This is a 12 year old single malt produced at the Mortlach distillery in Speyside, unveiled in 2018 as part of a trio (including a 16 Year Old and a 20 Year Old). This particular expression features the subtitle The Wee Witchie, which comes from the name of the tiny still that distils a portion of the whisky. It’s drawn from bourbon and sherry casks, and packs a hearty punch of meaty Mortlach-y malt at its core, supported by dried fruit and toffee notes.

Meet Mortlach’s thunderous heartbeat. Untamed and vibrant, Become is a reflection of Mortlach’s true character and daring spirit. Evolved from the sweet and rich origins of Begin, Become is a bold expression with real power on the palate. Awakened through a combination of virgin oak, red wine, and refill casks, this whisky offers a turbulent exploration of sweetness, spice, and a peppery punch. Experience Mortlach as it metamorphosizes in its most electric form.

Coveted by connoisseurs and loved by distillers and blenders, Mortlach always challenges convention. To continue the bold innovation, Mortlach welcomed the legendary Philippe Starck as the first-ever Creative Director, a visionary who pushes the boundaries of contemporary design. Discover how this partnership will propel Mortlach into a new era whilst honouring its legacy.

NOSE: A sticky fruit loaf with sultanas and dates, backed by a dry, heavy note.

PALATE: Smooth in texture with a strong, spicy and sweet flavour. Add a drop of water for a milder palate.

FINISH: Long, peppery and punchy.

The distillery is at the heart of Oban – “Gateway to the Isles”. In effect, the town grew up around the distillery, founded by John and Hug Stevenson in 1794.

Oban’s attractive West Highland character reflects its location, revealing aspects of both the Highland and the Island styles. Elegant and glowing, it marries the sea air character of the Island malts to the soft, richly fruity style of the Highlands, creating its own rich tasting West Highlands malt.

The stills here are among the smallest in Scotland. The cramped nature of the site places severe limits on production, which in turn means that demand for Oban’s richly appreciated malt is always likely o exceed supply.

Few malts were ever made in the Western Highlands and only two now remain. Oban, like its home, remains their capital. Oban is the unforgetable West Highland destination on a journey around Scotland’s six malt whisky making regions.

Nose:

Immediate and confident; rapidly gaining intensity. Warming and sweet: oily, waxy and nutty, balanced by delicate ripe orchard fruits. Then, lighter notes of an almondy fruit cake sit atop a denser layer of Christmas pudding. Behind, malty cereal notes are offset by aromatic orange. Much later: traces of brine and smoke, a little menthol and pine resin.

Finish:

Long. Quite syrupy at first, then drying, with elegant coating tannins rich in dark chocolate character. Later, pine-fresh. At once cleansing yet chewy, with just a trace of late, slightly cedary, smoke.

Taste:

in brief… A well-paced, beautifully textured and sweetly generous Oban, whose warming richness is neatly balanced by a smoky spicy-dryness; perfect with a chocolate truffle or two.

in a sentence… An immediate and assertive, complex and evocative nose, well balanced and well-structured throughout with layers of classic Oban fruit and malt, introduces an equally well balanced palate that starts richly coating then grows dryer and more cleansing, before a long and oaky finish.

Palate:

Dense and coating, spicy too; sweet, yet menthol- fresh. Filling and warming, with the comforting chewiness of rich fruit-bread and hints of orange zest and clove, before growing drier, still minty, with crisp green apple. Less dense and fruitier with just a little water, which allows the classic Oban fruit, malt and maritime hints free reign until the balancing, drying spice returns.

Matured for 18 years, this is indulgent and spicy thanks to the casks selected for maturation.

Taking its character and colour entirely from the casks within which it has been nurtured, this is a deeply warming whisky. The indulgence extends through this single malt with chocolate and spice defining the character but allowing for the influence of more vibrant zesty flavours.

Rich and exuberant
The full bodied spice of Oloroso and the bright summer breeze of Royal Brackla elegantly combine as a smooth and inviting dram – ripe peaches, black cherries, chocolate covered almonds and muscovado sugar.

Finished in:
OLOROSO SHERRY CASKS

Cloaked in robes of velvet: luscious summer fruits, overlayed with rich, spice-laden raisins and dried figs, adding weight and complexity to our summer dram. An endless and serene dram that will linger deliciously on the palate.

Royal Lochnagar 12 year old is a packed with personality but never overbearing, this is a well-bred whisky. An ideal gift for drinkers looking to explore Highland Single Malt Whiskies known for being rich in flavour and aroma. Serving Suggestion: Royal Lochnagar works best served in a traditional whisky glass, neat or with a little water.