Here we have a two decade old Mortlach by the Direct Wines single cask label First Cask.  While First Cask was incredibly active in the 90s and early 2000s, releases trailed off by 2010 and there have been very few since. The world of independent bottling can be a bit like the wild west; while some brands persist for decades, many others reflect the genius or connections of an individual or small group and quickly fade away when those people are no longer at the helm.

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Whisky: Mortlach 20 Year (1991), First Cask Cask 7713

Country/Region: Scotland/Speyside

ABV: 46%

Cask: Sherry Butt

Age: 20 Years (Distilled 1 Aug. 1991)

Notes: Big cake rumbled in with lemon pound cake, yellow box cake mix, freshly churned butter, and a touch of passionfruit. More straw and dry pastries lingered further in with herbal chamomile tea. Light-bodied on the palate, the flavor profile opened with honey-sweetened herbal tea. More pound cake and buttery pastries with freshly churned creamy butter, honey, apples, and a kiss of citrusy zest. Dry hay and summer grass appeared toward the end with musk, white flowers, and sun bleached driftwood. The finish was medium-length with citrus rinds, honey, and herbal tea.

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Score: 6 (77)

Mental Image: Tea while the Laundry Dries

Conclusion: A mellow whisky for relaxing with, this had the simple, sweet, and balanced profile that you just want to sink into a couch with. The aroma had some interesting things going on, though I wondered where in the world the sherry cask was— it seemed completely missing in action. The palate was light and mellow, lacking some of the heft I want from Mortlach. The finish had impressive staying power, though the notes at the end sometimes reminded me a bit too much of Dove soap. Overall, a stripped down Mortlach, more suited for relaxation than serious thinking.