The Wee Witchie

Mortlach was established in 1823 by James Findlater as Dufftown's first licensed distillery, just six years after the town itself was founded. The name echoes medieval Mortlach, a village that grew around a 7th-century abbey. The Wee Witchie, part of Diageo's modern range, showcases Mortlach's unconventional production method: a portion of the spirit is triple-distilled in a small spirit still, a practice that fundamentally shapes the whisky's character.

This 12-year-old has matured in both sherry and bourbon casks. The result is notably robust and savoury—less refined than many Speyside peers, but with greater substance and grip.

The nose reveals dried stone fruits (prune, raisin, fig) and subtle citrus, anchored by brown sugar sweetness from the bourbon maturation. The palate is spicy and meaty, with allspice, butterscotch, and a whisper of tobacco. The finish turns dry and peppery, with lingering bitter plum.

This is a whisky for those who appreciate Speyside's rougher edges—not polished or smooth, but genuinely characterful.