MORTLACH Rare Old 43,4%

Tasting note

• Appearance : clear, bright amber.
• Nose : reserved and discreet, first showing a ripe fruity tang of red plum, peach and blackberry (more obvious with a little water). A dryer note in the smooth, nutty layer underneath reveals complexity and depth. In time there’s the baked sweetness of a buttery Madeira cake or chocolate biscuits. This sweetness becomes more toffee–like then gradually more savoury, with heady floral notes and maybe just the slightest hint of smoke. The oak is restrained and natural, recalling a dry, sunny autumn day in the woods.
• Palate : stunning. Sweet, tongue-coating and fiery, then chewy on the mid-palate; gingery and tangy now too, ranging dense orchard fruits alongside a light gaminess. Growing sweeter, the flavours move from red fruit to liquorice to toffee, then sweet roast meat, set off by a rich, supple and muscular structure. Becoming dryer, with appealing hints of orange oil, it’s still all beautifully pervasive and comforting. Adding just a little water enlivens things without taking away the pleasing texture.
• Overall : soft, coating and surprisingly sweet, with blackcurrant and drying yet silky-smooth tannins. Later, spicy with black pepper, as with chilli-accented dark chocolate.