Whisky Focus - New Mortlach Special Strength, Rare Old 18 & 25 Year Old Whisky

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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