Mortlach 1978 20 Years - Rare Malts Selections

DESCRIPTION

A fine example of Mortlach, bottled as part of The Rare Malts Selection. The Rare Malts was a remarkable series of cask strength whiskies that has now, sadly been discontinued. Distilled in 1978, the whisky was aged for 20 years before being bottled May 1998 at full cask strength, 62.2% volume.

TASTING NOTES 

Colour: gold. Nose: extremely punchy once again, well in most Rare Malts’ style, that is to say close to the distillate. Once again, there’s quite some wood smoke but also much less sherry and much more grassy notes than in the F&F. Whiffs of vanilla custard and orange cake, then a combination of paraffin and kirsch (or any stone fruit spirit) and maybe even a little soap – or is that fresh almonds?

With water: oh, it shuts down, getting grassy, mineral and very austere.

Mouth (neat): raw, powerful and kind of gritty/tannic, with some lime in the background. A little strange, paraffiny and lemony. Unusual! With water: better but still a little aggressive and maybe too ‘green’ and grassy. Hints of oil, strong liquorice, lemon syrup and various herbs. Thyme?

Finish: long, all on the same grassy notes.

Comments: not an easy-easy Mortlach but quality is there. SGP:462 – 85 points.

PRODUCT SUMMARY