Mortlach 2007 Signatory Vintage

An independent bottling of Mortlach from Signatory Vintage. Distilled in April 2007, this whisky has sat in a pair of ex-bourbon hogsheads for 13 years before being bottled in August 2020.

I love the presentation of these Signatory bottlings. Many whiskies claim to be non-chill filtered, but use other harsh filtration methods, which often create the same effect. These whiskies are genuine. The filtration is basic and the scotch mist occurs very quickly when a drop of water is added. This results in a much improved flavour and a lovely, coating and oily mouthfeel.

Nose : Ooh the apples! Sweet and slightly sour apple, transporting me back to sour apple chewit sweets as a kid. Lemon and vanilla. Earthy notes – petrichor.

Palate : Sweet turning bitter. Lemon comes a bit more to the fore, but the apples are there again. The apple comes forward on the palate as it develops turning slightly sour. Pepper spice and creamy. Minerally and oaky. The apple remains on the palate a long time after the liquid has gone.

Conclusions : The fruit, the earth and the minerality all work really well together. This is very good indeed. Very fresh and vibrant. If you can find a bottle then it is a worthwhile one to search out.

Score : 8/10

Vital statistics
ABV : 46%
Non-chill filtered : Yes
Natural Colour : Yes
Maturation : Two x bourbon hogsheads (numbers 304896 and 304898)
Distillation : Distilled 30th April 2007 and bottled 3rd August 2020
Region : Speyside
Colour : White Wine