Bronze Medal at Malt Maniacs Awards 2014

Some way between our classic full-sherry powerhouse Mortlachs of past years and the subtler 21yo from 2013 comes this new bottling from a beloved distillery. The influence of Oloroso here is noticeable, but it still lets the whisky show the personality of the distillate. The first attack, especially as the nose is concerned, is delicate: the winey notes effectively interact with beeswax, pears and orange rind. There’s a fair impression of leather or smoked meat, too. It then starts to build on character and power, turning into a bigger sherry profile with loads of nuts and dried fruits. A Mortlach which was caught at the perfect age between young brashness and supple maturity, between pure and delicate Speyside fragrance and sherry domination.