Spring Has Sprung: Unveiling Our New Spring Release

BRAES OF GLENLIVET →

SINGLE MALT SCOTCH WHISKY

REGION: Speyside

BOTTLED: 2024

DISTILLED: 1991

WOOD: Bourbon Hogshead

FINISH: 1st fill Margaux Wine

In the 1800s, hidden deep within the wilderness of Speyside, the braes (hills) of Glenlivet glowed with the flickering fires of notorious, illicit stills. We present this aboriginal spirit of Speyside that skilfully balances the traditions of distilling combined with a contemporary and novel take on the Art of Maturation.

“Finishing this venerable single malt in prestigious Margaux wine barriques has been an exciting journey full of risk and danger. After four years in French oak, now is the time that the balance between the wood and spirit is at its most harmonious – a classy, mature dram truly worthy of our prestigious Mission Gold honour.”  

Nose:       sweet malt, toffee apple, mild tobacco

Palate:    forest fruit, buttery malt, floral honey

Finish:     oily, creamy cereal, lingering berries

FETTERCAIRN →

SINGLE MALT SCOTCH WHISKY

REGION: Highland

BOTTLED: 2024

DISTILLED: 1995

WOOD: Bourbon Hogshead

FINISH: 1st fill PX/ Oloroso Sherry + Wine

Celebrating 200 years of whisky making, Fettercairn Distillery is one of the jewels of Aberdeenshire. This longstanding distillery has as its emblem Scotland’s national animal, the unicorn, representing purity, strength and magic – this exquisite dram captures the power of this mythical creature…

“This truly unique creation has been skilfully crafted using specially selected cask styles; French red wine, Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez Sherry. The oak influences have combined magnificently to develop a powerful and captivating character in this sophisticated spirit – I’m sure you’ll agree, a rare unicorn of a dram!”

Nose:     red fruits, coastal, candied ginger

Palate:  salted caramel, berries, lavender

Finish:    floral malt, nutmeg, gentle spice

KING OF CASKS →

BLENDED MALT SCOTCH WHISKY

REGION: Speyside

BOTTLED: 2024

DISTILLED: 1996

WOOD: Bourbon Hogshead

FINISH: 1st fill Murça Old Brandy

This exceptionally old and rare ‘tea-spooned’ malt pays homage to the founding fathers of the ‘DoubleWood’. Maturing whisky in a second style of cask was first developed at Balvenie Distillery in the 1980s. It is this process that inspires our Murray McDavid Team today, as we further explore the Art of Maturation.

“First filled into ex-bourbon hogsheads, our whisky team have doffed their caps to an iconic Speysider with an exquisite second maturation in Old Brandy casks from Caves de Murça, our wood partners in the Douro Valley.After its final three years in these Portuguese casks, we present a regal dram, fit for a king!”

Nose:       floral, apricots, honied malt

Palate:    mixed berries, mocha, spice

Finish:     buttery, sweet chai, vanilla

NORTH BRITISH →

SINGLE GRAIN SCOTCH WHISKY

REGION: Lowland

BOTTLED: 2024

DISTILLED: 1988

WOOD: Bourbon Barrel

FINISH: 1st fill Ex-Islay

The exceptional spirit from North British Distillery has been the base spirit of choice for master blenders for 139 years. Today, having been matured for a colossal 35 years, we present this highly regarded whisky with an unprecedented finish in casks that previously held heavily peated single malt from the shores of Islay.

“After 34 years in ex-bourbon hogsheads, this creamy single grain has developed complexities that only time in oak can create. During its final year, we have skilfully nurtured and married together the delicacies in this classic spirit and the ethereal influence of peated casks – the Art of Maturation at its most rewarding.”

Nose:       salted butter, creamy vanilla, mellow char

Palate:    candied pineapple, sea spray, gentle peat

Finish:     oily, citrus peel, lingering light smoke

AULTMORE →

SINGLE MALT SCOTCH WHISKY

REGION: Speyside

BOTTLED: 2024

DISTILLED: 2008

WOOD: Bourbon Hogshead

FINISH: 1st fill PX / OL Sherry + Amarone

Built during the Victorian whisky boom in the 1890s, Aultmore Distillery was created by the visionary Alexander Edward – one of Scotland’s great whisky pioneers. Today, during the current whisky boom, our team proudly present this charming Speysider in a modern and innovative way, never seen before!

“The joyful marriage of influences from the world famous Italian Amarone wine and Spanish Sherry casks have produced a truly original dram. This playful balance of spirit and oak seduces the nose and dances on the tongue – a toast to true pioneers!”

