Scotland, Speyside: Single malt whisky through the producing distilleries: history, making, production and tasting notes
Texte Français

Mortlach

Description of the whisky

The distillery

Mortlach distillery
Mortlach Distillery
Dufftown
Banffshire
AB55 4AQ
+44 1340 820 318
Owner: United Distillers & Vintners (Diageo)
Creation date1823

photos

Amongst the nine distilleries around Dufftown, Mortlach is the oldest one. The second is Glenfiddich, founded by William Grant who was production manager at Mortlach.
The distillery has been created by James Findlater and two of his friends, Donald McIntosh and Alexander Gordon on a ground hired from the earl of Mactuff. The creation date is not known for sure, but the licence has been officially delivered in 1823.
The distillery has been taken over by John Gordon who marketed its whisky under the name "The real John Gordon".
John Gordon has also the idea to put 20 cows on the surrounding grounds, in order to clear its stock of distillery waist.
In 1853, John Gordon took George Cowie as a partner. Cowie became the only owner when John died in 1867.
George Cowie held also some sheep in a farm in the surroundings. This was not unusual as this was the way the distillery owners could have some incomes during the summer, where the distilleries do not work full time, because of a lack of water.
His son, Alexander Mitchell Cowie built a railway from the distillery to the Dufftown station.
Alexander's only son died during the war in 1917 and the distillery has been sold to John Walker & co. Walker joined DCL which become soon SMD before being integrated within UDV.
A new distillery has been build in 1964, but the old stills were used.
The malting floors were suppressed in 1968, and since the late 1990's, the process is computer aided.

The whisky

A propos des notes de dégustation Your own tasting notes

List of the bottles

Description of the distillery

Mortlach: independant bottlings

Mortlach

Dun Bheagan 13 years
Collection
 Dun Bheagan
Age
 13 years
Alcohol percentage
 43,0 %
Bottler
 Ian McLeod
=25 euros=25 euros
links & average quote
 Forum 77/100
This whisky is dominated by the malt at the very first nosing. The taste is rather pleasant, and the palate detects some pepper or spices over the malt. The finish is not really special. This cannot be the best product of this renown distillery...
65/100
A second tasting in the usual conditions (this was not the case for the first one) gave quite different results. First, a very pleasant nose, slightly smoke, with spicy and peppery hints, followed by a taste confirming the good impression. The finish could be longer.
79/100
At the third tasting, the nose was clearly marked by a slightly acid citrus fruit freshness, mixed to a light smell of ripe fruits, peaches. In the palate, the malt is first peppery and develops quickly on citrus and ripe fruits (in fact the same impressions than for the nose), on a smoky background. A pleasant finish, with malted and slightly acid touches. It is really funny to see the differences between those 3 notes...
79/100
The nose is quite clear, fresh with some hay and fruity notes, and a very light medicinal hint. THe palate is fresh, just as the nose was, without excessive complexity, with both slightly acid notes and a rather pleasant smooth bitterness. A very nice finish, lingering and warm, with nice hints of malt and hazelnut, some touches of citrus fruit and plum, with a kind of discrete bitter tingling.
84/100
Back to summary table

Mortlach

Un chillfiltered collection 1989
Collection
 Un-chillfiltered collection
Age
 14 years
Alcohol percentage
 46,0 %
Bottler
 Signatory
Cask
 Sherry
Cask number
single cask 2832
Dates
 Distil: 30/05/1989 Bottling: 8/03/2004
Bottle
 277 of 772 btls
Particularity
 Non chillfiltered
=25 euros=25 euros
links & average quote
 84/100
Mortlach 1989

Colour: deep yellow straw.
Nose: interesting herbal notes (green malt) and floral ones (heady flowers) with as usual with Mortlach slight hints of smoke.
The palate is very different, marked by pecan nut, toffee and vanilla. It goes smoothly on on malted barley. The finish reveals almond, nuts and chocolate notes. The whole is balanced and original.
(la Maison du Whisky)

The nose is all together fresh and slightly spicy and reveals a hint of cut grass, enhanced on the background by some flower smells. The nose is very complex and dominated by a kind of sweetness. The palate is slightly marked by citrus fruit with a touch of bitterness and a hint of smoke. The finish is long and very pleasant, going through several after tastes, from nut to malt and finishing on something between acid and bitter.
84/100
The nose, clearly marked by flower frangrances and cut grass freshness, is slightly spiced with some discrete smoke on the background. In the mouth, some bitterness, wallnut taste, is first present, and it developes on pleasant and complex notes somewhere between malt and sweet citrus fruits, with still this discrete presence of smoke. A nice finish, slightly bitter and rather long.
84/100
Back to summary table

