Mortlach 20 Year "Cowie's Blue Seal"

The nose starts with a rich caramel and sherry mixture along with dark chocolate covered figs, baked apples, Welch’s grape juice then blood orange frosted vanilla scones followed by a light sulfur, minerality and floral notes of cherry blossoms before light barrel spices and old dusty leather-bound books with light ethanol burn. The taste is a medium-full mouthfeel starting with a rich sherry caramel along with grape must, dark chocolate covered figs, baked apples, then charred blood oranges, vanilla pound cake followed by a light sulfur and floral notes of cherry blossoms before light barrel spices and old dusty leather-bound books with light ethanol burn. The finish is medium length with blood orange, vanilla scones, light minerality, dark chocolate covered figs, grape must, light sulfur, baked apple pie and old dusty leather-bound books. This is a very well-aged whisky that is incredibly balanced with light sherry, citrus, floral, minerality and old oak on the nose that thankfully delivers the same consistent balance of flavors on the palate before slowly fading on the finish. There are really no flaws to this whisky, but I wish this was bottled higher than the 43.4% to intensify the flavors along with a richer mouthfeel to help me justify the premium cost of $200+. I’d probably pick one of these up for the cost of less than $180, but for now I’ll be happy with the sample and be on the lookout for it at a discounted price.

Nose: predominant blond orange and honey, but also vanilla and dried red fruit. Excellent impact with the sense of smell. Palate: mamma mia, you seem to take a spoonful of honey in your mouth, the good one, which then explodes in an alcohol content mitigated by sweetness. Then short pastry, candied orange peel, and honey honey honey. Final: not perfect, because it goes from sweet to bitter in no time. The only part that can be improved on a still excellent whisky! 4.50 rating ___________________________________________________________ Naso: arancia bionda e miele predominanti, ma anche vaniglia e frutta rossa secca. Ottimo impatto con l’olfatto. Palato: mamma mia, sembra di prendere in bocca un cucchiaio di miele, di quello buono, che poi esplode in una gradazione alcolica mitigata dalla dolcezza. Poi pasta frolla, scorze di arancia candita, e miele miele miele. Finale: non perfetto, perché dal dolce passa all’amarognolo in pochissimo tempo. Unica parte migliorabile di un comunque ottimo whisky! Voto 4,50

Very rich & cohesive dram. Caramel bursts out the gate with orange dreamsicle right behind. Slightly salty with some chewy banana bread and chocolate malt on the midpalate. Some nice tobacco, oak, and slight herbs linger while coating your mouth with oil. Absolutely delightful.

A very rich dram with just the right amount of spice up front. Beautiful mid-notes with some soft vanilla and warm raisins. The finish is quite nice, but I had hoped it would linger a bit longer than it did. Strongly recommend.

Very high C/P value, One of the best scotch i have ever had, never fail when I bring it to family party, commercial dinner or even brother’s game night.

A deeply oily solid whisky. Fruit and vanilla with tobacco. A raisin oak finish.