11
Expressions
11
With Tasting Notes
100%
Completeness
About
Dufftown's first distillery and one of the most distinctive in all of Scotland, known for its legendarily complex '2.81 times' distillation process -- a partial triple distillation using 6 mismatched stills of different sizes and shapes. This 'Mortlach way' produces a big, meaty, intensely concentrated spirit nicknamed 'the Beast of Dufftown.' Long a blender's secret (prized for Johnnie Walker), Diageo launched it as a premium single malt brand in 2014.
Production Details
Owner
Diageo
Parent Company
Diageo
Status
Active
Founded
1823
Still Type
Pot
Stills
6
Capacity
3.8M LPA
Water Source
Springs in the Conval Hills
Core Range3
Mortlach 12 Year Old The Wee WitchieCore
12 Years43.4% ABV2018$50-65
Ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks
4/4 Tasting
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Sight
Warm golden amber; light viscosity with thin legs. Clean and bright
Smell
Honeysuckle, peaches, and orange peel alongside clean cotton sheets and vanilla fudge. Oak, sandalwood, charred toffee and berries. A weighty dried fruit character balanced against fresh fruit
Sip
Tinned fruit — peaches and apricots alongside mango juice, tobacco leaves, and gingerbread. Chocolate and dusty cinnamon and ginger spices emerge in the mid-palate. Creamy toffee and floral oiliness joined by raisins and sultanas. Demerara sugar, dark chocolate, and light tobacco
Savor
Smooth and dry finish with hints of bitter plum. Spices linger alongside dried fruit. Medium length with residual warmth
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Greengrocer: Stone Fruit (peach, apricot); Greengrocer: Tropical (mango); Greengrocer: Citrus (orange peel); Bakery: Sweet (gingerbread); Sweet Shop: toffee, fudge, vanilla; Tobacco Shop: tobacco leaves; Natural Foods: Spices (cinnamon, ginger); Furniture Maker: Wood (oak, sandalwood)
Mortlach 16 Year Old Distiller's DramCore
16 Years43.4% ABV2018$90-120
Refill and first-fill American and European oak ex-sherry casks
4/4 Tasting
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Sight
Rich amber gold; good viscosity with slow-forming legs. Deep and alluring colour from sherry cask influence
Smell
Rancio, toasted granola, almonds, and matchsticks. Dark fruits, honey, and caramel candies. Apricots, cinnamon and leather, followed by a touch of tobacco. Sulphury edge with pencil eraser — the signature Mortlach meatiness
Sip
Massive texture, almost chewable. Figs, white chocolate, cardamom. Savoury with a hint of orange peel, marzipan, and nutmeg. Dried cherries, stewed pears, cranberry, smoked soy sauce, dark toffee. Rich and balanced
Savor
Long, sweet, and coating finish. Drying spice with lingering dark fruit and toffee. The meaty distillery character persists through the finish with a warm glow
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Greengrocer: Dried (figs, dried cherries, raisins); Greengrocer: Stone Fruit (apricots, stewed pears); Sweet Shop: toffee, caramel, white chocolate, marzipan; Bakery: Sweet (toasted granola); Natural Foods: Spices (cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg); Furniture Maker: Leather; Tobacco Shop: tobacco; Pub/Bar: Savoury (meaty, sulphury, smoked soy sauce); Natural Foods: Nuts (almonds)
Mortlach 20 Year Old Cowie's Blue SealCore
20 Years43.4% ABV2018$270-360
American oak ex-sherry casks
4/4 Tasting
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Sight
Deep amber with burnished copper hue; rich viscosity from extended maturation. Full and lustrous
Smell
Dense and intriguing — dried fruit, cedarwood, leather, and tobacco. Roast chestnuts, chocolate and dark berries. Gentle toasty maltiness with expressive antique oak, dried herbs, and hints of nutty cacao nibs. Oriented toward elegance rather than power
