| |
Residence
Hundreds of tastings,
all of the ramblings
and all of the enjoyable
(hopefully!)
Whiskyfun.com
Assured ad-free
copyright 2002-2025
|
 |
|
| Hello, that is one in every of our (virtually) every day tastings. Santé! |
| |
|
| |
| |
|
November 10, 2025
|
|
  |
|
A couple of loopy Mortlach
By Zeus and the Wee Witchie, no Mortlach on this 12 months’s Particular Releases, however that received’t cease us having fun with an official bottling, naturally distilled 2.81 instances, consistent with their famously byzantine system… No, nothing to do with Istanbul. (AI)
|
 |
|
|
Mortlach 16 yo ‘Distiller’s Dram’ (43.4%, OB, +/-2025) 
We tasted this wee child upon its launch in 2018, favored it quite a bit (WF 89) after which nothing extra. It was excessive time we fashioned an opinion on a newer batch… Color: gold. Nostril: that acquainted barely scorched walnut cake and loads of sizzling malted chocolate, at first drifts in the direction of ferns, darkish soils, roasted chestnuts and darkish tobacco, not forgetting the compulsory touches of orange zest. A really Mortlachy Mortlach, in brief. Mouth: that is actually fairly full-bodied regardless of the modest bottling energy, pretty salty and deeply earthy, with cigars, malt, very robust black tea and a splash of Guinness. Briefly, every part’s black—you’re speaking synaesthesia right here! End: lengthy, curiously each dry and bitter, but nonetheless pretty honeyed (heather). The aftertaste grows distinctly extra peppery, that’s black pepper, in fact. Feedback: cracking bottle, no query. If one had been to have however a single Mortlach…
SGP:451 – 88 factors. |
|
|
Mortlach 25 yo (46%, Gordon & MacPhail, Distillery Label, +/-2025) 
Color: gold. Nostril: very sulphury at first, as when you’d simply struck a large match, the sort one makes use of to gentle a hearth. However we all know that’s a part of the home fashion (of Mortlach, not G&M). Then come notes of spent flint stones and even an previous Zippo lighter from grandad, beef jerky, shoe polish, and finally a basket of backyard fruits, apples, pears, peaches and apricots, the latter additionally in dried type… Mouth: nonetheless that tightrope stroll between a most singular bitterness, paying homage to mutton fats and truffle, and backyard fruits, with additionally this distinct impression of chewing on an untipped Gauloise (very, very late at evening, nicely one actually shouldn’t, it’s poisonous). End: lengthy and bitter, akin to sure rooty and really bitter Italian cordials. Pepper within the aftertaste. Feedback: fairly the beast, actually not for each palate, although seasoned exegetes of the fashion must be thrilled.
SGP:461 – 87 factors. |
|
|
Mortlach 30 yo 1995/2025 (47.3%, Kanpaikai Japan & The Antelope Macau, Greenback Cat, refill sherry hogshead, cask #803457, 187 bottles) 
These people appear to be firing on all twelve cylinders. Excellent cask choice! Color: amber. Nostril: and right here comes the sulphur once more, although reined in to extra civilised ranges and leaning in the direction of paraffin, completely paired with a heaped basket of orange zest dipped in honey. I’m virtually tempted to cease right here, it’s that good, exact, flawless, and 100% old-style Mortlach (jogs my memory of the oldest 32yo 1971/2004 official, sheer magic). Mouth: have we already mentioned this was excellent? Each when it comes to these fruity-bitter flavours and from a historic and philosophical standpoint. The pink grapefruit is totally chic too. Dare we name this an genuine Mortlach? One might debate it for hours… End: lengthy, with the arrival of ferns, pepper and people famed Italian natural and root liqueurs. Feedback: actually, actually spectacular in its precision, each marker’s in place.
SGP:662 – 92 factors. |
|
|
Mortlach 35 yo 1989/2025 (44.2%, Artist #15 by LMDW, The Darkish Aspect of the Moon, 2nd fill sherry butt, cask #S-28607, 250 bottles)
Beautiful Pink Floyd-esque sequence title, faintly paying homage to the Glen Grant 1972/1995 ‘The Darkish Aspect of the Moon’ by Signatory/Velier, which was glorious too (WF 90). Ah, standard tradition… Color: amber. Nostril: that is brisker and extra cheerful, the sulphur clearly of the paraffin oil selection, with touches of pistachio cream and sesame, the proverbial citrus fruits, a couple of very gentle metallic touches (copper cash), then barely bruised baked apples with cinnamon and honey. A beautiful nostril. Mouth: unimaginable. Once more it calls to thoughts the official 1971, the waxes are in full caps, the ripe fruits are… nicely, ripe, the honey is completely honeyed and the sulphur more and more discreet, although nonetheless current. With out it, it simply wouldn’t be Mortlach, would it not. End: lengthy, excellent, tense and pulsating. Citrus, honey, pepper and many others. Completely no extreme woodiness, quite the opposite. Feedback: lovely paintings by Sthenjwa Luthuli on the entrance of the bottle (or is it the again?) If the contents weren’t so splendid, you can virtually purchase it only for the paintings and pour the whisky down the sink. Sure, sacrilege—however at this stage, who’s counting.
SGP:661 – 92 factors. |
|
|
Mortlach 19 yo 1975/1995 (59.9%, The Whisky Connoisseur, Cask Grasp Choice No.1, cask #6261)
Maintain tight, these people have already delivered some utter marvels. Largiemeanoch, anybody? Color: gold. Nostril: do not nostril this type of malt whereas standing, you may simply topple over. Unbelievable oils, graphite above all, then sunflower, sesame paste, linseed oil and patta negra ham with loads of belottas. Elegant profile, virtually summary. With water: a handful of barley soaked by autumn rain (actually?) Mouth (neat): we’re stunningly near the Artist bottlings right here, solely with even better pressure and bitterness. Water ought to ease issues off just a little, however it’s chic. With water: no, it’s completely chic. Citrus and beeswax dancing a frenzied tango to the sound of Gotan Venture. End: is it actually essential to go on? Solely the aftertaste turns barely inexperienced, soapy and acidic in a fairly surprising manner, and that simply shaves off 2 factors. Dura lex… Feedback: however once more, what a magnificence! Although each the Kanpaikai/Antelope and the LMDW had been only a contact above, in any case.
SGP:561 – 91 factors. |
|
We had been having a number of different Mortlachs we wished to style at this time as nicely, however given the best way issues turned out – fairly past our management, relaxation assured – it’s most likely finest to go away it there. We’ll attempt to style them earlier than Christmas. I imply, Christmas 2025.
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