Nose:       apple crumble, mixed berries, cinnamon 

Palate:    lush barley, creamy dates, spiced pear

Finish:    oily, leathery fruits, sweet oak spice

BENRIACH →

SINGLE MALT SCOTCH WHISKY

REGION: Speyside

BOTTLED: 2024

DISTILLED: 2014

WOOD: Bourbon Hogshead

FINISH: 1st fill Tokaji Wine

Benriach Distillery, the famous neighbours of our Coleburn whisky warehouses, offer a vibrant and fruity style of Speyside single malt. We filled this excellent spirit into luxurious barriques that were previously used to age one of the world’s oldest classified wines – Tokaji.

“Matured for its final three years in opulent, sweet wine barriques, this fruity Speyside single malt has integrated beautifully with the delicacies of the exotic Hungarian wine, delivering a sumptuous mouthfeel and captivatingly intricate flavour – excellence in the Art of Maturation.”

Nose:       dried pear, tropical fruit, blossom

Palate:    bright citrus, rich cereal, oak spice

Finish:     floral, orange blossom, sweet malt 

BLAIR ATHOL →

SINGLE MALT SCOTCH WHISKY

REGION: Highland

BOTTLED: 2024

DISTILLED: 2015

WOOD: Bourbon Hogshead

FINISH: 1st fill Port + Madeira

Built in 1798, south of the Cairngorms is one of Scotland’s most visited distilleries – Blair Athol. As new make spirit, our team fi­lled this hearty Highland malt into first fill Tawny Port and Madeira wine barriques in which this rich, nutty spirit has developed an alluring opulence.

“Our Whisky Creations Team have adeptly united the influences of these luscious, fortified wines to produce this truly rare and unique example of single malt from Blair Athol Distillery. We are elated as we savour and enjoy – a highly creative example of the Art of Maturation.”

Nose:       fresh berries, buttery malt, sweet nuts

Palate:    cherries, peppery malt, floral honey

Finish:     milk chocolate, floral, baking spices 

CAOL ILA →

SINGLE MALT SCOTCH WHISKY

REGION: Isle of Islay

BOTTLED: 2024

DISTILLED: 2012

WOOD: Bourbon Hogshead

FINISH: 1st fill Wild Beer Imperial Stout

The Caol Ila Distillery produces a potent Islay single malt that displays a bold and zesty vibrancy – a peat-lover’s dream. Our goal is to always create interesting drams that present exciting flavours, so we teamed up with famed brewers, Wild Beer Co. to create a style of Caol Ila never see before!

“The inventive crew at Wild Beer Co. borrowed our whisky casks to age their luscious Imperial Stout. Once emptied, we shipped the stout-ladened casks from Somerset to Speyside and filled them with peated Caol Ila for 18 months. This cask collaboration has resulted in a unique, fun and tasty dram – proper job!”

Nose:       salted caramel, smoky, bees wax

Palate:    dark chocolate, sea salt, dry malt

Finish:     rich coffee, sweet smoky, long

GLENTAUCHERS →

SINGLE MALT SCOTCH WHISKY

REGION: Speyside

BOTTLED: 2024

DISTILLED: 2014

WOOD: Bourbon Hogshead

FINISH: 1st fill St. Julien Wine

This classic Speyside single malt shines a light on Glentauchers Distillery – one of Scotland’s unsung heroes. Flowing from stills in Keith, we filled this blenders’ malt as new make spirit into French red wine barriques sourced from one of the most famous châteaux in the world.

“Typically reserved for finishing, we have used these robust, fruity Bordeaux wine casks for the full maturation of this stunning whisky. The sharp tannins in the French oak have softened over nine years to reveal the creamy, delicate heart of the spirit – a fascinating dram to sip, savour and enjoy!”

Nose:       chocolate cookies, creamy strawberry

Palate:    sweet spice, candied nuts, berries

Finish:     floral malt, glazed cherry, moreish oak

INCHGOWER →

SINGLE MALT SCOTCH WHISKY

REGION: Speyside

BOTTLED: 2024

DISTILLED: 2009

WOOD: Bourbon Hogshead

FINISH: 1st fill Pacherenc Wine

In the historic fishing town of Buckie, Inchgower Distillery is Speyside’s most coastal whisky producer. This heavy malt is usually reserved for world renowned Scotch whisky blends. Today, we present this bold spirit having matured it in stylish Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh wine casks – never before used by the Murray McDavid Team!

