Mortlach 27 Years Old 1990 Cask #5186 (Ian Macleod)

Ian Macleod Distillers, owner of Glengoyne and Tamdhu, bottling under its Chieftain's range, bottles this 27 Year Old, cask 5186, a 1990 vintage, an outturn of 598 bottles. Founded in Dufftown in 1823, Mortlach owes its rich, meaty weight to worm-tub condensers and the unusual 2.81 distillation devised by Alexander Cowie.

Twenty-seven years in ex-Bourbon saw fresh extraction tail off and oxidation take over, drawing stewed fruit, leather and a nutty depth from the robust Mortlach spirit.

At 51.2% it shows chocolate, dried fruit, leather, a nutty depth, old wood and a sherried weight, undiluted. A Beast of Dufftown.