Mortlach

Old Malt Cask, 1990
Collection
 Old malt cask
Age
 13 years
Alcohol percentage
 50,0 %
Bottler
 Douglas Laing
Cask
 Sherry
Cask number
single cask DL 4414
Dates
 Distil: 1/06/1990 Bottling: 1/01/2004
Bottle
 384 btls
Particularity
 Non chillfiltered
=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros
links & average quote
 87/100
The nose is marked by malt and a smell of meat juice seems to be rather present on a clearly spicy (pepper) background. The whole has a very nice complexity. The mouth is remarkably complex too, spicy, going from the cereal to the wood with still this spicy touch and this meaty remembrance on the background. The slightly woody, chocolate-flavoured taste is quite pleasant. A remarkable finish, still enhanced by the pepper, the wood memory and a very nice impression of... happiness!
88/100
Quite a farmy nose, with clear wet hay and mouldy wood smells, a touch of peat and meaty hints with some spices. Nice complexity, even if the smell palette is rather limited. Very nice attack in the palate, first slightly bitter, with a touch of smoke, developing quickly on smoother malt and coffee with milk flavours. Clear meaty hints. The nice finish is lingering and warm, slightly marked by the bitter touches of the palate, mixed to chocolate hints. Excellent bottle.
88/100
The nose is pleasantly marked by spices, pepper, sherry and a a nice nutty impression. Quite a complex nose anyway.
In the palate, the first impression is dryness which is more typical for older whiskies having stayed for many years in a sherry butt. However it develops quickly on more smoothness while keeping this nice bitter character. Very interesting mouth, even if the nose mad me expect some more of it.
The finish is lingering and recalls the taste of plum brandy with some chocolate notes and after a while, only nutty bitterness is kept in the palate.
An excellent bottle anyway
84/100
Back to summary table

Mortlach

Old Malt Cask 12 years
Collection
 Old malt cask
Age
 12 years
Alcohol percentage
 50 %
Bottler
 Douglas Laing
Cask
 refill sherry butt
Cask number
single cask 5559
Dates
 Distil: 09-1997 Bottling: 11-2009
Bottle
 365 btls
=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros
links & average quote
 82/100
Mortlach Old malt cask 12

Color: Gold
A rather complex nose with slight aromas of hay, a hint of cut grass and hints of yeast in addition to all, unfortunately. A slight smell of meat juices also appear to emerge. The nose is pleasant but not very engaging for the rest.
On the palate, a relatively complex whisky, nice, without however a lot of frills. A nice malt presence, acid notes alternating with a malty sweetness.
The finish is no surprise. Pleasant as was the entire tasting, but nothing spectacular.
Another good whisky.
82/100
Back to summary table

Mortlach

Provenance: 11 years, Autumn distillation
Collection
 Provenance
Age
 11 years
Alcohol percentage
 46 %
Bottler
 Douglas Laing
=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros
links & average quote
 85/100
Mortlach Provenance

Colour: Old gold
The nose is delicious with warm vanilla, ripe fruits and spices. A beautiful contrast between the sweetness of the pear and of fine pepper notes . Well balanced and very smooth.
In the mouth the same impression of balance and smooth, but less complexity than announced in the nose. Notes of caramel and cooked fruit give a nice roundness to this pleasant palate.
The final plays in the same register as the mouth. Long and warm, it perpetuates the pleasure of the sweet memory of fruit compote.
85/100
Back to summary table

Mortlach

Vintage 1969
Age
 22 years
Alcohol percentage
 43,0 %
Bottler
 The Vintage Malt Whisky company
Cask
 Sherry
=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros
links & average quote
 79/100
Mortlach 1969-1992
The nose is rather fresh, marked by nice light citrus hints, with a discrete smell of orange and some meaty notes.
The mouth is even less spectacular, although quite pleasant. A light violet fragrance, (or is it eau-de cologne?) behind malty notes and some unpleasant toilet perfume.
The finish is relatively short and warm. I was not convinced by this old bottling. Problem of conservation?
79/100
Back to summary table