“For its debut in our Benchmark series, we showcase this Inchgower malt with opulent influences from prestigious French dessert wine barriques. This hardy spirit has been expertly cultivated during its final 30 months in these rare casks, adding layers of class and sophistication.”

Nose:       sweet orange, floral honey, malt

Palate:    lemon zest, nutty, cake spice

Finish:     rich malt, citrus oil, mellow oak

LEDAIG →

SINGLE MALT SCOTCH WHISKY

REGION: Highland

BOTTLED: 2024

DISTILLED: 2009

WOOD: Bourbon Hogshead

FINISH: 1st fill Murça Tawny Port

The Isle of Mull is home to just one small, charming whisky distillery, that overlooks the picturesque fishing harbour – Tobermory. In stark contrast to its beautiful and serene setting, this distillery produces a vibrantly rambunctious, heavily peated single malt – pronounced ‘Letch-ick’, meaning ‘safe haven’.

“For its final 2 years, we matured this highly prized, Hebridean spirit in highly prized Tawny Port casks from Caves de Murça, our wood partners in Portugal’s Douro Valley. The boisterous, smoke-ladened Ledaig has married superbly with the wine-imbued oak – stylishly demonstrating the Art of Maturation.”

Nose:       floral smoke, mixed berries, coastal

Palate:    saline peat, flint, plum and berry jam

Finish:     oily, fruity barley, lingering smoke

MILTONDUFF →

SINGLE MALT SCOTCH WHISKY

REGION: Speyside

BOTTLED: 2024

DISTILLED: 2008

WOOD: Bourbon Hogshead

FINISH: 1st fill Oloroso + PX Sherry

Celebrating 200 years of whisky making, Miltonduff Distillery, has steadfastly produced large amounts of lusciously fruity Speyside spirit. Our Whisky Creations Team have emboldened this traditional blenders’ malt by maturing it in two different styles of carefully sourced Sherry casks (Oloroso and PX) from Jerez.

“During its final 5 years, this dense spirit effortlessly carries the powerful influence from the Spanish Sherry hogsheads. The rich flavours from European oak and the traces of fortified wine have combined, paying tribute to the much-loved tradition of maturing Scotch whisky in Sherry casks – Salud & Slàinte!”

Nose:       lush fruits, cocoa, sweet malt

Palate:    fig cake, creamy mocha, raisins

Finish:     baking spice, lingering currants

STRATHMILL →

SINGLE MALT SCOTCH WHISKY

REGION: Speyside

BOTTLED: 2024

DISTILLED: 2014

WOOD: Bourbon Hogshead

FINISH: Koval Quarter Cask

Near the River Isla, Strathmill Distillery was built in 1892 and initially served as a corn mill. As a result of the Scotch whisky boom in the 1890s, it was transformed to produce the great Scottish drink. This traditional Speysider is light, oily and fruity, and has been matured gracefully in finely made American oak casks.

“This one-of-a-kind dram is the result of our fruitful relationship with our wood partners, Koval Distillery in Chicago, USA. We have matured this classy Speyside malt in a combination of casks used to age Koval’s bourbon, rye, four grain and oat whiskey – we raise a toast to tradition and innovation. Slainte!”

Nose: spiced pear, sweet apple, vanilla oak

Palate: bright citrus, barley sugars, grassy

Finish: mellow malt, oak bite, bittersweet

JUNIPER HILL →

SINGLE MALT SCOTCH WHISKY

REGION: Highland

BOTTLED: 2024

DISTILLED: 2015

WOOD: Bourbon Hogshead

FINISH: 1st fill Moscatel Wine

From a distillery set in the hills of the Highlands, close to the River Findhorn, this spirit is made at an ‘antique’ distillery whose brands are known throughout the globe. Taking its name from the juniper bush, this highly respected single malt introduced Scotch whisky to the world.

“For this batch of Juniper Hill, our team invites you to enjoy a delicious journey from the highlands of Scotland through to the sun-soaked hills of Portugal. We filled clear Highland new make spirit into the juicy fortified wine casks to produce this bountiful dram that’ll keep you coming back for more!”

Nose:       red currents, creamy malt, cocoa

Palate:    heavy fruits, peppery spice, orange

Finish:     hint of almond, citrus, mellow oak

LENNOX PEAT →

SINGLE MALT SCOTCH WHISKY

REGION: Highland

BOTTLED: 2024

DISTILLED: 2011

WOOD: Bourbon Hogshead

FINISH: 1st fill Koval Bourbon

For this new batch of Mystery Malt, we’ve chosen a heavily peated single malt. The spirit in our Lennox Peat was distilled in a vale in Scotland, where a distillery produces an astonishing array of styles of Scotch whisky – can you guess its origins?

