Good on Signatory for making themselves so available without diluting their product and keeping their bottles at often very reasonable prices (UK at least)
Totally agree on the good value. Just picked up a 13 year old Speyside (m) from them, cask strength part of the 100 proof series for £46 here in Edinburgh (Royal Mile Whiskies for anyone looking).
Thanks for reviewing this one Ralfy. I want to try more from Signatory in future. I have the Signatory 2009 Vintage 12-year-old Mortlach and I'm really enjoying it. Love the savoury notes. It was a good price too. Cheers!
I totally agree with everything you are saying. It takes time and patience to get through some of the wonderful bottles most casual drinkers never get.
Nice one Ralfy, sounds very interesting. I've only ever tried the official 12 year Mortlach. I quite liked it, a bit different from everyone else. Nice oily mouth feel and a big nutty finish. I actually hate the taste of nuts but i found it so interesting it makes me enjoy it 🤔.
Evening Ralfy, just tried Martlach 16, wonderful stuff and Bunnahabin 12 great stuff as well. Thanks a bunch for the reviews I will move on to bourbon and America whiskey, then Canadian blended whiskey . I will give a full report at the end April. Chris somewhere in the Salish Sea, tah tah for now!
I have a 12 yo Mortlach IB from The Ultimate, and it is fantastic. But I also love the 14 yo OB, which is also very cheap given the age and the distillery. Both a 90+ in my scoring system. I would have tried more from them if the prices weren't so high beyond the 14. The IB's are amazing but they are single casks, and I think Mortlach shines when they blend a variety of casks at the distillery. The sherry flavors work really well with their savory, heavy and intense distillate. Anyway, Signatory (almost) always means accessible quality. Without them, my experience in the whisky world would be so much poorer.
I’m a big fan of Signatory Vintage. I have the Mortlach 15yo and I think it’s a lovely whisky. I was expecting more of a savoury note like the SV Ben Nevis 8yo or even the Glen Garioch 12yo OB but don’t get much with the Mortlach. However, I still think it’s very tasty and interesting
I've had similar bottle of Mortlach from SV 2009 12 yo. three hogsheads made 900 something bottles with The Un-Chillfiltered Collection's standard. This outfit deserves any and every of the praise they've got. Andrew's Symignton operation is truly a beating heart of the independent bottlers of Scotland who send out decent quality for decent price. Not many left of them, we need to proteect that somehow. Very nice indeed. 50 euros shipped, first Mortlach I ever tasted, it was so singular and palate blowing I bought the official 12 yo, despite the warnings, to get to know the character. Let me tell you, the OB Mortlach was so neutered you almost felt the Mohel's influence in the Cesarean that has had to happen during the birthing of that product. I was repulsed. It's still a whisky from the same distillery, they say. Hey Diageo, Royal Brackla seems to get it. Free the Mortlach.
A note on advertising. I noticed Springbank is advertising on social media lately. They hired a Canadian photographer to shoot both, an advertisement for the countdown collection and I seen an ad for the local barely the other day. Curious what your thoughts are that?
Enjoyable review of Mortlach & Signatory but to be honest I can’t help but feel a little disappointed that it wasn’t the 2012 11yr old Mortlach Signatory bottling you spoke about between reviews 1006 & 1007..
Signatory is a great bottler. I have tasted a 15YO from a secret Orkney distillery (probably Highland Park, but it is not stated explicitly). This whisky is far superior (in my opinion) to all Highland Parks I've tasted, incl. a special release for Bulgaria 13 YO single cask and triple the price. I also have a 14 YO Glen Elgin and a 13 YO Glen Ord, but I haven't tried them, yet. Their bottles have laboratory style labels with all the necessary information, such as cask number, year of distillation, year of bottling, non-chillfiltration, no added colouring, etc. In Bulgaria, where I live, prices are a bit higher than the distilleries' official releases, but their quality is far superior, and the taste is quite different, so a blind tasting (unless a super expert) would not give out the specific distillery's signature taste.
Official Mortlach has some of the most ridiculous, unnecessarily extravagant bottles, right up there with HP "fire and ice" or whatever those are called. Bling-o-rama.
Great Video Ralfy! Heading to Speyside this coming October - Going to have limited time there, do you have a favourite distillery up that way? I know that's quite broad considering the vast amount of production there. however, I would value your opinion if you could recommend.