Sip
Aromatic citrus alongside wood spice, barbecue pork crackling. Berries and cocoa nibs with demerara-sugar dusted apples and olive-oil sponge cake. Bowl of mixed sultanas and raisins. Dark chocolate, dates, and prunes balanced against fresher apple and pear orchard fruit notes
Savor
Complex finish full of gingerbread, raisin and liquorice. Long and warming with leather and cedar persistence. The beast is refined but never tamed
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Greengrocer: Dried (dried fruit, dates, prunes, sultanas, raisins); Greengrocer: Orchard (apple, pear); Sweet Shop: dark chocolate, demerara sugar; Bakery: Sweet (gingerbread, sponge cake); Furniture Maker: Wood (cedarwood, antique oak); Furniture Maker: Leather; Tobacco Shop: tobacco; Natural Foods: Nuts (chestnuts, cacao nibs); Pub/Bar: Savoury (barbecue pork crackling); Library: liquorice
Limited / Special Releases8
Mortlach 13 Year Old Special Release 2021
13 Years55.9% ABV2021$200-250
Virgin and refill American oak casks — distilled 2007
4/4 Tasting
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Sight
Gold with amber highlights; cask strength viscosity from virgin American oak. Bright and assertive
Smell
Mellow and rounded nose with freshly oiled wood. Savoury and meaty notes suggesting roast pheasant with redcurrant jelly. Deeper moorland base-note rich in heather pollen and freshly crushed herbs
Sip
Big, supersmooth texture with wonderfully intense vanilla-sweet taste that embraces a savoury core. Spicy-dry as the new oak makes its presence felt. Surprising kick of chilli-pepper. The virgin oak provides structure while the Mortlach meatiness provides depth
Savor
Long and deeply impressive finish with power, fruit and spiciness in perfect harmony. A warming peppery glow spreads out in the aftertaste. The beast bares its teeth through virgin oak spice
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Pub/Bar: Savoury (meaty, roast pheasant); Sweet Shop: vanilla; Greengrocer: Berry (redcurrant); Natural Foods: Herbs (heather, crushed herbs); Natural Foods: Spices (chilli-pepper); Furniture Maker: Wood (freshly oiled wood, virgin American oak); Garden Path: Earthy (moorland)
Mortlach 16 Year Old Flora & Fauna
16 Years43% ABV1992$350-500
Ex-sherry casks — heavily sherried, classic Flora & Fauna bottling
4/4 Tasting
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Sight
Rich amber with warm copper tones from heavy sherry maturation. Deep and full — classic Flora & Fauna bottling colour
Smell
Sticky maple syrup, sharp sherried fruit, mulching grass and mint. Iberico ham, walnuts, dark malt, and well-aged sherry. Spiced fruit notes with noticeable Speyside citrus peel. A cult classic nose
Sip
Rich taste of caramel, brittle toffee and polished wood. Full-bodied with the unmistakable Mortlach meatiness enveloped in heavy sherry influence. Walnuts, dark malt, and dried fruit. The definitive old-style Mortlach bottling
Savor
Long, warming finish with sherry sweetness and savoury depth. Toffee and polished wood linger. A benchmark expression that launched the Mortlach cult following before discontinuation in 2014
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Pub/Bar: Wine (sherry); Sweet Shop: maple syrup, caramel, toffee; Furniture Maker: Wood (polished wood); Natural Foods: Nuts (walnuts); Greengrocer: Dried (dark malt, dried fruit); Greengrocer: Citrus (citrus peel); Garden Path: Earthy (mulching grass); Pub/Bar: Savoury (meaty, Iberico ham)
Mortlach 21 Year Old Special Release 2020
21 Years56.9% ABV2020$700-800
Pedro Ximenez and Oloroso sherry seasoned casks
4/4 Tasting
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Sight
Deep amber with rich mahogany tones from PX and Oloroso sherry casks. Viscous and heavy-legged at cask strength
Smell
