Mortlach 70 Year Old 1938

Tasting Notes by Charles MacLean

• APPEARANCE:The colour of sun-bleached polished mahogany.AROMA:A mellow nose, at once waxy and fruity; candlewax to the fore initially, which becomes snuffed candle (a thread of smoke), with Maraschino cherries in Madeira cake behind, and after a while an orangey citric note – fresh and juicy, becoming apricot jam. Flaked almonds and whin flowers, becoming light coconut oil.TASTE:Surprisingly lively tasted straight. A smooth, waxy mouth feel; a sweetish start becoming moderately dry, but not overly-tannic. Dried fig and tobacco notes, and an intriguing light smokiness. A long finish and, for the first time, a hint of planed hardwood in the aftertaste. With a teaspoon of water, the smooth texture is enhanced. The fresh, light sweetness becoming pleasantly sour (‘Soor Plooms’), with sooty smoke in the finish.COMMENT:Remarkable! No trace of wood or must or bung cloth– a delicate, fresh, vital, fruity whisky, but with unusual attributes of waxiness and smokiness – uncommon today,more usual before the 1960s.