Mortlach 1997 Aged 20 Years Single Malt Scotch Whisky – Mackillop’s Choice (700ml)

Volume: 700ml           ABV: 50.2%           Age: 20 Years Old       Country: Scotland

The Mortlach Distillery was established in 1823 in the wake of the Excise Act. Built on the site of an older illicit distillery Mortlach was the first legal distillery in Dufftown which is the epicentre on Speyside. Now under the ownership on Diageo it plays a very important role in some of the world’s finest blends. This is due to the oily meaty character it has and the mass production. Known as “The Beast of Dufftown” this character is due to its special distillation process resulting in a spirit which has been distilled 2.81 times. Mortlach is again making its mark as a single malt with last years Diageo Special Release bottling selling out in record time.

“Mackillop’s Choice” is a range of specially selected Single Malt Scotch Whiskies drawn from individual casks. Founded in 1996 by Angus Dundee Distillers (owner of the Glencadam and Tomintoul distilleries). It is named after Lorne Mackillop. Lorne Mackillop is the heir to the chief of the Mackillop Clan, which was all but wiped out by the English in the aftermath of the battle of Culloden in 1745 during the Jabobite Rebellion.

Lorne selects the casks that are bottled in the Mackillop’s Choice range. It is a range of specially selected single malt Scotch whiskies drawn from individual casks, and are bottled at either 43% or 46% alcohol, but more predominantly at their natural cask strength, without chill-filtering or the addition of any caramel colouring, which helps preserve the malts natural characteristics of aroma and taste.

This Mortlach was distilled in 1997 and has spent no less than 20 years in cask number 2977. Bottled in September 2017 with an outturn of only 194 bottles. It was bottled at 50.2% ABV and boasts no colouring or chill-filtering.

Our Tasting Notes

Nose: Buttery raw biscuit mix, creamy vanilla, poached pears and aromatic spice, honey sweetness and some white pepper.

Palate: Summer berries, oatmeal raisin cookies, garden herbs and cracked black peppercorn.

Finish: Spicy oak, creamy vanilla and toasted walnuts.