Every great story has a beginning. Ours began on Islay.
Thirty-two years ago, Murray McDavid was founded with a simple but ambitious vision: to champion exceptional Scotch whisky through inspired cask maturation and an unwavering commitment to flavour.
That journey began on the legendary Isle of Islay.
Today, as we celebrate our 32nd anniversary, we’re proud to return to our roots with the launch of our brand-new Islay Exclusive Release — a collection of six exceptional single malt Scotch whiskies that pays tribute to the island where the Murray McDavid story first began.
This isn’t simply another whisky release. It’s a celebration of our heritage, our philosophy and the island that helped shape our identity.
Returning to Our Roots
Since 1994, Murray McDavid has never been afraid to challenge convention.
From our earliest days on Islay to our home today in Speyside, we’ve always believed that remarkable spirit deserves remarkable oak. That philosophy — which we proudly call The Art of Maturation — continues to guide every whisky we release.
While our journey has taken us across Scotland and beyond, Islay has always remained close to our hearts.
It was here that Murray McDavid first established itself as one of Scotch whisky’s most forward-thinking independent bottlers. It was here that our passion for exceptional casks and extraordinary whisky truly took flight.
Launching this collection during our birthday month feels especially fitting. Thirty-two years on, we’re celebrating not only how far we’ve come, but where it all began.
Celebrating the Spirit of Islay
The Isle of Islay has earned its place as one of the world’s most celebrated whisky regions.
Its whiskies are renowned for their powerful peat smoke, coastal freshness and unmistakable maritime character, yet the island offers far more than smoke alone. Across its distilleries lies an incredible diversity of styles, from elegant fruit-forward spirits to bold, richly peated malts.
Our Whisky Creations Team has carefully selected six outstanding single malts that showcase this remarkable breadth of character, each matured to reveal its own unique story.
MISSION GOLD
Presents our prestige collection of vintage, rare and exceptional single malts, grains and blended whiskies.
ARDBEG →
SINGLE MALT SCOTCH WHISKY
REGION: Islay
BOTTLED: 2026
DISTILLED: 2008
WOOD: Oloroso Sherry Butt
The admired Ardbeg Distillery is set on the rugged shores of the south coast of Islay; its untamed spirit reflects the beautiful yet brutal nature of its surroundings. This Ardbeg spirit is incredibly rare and closely guarded. Today, we proudly present this heavyweight Islay malt and rejoice with every sip!
“This epic Islay spirit was filled into an Oloroso Sherry butt, where it evolved inside the European oak cask for 17 years. As one of the rarest single malts maturing within our traditional warehouse, it’s a very special moment when we can share this super dram with fellow whisky lovers – Sláinte!”
Nose: Orange oils, spiced currants, dark ginger
Palate: Earthy peat, tamarind, fruity oak char
Finish: Sweet hickory, nutmeg, chewy tobacco
BUNNAHABHAIN MÒINE →
SINGLE MALT SCOTCH WHISKY
REGION: Islay
BOTTLED: 2026
DISTILLED: 2007
WOOD: Bourbon Hogshead
FINISH: Amontillado Sherry Octave
In 1881, the Bunnahabhain Distillery was built at the end of a winding road on the remote northeast coast on the Isle of Islay. The Victorian distillery is renowned for producing a light, unpeated single malt. However here, we bring you the distillery’s Mòine; a stylish, peated spirit synonymous with the legendary whisky island.
“Initially matured for 17 years in an American oak hogshead, we filled this smoky ‘bu-nah-hav-en’ into a 64-litre Amontillado Sherry octave for its final 10 months. The alluring influences of the dry Spanish fortified wine weave within the sweet smokiness of the Islay spirit, to produce this truly sumptuous dram.”
Nose: Toffee brittle, dried apricot, gentle peat
Palate: Coastal smoke, sultanas, hint of nutmeg
Finish: Mellow peat, old cigar box, moreish malt
LEAPFROG →
SINGLE MALT SCOTCH WHISKY
REGION: Islay
BOTTLED: 2026
DISTILLED: 1992
WOOD: American Oak Bourbon Barrel
First distilled in 1815, on the hardy southern shores of Islay, this powerful, unapologetically peated single malt has made waves around the world. Following the fabled tale of ‘McDavid vs McGoliath’, we’ve wisely called this spirit Leapfrog – a truly sensational smoky dram, matured for an astonishing 33 years.
“This vintage Ileach spirit has been patiently matured over three decades, under the care of generations of whisky makers. As the years passed, the Angels have taken their share and have transformed the brutish, Islay character of this Leapfrog to reveal its sublime elegance and complexity in every sip.”
