Scotland, Speyside. Distillery operational. Owner: DiageoJoining the John Walker & Sons team (Distillers Company Ltd) in 1925, Mortlach boasts a unique past in the history of Scotch whisky. Over some 20 years up until 1885, it was here that William Grant earned his stripes and learnt how to run a distillery before embarking on what would be a true story of success, the creation of the company William Grant & Sons, owner of Glenfiddich. Mortlach was also one of very few distilleries to be allowed to continue distilling during WWII (except in 1944). Finally, its aromatic profile is characterized by a special distillation method that almost verges on triple distillation. Whilst not large in number, several special bottlings of Mortlach are available aged 10 to 12 years old and presented in bottles and jugs. From the 1990s, it followed in the footsteps of all other United Distillers & Vintners distilleries and presented various versions in The Rare Malts Selection, Flora & Fauna and Manager's Dram ranges.

Mortlach Rare Old was part of the range of single malts launched by the distillery in 2014. Rare Old was a blend of whiskies matured in bourbon and sherry oak. Until the launch of this range, only a few old official 1960s and 1970s bottlings existed, and of course the licensed Gordon & MacPhail bottlings (later the Distillery Labels) which acted as semi-official bottlings. Divided reactions from enthusiasts to the high prices and 50 cl bottles led to the new range being redesigned just four years after its launch.