Whisky and other wonderful things

Nose: Quite closed without water, but with something meaty, vaguely barbequeish. Butter or perhaps butterscotch. And some sort of flower, if I could only think of the specific variety… I think I’m thinking of oxeye daisies. With added water I get something more malty, and perhaps a bit of dry grass.

Palate: Warm and mellow. Muffled sherry. Shortbread and brown sugar notes. Bitter orange on the finish.

Conclusion: Quite a pleasant Mortlach, not oversherried like I often find them. I’m not quite sure about the bitterness on the finish, though, it’s a little too strong for my taste, and therefore detracts a bit from the overall score.

Score: 7.5 out of 10

Bottle no. 00574

Nose: “Høvleriet nedpå stranda”. Sawmill. This smells of timber, resin and pine needles, with an underlying sweetness.

Palate: Like the nose. Very pleasant to nip. Takes a lot of water.

Score: 8 out of 10 (might be more if it weren’t prohibitively expensive, it’s good, but not worth quite that kind of price)

Tasted as a mystery malt (NMWL Trondheims Mysteriemalt # 4a).

Nose: Clean, green grass, hay, malt, something floral and something citrusy.

Palate: Malt, something bitter, orange peel and something vaguely nutty. Woodchip on the aftertaste.

Comments: First impression is that this must be a Lowlander, but after tasting it I’m not quite so sure. I’m guessing it’s ex-bourbon and not cask strength, probably 46%. It’s got something of a split personality, the nose and taste do not agree at all. I’m not quite convinced, is it an independent from a cask they weren’t quite lucky with, or what?

Score: The nose alone would give it 7, but with that taste: 4 out of 10.

Comments after the reveal: Mortlach, huh? Who knew?