Part of the Diageo Special Releases 2016 collection, this limited edition Speyside Single Malt was distilled in 1990 at Mannochmore distillery, a relatively young distillery whose whisky is rarely seen as a single malt. Matured in a mix of first-fill ex-bourbon American oak barrels and new and ex-bodega European oak butts, only 3,954 individually numbered bottles are available worldwide.The nose is fruity to start with candied orange peel and red apple emerging from fruitcake layers. The palate is hot and sweet with vanilla toffee, creamy coffee and burnt orange peel, becoming fragrant and floral with an oaky dryness. The finish is medium and firm with a faintly smoky warmth.

Inspired by the myth of a moonlit beast of Dufftown, this is a Mortlach 13 Year Old that packs a punch. Cask strength at 55.9% abv, this was distilled in 2007. It spent its slumber in a mixture of virgin and refill American oak casks, and has a cask-imparted colour. This dram is also free from any chill filtration.

Aromas of freshly oiled wood arrive on the nose, alongside roast pheasant, redcurrant jelly, and heather pollen. The smooth texture envelops the palate, with notes of spicy oak, chilli pepper, and an intense vanilla sweetness. The finish is powerful, with a peppery glow combining with fruit and spiciness. An elegant Speyside whisky.

This single malt Scotch whisky is the final release in the Game of Thrones Single Malt Scotch Whisky Collection from Diageo. Released in celebration of HBO’s seminal fantasy drama based on George RR Martin’s A Song of Fire & Ice series, this expression was distilled at Speyside’s Mortlach distillery. Matured in first fill sherry-seasoned casks and finished in ex-bourbon barrels, it has been bottled aged 15 years old at a strength of 46% abv and released in limited quantities worldwide.

Hailing from ‘The Beast of Dufftown’, this 20-year-old Mortlach whisky is dubbed ‘Cowie’s Blue Seal’ in tribute to one of the original Mortlach bottlings dating back to 1909. Matured exclusively in sherry casks and bottled at a strength of 43.4% abv, this is a whisky that would have made the great Alexander Cowie proud.

The nose is dense, elegant and intruguing with its aromas of dried fruit, cedarwood, leather and tobacco. On the palate, notes of aromatic citrus dominate, alongside touches of wood spice, barbecue pork crackling, berries and cocoa nibs leading to a complex finish full of gingerbread, raisin and liquorice.

This Mortlach was matured for rich distillery character in small batches then carefully finished in Pedro Ximenez and Oloroso-seasoned casks to build yet more levels of aroma and taste. The many-layered outcome mirrors the complexity of the mysterious Mortlach 2.81 distillation itself. Part of the Diageo Special Releases 2020 range, this expression is highly-limited.

The aromas run deep on the nose, swirling with dark dried fruits and savoury, meaty notes. The texture is super smooth, the intense taste is sweet with rich fruit and cured ham, building to a lingering spicy dryness. Long and impressive, the finish truly emphasises this harmony of sweetness and spice, leaving the palate dry in a glorious afterglow.

One of only 296 bottles produced in May 2016, this Speyside Single Malt Whisky was distilled at Mortlach distillery in October 2007 before maturing for 8 year in a single refill barrel.

Mortlach 8 year old GlenKeir Treasure

A remarkable addition to the Linkwood family. This Speyside expression spent 10 years maturing in a bourbon cask before being finished for 30 months in a first fill sherry hogshead cask. It was bottled in 2021 at 56.8% abv. A limited release and an exclusive to The Whisky Shop, this single malt is free from chill filtration and artificial colouring.

There are notes of sweet raisins and spiced figs on the nose. On the palate lies flavours of Christmas cake, chocolate, and candied orange peel. The finish has lingering notes of treacle, tropical fruits, and toasted almonds. A truly delectable dram.

Team Nc’nean are back, thanks to this independent bottling by That Boutique-y Whisky Company. This is the second bottling from the company of single malt whisky from Nc’nean. This second batch is a release of 356 bottles, all presented at 59.8% abv, and having been aged for 3 years. Part of the Home Nations Series, the label shows the colourful characters at Nc’nean engaging in all types of mythic activities.

Expect the aromas of summer flowers, vanilla pods, and herbaceous notes to arrive at the nose. The palate is one of sweet honey, citrus peel, festives spices and digestive biscuits. The finish gives a kick of spice, with a balancing out in flavour. Sumptuous.