, Glenfiddich and Balvenie. After the first difficult years, the end of the 19th century brought stability and success. Later, the distillery was acquired by John Walker & Sons and became part of the future group Diageo. At present we can see whisky of the brand except as a self-titled malt and among the components of Johnnie Walker. At the bygone Whiskey Fest I saw the new designer bottle of Mortlach and I decided to pour myself a sample of Mortlach Rare old single malt whisky, whose premiere for Bulgaria was exactly then, so I can present it briefly to you.
Aroma – liqueur and honey appeared immediately in my mind. Then I caught faint peat /as far as I know, it is no longer used by the distillery, but maybe part of the malt distillate is older, resp. dried with peat/. Bourbon notes, strong sweetness, spiciness, apricots and plums, caramel. Woody note. With water, the scent became more fruity and vanilla, as I caught and creme caramel. A few minutes after the addition of water and the interaction of the liquid with the ambient air, the fragrance became more caramel. I caught grapes and dried plums. Remembrances of sherry also appeared. The taste is a little peppery, slightly dry with pronounced bourbon presence, as well as slightly peaty. With water became sweeter and a little spicier. The finish was relatively short. Honey, fruity /rather dried fruits/, butter cake, raisins, sweetness. With water, the aftertaste becomes more fruity, hints of caramelized sugar.
Assessment: 85,5/100. Price: between 80-90 lv. for a bottle 500ml.
A palatable whisky, combining bourbon and sherry borrowings, which is not bad at all. However, I couldn’t find for myself anything, that to distinguish it and rank it on a more prominent place in my personal ranking.