Comrade Ralfy, you have got an integrity heavily peated single malt cough. With age statement and chimney strength. Not good but much better than Covid. 😅😅😅
Good to see a Mortlach getting positive buzz. It’s been quite a while since I’ve heard positive things about that brand, which is a shame for how storied it is.
No whisky in the glas today. Im drinking Vieux Sajous 4 Year Old Lustau Oloroso Casks Cask Strength Clairin Rum. Its amazing, you should taste it and review such a bottling from velier.
As you know, Ralfy, I'm a big fan of Signatory bottlings for their consistent quality and happy that they are being sold at a very reasonable price here in Israel. So, a subject that perhaps needs further exploration is the opinion that there are certain distilleries that must only be drunk with Ex-Sherry maturation in order to experience the real genuine character of the spirit and that independent bottlers are doing the distilleries a disservice by bottling Ex-Bourbon matured examples. So, buying an Ex-Bourbon barrel matured example of one of these "Sherry" distilleries will not give you an authentic experience for that distillery. It's a corruption of the natural character of the spirit. I'm talking about, for example, Ex-Bourbon Signatory bottlings of Ben Nevis, Blair Athol, and yes, this Mortlach. What say you Ralfy?
Thanks for the review. But, you're completely wrong about advertising (11:30). Businesses advertise because they want more consumers to hear about their product, and to sell more product (and make more money)....it has NOTHING to do with quality. "Rounder and sharper"? Sour ginger. Bitter. It's so good ("really good stuff") you gave it...an 84. Meh, lots better out there.
"Seek out quality that matches your palette." Now that's a nice way to phrase it to people.
Good on Signatory for making themselves so available without diluting their product and keeping their bottles at often very reasonable prices (UK at least)
Totally agree on the good value. Just picked up a 13 year old Speyside (m) from them, cask strength part of the 100 proof series for £46 here in Edinburgh (Royal Mile Whiskies for anyone looking).
Thanks for reviewing this one Ralfy. I want to try more from Signatory in future. I have the Signatory 2009 Vintage 12-year-old Mortlach and I'm really enjoying it. Love the savoury notes. It was a good price too. Cheers!
I totally agree with everything you are saying. It takes time and patience to get through some of the wonderful bottles most casual drinkers never get.
Nice one Ralfy, sounds very interesting. I've only ever tried the official 12 year Mortlach. I quite liked it, a bit different from everyone else. Nice oily mouth feel and a big nutty finish. I actually hate the taste of nuts but i found it so interesting it makes me enjoy it 🤔.
Nice one as always, Ralfy. I cracked my bottle of this around two weeks ago and have really been enjoying my time with it. Slainte.
Sounds fascinating dear Ralfy! Thanks 🙏 for sharing your thoughts and my kindest regards as always, S.
Enjoyed the series and your take on the winners. Looking forward to the OSWA 2024.
Evening Ralfy, just tried Martlach 16, wonderful stuff and Bunnahabin 12 great stuff as well.
Thanks a bunch for the reviews I will move on to bourbon and America whiskey, then Canadian blended whiskey . I will give a full report at the end April.
Chris somewhere in the Salish Sea, tah tah for now!
I have a 12 yo Mortlach IB from The Ultimate, and it is fantastic. But I also love the 14 yo OB, which is also very cheap given the age and the distillery. Both a 90+ in my scoring system. I would have tried more from them if the prices weren't so high beyond the 14. The IB's are amazing but they are single casks, and I think Mortlach shines when they blend a variety of casks at the distillery. The sherry flavors work really well with their savory, heavy and intense distillate.
Anyway, Signatory (almost) always means accessible quality. Without them, my experience in the whisky world would be so much poorer.
Got the same cough Ralfy. Going on 2 weeks now. Effecting my voice. Gotta get over so I can get back to review. All the best sir.
I’m a big fan of Signatory Vintage. I have the Mortlach 15yo and I think it’s a lovely whisky. I was expecting more of a savoury note like the SV Ben Nevis 8yo or even the Glen Garioch 12yo OB but don’t get much with the Mortlach. However, I still think it’s very tasty and interesting
It's got good squeakability too! 👍🇬🇧
Good Morning 😊 Thanks for another awesome video and review 👌🏽 Thanks for sharing 👏🏼 Greetings and Cheers 🍻 From South Africa 🇿🇦
I much prefer an IB version of Mortlach than the official versions. Signatory has been reliably consistent.
