Mortlach 2005 Decadent Drams 20 yo

 

 

 

50,1°

Distillery : Mortlach - Speyside

1st Fill Bourbon Barrel

Independent Bottling 

By Decadent Drinks 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2026

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

The company, founded in 2020 by Angus MacRaild and Iain MacClune, released another Mortlach last year, distilled in the same year. This one is therefore the sister cask, but slightly older. What makes them special is that they have been matured in first-fill bourbon casks, which is quite rare for this distillery. This cask yielded just 179 bottles. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

The nose is immediately fruity and juicy, with very ripe yellow plums, honey in abundance, and pronounced waxy notes. Soft brioche, banana, pineapple, royal jelly, caramelised onions, sugared porridge, vanilla cream. On the palate, it is quite smooth but very oily, citrusy, lemons of various colours, kumquat, peanut butter, butter biscuits, rather rare spices. A lovely finish, which lifts slightly but remains fruity, this time more candied, mirabelle plums, apricots, quinces, shortbread biscuits, discreet cereals. 

 

In Short, 

An astonishing whisky, which bears no resemblance whatsoever to the distillery’s usual style. It’s not just the influence of the Bourbon, I’ve already drunk Mortlach whiskies matured in Bourbon casks and they weren’t like this. Mortlach is robust and deep, here it’s smooth and mellow, it’s more like a Benrinnes or a Blair Athol. But there’s also plenty of fruit, it’s very pleasant to drink, although it doesn’t leave a lasting impression. The price is a bit high, perhaps even too high in my opinion, but enthusiasts and the curious with deep pockets might be tempted to give it a go. 

Score : 89 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                            To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                            Son Lux - Flickers

Mortlach 2005 10th Anniversary Bar Oaks Dram Edition #01 9 yo

 

 

 

58,4°

Distillery : Mortlach - Speyside

Hogshead

Independent Bottling 

By La Maison du Whisky

Limited Edition

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2015 

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

The Artist range was launched in 2012 by La Maison du Whisky, so in 2015 we were at the very start of this adventure, and what was released at that time is now considered a rarity. Here we have this Mortlach, bottled in 2015 to mark the 10th anniversary of Bar Oaks Dram, an establishment in Osaka run by Yoshihiko Ito. The cask used is a standard Hogshead, but it is unclear where some of the staves came from, or whether any sherry was involved. Given the very pale colour of the whisky, this is unlikely. 309 bottles were released at the time, and it is very difficult to get hold of one today. Nowhere is it stated that it is unchillfiltered, but I trust La Maison du Whisky on this point. The cask comes from the warehouses of Signatory Vintage, which does not usually chill-filter its whiskies. The label is the work of the artist Yuuka Yamada. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Quite powerful mineral notes, stones from the bottom of a well, semi-salted butter that’s half-melted, limestone and quartz. Alongside these, delicate floral hints and juicy fruits, mirabelle plums, Conference pears, white peaches, it’s rather luscious, reminiscent of brandy. A trace of charcoal, steamed rice, aged pine honey. Noble wood with a layer of varnish. On the palate, the same fruits, with a more direct attack, and slightly candied citrus. It is oily and waxy, warm wax, green tea, lively spices. An explosive finish, very long and varied, it goes off in all directions, green fruits, damp wood, loose earth, hazelnuts and dark chocolate, apple crumble and cinnamon. 

 

In Short, 

I’m not sure I’ve done it full justice, but one thing’s for certain: it’s very original. It’s a non-Sherry-cask Mortlach, which is rare enough to be worth noting, and it’s surprising to find such strong mineral notes and a hint of damp, stony earth. In any case, it’s very complex and absolutely delicious. The price is still high, but in any case, you have to find it first, that’s what requires the most effort. 