To balance the power of this peated spirit, this Mystery Malt was filled into small Bourbon casks from our Chicago based wood partners, Koval Distillery. After five years, the contents of these casks were brought together to produce an enjoyably boisterous and pleasing dram.

Nose:       sweet, smoky banana, creamy vanilla

Palate:    tropical fruit, bright peat, apple pastry

Finish:     mellow, sweet embers, creamy malt

INVERGORDON →

SINGLE GRAIN SCOTCH WHISKY

REGION: Highland

BOTTLED: 2024

DISTILLED: 2007

WOOD: Bourbon Hogshead

FINISH: 1st fill Pedro Ximénez Sherry

Invergordon Distillery is one of the largest producers of whisky in Scotland. Distilling from mainly corn and wheat, the distillery creates an oily, sweet grain whisky which is almost always enjoyed in the guise of a blend. Today, we share this sprightly spirit in its pure form, after maturing it in fresh Pedro Ximénez Sherry casks.

“This robust grain whisky has been transformed after its final 5 years maturing in sticky, sweet Sherry hogsheads. The spirit and oak have combined to produce a beautiful symphony of flavour that will delight the whisky lover and will tempt the curious rum sipper to the sunny shores of the Cromarty Firth!”

Nose:     cinnamon rolls, mature oak, cocoa

Palate:    hard fudge, brioche, stewed fruits

Finish:     oily grain, orange, baking spice

NORTH BRITISH →

SINGLE GRAIN SCOTCH WHISKY

REGION: Lowland

BOTTLED: 2024

DISTILLED: 2009

WOOD: Bourbon Hogshead

FINISH: 1st fill Ex-Islay / Tokaji / Oloroso

Since 1885, North British Distillery has been producing the base spirit of choice for master whisky blenders. Rather than put this outstanding liquid into a blend, we present it to you as a single grain whisky that’s been finished in a unique selection of casks to achieve exciting, avant-garde flavours – the results are epic!

“After the final 2 years of aging, we have brought together an experimental array of cask finishes (Islay / Tokaji / Oloroso) to produce a North British dram like no other! This category-defying single grain confidently demonstrates our creative prowess in the Art of Maturation – long live the grain whisky revival!”

Nose:       creamy vanilla, quince jelly, smoke

Palate:    sweet, fresh citrus, orange blossom

Finish:     gentle, sweet smoke, orchard fruits

THE SPEYSIDERS →

BLENDED MALT SCOTCH WHISKY

REGION: Speyside

BOTTLED: 2024

DISTILLED: 2010

WOOD: Bourbon Hogshead

FINISH: 1st fill Ximénez-Spinola PX Sherry

The Speysiders return as an ensemble of four single malts all distilled, matured and blended in Speyside. The Murray McDavid team have married single malts from Auchroisk, Glentauchers, Glen Elgin and Strathmill distilleries to honour the traditions of our world-famous land of whisky production.

“We have added splendour to this edition of Speysiders by finishing the malts for two years in PX Sherry barriques from our cask partner Ximénez-Spínola in Jerez. The result: a gorgeous Speyside collage superbly demonstrating the Art of Maturation.”

Nose:     rich malt, mocha, dark berries

Palate:  mulled fruits, creamy chocolate

Finish:    medium, sweet warming spices

REBEL’S RESERVE →

BLENDED SCOTCH WHISKY

REGION: Spey/ High/ Low

BOTTLED: 2024

WOOD: Bourbon Hogshead

FINISH: 1st fill Madeira + Ex-Islay

We have chosen the name ‘Rebel’s Reserve’ for this blended Scotch whisky. Rebel being the name of our much-loved Westie dog on our Murray McDavid logo. ‘Rebel’s Reserve’ departs from tradition by combining youthful single malts from Blair Athol and Benrinnes with much older single grain whisky from Invergordon Distillery.

“The young and old spirit was matured by using abundantly fruity rejuvenated Madeira and smoky ex-Islay casks. The vintage grain whisky has elegantly evolved and enhanced the younger malts. This bold and brave blend is a reward for those who break conventions – we raise a glass to toast the whisky Rebel!” 

Nose:       orchard fruits, malt, hint of smoke

Palate:    sweet peat, citrus oils, red fruits

Finish:     mouthcoating, fruity oak spice