Some people either love or hate the Mortlach flavor profile. After trying this, then a few other drams, and then revisiting this one to solidify my opinion, I'm definitely in the former camp. It's a truly interesting taste – a spicy, meaty, rubbery, slightly metallic sherry profile that balances quite well. Reading that back, it sounds awful, but it's not. Now, this isn't inexpensive, just under $140 USD here (which is surprisingly cheaper than in the UK, where it's $200 USD) for only a 500ml bottle. I'd love to purchase a full bottle and observe how it evolves over time. The sole criticism, similar to the Compass Box range, is that a slightly bitter, metallic aftertaste lingers (or in the CB case, turpentine). It's an 18-year-old and quite unique, so for those reasons, despite the price, I'm maintaining a solid 4 overall rating. If the price were less, it would definitely receive a higher rating. Even an hour later, I'm still contemplating its flavor. I have a 41-year-old bottle from this distillery (entirely aged in sherry casks) saved for a special occasion, so it will be quite interesting to see how that one turns out.
Mortlach 18 Year
Whiskey Scotch Speyside 18 years 43.4% ABV
Tried it?
How was this pour?
Score this bottleRating a bottle takes an account, so your scores follow you and count towards the number everyone else reads.
About this bottle
Mortlach, established in Speyside in 1823 by George Cowie and his son Dr. Alexander Cowie, was primarily used for blending. Diageo has recently released various expressions as individual bottlings. The packaging for the 18 Year expression is notably elaborate, featuring a bottle with metal piping at its base and a plush-lined outer case, which likely contributes significantly to its price.
How it tastes
Measured across 14 flavor axes. Tap a note to find other bottles that lead with it.
Reviews
Showing the most detailed of 9 parsed reviews.
Mortlach 18 resembles Christmas cake with a strong alcohol presence in the aftertaste compared to the smoothness of Glenmorangie Signet. A great comparison when tasting at Gatwick duty-free. I ended up with Glenmorangie Tayne, which has a similar profile but costs half as much and is a liter. If price were no object, I would get this immediately, but perhaps Glenmorangie Signet first.
This spirit embodies the essence of autumn holidays. It's like a child born from the union of Plymouth gin and Macallan 18. The tannins and oaky mouthfeel indicate its age, mostly without being smoky. Caramel and vanilla blend with the nutty sherry notes, concluding with a smooth finish.
Imagine bottling a Christmas mince pie – this is it. Oak is prominent, but the body is pure sherry delight. I didn't get a large enough sample to test with water, but it's quite smooth and tasty even without it.
Nutty and fruity aromas. Ginger and cinnamon. Syrupy sweetness and caramel with golden syrup. Citrus, tobacco notes. A gorgeous finish.
Smooth taste, very fitting for a business dinner, no disappointment.
3 more reviews were collected for this bottle. The longest ones are shown first.
Tastes like this
Closest flavor profiles across the whole catalog.
