Description

A 20 year old Mortlach whisky. Bottled at cask strength by Diageo as part of their Rare Malts series – a historic selection of single malt whiskies from operational and lost distilleries that were released by Diageo between 1995 and 2005. Distilled in 1978, it was then aged for 20 years, before being bottled in May 1998. This is bottle number 1948.

Colour: gold.

Nose:
Extremely punchy, well in most Rare Malts’ style, that is to say close to the distillate. There’s quite some wood smoke but also much less sherry and much more grassy notes. Whiffs of vanilla custard and orange cake, then a combination kirsch (or any stone fruit spirit) and maybe even a little fresh almonds? With water: it shuts down, getting grassy, mineral and very austere.

Taste:
Neat: raw, powerful and kind of gritty/tannic, with some lime in the background. A little paraffiny and lemony. With water: better but still a little ‘green’ and grassy. Hints of oil, strong liquorice, lemon syrup and various herbs.

Finish:
Long, all on the same grassy notes, but quality is there.