Mortlach | Signatory Vintage | Small Batch Edition #1 | 2012/2023 | 48,2%

The Mortlach Distillery, founded in 1823 by James Findlater, Donald Mackintosh, and Alex Gordon, is located in the Dufftown region of Scotland and was the first licensed distillery in this area. It played a central role in the development of Scotch whisky. Over the years, the distillery changed hands several times and underwent various transformations, becoming particularly known for its unique distillation process that makes the whisky especially rich and robust.

A distinctive feature of the Mortlach Distillery is its triple distillation, which leads to a robust and flavorful spirit. The use of cold worm tubs and a copper-deficient environment gives the whisky a characteristic meatiness and a hint of sulfur, making it ideal for aging in ex-sherry casks.

Mortlach whiskies are known for their rich, complex flavor profiles with notes of dark fruits, spices, and a subtle sulfur note. The official releases include the "Rare Old," "Special Strength," 18-year-old, and 25-year-old variants. Particularly popular is the "Very Rare" series, which is valued for its limited availability and high quality.

Mortlach has a production capacity of approximately 2.9 million liters per year, and the water for production comes from the Dykehead spring area in the Conval Hills. Mortlach was long primarily featured in blends, especially in Johnnie Walker blends, but gained recognition as a single malt through independent bottlings and Diageo’s Flora & Fauna range. In 2014, Diageo introduced an official Mortlach range, making this cult favorite brand accessible to a wider audience.

Signatory Vintage, based in Perthshire, Scotland, is a leading independent bottler known since its founding in 1988 by Andrew Symington for its exquisite and rare Scottish whiskies. With access to approximately 35,000 casks, Signatory offers an impressive range of Single Malt Scotch Whiskies that highlight the unique properties of each individual cask.

Diverse Premium Quality Offerings

The Signatory Vintage product range includes regular bottlings at 43% alcohol content, a cask strength series, and a non-chill-filtered series. Each of these series is appreciated for their purity and authenticity, as they forego artificial colorants and chill filtration. These practices help preserve the natural taste and color of the whisky, which is particularly popular among connoisseurs.

Preservers of History

A special aspect of Signatory Vintage is their commitment to preserving whiskies from closed distilleries. These bottlings offer enthusiasts the rare opportunity to taste whiskies from a bygone era of whisky production. The acquisition of the Edradour Distillery in 2002 marked another milestone for Signatory Vintage, as they now also oversee the distillation process themselves, thus gaining greater control over production.

Exclusive Bottlings and Collectibles

Among the notable releases are the Cask Strength Collection, which offers whiskies at cask strength, and the Silent Stills series, which includes the last available quantities from no longer existing distilleries. These series are particularly sought after by collectors and connoisseurs looking for extraordinary and limited editions.