Mortlach

Adelphi, 16 years old
Age
 16 years
Alcohol percentage
 57,5 %
Bottler
 Adelphi
Cask number
single cask 5847
Bottle
 492 btls
=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros
links & average quote
 84/100
Mortlach 16 Adelphi
The nose is both smooth and discrete. Sweet malty hints and touches of ripe fruit mix with a touch of marshmallow. Smoothness and character to come...
The mouth is clearly less discrete than the nose was. From the very first contact, very nice malt and ripe fruit notes and hints of milk chocolate appear. A nice richness and a very great pleasure.
The finish is exceptional too, smooth and very long. Nice sherry notes contribute to the prolonging of the pleasure. Character and balance. An excellent bottle.
88/100
Back to summary table

Mortlach

1993
Age
 14 years
Alcohol percentage
 46,0 %
Bottler
 Murray McDavid
Cask
 Bourbon/Port
Dates
 Distil: 1993
Bottle
 3750 btls
=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros
links & average quote
 70/100
Mortlach 14 Murray McDavid
The nose is very close to candy-floss or other children sweet. Anyway quite a perfumed whisky announcing a possible deception for whisky lovers...
And the palate just confirms that. First sickly sugared and then a rather tasteless acidity remaining acid drop rather than the traditional citrus one.
To be complete, the finish prolongs the nose and mouth deception. Something both sweet and sour. For palates used to drink whisky, this is the perfect illustration of what should be avoided. But no doubt other should like it.
70/100
Back to summary table

Mortlach

Cask Collection 13 years
Collection
 Cask Collection
Age
 13 years
Alcohol percentage
 58,8 %
Bottler
 Dewar Rattray
Cask
 Bourbon
Cask number
single cask 2793
Dates
 Distil: 7-4-1994 Bottling: 12-9-2007
Bottle
 283 btls
=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros
links & average quote
 84/100
Mortlach 13 Dewar Rattray
Quite a subtle nose, even though rather marked by alcohol, offering nice citrus fragrances, giving this nose an impression of freshness. The light tingling due to alcohol tempers the enthusiasm. Nice complexity, mix of green apples and ripe pears. Some menthol smells.
In the palate, no alcohol hinder anymore. Great complexity, mix of citrus freshness (somewhere between tangerine and lemon). Very amazing impression.
The finish is still in the freshness register. Lingering and pleasant.
An excellent whisky.
84/100
Colour: gold
A rich fruity nose with some tingling due to alcohol which fortunately disappear quite soon. Some heather notes too. Quite a coloured nose.
The first impression in the palate is quite aggressive, alcohol presence being really obvious. Citrus freshness, at first quite violent, leaving not much room for other fragrances which are however obviously present. Fruit, green apple but some smoother notes to, yellow fruit, the whole in a nice balance, after the first alcohol surprised gone.
Lingering finish in the same freshness register of mouth and nose.
The previous notes have been written almost 2 years ago and it is amazing what time can do. The alcoholic feeling in the mouth was more than obvious this time and clearly absent at previous tasting... Apart of this, the general impressions are quite close.
84/100
Back to summary table

Mortlach

Auld Distillers Collection, 11 years
Collection
 Auld Distillers collection
Age
 11 years
Alcohol percentage
 54,2 %
Bottler
 Jack Wieber
Bottle
 120 btls
Particularity
 Non chillfiltered cask strength
=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros
links & average quote
 84/100
Mortlach 11 Jack Wieber
The first nose is quite floral with honey notes which are quickly followed by citrus fruit ones. Freshness and smoothness. Nice fruity hints as well. Smells like a marriage between a melon and an orange, where the acidity of the orange remains very discrete...
In the palate, a nice balance and quite a pleasant fruity smoothness. Nice done!
The finish is long and paradoxicaly a bit more acid than the mouth was. Alcohol is rather present also, even if the relatively high percentage was hardly noticeable till now.
84/100
Back to summary table

Mortlach

Mortlach.de, 2d edition
Age
 18 years
Alcohol percentage
 56,9 %
Bottler
 Official
Cask number
single cask 4228
Dates
 Distil: 13-05-1991 Bottling: 09-09-2009
Particularity
 Non chillfiltered cask strength
=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros
links & average quote
 89/100
Mortlach for Mortlach.de

