Mortlach – 20 Year Old Cowie's Blue Seal (75cl)

This is a 20 year old single malt from Mortlach, the Dufftown distillery in Speyside, Scotland. It is matured for a minimum of 20 years, which the label connects with taming 'The Beast of Dufftown', and it is named in honour of Alexander Cowie. It comes in a 750ml bottle. The colour is old copper and the body is robust and rich. The nose is dense and elegant, with dried fruit, cedarwood, leather and tobacco. On the palate an oily coating carries aromatic citrus, wood spice and a dark, meaty note of barbecued pork crackling, with berries, jam and cocoa nibs adding brightness. The finish is deep and complex, with gingerbread, raisin and a hint of liquorice.