SMWS 76.144 Mortlach 13 2005 "I caught the darkness..."

The first of the bottles I’ve bought from them that I’ve reviewed. I bought this at a preview tasting and I was very surprised that one of the two bottles shown that night that I felt I needed to buy was an unpeated Speyside. Let’s just say that historically they aren’t my favorite. But I did like it enough to buy a bottle. Was it the right call, or was that tasting just too generous with the pours?

Mortlach 13 2005, Scotch Malt Whisky Society, Speyside Single Malt, 60% ABV

Minutia: Distilled on October 5, 2005 and matured in an ex-Bourbon hogshead for 11 years, then in a 1st fill red wine barrique yielding 237 bottles. This is part of the Spicy & Sweet flavor profile named “I caught the darkness...”. Enjoyed neat in a glencairn.

Color: Auburn, 1.5.

Nose: Malty, woody element. Musty dark fruit. Maybe some spice like a bay leaf. Leather.

Taste: Twizzler, spicy, hot. Berry jam/other smushed berry product.

Finish: Long, hot, musty and malty. Similar sensation when breathing that you get after a mint.

Aside from its own merits, I like this as a change from my standard smoky leanings. I enjoyed this one so much more than anything in this realm it’s what encouraged me to look beyond peat into what characteristics are similar in drams I like and to start tracking scores and averaging based on casks, peatiness, and beyond, something I’m glad I started doing.

Score: 89

Musical Evocation: Anyone – “I Shot the Sheriff” (just because I can’t help but read the name in that melody)