Score : 90  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                             To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                            VioletteScape - Déliquescence

Mortlach 1989 Artist #15 The Dark Side of the Moon Over 35 yo

 

 

 

44,2°

Distillery : Mortlach - Speyside

2d Fill Sherry Butt 

Independent Bottling 

By La Maison du Whisky

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated 

 

 

 

This is the oldest Sherry bottling in the 15th release of the Artist range. The cask is a 2nd Fill Sherry, which gives us hope that it will not be particularly overpowering and that it will offer a fair marriage with the distillate. 250 bottles are being released, primarily for the French market. The label features the artwork Untitled by Stenjwa Luthuli. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

On the nose, chocolate fondant, crushed fruits, blueberries, cherries, raspberries. Warm wax, blood orange, toasted nuts, pine needles, creamy vanilla, slivered almonds, salted butter caramel, soft toffee, pears in syrup. On the palate, blackberries, white peaches, liquid honey, candied fruit, dark chocolate and even coffee, a wide variety of spices, cinnamon, saffron, white pepper. The finish is wonderful, Corinth raisins, shortcrust pastry, woody wax, candied ginger, grilled bacon, a touch of dust a bit dirty, a few grains of cereal, cola, cocoa bean. 

 

In Short, 

This is an exceptional whisky, where the patina of time reveals an extraordinary variety of flavours, which nevertheless blend together in a balanced and subtle whole. It comes close to the best that sherry can offer in the world of whisky: a robust but refined product, softened by a whole host of delicious notes, including chocolate, pastry, fruit, wood, and even forest and meat. I would remind you that Mortlach uses 2.81 distillations, which increases the finesse and smoothness of the liquid. In other words, it is a masterpiece, at an extremely high price, but that doesn't even shock me. 

Score : 91

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Soft Machine - Backwards

Mortlach 2013 100 Proof Edition #34 11 yo

 

 

 

57,1° (100° Proof)

Distillery : Mortlach - Speyside

1st and 2d Fill Oloroso Sherry Butts 

Independent Bottling 

By Signatory Vintage 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2024

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Totally Unpeated 

 

 

 

This is the 34th bottling in the 100 Proof range launched early last year, and the first Mortlach. It is 11 years old and aged in 1st Fill and 2d Fill Sherry Butts. Mortlach works very well with Sherry, so we'll see what happens this time.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Warmer sherry, sandalwood, various red fruits, prickly pears, blood oranges, plantains. Juicy pears, with a mint leaf. Dates, quince jam. Vinegary condiments and a touch of malt. It's a little shy on the palate, with just a few yellow fruits, apricots and lemon, jam and coppery wood. Rape honey and all sorts of spices, ginger, cinnamon, cloves. Powerful, very woody finish, burnt caramel, pistachio. Nutmeg, salted butter caramel. Mille-feuilles, pastry cream and icing sugar.

 

In Short, 

The nose is not bad, with a variety of fruits and beautiful nuances. The finish is powerful and will not leave you indifferent. On the palate, on the other hand, I found it decent but unremarkable. It's not a great Mortlach, lacking in character and rather inconsistent. But it's still pleasant to drink, sometimes nuanced and powerful. The price is derisory, so there's not much risk in buying a bottle.

Score : 87

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Velvet Rush - Aurora

Mortlach 2007 Equinox & Solstice Summer Edition 16 yo

 

 

 

48,5°

Distillery : Mortlach - Speyside

American Oak Refill Bourbon Hogshead

Independent Bottling 

By Decadent Drinks 

Limited Edition  

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2024

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured 

Totally Unpeated

With Equinox & Solstice, launched in 2021, we have a whisky for every season. Every three months, a new bottling is supposed to illustrate the new weather. It's aged from 7 to 16 years at the moment, and it's always reduced to 48.5°. This one is a Single Cask, but apparently that's not always the case. We don't know how many bottles have been released.

Let's Taste It : 

Perfectly balanced nose, between beeswax and Aosta ham, with some buttery and oily notes, meat juice, firm cereals, greasy vanilla, semi-cooked white fruit. Liquid honey and starch. On the palate, it's fruitier, with juicy green apples and yellow plums that are a little too ripe. Crisp biscuits with vergeoise, peanut butter and light spices. Diluted lemon, pineapple zest. Quite a long finish, not hugely powerful but very pleasant, light pepper and coconut, grains of rice and white radish, green vegetables.

