Mortlach 11 Years Old 2004 Old Particular (48.4%, Douglas Laing, Refill HH #10968, 381 Bottles, 2015)

• ABV: 48.4%
• Age: 11 Years Old
• Bottling: Douglas Laing, Old Particular, Refill HH #10968
• Category: Speyside single malt scotch whisky
• Cost: £52.83
• Origin: Mortlach distillery
• Vintage: 2004

What they say

381 bottles of this Mortlach single malt emerged from a single refill hogshead in December 2015, having been filled back in January 2004. An independently bottled Speyside whisky from Douglas Laing’s Old Particular range.

Official tasting notes:

• Nose: Citrus and blossoms with a sturdy spiced cereal body beneath.
• Palate: That spicy cereal to the fore, musky, meaty malt, brown sugar and supporting vanilla.
• Finish: Buttered toast with a light sprinkling of dark spices.

What I say

Distilled at Mortlach distillery in Speyside and matured in a refill hogshead #10968 before bottling by Douglas Laing as part of their Old Particular range at 11 Years Old and reduced to 48.4% ABV, producing 381 bottles.

My tasting notes:

• Appearance: Refractive champagne gold (4/20), numerous fine tears and long medium legs.
• Nose: Lemon curd, sharper, vanilla, orange zest and cardamom, cereal malt, heather honey, eggy pancakes and a pinch of sulphur.
• Taste: Gentle spiced gingerbread, mixed fruits and vanilla, egg custard tarts, mealy floury pancakes, banana fritters, a touch of green banana and some spices.
• Finish: Medium, buttery cereals and spices.

Overall

A little spirity and spicy, colour and palate suggest slightly under-active refill hogshead. A combination of Mortlach’s heavy spirit and sweetness from vanilla and honey kept reminding me of eggy /sulphuric custard and pancakes throughout.

Score 80/100

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