Mortlach 13 Years 750ml

A mellow and rounded nose-feel lulls the senses, then introduces a first soaring note of freshly oiled wood. Next, rising through this, savory and meaty notes suggest the beast within yet also carry a sweet tartness, suggesting roast pheasant with redcurrant jelly. The senses are heightened as these pitch perfect aromas in turn reveal a deeper moorland base-note, rich in heather pollen and freshly crushed herbs. A drop of water completes the anticipation, bringing out a sweet, fruity hint of lime. The pleasure builds still more, as a big, supersmooth texture envelops the palate. The wonderfully intense taste is vanilla-sweet yet easily embraces a savory finish, spicy-dry as the new oak makes its presence felt, with a surprising kick of chili-pepper in the swallow. Magnificently feral and full of life on the palate, these flavors race across the tongue. Long and deeply impressive, with power, fruit and spiciness in perfect harmony as a warming peppery glow spreads out in the aftertaste, in which a dash of water brings up a fresh floral-herbal note to light the deepening night.