In Short, 

A Mortlach in a Bourbon cask is quite rare, and for that reason alone it's worth tasting. It's well-made, with fruit and character, but it's still Speyside. A real curiosity for fans of the distillery. What's more, the price seems very reasonable. Well, it depends on the shop, but on the whole, there are reasons to splurge.

Score : 88

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                          CUReBAN - Borderline

Mortlach 20 yo Cowie's Blue Seal

 

 

 

43,4°

Distillery : Mortlach - Speyside

Ex-Sherry Casks

Original Bottling 

Core Range 

Single Malt 

Launched in 2018

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

Alexander Cowie is the one who took over the distillery in 1896. It was he who created The Way, the very atypical way of creating whisky at Mortlach. One part of the product is fermented for 50 hours, which is short, the other for 120 hours, which is very long. 80% of the juice is distilled three times, the rest is distilled only twice. These are the most striking elements devised by Alexander Cowie to give Mortlach its character. The distillery had to pay tribute to him by naming the most prestigious bottle in their Core Range after him. But why Blue Seal? Quite simply, in 1973, one of Cowie's heirs discovered a wooden box buried in the basement of the family home. Inside, she found 12 bottles of whisky with a blue seal. Apparently this was Alexander Cowie's personal reserve, and that's why the bottles of Mortlach are blue today. This 20yo is the only representative of the distillery's new range that I had not yet tasted. It's unfortunately chill-filtered, which is a shame for a product of this age.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

The nose is full-bodied, solid and complex, with ethereal lemon, creamy vanilla and pulpy mirabelle plums. Beeswax, but also blond tobacco, toasts rubbed with garlic, fir tree honey, crispy bacon, noble and varnished wood, apricot jam sprinkled with cinnamon. Walnuts and grapefruit. On the palate, it's lighter but with lively spices, dry ham and caramel, more jam, ham pie. Quite a long finish, not really powerful but with personality. Toasted cereals, cola, bark, wood resin, charcoal, heather.

 

In Short, 

This is Mortlach with all its character. Often, older versions are soft and not very expressive. This one is, with all the complexity and style of Mortlach, even more pronounced than in the 12-year-old, I think. A very good product, but the price is very exaggerated, which is a shame.

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Cock Robin - Worlds Apart

Mortlach 2012 Notable Age Statements 10 yo

 

 

 

58,5°

Distillery : Mortlach - Speyside

Refill Bourbon Hogshead and Fresh Sherrywood Finish

Independent Bottling 

By Decadent Drinks 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2022

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated 

 

 

 

Launched in the middle of the pandemic in 2020, the trading company Decadent Drinks, founded by Angus McRaild and Iain McClune, has not gone unnoticed. Its first range, The Whisky Sponge, is among those that fans snapped up with frenzy. The second, Equinox & Solstice, caused less interest, but the third, Notable Age Statements, left to make the worst skeptics drool. The baby we have here is the 4th release in the range, after a 30 year old Blend, a Ben Nevis and a 58 year old Armagnac (delicious, by the way). This is what Angus himself calls a "Sherry Bomb", and yet it spent the first 8 years of its maturation in Bourbon refill barrels. It was only for two years of finishing that it was plunged into a cask which seems to be Oloroso (but not sure). The result was released on the market with an undetermined number of bottles.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Cherry and gooseerries, cranberries perhaps, and a hint of blackcurrant. Leather, damp earth, nuts, it's intense, but also full-bodied, well wooded, a pinch of charcoal and varnish. Nice breadth, but it's not too intrusive. Some spices. On the palate, orange marmalade, raspberry coulis, walnuts and almonds. Bacon sizzles on the pan. Ginger and rubber, cardamom, nutmeg, paprika. Nice finish, coffee and tobacco, heather and ferns, cola, light maple syrup.

