Mortlach 21 Year Old (Special Release 2020) (70cl, 56.9%)

For its 2020 Special Releases, Diageo has gone and bottled up a particularly impressive 21 year old single malt from the much-adored Mortlach Distillery! Finished in Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso sherry seasoned casks, this expression maintains the classic Mortlach meatiness, though the fruity notes do stand out brilliantly here. A release of 7,692 bottles.

Nose: A dram overflowing with rich, dark fruit aromas - raisins, prunes and figs roll from the glass. Then the characteristic Mortlach meatiness comes through, balanced and lifted by lemon and lime peels.

Palate: Full-bodied and mouth-filling, this is like dark chocolate with nut inclusions, plus spiced orange, and a chilli pepper prickle. There's a suggestion of appled meat on a barbecue, with robust tannins building in texture.

Finish: Long and luscious, meandering between the savoury meat notes and succulent fruits.