One Quick Dram: Douglas Laing Provenance 12 Years Old Autumn Distillation Mortlach Whisky Tasting Notes

Mortlach Distillery Dufftown (Photo Credit: Andrew Wood – From geograph.org.uk)

This is the youngest Mortlach I ever had, and It still had some developing to do. It seems Mortlach whiskys need to be into their teens before they really shine. One of the nice things one can say about Diageo is that they do tend to allow their official bottlings to mature to the “right” age for the spirit (look at Clynelish and Oban at 14, Lagavulin at 16), and it’s no wonder that the Flora and Fauna Mortlach was a 16 year old. Here is the review for that expression.

This single cask bottling was a refill sherry butt distilled in the autumn, and aged for 12 years. Enough to make it into the “good” category, but not into the “great” one. It’s interesting to compare, though – because the whisky is Mortlach-y meaty and thick – just not as complex on the nose and palate.

Douglas Laing Provenance Mortalch 12 Years Old Autumn Distillation, Refill Sherry Butt, Cask 6372 (46% ABV, NCF, NC)

Color: Gold, well spaced legs.

Nose: Pears, sherry notes, raisins and spice. This nose is classic sherry butt, but not overly complex.

Palate: Full bodied, classic Motrlach meatiness. In addition to the dried fruit and sweet sherry notes, there’s a lactic note I associate more with a Bruichladdich than with a Mortlach.

Linger: Meaty and long. Some ash along with dry sherry notes, with the dryness remaining on the inner cheeks.