 

In Short, 

Yes, ok, it's pretty tough in Sherry, but I've seen worse. This one is neither sticky, nor acidic, nor even sulphurous. And so much the better. It is drunk quite calmly, and with a certain pleasure. I recommend the purchase for enthusiasts, knowing that the price in France is a bit discouraging.

Score : 88 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Mexfutura - Balas Negras

Mortlach 1988 Cadenhead's Sherry Cask 29 yo

 

 

 

55,1°

Distillery : Mortlach - Speyside

Sherry Cask 

Independent Bottling 

By William Cadenhead Limited

Limited Edition

Single Cask

Bottled in 2017

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

The Sherry Cask range is little known at William Cadenhead's. It only totals about fifteen bottlings to my knowledge within the wider one called Wood Range. Among these are several Mortlach, as this distillery, which tends to be underrated, takes along very well with Sherry. Here we have one of the oldest expressions of the range, released in 534 copies. Some auction site claims that it was bottled in early 2018, but this is not the case, its barcode, which begins with 17, proves it.

 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Very woody, robust sherry, tinder, Armenian paper, earthy depth, humus, vegetal fragrances. Polish, beeswax, leather and calf fat. With the addition of water, floral fragrances, heady and a bit rich, towards heather and pine needles. On the palate, honey and red fruits, maple syrup, cloves, hints of cumin, old plum, finally a creamy finish, quite powerful, blackberries and blueberries, rich and damp earth, candied ginger, it's very long, it envelops the palate, plane tree bark. Almond.

 

In Short, 

A perfect Sherry, if you ask me. It's all there, among the ingredients we love, red fruits, wax, oak, spices but not too strong. And of course some typical Mortlach elements which make its beauty and its specificity. All this to say that a purchase is recommended, provided you have the means of course. At auction you can get it at a price that doesn't hurt your rear end too much.

Score : 90

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           GoGo Penguin - Everything is Going to Be OK

Mortlach 2007 The Old Malt Cask 13 yo c. HL18667

 

 

 

50° 

Distillery : Mortlach - Speyside

Wine Cask

Independent Bottling

By Hunter Laing & Co. 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2021

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

The reputation of The Old Malt Cask range is well established. Nearly a thousand bottlings since 1998. It is an institution in the independent whisky world. Here we have a Mortlach aged for 13 years and 11 months in a wine cask, before being released in the form of 262 bottles. Like many editions in this range, the juice is reduced to 50°, which is a good balance.

 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Full-bodied and malty, with the sensation of a touch of iodine. Juicy pears and apples, white plums, apricot purée, sweet vanilla. Slightly vinous acidity, elegant woodiness. A hint of lemon, floral fragrances. Quite robust, but without excess. The alcohol is very well integrated, it's creamy. After a while, the wine becomes more intense, with heather, roots, rich, black earth. Sweet and suave on the palate, pears and honey, then some spices, paprika and cumin, black pepper, some cereals, barley, straw, tall grass. Slight woody bitterness at the end. Nice finish, quite intense, long, once again very ripe orchard fruits. Dried banana, malty undertones, oats. Cashew nuts.

 

In Short, 

You have to let it air out a bit, and it reveals all its secrets. It's very fruity, with a touch of iodine and cereals. On the other hand, a small flaw for me, the nose lacks power. It is nevertheless a very pleasant whisky, to drink in the spring, with a very good value for money. Don't hesitate in case you find it by chance.

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

                                           Ryuichi Sakamoto - Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence

Mortlach 16 yo Distiller's Dram

 

 

 

43,4°

Distillery : Mortlach - Speyside

1st and 2d Fill European Sherry Casks

Original Bottling 

Core Range 

Single Malt

Launched in 2018

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

This 16yo has nothing to do with the 16yo Flora & Fauna launched in 1992, which for a long time was the distillery's only single malt. Released three years after this first bottling was discontinued, it nevertheless pays tribute to it. Aged exclusively in Sherry casks like its predecessor, it has a higher alcohol content. The distillery distinguishes itself by using two and a half distillations, the last of which does not count in its entirety as only the heads and tails of the distillate are reused. This is one of the elements that give Mortlach its special character.