Colour: Dark Mahogany
As the color announced,what we have here is a whisky strongly marked by sherry. Plum jam and hints of milk chocolate are at the rendezvous. This nicely balanced nose is rich enough, but not complex. The sherry really dominates.
The mouth is slightly more complex than the nose. Still strongly marked by sherry, it has pretty nuances despite an alcohol level causing some tingling. A slow evolution into a mild fruity acidity then back to chocolate. The mouth is very pleasant.
The finish is long as desired. It is warm and always in the register of sherry. It does not deny in any way the nose or mouth.
89/100
Back to summary table

Mortlach

Scott's Selection 1990
Collection
 Natural Cask Strength
Age
 17 years
Alcohol percentage
 56 %
Bottler
 Scott's Selection
Dates
 Distil: 1990 Bottling: 2007
Particularity
 Non chillfiltered cask strength
=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros
links & average quote
 0/100
Mortlach Scott's 1990
Back to summary table
Mortlach: samples

Mortlach

The Cross Hill 1988
Collection
 The Cross Hill
Age
 18 years
Alcohol percentage
 59,2 %
Bottler
 Jack Wieber
Dates
 Distil: 1988 Bottling: 2006
Bottle
 0 of 300 btls
Particularity
 Non chillfiltered cask strength
=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros
links & average quote
 88/100
Mortlach Jack Wieber 1988
A nice typical nose for a Mortlach, with its ceral notes and it's meaty character. Smoke and some hints of exotic fruit and spices. Lots of character. In the palate, a real explosion of tastes going from green apple to walnuts through all kinds of very nice sensations. A real firework. Very nice complexity. The finish is wonderfully smooth, and the memory of hazelnut, together with a very pleasant bitterness remain for a while. Really an excellent whisky.
88/100
Back to summary table

Mortlach

Prenzlow Portfolio Collection 1974
Collection
 Prenzlow Portfolio Collection
Age
 No age statement
Alcohol percentage
 54,1 %
Bottler
 Jack Wieber
Particularity
 Non chillfiltered cask strength
=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros
links & average quote
 84/100
Mortlach 1974 Jack Wieber
A fruity nose with discrete meaty notes. Rather spicy, it develops slowly on marine, salty notes with a hint of smoke In the palate, the taste develops quickly from cereal notes to fruity hints, with a kind of nutty bitterness, and some tingling due to the percentage of alcohol all the time the whisky stays in the mouth. The finish is rather long, with clearly marked cereal notes and this bitter hints which remains for long minutes..
84/100
Back to summary table

Mortlach

Dun Eideann 1996 (Hine)
Age
 10 years
Alcohol percentage
 42,0 %
Bottler
 Dun Eideann
Cask
 Cognac
Bottle
 0 of 0 btls
=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros
links & average quote
 79/100
Quite a nice nose with its hints of flowers and hay behind this little veil of smoke.
The mouth is both sweet and bitter. Not really complex although rather varied, dominated by a taste close to chocolate with light acid touches. Interesting and unusual.
The finish is rather long and keeps the memory of this little chocolate taste.
79/100
Back to summary table

Mortlach

Whisky Galore 16 years, Cask Strength
Collection
 Whisky Galore
Age
 16 years
Alcohol percentage
 57,9 %
Bottler
 Duncan Taylor
Particularity
 Non chillfiltered cask strength
=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros
links & average quote
 0/100
Mortlach 16 whisky galore
Back to summary table

Mortlach

Berry's own Selection 1991
Collection
 Berry's Own Selection
Age
 17 years
Alcohol percentage
 56,4 %
Bottler
 Berry Bros and Rudd
Particularity
 Non chillfiltered cask strength
=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros
links & average quote
 84/100
Mortlach BBR 1991
A very nice nose mixing chocolate and sherry with fine spicy notes. Very pleasant.
The palate is smooth and marked by sherry. Chocolate notes are present too. The whole is relatively complex but you could expect some more. May be some more cask years to dim this touch of metallic bitterness. But the mouth remains excellent.
The finish is lingering and without any surprise, as it follows exactly the mouth impressions.
84/100
Back to summary table

Mortlach

The ultimate single malt collection 1990
Collection
 The Ultimate Single Malt selection
Age
 18 years
Alcohol percentage
 46 %
Bottler
 The Ultimate Whisky Company
=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros
links & average quote
 79/100
Quite an aggressive first nose with an obvious presence of alcohol. But soon nice fruity notes appear, green apple freshness but relatively little complexity.
The first mouth is both bitter and acid. This nice freshness develops quickly on something more elaborated and better balanced. The whole is quite nice, even if here too there is no complexity.
The finish is short and hints of hazelnut and coffee seem to be the dominant notes.
This whisky presents an excellent quality-price ratio.
79/100
Back to summary table

