Mortlach 21 2003 2025 58,3 % SV TWE, WB275255

One of the few worm tub distilleries. Apparently Diageo likes worm tubs. According to the Edinburgh Whisky Academy, the other worm-tub distilleries are Ardnahoe, Ballindaloch, Balmenach, Benrinnes, Brora, Cragganmore, Craigellachie, Dalwhinnie, Edradour, Glen Elgin, Glenkinchie, Knockdhu, Oban, Pulteney, Royal Lochnagar, Speyburn, Springbank, Talisker, Rosebank.

After 2 hours: Nose: Lemon peel, fresh herbs, lemon balm. Different glasses reveal different flavours. Chalk cliffs, freshly laid screed. Wet, freshly cleaned board, solvent. Dust, especially chalk dust. Sorrel. Pasture in the Allgäu, greasy sweet pastries, perhaps fried sweets? That's right, churros. A gym with freshly used equipment, magnesia in the air and on sweaty bodies. First impressions can be deceiving, it takes time.

The palate: Wow, nutmeg, cinnamon, minerals, herbs garden and soup. A few drops of water would make this even sweeter.

Finish: Sweetened green tea, Riesling Steillage Schiefer, a bite of chalky rock, some lemon zest, green apples, mildly spicy paprika.

91/91/92

Mortlach 2004 SMWS 76.152 19, WB: 243255

SMWS, what a strange club, instead of names, numerical codes (which you look up anyway) and predetermined flavours, quasi incapacitating, elitist and somehow ... not. Anyway.
Mortlach, the name sounds like a war cry. "But Enough Talking, I Challenge You."
Nose: Ground in a mixed forest. Moss and all kinds of elf dung. Old library with wise books. Sawmill. Fruit stall next to dried fruits. Sunday roast with grilled pineapple slices.
Mouth: Sweet, pineapple juice, apricot juice, apple juice, sherbet, doughnuts in lots of oil, crêpes.

Finish: Mouth-filling, coating, waxy, oily, blunt teeth. Dental floss, a hint of mint. Sticky, dry.
With ¼ teaspoon of water, the nose loses intensity. Herbs and dusty spices dominate in the mouth. Some cinnamon spiciness is noticeable in the finish. Why continue to buy from SMWS?
“To Be The Best; Isn’t That A Good Enough Reason?” Kojiro.
93/100