Let's Taste It : 

The nose is still very intense, with wood and smoked meat, but also softer and sweeter. More body and thickness too. Still good marmalade, this time quince marmalade. Thicker, more candied. Ripe greengages. The palate is both smooth and robust, very well done, red meat and blood oranges. Duck à l'orange, with a few spices, cloves, cumin, saffron. The finish is quite long, powerful just as it should be, woody, on figs. Loose earth, humus, small mossy plants.

In Short, 

You can't help but appreciate the work well done, the balance and the mastery of the different flavours. However, I prefer the 12 Year Old, where I find more character. Here, it is certainly more complex and deeper, but less assertive; the whisky is less itself in this bottling, in my humble opinion.

Score : 87

                                          To Be Listened While Sipping  :

  

                                          Beach House - Somewhere Tonight

Mortlach 12 yo The Wee Witchie

 

 

 

43,4°

Distillery : Mortlach - Speyside 

American Ex-Bourbon and European Ex-Sherry Casks 

Original Bottling 

Core Range 

Single Malt 

Launched in 2018

Totally Unpeated

For years, Mortlach had just one original bottling, a 16-year-old within the Flora & Fauna range. Then Diageo realised the distillery's potential and in 2015 launched an initial range that didn't make much of an impression, a NAS called Rare Old, an 18 and a 25 year old. Deemed too expensive, the range was redesigned in 2018, with a 12-year-old, a 16-year-old and a 20-year-old. And today, it's a huge success. Curiously, it took years for this product to become available in France. The name The Wee Witchie refers to a tiny still that sits in the distillery and is said to give the distillate its special richness - the Little Witch of the place.

Let's Taste It : 

At first, it's very woody, with the varnished cherry wood giving the impression of grooves in the wood, followed by meaty notes, like smoked meat. Finally, fruits, apricot marmalade, blood oranges, yellow fruits, dried raisins, dates. Earthy hints. On the palate, heather, ferns and lemon, on the pulp, vanilla, spices, ginger, cumin, paprika. Lychee, banana. Astonishing finish, initially strong, then long and smooth. Slight acidity, dried fruits. Oak bark.

 

In Short, 

I really enjoyed it, and found it to be full of character and originality, complex, fruity and quite intense. That said, when bottled independently, the distillery often reveals an even stronger character. The price is a little high, but I'd still recommend buying it, it's worth discovering. 

Score : 86

                                          To Be Listened While Sipping :

  

                                          Mountains of the Moon - Caterpillar

Mortlach 2010 Cask Strength Collection 11 yo c. 16

 

 

 

57,8°

Distillery : Mortlach - Speyside

Bourbon Refill Hogshead and Sherry Butt Finish

Independent Bottling 

By Signatory Vintage 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask  

Bottled in 2021

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated

It is rare for a Single Cask to follow a double maturation, but it can happen. Here, we have a Mortlach that spent around ten years in a Hogshead before being finished off for 15 months in a sherry cask. As a result, 697 bottles rushed to the shelves.

Let's Taste It : 

The Sherry intensifies the meatiness on the nose, and to be honest, it works. Viandox, rare meat, barbecue juice, pork fat, all combined with fairly rich red fruits, damsons, muscat grapes, blueberries. A touch of pastry cream on the background, it's a bit sweet really. Very slightly smoky. Rich and fat on the palate, with Morteau sausage, gooseberries, smoked ham and blackberries. Heather earth, it's a little vinous. The finish is coaly and powerful, turning fairly quickly to a fruit basket of apples, clementines and conference pears. Finishes on a note of sandalwood. A hint of chocolate.

 

In Short, 

The sherry cask finish is really effective and blends very well with the Mortlach profile, giving a nice fleshy, fruity touch to our palate. The price is high, but enthusiasts can buy it safely. 

Score : 88

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

  

                                           Sully Erna - Until Then