Mortlach has unveiled its Midnight Malt 30 Years Old with a price tag of $4,500. The Scotch is the latest addition to Diageo’s Rare & Exceptional range of luxurious spirits, which also includes the recently released Third Prima & Ultima Collection.
Bottled at 49.1% ABV, Mortlach Midnight Malt was initially aged in refill American oak and European oak casks. The whisky was then split into three different seasoned casks: Bordeaux wine, Calvados, and Guatemalan rum. Finally, the liquid was married in custom quarter casks.
“There is an art and science to the creation of whisky, born of an unabating quest to wield flavour – a journey that is complex, evolving into unknown directions, only to finally reveal itself as the patient labour of visionary at work,” commented Diageo master of malt Dr Craig Wilson.
A press release comments, “When day transcends to night, light changes and shadows emerge. Mortlach Midnight Malt captures the feeling of this moment. Unexpected layers of richness and intensity emerge from a three-cask finish of bold provenance.”
The nose is mellow with some initial prickle. This settles in time to reveal a savoury and faintly herbal top note, suggesting pork crackling sprinkled with dry sage. Beneath lies a deeper, more vinous note with intriguing and rich aromas of dark rum, toffee brittle, and drying traces of chocolate. A richly winey, apple fruity and mouth-watering start delights the palate, backed by a long spicy intensity with a persistent black pepper note. The finish is long, sweet, and deep-flavoured with a light peppery spiciness. With water, its still sweet and softer with the spicy heat joined by a suggestions of mint chocolate in the lingering aftertaste.
The whisky comes in packaging that fades from moonlight blue into a sunset orange.
For more information, head over to the Diageo Rare & Exceptional official website.
