Mortlach 1998 / 18 Year Old / Signatory / TWE Exclusive

Jonny is a whiskybuddy that I met several months ago at a tasting that I hosted in Antwerp. Since then, we have exchanged a couple of drams. But when Jonny presented me with ‘his’ Mortlach, I gladly accepted a sample. The famous The Whisky Exchange in London has apparently gotten hold of a cask of Mortlach 1998 from Signatory. You can even get your bottle engraved – which is exactly what Jonny’s wife did for him. How nice! And the whisky? Yes, damn fine dram indeed… It matured on hogsheads and then got a finish of 54 months on oloroso sherry casks. Let’s get to work!

Delicious nose on lots of earthy notes. But also a truckload of eucalyptus. Cherry tea that is overdone. Roasted almonds. Candied orange peel. Pine cones. Furniture polish. New leather. Pencil shavings. What a beautiful Mortlach on the nose. Very layered, if you know what I mean.

The arrival is powerful and spicy. Loads of peppers, cinnamon and nutmeg. Boy, this one certainly does not know the meaning of subtle. Cherry syrup, black tea, tobacco leaves, roast beef and grison meat. Some Seville oranges in the background. But the power… this is a beast. No, a monster!

The finish is very, very long, mildly drying and remains sweet and spicy until death did us part.

Mortlach is often referred to as the Beast of Dufftown. Well, feel free to name this one the Monster of Dufftown. Grand Mortlach. And only 150 EUR? Still available? Get it now!

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