Mortlach L’Evolution Collection is the first series from newly appointed Creative Director Philippe Starck, and includes three whiskies: Begin, Become, And Beyond
Mortlach has unveiled its first collection from newly appointed Creative Director Philippe Starck, Mortlach L’Evolution. The collection features three whiskies: Begin, Become, and Beyond, and pays tribute to the Mortlach distillery’s “rich and innovative heritage through Starck’s visionary lens,” says a press press release.
“Mortlach is the result of a scientific genius, Alexander Cowie,” says Starck. “Since its creation, the brand has been inventing and exploring new territories, crafting whiskies that are incredibly rich without any gimmick or anything superfluous. The story of Mortlach’s evolution takes a leap forward into modernity, with the elegance of nature and the magic of science at the service of humanity. Through this collaboration, I wanted to speak to the next generation, using a universal language about quality, intelligence and modernity. I wanted to create a completely new experience, but with a dream beyond. It is a deep love-at-first sight, the feeling of drinking history.”
Sharing the same pioneering vision as Mortlach distillery’s trailblazing distiller Dr. Alexander Cowie, Starck worked alongside 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.
Begin
Begin looks to capture the purity of the brand’s ‘new make’ barley spirit, delivering a glimpse into the genesis of Mortlach distillery’s character taste and its signature 2.81 distillation method. “Begin is a beautiful sunny spring walk in an orchard,” says Starck.
Become
Become utilizes the unconventional cask influences from virgin oak, red wine, and refill casks, showcasing the untamed side of Mortlach. “Become is intelligent and elegant, monolithic and happy. It is a rebellious spirit heading out to the world emboldened with a thunderous heartbeat.” says Starck.
Beyond
Beyond is a rich, robust, and beautifully evolved whisky made from the marriage of casks from five decades, each one adding another layer of depth and complexity to the whisky’s character. “Beyond is a love-at-first tongue, an instant crush, an immediate certainty that you are drinking a piece of history. It is dark like an obscure dawn with a light, a fire inside, like lava under the ground.” says Starck.
Creating this collection with Philippe Starck was inspiring and unforgettable,” notes Wilson. “His visionary approach perfectly complements Mortlach’s legacy for crafting uncompromising and complex whiskies, leveraging our unique 2.81 distilling process. The spirits themselves are exceptional, showcasing the depth and character for which Mortlach is admired around the world.”
The Bottles
Each Scotch in the Mortlach L’Evolution collection is protected by durable 3D printed cages, resembling the ‘gyri’ of the brain. To each spirit, a different material and color to reveal the identity, the subconscious of the whisky.
Begin features a very modern and raw aluminium cage. This creates a striking duo with Beyond and its sophisticated, elegant, and refined pink copper casing. Become features an organic design with a soft-to-touch finish.
“I always work to the centre, at the bone. 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,” explains Starck. “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.”
Mortlach Begin and Beyond are paired together for an RRSP of $10,000, while Become stands alone with an RRSP of $365. For more information, head over to the brand’s official website.
