Mortlach
reveal four new whiskies!
Mortlach distillery which
is known for its unusual partial-triple
distillation process which makes
Mortlach unique was the first
distillery to be built at Dufftown back
in 1823. The whisky it produces is often referred to as the
Beast of Dufftown due to its rich, often
sherry cask matured whisky which it produces has announced not one but four
new single malt whiskies.
Now this is a lot of whiskies from a
distillery from which in recent years
the only official distillery bottling
that whisky connoisseurs have been able to get hold of was the
excellent Mortlach 16
year old Flora & Fauna bottling. Well
that has now changed with this release
which includes:
- Mortlach Special Strength which
will be exclusive to travel retail.
Bottled at 49% ABV, Mortlach describe it as a big,
warming cask strength liquid with a
complicated yet harmonious mix of
young vanilla and mature oak,
underscored by roasted aromatics and
a long, pervasive and smooth finish.
RRP £75
- Mortlach Rare Old
Bottled at 43.4% ABV, Mortlach
describe this as a complex and bold
expression with Mortlach’s signature
exquisite balance of sweetness and
dryness for which the distillery is
renowned. Superbly structured and
well balanced, the whisky’s fruit
and floral notes on the nose
introduce a rich, energetic palate
and a pleasantly drying finish. RRP
£55
- Mortlach 18 Year Old
Bottled at 43.4% ABV, Mortlach
describe this as a compelling and moreish expression which is best
enjoyed straight. Characterised by a
fine interplay of meaty notes, malty
sweetness and balancing acidity. RRP
£180
- Mortlach 25 Year Old
Bottled at 43.4% ABV and sitting at
the top of the new range, Mortlach
describe this as a highly complex
and multi-faceted, Mortlach 25 Year
Old combines roasting spices and an
almost animal intensity with dense
layers of decadent sweetness. RRP
£600
Diageo tell me that due to very
limited stock supply the four new
whiskies will be bottled in 50cl
bottles, even the travel retail
bottling, except for the USA where for
legal reasons all four will be bottled
750 ml bottles, lucky Americans, I think
we could do with the same laws this side
of the water.
I am sure the 50ml bottle size along
with the price tag will stand out for
many whisky connoisseurs but I suppose
Diageo will know the whisky market place
better than me and must be confident
that these will sell but sadly I think
they have priced many out of the market
for these bottles.
As you can see from the picture above,
all four of the new bottlings are
presented in highly distinctive
engineered style of stunning new
Mortlach bottles. The design style of
the new bottles is rooted in an
engineered world and was inspired by the
one of the distillery's early owners,
entrepreneurial Scottish civil engineer
George Cowie, and his gifted and equally
ambitious son Dr Alexander Cowie.
Mortlach describe the decanter style
bottles as reminiscent of beautiful
man-made structures, whilst also
elegant, luxurious and contemporary.
Engraved on each bottle is a reference
to Mortlach's unusual partial-triple
distillation process which is often
described as ‘2.81 Distilled’. The
engineering cues incorporated in the
bottle design are most visible in the
unique faceted base of the Rare Old &
Special Strength bottles, whilst the
metal structures of the 18 and 25 year
old bottles protect, enhance and display
the fine single malts they contain. The
design of the metal structures has been
inspired by some of the great
engineering feats of the Victorian
period, especially the cantilever bridge
design made famous on Scotland’s very
own Forth Road Bridge. (Click on the
image above for a closer look)
In the early years, the distribution of
the new Mortlach bottlings will focus on
carefully selected cities. They will
first be available in London and Berlin
in June, and in a small number of global
travel retail channels. They will then
roll out - again in very restricted
volumes - to the cosmopolitan cities of
Asia-Pacific in August (for example
Taipei, Shanghai, Beijing, Hong Kong,
Singapore) and at the same time to New
York, Chicago and San Francisco in the
United States.
Mortlach Distillery Expansion
As I announced here last year, as part
of Diageo's £1bn five-year investment
plan they will be substantially
increasing the capacity of the Mortlach
distillery at Dufftown to build more
stocks of Mortlach for the years ahead. Plans are progressing for the expansion
which will see the distillery's current
capacity of 3.8 million litres per year
double.
The expansion will include the building
of a new stillhouse. This will replicate
the bewilderingly complex process with
which Alexander Cowie paved the way - a
unique and unusual partial-triple
distillation process which is often
described as ‘2.81 Distilled’ which is
reponsible for producing the highly
complex and richly flavoured Mortlach
whisky.
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