Mortlach 16 Year Old Scotch Whisky
Mortlach 16 Year Old Scotch Whisky is a 43.4% ABV (86.8 proof) single malt in a 750mL bottle — the "Distiller's Dram" from Diageo's 2018 Mortlach relaunch trio, aged 16 years in a mixture of refill and first-fill American and European oak sherry casks, available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
- ABV: 43.4% (86.8 proof)
- Size: 750mL
- Age: 16 years
- Casks: refill + first-fill American oak and European oak sherry casks
- Origin: Mortlach distillery, Dufftown, Speyside, Scotland — founded 1823, the first licensed distillery in Dufftown
- Distillation: the unusual 2.81-times "The Way" distillation, unchanged since 1896
The Beast of Dufftown, at 16 Years
Mortlach spent most of its life as a blender's secret — the robust backbone of Johnnie Walker — with barely any official single-malt presence. That changed with Diageo's 2014 capacity-doubling investment and the 2018 trio launch (12 "Wee Witchie," 16 "Distiller's Dram," 20 "Cowie's Blue Seal"). The "Beast of Dufftown" nickname was coined by whisky writer Dave Broom in 2012 for Mortlach's intense, meaty character, and Diageo has since adopted it officially. The 16 is the balanced middle of the trio: sherry-cask maturation plus the distillery's idiosyncratic 2.81-times distillation, where parts of the spirit are re-distilled in different combinations. Explore our scotch whisky shelf, browse the Mortlach range, or compare other Speyside single malts.
Tasting Notes
Orchard fruit and earthy notes on the nose — stewed black orchard fruits, singed raisins, dried fruit, dark sugars, spice, and oak cinnamon. The palate is rich and thick, toffee-like: brown sugar and dried raisins balanced by barrel char and orchard fruit, with dark oloroso notes, dark chocolate, and menthol-clove spice. The finish is long, complex, and meaty, sweetening at the very end.
How to Enjoy
Neat in a Glencairn at room temperature; a few drops of water open up the sherry character. Pair it with hearty company — aged cheese or dark chocolate stand up to the Beast.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Mortlach called the Beast of Dufftown?
Whisky writer Dave Broom coined it in 2012 for the distillery's intense, meaty house style — Diageo later adopted it as official marketing.
What is 2.81 distillation?
Parts of the spirit are re-distilled in different combinations — "The Way," invented by Dr. Alexander Cowie in 1896 and unchanged since.
What is the "Distiller's Dram"?
The marketing name for the 16 in Diageo's 2018 trio — positioned as the balanced middle of the range.
What casks are used?
A mixture of refill and first-fill American oak and European oak sherry casks.
Tame the Beast — order Mortlach 16 Year Old online from Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.