Who is the man in the hat? Was that the guy with curious George?  Well, no matter, I am curious about the whisky.  There was no distillation date given for this single malt, which Hunter Laing bottled for a whisky club. As Hunter Laing only split off from Douglas Laing in 2013, I assume this was an early 2000s Mortlach.

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Whisky: Mortlach 14 Year, Hunter Laing for Southport Whisky Club “Man with the Hat”

Country/Region: Scotland/Speyside

ABV: 55.2%

Cask: Oak

Age: 14 Years

Notes: Citrusy and slightly vegetal, the aroma reminded me of a lime tree with small green fruits, kaffir lime leaves, and small white flower buds. Youthful and spirited, more limeade lingered further in with refined sugars, some bright pepper, and occasional hints of sour butter. Medium-bodied, the flavor profile was much the same, though brighter with citrus and sugars leading to a grassy sweetness and spice that reminded me of fresh crushed cane juice and kaffir lime leaves. Peppery spirited appeared at the end with a sweet and sour combination of tinned bamboo, lemonade sachets, and green grass. The finish was short, though a lovely spirited pepper hung on well after lime leaves and citrusy sugars faded.

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Score: 5-6 (76)

Mental Image: Little Lime Tree 

Conclusion: A little raw and unrefined, this teenage Mortlach was a pleasant sipper free from the fills of the cask. Fun citrusy elements abound with occasional notions of something sour and creamy, but it was otherwise fairly simplistic and straightforward with plenty of honey and fruit.  It was all fine and enjoyable, though I kept wishing there was more going on. Or perhaps more finish, which was on the shorter side with the exception of the peppery element.  Overall, not bad, but not great.