Home Reviews Mortlach 12-year-old Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Mortlach 12-year-old Single Malt Scotch Whisky

July 26, 2023 · By Matthew Evans · 8.4 / 10
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Whiskey Consensus Score
8.4 /10
Very Good
Score Breakdown
Nose
8.3
Palate
8.3
Finish
8.4
Complexity
8.2
Value
8.7
Consensus Score
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8.4
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Our Verdict
Very Good

Mortlach 12-year-old Single Malt Scotch Whisky is an ode to Mortlach’s smallest yet most essential still, the 'Wee Witchie’.

The Good

  • Great Value
  • Great flavor profile

The Bad

  • A bit thin on the palate
Mortlach 12-year-old Single Malt Scotch Whisky

A Little Background

Mortlach 12-year-old Single Malt Scotch Whisky is an ode to Mortlach’s smallest yet most essential still, the ‘Wee Witchie’. Distilled using the 2.81 distilling process, a process that’s been unchanged for nearly 200 years. This Whisky has been double cask matured in both European and American oak to enhance the distinctively rich and robust character that makes Mortlach whiskies legendary. Mortlach 12 is bottled at 86.8 Proof and has a retail price of around $60 USD.

(Tasted neat from a Glencairn Glass)

Color

Gold

Nose

Little to no alcohol. A little more muted than the 16yr. Lemon, tangerine, peach, and an overall richness. Fruity!

Palate

Dates, raises, tea, simple syrup, chocolate fudge, white pepper, cola and campfire char.

Finish

A lot of the palate notes continue to the finish. Cherry, raisins, chocolate, and bitter oak.

In closing

In a world full of whisk(e)y with price tags exceeding the $100 mark, it’s refreshing to come across a wonderful bottle at an exceptionally fair price. Not only is the whisky beautiful, but so is the presentation as this bottle comes complete with a nice box.

The nose on Mortlach 12 Year is very inviting with next to no alcohol vapor. It is a tad muted in comparison to the older Mortlach offerings, but good nonetheless. The palate and finish share many of the same notes of dates, chocolate, white pepper, and raisins. For a bottle at or around the $60 USD price point, Mortlach 12 Year is an exceptional value.

NOTE: The sample used for this review was provided at no cost courtesy of Mortlach. We thank them for the sample and for allowing us to review it with no strings attached.

Mortlach 12-year-old Single Malt Scotch Whisky

86.8 Proof
8.4

Nose

8.3/10

Palate

8.3/10

Finish

8.4/10

Complexity

8.2/10

Value

8.7/10

The Good

  • Great Value
  • Great flavor profile

The Bad

  • A bit thin on the palate
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Mortlach Review Scotch Single Malt

Every bottle on Whiskey Consensus is evaluated across five categories on a 1–100 scale. The five scores are averaged to produce a final overall score out of 10.

Nose
Aroma, complexity & first impressions
Palate
Flavor, balance & mouthfeel
Finish
Length, character & quality
Complexity
Depth, layers & evolution in the glass
Value
Quality relative to retail price
Score Rating What It Means
9.5 – 10.0ExceptionalOne for the history books
9.0 – 9.4OutstandingA benchmark expression
8.5 – 8.9GreatSeek this bottle out
8.0 – 8.4Very GoodAbove average in every way
7.5 – 7.9GoodWorth your money
7.0 – 7.4Above AverageA solid everyday pour
6.5 – 6.9AverageUnremarkable but drinkable
6.0 – 6.4Below AverageHard to recommend
5.5 – 5.9Hard PassBetter options at this price
0.0 – 5.4AvoidNot worth your time or money
Matthew Evans
About the Author
Matthew Evans
Whiskey Reviewer · Whiskey Consensus  · 518 posts

Matthew is the founder and visionary behind Whiskey Consensus. What began as a project to explore the Instagram platform and share a love for whiskey has evolved into so much more. Professionally, Matthew works in digital marketing as a solutions engineer and sales leader, bringing innovative strategies to the table. Outside of work, Matthew is an avid runner, as well as a car and watch enthusiast. He is also deeply committed to giving back to the community through various volunteer responsibilities.

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