Following the relaunch of the core range Mortlach brand in the 2014, this Special Strength bottling was released to travel retail in 2015. After drawing criticism for its high price point and small bottle sizes, the range was quickly rethought again 2018 with this expression discontinued.

Mortlach was founded in 1823 and was the first of Dufftown's "Seven Stills" to be licensed. It rose to pre-eminence under George Cowie & Son, who's unique distillation regime produced a famously "meaty" whisky, which was highly prized by blenders. It was for this reason that it was acquired by John Walker & Sons, and so important to them was it that little stock was left available for bottling as a single malt. The Flora & Fauna release was the first official distillery bottling, but it was not until 2014 that Mortlach was bottled under its own fully fledged single malt brand.