Mortlach has been known about for a long time by blenders. It has only been introduced as a malt since 2014, and its robust, meaty character has been making its mark ever since.
Affectionately known as ‘The Beast of Dufftown’, this mysterious Speyside distillery is a favourite component of many a blender, including Johnnie Walker. Bottlings were rare and highly sought-after, and in 2014 Mortlach began releasing their own luxury single malts.
Mortlach was the name of the original village which sprang up around the abbey of the name, founded by Saint Moluag in the 7th century. After Dufftown was built, the distillery was the only remnant of the old name.
Mortlach had its own floor maltings until 1968, and remains one of only a handful of distilleries still using wooden worm-tub condensers to cool their spirit.
It also uses 'partial triple distillation', as also practised at Benrinnes and Springbank.
History
Mortlach was founded in 1823 by James Findlater, Donald Mackintosh and Alex Gordon. The distillery passed between hands a few times, but it was in the 1850s that it found its position as a pre-eminent blending malt, and the unique distillation methods became its signature style. How this style was found, noone knows. What we do know is that this classic style of making malt whisky gives Mortlach a very robust, meaty character, and one that you can tell apart from any other whisky on the market.
Taste Profile
Mortlach is known for flavours of...
Nuttiness
Malted Loaf
Dried Fruit
Meaty
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