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Welcome to L’evolution
Thank you for purchasing Mortlack x Starck Begin & Beyond. We are honoured that you are celebrating 200 years of bold innovation with us. As you enjoy your whiskies, uncover the secrets behind the collection.
philippe starck
Two icons, one vision
Dr Alexander Cowie, Mortlach's trailblazing distiller, was an outsider with a bold and audacious spirit. New to a distillers’ world, he was a pioneer of the age, inventing ‘the way’, known as Mortlach’s 2.81 unique distillation process, setting Mortlach apart from other Speyside whiskies. Philippe Starck is one of the most visionary and renowned creators of the international contemporary scene, continually pushing the boundaries and expectations of creativity, from everyday products, (furniture, a citrus squeezer, electric bikes), to architecture (hotels, restaurants) that aspire to be stimulating places and now, Scotch Whisky. Sharing the same pioneering vision as Mortlach’s trailblazing distiller Dr. Alexander Cowie, Philippe Starck worked alongside the distillery’s Master Blender, Dr. Craig Wilson, to create three distinctive spirits that together form the Mortlach L’Evolution collection, and tell a story of a whisky’s journey from its origin and maturity, through its prime. Reinventing what whisky will represent to a generation.
crafting a new legacy
A drop in history
Starck drew inspiration from Mortlach distillery’s scientific genius, Alexander Cowie. “Since its creation, the brand has been inventing and exploring new territories, crafting whiskies that are incredibly rich without any gimmick or anything superfluous,” says Starck.
At his studio, he envisaged a collaboration that would speak to the next generation, using a universal language about quality, intelligence and modernity. The final creation is a story of Mortlach’s evolution, as it takes a leap forward into modernity.
Creating this collection with Philippe Starck was inspiring and unforgettable.[...] The spirits themselves are exceptional, showcasing the depth and character for which Mortlach is admired around the world.
Creating this collection with Philippe Starck was inspiring and unforgettable.[...] The spirits themselves are exceptional, showcasing the depth and character for which Mortlach is admired around the world.
-Craig Wilson, Mortlach’s Master Blender
a timeless masterpiece
Defying the conventions of design
At the essence of the Mortlach L’Evolution collection is the liquids, protected by innovative and durable 3D printed cages, resembling the ‘gyri’ of the brain, an unconventional approach which combines unique materials and colours with each spirit, to reveal the identity, the subconscious of the whisky.
“With Mortlach, everything started from the liquid. The spirits we created turned out to be so innovative, that I didn’t want to hide them, to cover them. The bottle itself was not my obsession, the blends were. That is why the original bottle remains, and I just placed it in a cage,” Philippe Starck explains. “The form of the cage comes from the gyrus, the circumvolution of the brain. It is human intelligence creating human intelligence, to reveal the subconscious of the whisky. Yet, this is not an additional decorative element. The case is technically interesting because it creates a permanent shadow that protects the spirit and when in metal it ensures temperature inertia - whether it is cold or warm it guarantees a delay on temperature change. This is pure semantics: we created the most beautiful whisky, and we put it in a cage to protect it. Everything in my work has a meaning and a reason to exist.”
THE COLLECTION
The beast unveiled
Mortlach is known for its powerful and uncharacteristic flavour profile, boasting a depth of rich, umami-like flavours that goes beyond the expectations of whiskies distilled in Speyside.
Mortlach has a legacy for crafting uncompromising and complex whiskies, leveraging its unique 2.81 distilling process. The Mortlach L’Evolution collection of three distinctive spirits: BEGIN, BECOME, and BEYOND, pays tribute to the Mortlach distillery’s rich and innovative heritage through Starck’s visionary lens. Each of the whiskies embody the evolutionary essence of Mortlach, crafted to celebrate the bold and complex character of the masterful Single Malt Scotch, the legendary ‘Beast of Dufftown.’
Introducing
Mortlach x Starck Become Single Malt Scotch Whisky, 70cl
Mortlach’s thunderous heartbeat. Awakened through active casks and a vivid exploration of sweetness, spice, and a peppery punch. Turbulent & electric, the beast is out of its cage.
