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KWM 2023 Whisky Calendar Blog Day 14 - G&M Mortlach 15 Year

Posted on December 19, 2023

by Evan

What sets this indie bottle apart from other indie bottles we have tasted thus far in the 2023 KWM Whisky Calendar? The fact this this whisky is made at Morlach Distillery, and Mortlach is a distillery you CAN get official bottlings of. The official releases include a 12 Year Old, 16 Year Old, and 20 Year Old, all bottled at the oddly specific 43.4% ABV.

Mortlach Distillery was founded back in 1823 and is located in Speyside, within Dufftown. It is the oldest distillery in Duftown and its nearest distillery neighbours include Glendullan, heavy hitters Glenfiddich and Balvenie, as well as the aptly named Dufftown Distillery itself.

Mortlach is known as “The Beast of Dufftown” thanks to its heavy and often meaty distillate profile that often shows up in its whisky as well. This rich, characterful profile makes it highly sought after by blenders. The distillery is owned by (stop me if you have heard this before) alcohol giant Diageo. The whisky Mortlach produces is showcased throughout the Johnnie Walker range, including the bold and peated Black Label.

The distillation process at Mortlach is curious and unique, thanks to both utilizing worm tubs and being distilled 2.81 times. Not double-distilled or triple-distilled, but some strange and confusing mathematical equation between them. The copper at Mortlach is made of three wash stills and three spirit stills, all with different sizes and shapes. Somehow, these stills create three different types of spirit that are then merged into what we know as Mortlach’s style. This process was first adopted in 1896 and has not been changed since.

Here is a YouTube Video that delves into the 2.81 Distillation Process from The Scotch Malt Whisky Society.

That still doesn’t make sense to me. And when I am confused, I find the best thing to do is taste whisky. Shall we give it a go?

G&M Distillery Label Mortlach 15 Year – 46%

Matured in First Fill and Refill Sherry before bottling at 46%, this 15-year-old Mortlach is part of the G&M Distillery Label range.

Evan’s Tasting Note

Nose: Plenty of dried fruits and a bit of licorice, all smooth and round in style. Also a bit of frozen orange juice concentrate, lemon pound cake, polished leather, milk chocolate, and raisins.

Palate: Ever had a pink grapefruit sliced and then broiled with brown sugar on top? That, plus raisins and dried cranberries, chocolate fudge, toasted almonds and walnuts, dark roast coffee beans, wood spices, and a touch of molasses.

Finish: That broiled pink grapefruit and brown sugar note sticks around along with a trail mix of dried fruits, assorted nuts and bits of dark chocolate. Nicely warming

Comment: This is a delicious whisky. It is sherried, but by no means over-sherried. The citrus notes keep it lively and interesting.

Cheers,
Evan
evan@kensingtonwinemarket.com
Facebook & Instagram: @sagelikefool

You can find all blog posts for Kensington Wine Market’s 2023 Whisky Calendar Here