Mortlach Distiller's Dram 16y

Introduction

I tried the Flora & Fauna 16 year old a while back and mentioned that the new official 16 year old bottling is rumored to be similar. At least from some sources. I'm curious.

Color

1.2 (Chestnut)

Nose

After the obligatory resting in the glass, we find a rather common, oaky nose with some fruit in it. I immediately think ex-bourbon, rather than sherry.

Palate

Here we go with the thick, powerful Mortlach character! Lovely and velvety mouthfeel. Taste is slightly tannic, some underlying fruits and nuttiness.

Finish

Definitely sherry here. Short burst of cooked fruits, cinnamon, bananas, orange peels and oak, then it fades away all too quickly.

Summary

While it briefly showed some of the power Mortlach is capable of, it's certainly not the beast it claims to be. Absolutely a disappointment when compared to the old 16 year old. It is a good whisky on its own for sure, but doesn't come very close to what it used to be! While prices are rising, I think Mortlach is currently best enjoyed through various independent bottlers. A bit of hit or miss of course, but this here isn't going to be very memorable for me.

Score

79 / 100

0-50 Subpar 51-60 Drinkable 61-70 Decent 71-80 Good 81-90 Great 91-100 Fantastic

Image used with permission from www.scotchwhiskyauctions.com

Country	Scotland
Region	Speyside
Brand	Mortlach
Distillery	Mortlach Distillery
Title	Distiller's Dram
Abv (%)	43.4
Age	16