Mortlach 11 Year (2010) Signatory Vintage Cask Strength Collection

Review by: The Muskox

Time for a proper sherry bomb. After trying a very tasty Carn Mor bottling of Mortlach in the sherry-bomb style (even the same age and vintage!) a few months ago, my expectations have risen for similar bottlings. An interesting point about this label is Signatory’s use of the term “fresh sherry butt”, rather than first-fill. Given how dark this whisky ended up after only a 13-month finish, I expect the finishing cask was still dripping wet with sherry when it was filled.

Distillery: Mortlach.

Bottler: Signatory Vintage.

Region: Speyside.

ABV: 58.2%, cask strength.

Age: 11 years old. Distilled on 02/08/2010. Bottled on 02/17/2021.

Cask type: 10-month sherry butt finish.

Color: Dark red-amber. No colour added, un-chillfiltered.

Nose: Very sweet and juicy. Deep red fruit – raspberry coulis, Swedish fish, red-on-the-inside plums. Rich mid notes of rum balls and crème brulee. Chocolate pudding topped with slivered almonds.

Palate: Not a whole lot of heat. Thick texture. Arrives with more deep fruit notes of blood orange, candied plums, and macerated strawberries. Carrot cake with cream cheese icing. Rum balls and cocoa puffs. Slightly earthy on the development, with charred sweet hardwood, amber maple syrup, and Dr. Pepper.

Finish: Medium-length. Chocolate-covered cherries, espresso-roast coffee beans, oodles of warm spice (star anise and clove). Red licorice. Sasparilla.

Possible SMWS bottling name: “Red gummy bear in barista school”

Notes: Not my preferred style of whisky. It’s a big dumb sherry bomb – the Mortlachitude has just been obliterated by the cask. It’s not bad by any stretch, but it’s lacking something special like that similar Carn Mor bottling. I do like the richness and mouthfeel, but ultimately I fear this will be a rather forgettable whisky for me.

Final Score: 81.

Scoring Legend:

  • 95-100: As good as it gets. Jaw-dropping, eye-widening, unforgettable whisky.
  • 90-94: Sublime, a personal favorite in its category.
  • 85-89: Excellent, a standout dram.
  • 80-84: Quite good. Quality stuff.
  • 75-79: Decent whisky worth tasting.
  • 70-74: Meh. It’s definitely drinkable, but it can do better.
  • 60-69: Not so good. I might not turn down a glass if I needed a drink.
  • 50-59: Save it for mixing.
  • 0-49: Blech.

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