Mortlach 13 Year (2003), Cadenhead’s Sherry Cask

The cask influence on this was obvious from the first look— after two years in a first fill sherry hogshead, the whisky had an attractive color about it. Of course coloration can be deceiving. Have enough whisky and you’ll encounter deep redish hues that somehow carry little of the sherry cask onto the palate, and paler whiskies that feel absolutely dominated by wine— to say nothing of whether the flavors from the cask match our expectations with dried or fresh fruits, or something deeper and more savory. These big cask finishes are not usually my favorite, but let’s give the whisky a try and see what happens.

Whisky: Mortlach 13 Year (2003), Cadenhead’s Sherry Cask

Country/Region: Scotland/Speyside

ABV: 55.1%

Cask: Sherry Hogshead Finish

Age: 13 Year (Distilled 2003, Bottled 2017)

Notes: The cask was in command with a jammy and thick aroma. Big dried fruits big dried fruits and baking spices roared into focus with caramel and creamy nougat in the background. Cinnamon sticks with hints of cloves, nutmeg, and ginger left me thinking mulled wine, while the fruity sugars pulled me toward currant or raspberry gummies. More subtle candle wax, leather, and pepper— sometimes a bit of sulfur appeared around the edges. Medium-bodied, the flavor profile was jammy and rich— dark, toasted rye bread slathered with a smorgasbord of different fruit spreads: currants, orange marmalade, blueberry, and black berry— some of the jams spiced with thyme, bay leaf, pepper, or cinnamon. The finish was medium-length and drying, quieter than I expected with more subtle fruit and caramel candies.

Score: 6 (78)

Mental Image: Social Media Jam Influencer

Conclusion: Big cask, big flavors, big personality— the whisky was loud, but simple. The flavors were crystal clear and well-formed while the herbal character of the malt provided a some contrast to the jammy, sweet fruits and caramel of the cask. I am not a big fan of these massive cask bombs, so your mileage will vary, especially if that is a style that you enjoy (and plenty of people do).