I've had similar bottle of Mortlach from SV 2009 12 yo. three hogsheads made 900 something bottles with The Un-Chillfiltered Collection's standard. This outfit deserves any and every of the praise they've got. Andrew's Symignton operation is truly a beating heart of the independent bottlers of Scotland who send out decent quality for decent price. Not many left of them, we need to proteect that somehow. Very nice indeed. 50 euros shipped, first Mortlach I ever tasted, it was so singular and palate blowing I bought the official 12 yo, despite the warnings, to get to know the character. Let me tell you, the OB Mortlach was so neutered you almost felt the Mohel's influence in the Cesarean that has had to happen during the birthing of that product. I was repulsed. It's still a whisky from the same distillery, they say. Hey Diageo, Royal Brackla seems to get it. Free the Mortlach.
Bitter with citrusy or sour fruit notes sounds like a hazy IPA beer, which is what I'm drinking at the moment.
A note on advertising. I noticed Springbank is advertising on social media lately. They hired a Canadian photographer to shoot both, an advertisement for the countdown collection and I seen an ad for the local barely the other day. Curious what your thoughts are that?
any links?
Cough cough...as brother Clive would say..."one moment pleazze". Take care Ralfy.
That's the Northern European winter cough.
Enjoyable review of Mortlach & Signatory but to be honest I can’t help but feel a little disappointed that it wasn’t the 2012 11yr old Mortlach Signatory bottling you spoke about between reviews 1006 & 1007..
Signatory is a great bottler. I have tasted a 15YO from a secret Orkney distillery (probably Highland Park, but it is not stated explicitly). This whisky is far superior (in my opinion) to all Highland Parks I've tasted, incl. a special release for Bulgaria 13 YO single cask and triple the price. I also have a 14 YO Glen Elgin and a 13 YO Glen Ord, but I haven't tried them, yet. Their bottles have laboratory style labels with all the necessary information, such as cask number, year of distillation, year of bottling, non-chillfiltration, no added colouring, etc. In Bulgaria, where I live, prices are a bit higher than the distilleries' official releases, but their quality is far superior, and the taste is quite different, so a blind tasting (unless a super expert) would not give out the specific distillery's signature taste.
Official Mortlach has some of the most ridiculous, unnecessarily extravagant bottles, right up there with HP "fire and ice" or whatever those are called. Bling-o-rama.
"Malty Meritorious Mortlachs"
Might want to rethink that "no edit" policy.
Great Video Ralfy! Heading to Speyside this coming October - Going to have limited time there, do you have a favourite distillery up that way? I know that's quite broad considering the vast amount of production there. however, I would value your opinion if you could recommend.
Comrade Ralfy, you have got an integrity heavily peated single malt cough. With age statement and chimney strength. Not good but much better than Covid. 😅😅😅
Road to 2000
Good to see a Mortlach getting positive buzz. It’s been quite a while since I’ve heard positive things about that brand, which is a shame for how storied it is.
You said the 12 year old is not the best place to start. If i find a signatory Mortlach 8 or 12 is it still true ?
Tell us about the magnets again.
Art and Whisky are the Diageo 2023 Special Releases🍈🍏🥝🥒
All that praise for an 84 Ralfy? I was expecting at least an 87, even with your new lower rating system.
No whisky in the glas today. Im drinking Vieux Sajous 4 Year Old Lustau Oloroso Casks Cask Strength Clairin Rum. Its amazing, you should taste it and review such a bottling from velier.
@10:28 - Hand-picked artists and photographers? Are you thinking of any distillery in particular, Ralf? 😱😣🙄
😁🙌🏻
As you know, Ralfy, I'm a big fan of Signatory bottlings for their consistent quality and happy that they are being sold at a very reasonable price here in Israel. So, a subject that perhaps needs further exploration is the opinion that there are certain distilleries that must only be drunk with Ex-Sherry maturation in order to experience the real genuine character of the spirit and that independent bottlers are doing the distilleries a disservice by bottling Ex-Bourbon matured examples.
So, buying an Ex-Bourbon barrel matured example of one of these "Sherry" distilleries will not give you an authentic experience for that distillery. It's a corruption of the natural character of the spirit. I'm talking about, for example, Ex-Bourbon Signatory bottlings of Ben Nevis, Blair Athol, and yes, this Mortlach. What say you Ralfy?
Thanks for the review. But, you're completely wrong about advertising (11:30). Businesses advertise because they want more consumers to hear about their product, and to sell more product (and make more money)....it has NOTHING to do with quality. "Rounder and sharper"? Sour ginger. Bitter. It's so good ("really good stuff") you gave it...an 84. Meh, lots better out there.