Burnt orange intertwined with clove and cinnamon sticks. Dry heat like a fireplace in a log cabin. Mandarin fruit pieces and bright crisp red and green apples. Peppery, slightly savoury with boiled sweets and dried fruits
Sip
Velvety mouthfeel. Orange fruit stays at the top of the tongue while smoke hits the back. Voluptuous sherry character with dates, caramel, dark spices and oak tannins. Liquorice and a suggestion of chilli. The beast amplified by cask strength and double-sherry maturation
Savor
Ultimately drying, lengthy, slightly meaty finish. Liquorice, chile pepper warmth, and a warming glow that spreads across the palate. Power, fruit and spiciness in impressive harmony
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Greengrocer: Citrus (burnt orange, mandarin); Natural Foods: Spices (clove, cinnamon, chilli); Sweet Shop: caramel, boiled sweets; Greengrocer: Dried (dates, dried fruits); Pub/Bar: Wine (PX sherry, Oloroso); Greengrocer: Orchard (apple); Smoke House: Faint (smoke); Library: liquorice; Pub/Bar: Savoury (meaty)
Mortlach 47 Year Old The Singing Stills
47 Years46.8% ABV2019$14000-16000
Single cask — filled 1971, one of three remaining casks from that vintage
4/4 Tasting
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Sight
Deep old gold with hints of polished mahogany; extraordinary viscosity from nearly five decades in cask. The oldest ever Mortlach distillery bottling
Smell
Initial burst of toffee, vanilla and creme fraiche. Stone fruit compote spiced with vanilla, ginger and cinnamon. Remarkably expressive and well-preserved for its age
Sip
Soft, ripe fruits — umeshu plums and peaches — balanced by firm tannins and a rich earthiness with just a little smoke. Intriguing sweet-and-sour interplay. The beast at its most refined and contemplative
Savor
Earthy and spicy finish with a touch of wood ash. Lingering tannins and stone fruit. Extraordinarily long, with the distillery's meaty backbone transformed into pure umami elegance
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Sweet Shop: toffee, vanilla; Greengrocer: Stone Fruit (plum, peach); Bakery: Sweet (creme fraiche); Natural Foods: Spices (ginger, cinnamon); Furniture Maker: Wood (antique oak); Garden Path: Earthy (earthiness, wood ash); Smoke House: Faint (wood ash, gentle smoke); Pub/Bar: Savoury (umami)
Mortlach Midnight Dusk Special Release 2024
NAS57.5% ABV2024$280-320
Refill and ex-bourbon American oak, finished in Italian Ramandolo white wine and Sangiovese red wine casks
4/4 Tasting
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Sight
Rich amber with warm reddish hue from Italian wine cask finishing. Full-bodied at cask strength with slow, heavy legs
Smell
Vinous first impression suggesting white grapes and Manzanilla sherry. Becomes fresh, floral and fruity — apple, apricot, peach, pineapple, green melon, cherry. Hawthorn and orange peel followed by marzipan, caramel, marshmallow, coconut oil, and acacia honey
Sip
Layered crisp fruit on the palate with caramelised miso and a hint of cured prosciutto. The Italian wine cask finishing adds an unprecedented vinous dimension to the meaty Mortlach character. Wonderfully umami with a sweet-savoury tension
Savor
Medium-long, dry and spicy finish with fruity acidulous nuance. White or Sichuan pepper at the close. The Ramandolo and Sangiovese influence leaves a distinctly Italian-Mediterranean imprint on the Beast of Dufftown
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Pub/Bar: Wine (Ramandolo, Sangiovese, Manzanilla sherry); Greengrocer: Stone Fruit (apricot, peach, cherry); Greengrocer: Tropical (pineapple); Greengrocer: Orchard (apple, green melon); Greengrocer: Citrus (orange peel); Sweet Shop: caramel, marshmallow, marzipan; Florist: hawthorn; Pub/Bar: Savoury (umami, caramelised miso, prosciutto); Natural Foods: Spices (Sichuan pepper)