Nose: Lemon peel, seaside chimney, pear drops
Palate: Smoked barley, hint of cigar box, oily peat
Finish: Coastal, apple pastry, lingering smokiness
BENCHMARK
The heart of our range offering outstanding, mature single malts, showcasing the Art of Maturation.
BUNNAHABHAIN MÒINE →
SINGLE MALT SCOTCH WHISKY
REGION: Islay
BOTTLED: 2026
DISTILLED: 2020
WOOD: Sherry Butt
FINISH: Oloroso Sherry
Established in 1881 on Islay’s remote northeast coast, Bunnahabhain Distillery is best known for its gentle, unpeated single malt whisky. This historic Victorian distillery also distils Mòine, an elegantly peated spirit that captures the wood smoke, tarry character for which the legendary whisky island is famed.
“This Bunnahabhain Mòine was filled into a Sherry butt, where its youthful peat was preserved whilst the spirit was shaped by the fruity Spanish cask. For its final year, we finished this bold Islay in a fresh Sherry hogshead to introduce an extra layer of luxury for you to sip, savour and enjoy!”
Nose: Baked orange, ginger loaf, sweet malt
Palate: Fresh Islay, pink peppercorns, caramel
Finish: Clove oil, chewy malt, dark chocolate
CAOL ILA →
SINGLE MALT SCOTCH WHISKY
REGION: Islay
BOTTLED: 2026
DISTILLED: 2014
WOOD: Bourbon Hogshead
FINISH: Madeira Wine Barrique
Caol Ila Distillery, on the northeast coast of the Isle of Islay, produces a robust single malt that oozes luscious, oily, smoky richness – a peat-lover’s dream. Our team filled this hearty spirit into a first-fill Madeira barrique from our partners, Justino’s, the celebrated vintners on the island of Madeira.
“During its final five years in a scrumptious Madeira barrique, the boisterous spirit of Caol Ila has been mellowed and refined by the influence of the sweet, fortified wine cask. The smoky Islay single malt glistens with a beautiful orangey-red blush, having evolved into an outstanding dram with rugged sophistication!”
Nose: Stewed apples, marmalade, hickory
Palate: Warm embers, grilled peach, salty peat
Finish: Red apple, lingering smoke, sweet malt
LEAPFROG →
SINGLE MALT SCOTCH WHISKY
REGION: Islay
BOTTLED: 2026
DISTILLED: 2011
WOOD: American Oak Bourbon Barrel
Our legendary Leapfrog spawned from the fabled tale of ‘McDavid vs McGoliath’ over 25 years ago. Murray McDavid has never shied away from making waves in the Scotch whisky industry. This high-octane, peaty malt from the famed Islay distillery pops to the surface once again!
“Matured for fourteen years in an ex-bourbon barrel, the phenols of this ferocious amphibian have been perfectly preserved. The Islay heavyweight leaps onto the tongue, exploding with familiar flamboyance, while the grace of American oak adds elegance to fully form this mythical Leapfrog – it’s… Clachan a Losgann!”
Nose: Sweet pear, salted butter, subtle iodine
Palate: Fresh malt, oily smoke, creamy citrus
Finish: Soft peat, mellow pepper, lingering char
The Return of Leapfrog
Few names are as closely associated with Murray McDavid as Leapfrog.
Inspired by the famous tale of McDavid versus McGoliath, Leapfrog has represented our independent spirit for more than twenty-five years.
Never afraid to challenge convention.
Never afraid to do things differently.
This collection sees Leapfrog return in two outstanding expressions — a majestic 33-year-old Mission Gold and an energetic 14-year-old Benchmark release — demonstrating how time and thoughtful maturation can create two completely different yet equally captivating whiskies.
Thirty-Two Years of The Art of Maturation
Although Murray McDavid now calls Speyside home, our philosophy remains unchanged from the day we began.
Every cask we select.
Every finish we choose.
Every bottle we release.
Each reflects our belief that exceptional Scotch whisky is created through patience, imagination and a relentless pursuit of flavour.
The Islay Exclusive Release is more than a collection of remarkable whiskies.
It is a tribute to our origins.
A celebration of thirty-two years of innovation.
And a reminder that some journeys never truly leave home.
Discover the Islay Exclusive Release
The Murray McDavid Islay Exclusive Release is available now through selected specialist retailers and whisky merchants.
Whether you’re a lifelong admirer of Islay’s unmistakable character or discovering these legendary whiskies for the first time, we invite you to raise a glass with us as we celebrate where the Murray McDavid story began.
Some journeys take you somewhere new. Others bring you back home.
Here’s to thirty-two years of whisky, craftsmanship and the Art of Maturation.
Slàinte!