Mortlach

Best Casks of Scotland 1999
Collection
 Best casks of Scotland
Age
 10 years
Alcohol percentage
 43,0 %
Bottler
 Jean Boyer
Cask
 sherry cask
=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros
links & average quote
 0/100
Back to summary table

Mortlach

Best Casks of Scotland 1997
Collection
 Best casks of Scotland
Age
 13 years
Alcohol percentage
 43 %
Bottler
 Jean Boyer
Dates
 Distil: 1997 Bottling: 2010
=25 euros=25 euros
links & average quote
 85/100
Back to summary table

Mortlach

Best Casks of Scotland 2000-2008
Collection
 Best casks of Scotland
Age
 8 years
Alcohol percentage
 43 %
Bottler
 Jean Boyer
=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros
links & average quote
 85/100
Back to summary table
Mortlach: not in collection

Mortlach

21 years old
Age
 21 years
Alcohol percentage
 43 %
Bottler
 Gordon & MacPhail
links & average quote
 86/100

Comment by
Henrik Johansson

Date of tasting: 27/3 2009 (SWS tasting)
Apperance: Pale straw or very pale gold perhaps
Nose: Relatively full and well balanced. A lightly roasted maltiness. Complex but difficult to find, remains relatively closed. A pequliar hint of fabrics, like textile craft, sewing machines and ironed fabrics. Also a slight hospital hint.
Palate: Full and round. A little too diluted, would probably have been a heck of a lot better cask strength, still very nice though. Fresh fruits in the finish, but again too weak.

 86/100

Back to summary table

Mortlach

15 years
Age
 15 years
Alcohol percentage
 40 %
Bottler
 Gordon & MacPhail
links & average quote
 76/100
Mortlach 15
Back to summary table

Mortlach

1968-2006
Age
 37 years
Alcohol percentage
 45 %
Bottler
 Gordon & MacPhail
Cask
 Sherry
links & average quote
 93/100
Mortlach Gordon & Macphail 37
Back to summary table

Mortlach

76.47 Pears and pepper, chocolate and chilli
Age
 9 years
Alcohol percentage
 60,4 %
Bottler
 SMWS
Dates
 Distil: 1996 Bottling: 2006
Particularity
 Non chillfiltered cask strength
links & average quote
 89/100
Back to summary table

Mortlach

Un chillfiltered Collection 1991
Collection
 Un-chillfiltered Collection
Age
 13 years
Alcohol percentage
 46 %
Bottler
 Signatory
Particularity
 Non chillfiltered
links & average quote
 77/100
Back to summary table

Mortlach

The ultimate single malt collection 1990
Collection
 The Ultimate Single Malt selection
Age
 20 years
Alcohol percentage
 46 %
Bottler
 The Ultimate Whisky Company
Cask
 Hogshead
Cask number
single cask 6078
Dates
 Distil: 17-9-1990 Bottling: 12-5-2011
=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros
links & average quote
 78/100
Mortlach 1990 Ultimate
Back to summary table

Mortlach

30 years
Age
 30 years
Alcohol percentage
 46 %
Bottler
 Gordon & MacPhail
=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros
links & average quote
 89/100
Mortlach 30 GM
Back to summary table

Mortlach

32 yo
Age
 32 years
Alcohol percentage
 50,1 %
Bottler
 Official
Dates
 Distil: 1971 Bottling: 2004
links & average quote
 92/100
Back to summary table

Mortlach

Samaroli 22 years
Age
 22 years
Alcohol percentage
 45,7% %
Bottler
 Samaroli
Dates
 Distil: 05/1957 Bottling: 10/1979
Bottle
 10 of 360 btls
=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros
links & average quote
 91/100
Back to summary table

Speyside

Speyside Map

The Speyside area is situated at the North of the Cairngorm mountain and goes to the Moray firth. It is delimited by two rivers: the Findhorn at the West side and the Deveron on the East side.
The area is named after the river Spey. Most of the distilleries take their water in one of its affluents; the Fiddich, the Livet or the Avon.
About sixty distilleries from Speyside are described on this site.

<< previous distillery << >> next distillery >>

Click on the map for a list of the distilleries of the area, on the title for further information
about the Speyside area, and if you want to make an "alphabetical journey" through the area, please
click on one of the pagode roofs, according to the direction you want to follow