Mortlach 2019 Special Release Single Malt Scotch Whisky 26 Year Old · 1992 Vintage

Colour

Deep, luxurious mahogany with copper-amber highlights and a wine-dark, glossy sheen.

Nose

A mellow, slightly pricked nose opens to a deep, complex sherry-forward bouquet: dark fruits steeped in liquor, prune juice, Oloroso and PX, with sloes in gin and prunes in syrup. Old oak and soft leather underpin notes of toffee and chocolate-covered coffee beans, finishing with Christmas pudding. Savoury, meaty hints emerge as the Beast of Dufftown stirs, tempered by a touch of water.

Palate

Silky, viscous at natural strength, with a mouth-drying, tannic bite. Rich, damson-forward fruit bursts from the palate, lightly savoury with liquorice and a spice-dried edge, and a scented hint of clove. Drying overall with lush tannins. At reduced strength it becomes sweeter and less tannic, unveiling more sweet spiced fruit. Magnificent.

Finish

Seemingly endless and deeply impressive, the finish melds fruit and spice in perfect harmony, a warming glow spreading across the palate and finally drying with a glorious, rich afterglow.