After a somewhat disappointing first core range release a few years ago, Mortlach is back with a completely new range. Relaunched in mid-2018 and this Mortlach 20-year-old, named ‘Cowie’s Blue Seal’ is one of them.
A good decision from Mortlach after they admitted that the previous series was received rather disappointingly. The biggest issues were the sizes of the bottles (500 ml) and the corresponding prices.
So after some feedback, they went through everything again and came up with a new series, all in 700ml bottles and with lowered prices. A very nice development I think. But what about the whisky itself.
This Mortlach has matured in sherry casks and is bottled at 43.4% ABV.
Mortlach 20-year-old tasting notes:
Nose: Quite fruity in the beginning: Bananas, nectarines and also a hint of honey. But it is all a bit faint. Light tobacco. And some eucalyptus in the background.
Taste: Oranges, some warming spices, and a hint of tobacco. Raisins. Honey and eucalyptus here too. It is somewhat flat or thin in the taste. Easy drinkable so.
Finish: The finish is short to mid-long. With eucalyptus again. A hint of honey. Some spices, but very very light.
A very easy drinkable 20-year-old. Honestly, maybe a bit too easy. Perhaps it is me today, I don’t know, but I can’t get many flavours out of this whisky. The nose is the most interesting part but after that, it goes a bit downwards.
