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Mortlach 13 years

fruity woody
4.3
(1)€130Scotland, Speyside, Single Malt

Flavours

Whisky character

Fresh
Warm
Mild
Full
Smooth
Spicy

Taste mentions

Facts

In Dufftown, locals still call Mortlach the Beast. Most bottlings lean meaty and heavy. This 2021 Diageo Special Release takes a different path. Sweet cake notes arrive first, then lemon and orange peel cut through honeycomb and nougat. Toasted vanilla and white chocolate linger on the tongue. Woody spice keeps the sweetness honest. At natural cask strength it stays punchy, yet the fruit feels bright rather than brooding. Pour it neat in a tulip glass and let the spirit breathe before the first sip.

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About the distillery

Distillery

Mortlach

Mortlach is a distillery located in the Speyside region of Scotland, known for its distinct and full-bodied whiskies. Mortlach is unique in that it uses a complex distillation process that involves three wash stills and three spirit stills, which produces a rich and meaty whisky with a robust flavor profile. This process has earned Mortlach the nickname "The Beast of Dufftown." The distillery produces a range of whiskies, including the Mortlach 12 Year Old, the Mortlach 16 Year Old, and the Mortlach 20 Year Old, which have all won numerous awards and accolades for their quality. Interestingly, Mortlach was a favourite of whisky icon, Johnnie Walker, who used the distillery's whiskies as a key component in some of his most famous blends.

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41Whiskies on Distilld

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Speyside

Most popular whiskies from Mortlach

About the Mortlach 13 years

Mortlach 13 years is a single malt Scotch whisky from Speyside in Scotland. Mortlach, the first legal distillery in Dufftown. Built its fame on a quirky 2.81 distillation run through worm tub condensers. Few Scottish distilleries copy that setup. This Diageo Special Releases 2021 bottling carries natural cask strength at 55.9% ABV. It drinks sweeter and fruitier than many classic Mortlach pours, while still holding real Speyside weight on the finish. Founded in 1823, Mortlach sits at the heart of Dufftown, a town surrounded by famous Speyside neighbours. Whisky writers nicknamed the place the Beast of Dufftown for its bold, savoury new make. Engineer Alexander Cowie designed the partial triple distillation that averages 2.81 passes through copper. Worm tubs hold back extra copper contact, leaving a heavier, oilier spirit built for long aging. That house style usually reads meaty on the palate. This Special Release steers toward dessert sweetness and bright citrus instead. Fresh fruit and lemon zest lead the aroma, layered over honeycomb, toffee, and sweet nougat. Orange peel adds a bright citrus edge without turning sharp. Vanilla and white chocolate follow with cake-like sweetness and oak spice on the tongue. Earthy wood and vegetative notes thread through the mid-palate, keeping the sweetness from feeling cloying. Fruity warmth arrives late, more orchard brightness than brooding sherry depth. The woody finish lingers with gentle toffee and a hint of nougat. Mortlach 13 years arrives at natural cask strength, so start neat in a tulip glass. The first sip shows oak, sweet toffee, and lively citrus. Give it a minute in the glass and the woody layers settle into white chocolate and honeycomb. It suits drinkers who know Mortlach's beastly reputation but want a brighter, fruit-led take on the distillery's Speyside character.