Mortlach Rare Old
NAS43.4% ABV2014$60-80
Ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks
4/4 Tasting
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Sight
Warm copper with golden highlights. Moderate viscosity
Smell
Soft sweet dark fruits, honey, vanilla, dry sherry and a whiff of dry spices. Stone fruits and brown butter. Light lemon, stale biscuit, blanched almonds, fresh banana and pale honey on deeper inspection
Sip
Thick and creamy with ginger and toffee. Brown butter richness with stone fruit sweetness. Medium body with the characteristic Mortlach meatiness present but restrained. Initially launched at premium NAS pricing, later discounted significantly
Savor
Medium finish with ginger warmth and lingering stone fruit. Drying oak tannins emerge at the end. The meaty backbone provides a savoury close
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Greengrocer: Stone Fruit (stone fruits); Sweet Shop: toffee, honey, vanilla; Bakery: Sweet (biscuit, brown butter); Natural Foods: Spices (ginger, dry spices); Natural Foods: Nuts (almonds); Greengrocer: Tropical (banana); Pub/Bar: Wine (dry sherry); Pub/Bar: Savoury (meaty)
Mortlach Special Release 2022
NAS57.8% ABV2022$250-300
Refill American oak casks, finished in virgin oak, tawny port and red Muscat casks
4/4 Tasting
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Sight
Deep amber with ruby-red hue from port and Muscat wine cask finishing. Rich and heavy at cask strength
Smell
Robust savoury, rich notes evoking a hearty cassoulet with haricots, tomatoes, spicy sausage, and crisp pork belly. Grape and red wine aromas entwine with meatiness then become more mineral as the nose develops
Sip
Rich and smoothly mouth-filling texture. Deep and intense taste — sweetly fruity rather than meaty. Spicy-dry as virgin oak makes its presence felt. Port and Muscat wine cask influence adds vinous sweetness and berry richness to the Mortlach distillery character
Savor
Long and deeply impressive with power, fruit and black pepper in perfect harmony. Spicy kick as it goes down with a warming glow spreading across the palate. The wine cask influence extends the finish with dried fruit persistence
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Pub/Bar: Savoury (meaty, cassoulet, spicy sausage, pork belly); Pub/Bar: Wine (port, red Muscat, red wine); Greengrocer: Berry (grape); Natural Foods: Spices (black pepper); Furniture Maker: Wood (virgin oak); Garden Path: Mineral (mineral notes)
Mortlach The Katana's Edge Special Release 2023
NAS58% ABV2023$260-300
Finished in ex-Kanosuke Japanese whisky casks and ex-Pinot Noir casks
4/4 Tasting
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Sight
Rich amber gold with subtle ruby tinge from Pinot Noir cask influence. Full and lustrous at cask strength
Smell
Melon and pear come through initially before savoury leather, cooked meat and pencil shavings emerge. Elegant tropical fruitiness contrasting cured meat and earthiness
Sip
Rich and full yet soft. Dry spiciness arrives with the umami element. Pear drops, toffee pudding, orange peel, marzipan, and plenty of soy sauce-style umami. Clove, red chilli earthiness, black pepper. The Kanosuke cask finish brings a precise, sharp quality — the katana's edge
Savor
Long and drying with fruit sweetness weaving through the savoury tones. The Japanese whisky cask and Pinot Noir influence add complexity to the meaty Mortlach backbone. Umami lingers with elegant spice
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Greengrocer: Orchard (melon, pear); Pub/Bar: Savoury (meaty, cooked meat, cured meat, umami, soy sauce); Furniture Maker: Leather; Sweet Shop: toffee pudding, marzipan; Greengrocer: Citrus (orange peel); Natural Foods: Spices (clove, red chilli, black pepper); Pub/Bar: Wine (Pinot Noir)