Morlach 18 Year Old Scotch

Founded in 1823 Mortlach was Dufftown Scotland's first distillery. In its time it has undergone several changes of ownership and use, at one time becoming a brewery and even for a while, a church.

Its most prestigious and influential owners were entrepreneurial railway engineer George Cowie and his scientist son Dr Alexander Cowie. Together they developed a unique distillation system, precisely calculated and calibrated and which is responsible for creating Mortlach’s highly complex, richly flavored profile.

Official bottlings of Mortlach have been scarce, but new owners, Diageo, with the spirit of the Cowie's are committed to increase Mortlach’s availability, promoting it globally and making it more widely available.

In 2014 Diageo launched 4 new expressions, one of which is single malt Morlach 18 Year Old which has matured in a combination of Sherry and refill American oak casks for almost 2 decades. The bottle is a showstopper. Its polished metal framework base as masterful in character as the spirit it contains.

Amber hued, the nose is fragrant, as dark and earthy as a forest floor. It is leathery, meaty and nutty. Spiced heavy fruit cake lifted by green apples and lemon zest, laced with sweet toffee and syrup.

Caramel notes develop in the heavy based palate. At first dark cherries and polished oak with notes of tobacco, ground coffee and bitter chocolate. Then lighter tones creep in, floral rose, malt and delicate tropical fruits. The finish is autumnal. Gently spicy, bitter orange citrus, mocha with a lasting tobacco-oak dryness.