Mortlach debuts 50YO for $30,000
Diageo-owned Mortlach has revealed its oldest release to date, a 50-year-old single malt, as the final expression in the Singing Stills series.
Drawn from a single refill American oak hogshead cask, Mortlach 50-year-old is limited to 60 bottles worldwide and celebrates the distillery's more than 200-year legacy. The cask lay undisturbed for half a century, undergoing a 'slow journey of refinement' at the distillery's original warehouse in Speyside. It was distilled using Mortlach's original direct-fire stills and signature 2.81-time distillation. The Slinging Stills series, which is dedicated to rare single cask expressions, is said to epitomise Mortlach's commitment to pushing the boundaries of whisky making. Metamorphosing over five decades, the expression 'reveals the distillery's deepest secrets'. Offering a delicate balance between sweetness and opulent richness, Mortlach 50-year-old displays vibrant fruity notes and spice. Dr Craig Wilson, master blender of Mortlach, commented: “Upon finding the last remaining casks, I was intrigued by the potential impact of an extended maturation process on Mortlach's umami essence. Mortlach, a 50-year-old, exceeded all expectations. This is the best example of the distillery’s wild character, tamed by nature over time. An exceptional and fascinating expression and a fitting tribute to the distillery’s history of doing things in a unique and pioneering way." Now available globally, the limited edition has a suggested retail price of US$30,000 without taxes and duty (€27,450/£23,000). Last month, Mortlach unveiled a trio of spirits under L’Evolution Collection, imagined by creative director Philippe Starck. The 50-year-old was also one of the eight whiskies released under Diageo's 2024 Special Releases: Spirited Xchange Second Edition.
