DIAGEO RELEASES NINTH AND FINAL GAME OF THRONES SINGLE MALT

Diageo’s Game of Thrones Range Complete

15 YO MORTLACH IS FINAL SINGLE MALT

Hoping to cash in on its lucrative partnership with HBO once more, Diageo is rolling out a limited number of Mortlach Single Malt Scotch Whisky Aged 15 Years, called Six Kingdoms, in select retailers and Amazon in time for Christmas.

The whisky, which was produced as part of Diageo’s ongoing partnership with HBO, pays tribute to the fate of the fictional nation of Westeros, whose long-held Seven Kingdoms ultimately became six at the end of the show’s climactic battle for the Iron Throne. The liquid itself has been matured in first-fill sherry-seasoned casks and finished in American Oak ex-bourbon casks.

It is the ninth, and final, whisky Diageo has made to tie into the hit TV series. The drinks giant launched a Game of Thrones Single Malt Scotch Whisky Collection at the start of 2019, featuring eight Scotch whiskies; seven paired with one of the Houses of Westeros, and one with the “Night’s Watch”, guarding the wall in the far north of the empire.

It also launched a limited edition White Walker by Johnnie Walker blend in 2018, before adding two more to the Johnnie Walker brand in August this year.

The Game of Thrones whiskies helped the company to boost its net sales this year to £12.9 billion.

This new whisky is called the Six Kingdoms, 46% ABV at $145-150 for a 75 cl bottle. In the UK, it is more expensive at GBP 130 for a 70 cl bottle. Six Kingdoms is inspired by the finale of the show and pays tribute to the fate of fictional continent Westeros, when the fictitious realm’s Seven Kingdoms became six after the North became independent under queen Sansa Stark.

The new whisky has been matured in first-fill Sherry-seasoned casks and finished in American oak ex-Bourbon casks. It is said to have a fruity character and a “bold, smooth taste with notes of vanilla and spice”.

The expression is recommended served neat, over ice or with a small amount of water, which “develops the fresh fruit characters”. At 46% ABV, I would suggest a teaspoonful of cool water to open it up fully.

Speyside distillery Mortlach, which was built on the site of a historic battle, is thought to be Dufftown’s first legal distillery. George Cowie took over ownership of the distillery in 1853.

According to Diageo, Cowie and his son Alexander were “integral influences” for both the distillery and community. Alexander developed Mortlach’s signature method of distilling the liquid 2.81 times – a process said to be as unique as the show’s Three-Eyed Raven character.

The whisky is presented in a metallic gold canister featuring a pen and ink drawing of the Three-Eyed Raven. The design pays homage to the independence of the north, granted by Bran Stark, who served as the Three-Eyed Raven. He was chosen as king of the Six Kingdoms in the finale, and could look beyond the boundaries of time and space in the GoT series.

TASTING NOTES

Appearance: Deep amber
Nose: quite rich and sweet, with layers of buttery biscuits, sweet apples and stewed peaches, as well as some raisins and mineral notes underneath. Dried flowers, some leather and orange peel. Almonds. It’s waxy and slightly meaty, but not overdone, with a well dosed amount of bourbon roundness
Palate:a rather weighty body, with plenty of sweetness at first. Stewed apples, slightly burnt brown sugar and toffee, oak and the attendant vanilla cream. Then it becomes nuttier with a layer of baking spice (black pepper and nutmeg) and more oak. Orange peels. Hints of salted chocolate
Finish: fairly long, more sweetness and spice. Toffee and pepper with a burnt edge
Overall: An enjoyable Mortlach, with or without the link to Game of Thrones. The bourbonny sweetness makes it a little unexpected, but doesn’t affect its completeness.

“We saw an overwhelmingly positive response to the launch of the Game of Thrones Limited Edition Single Malt Scotch Whisky Collection and as Game of Thrones fans continue to explore both the world of whisky and the world of Westeros, we are proud to introduce the final addition to the collection,” said Kavita Agarwal, Diageo global brand director, malts. “Mortlach is one of our most sought-after super-premium single malts, a relatively rare brand and seemed fitting as the perfect finale to complete the collection.”

The first part of Diageo and HBO's combo to produce eight bottles featuring the Game of Thrones story has been placed at this link.