Mortlach was officially established on the site of a former illicit distillery, becoming Dufftown's first legal distillery following the Excise Act, alongside other newly legalized operations.

After John Gordon took sole ownership of the distillery the previous year, George Cowie came on board. Prior to joining, George worked as an engineer during the Golden Age of Victorian Engineering. His pioneering mind, audacious spirit, and unwavering determination quickly established him as a leader within the distillery's workforce.

Alexander Cowie takes over from his father and sets about continuing the Cowie dynasty. Working longside the famous distillery engineer Charles Doig, the distillery was doubled in size and a railway siding - known as the "Strathspey Line" was added. Calling on his scientific education and analytical mind, Alexander created the intricate 2.81 distillation process that still exists today. Unique to the Mortlach distillery, this process - combined with traditional Worm Tub condensers - creates the rich, bold and complex character that Mortlach is famous for.

To satisfy increasing demand for Mortlach, sections of the distillery’s apparatus are renewed and buildings are renovated and extended. The rest of Alexander Cowie’s distillery operation stays the same, including the outside wooden worm tubs used to cool and condense the spirit, which today only exist at a handful of distilleries.

In 1971, the Mortlach distillery is refurbished again converting the entire heating system to steam. In 1992 Mortlach is first released as a single malt as part of the Flora & Fauna collection, inspiring our current Mortlach 16-year-old. Fast forward to 2012, when acclaimed whisky writer, Dave Broom, coins Mortlach the “Beast of Dufftown” for our unconventional process and robust flavour. In 2018, the 20-year-old is released to wide acclaim and awards. Dubbed 'Cowie's Blue Seal' in tribute to one of the original Mortlach bottlings dating back to 1909, the 20-year maturation tames the “The Beast of Dufftown” with dark, dried aromas and a robust, savoury spicy taste.

The 30-year-old Mortlach Midnight Malt is unveiled. An homage to the bold characters that have shaped our journey, from the captains of industry of 19th century metropolis, to the luxury private clients traversing the globe today. The finely aged 30-year-old is our pinnacle, with a limited quantity of bottles released every year. The unexpected rich flavour emerges through a three-cask finish of bold provenance: Bordeaux wine, Calvados and Guatemalan rum.