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Top Scotch Whiskies of 2025 Chosen by Our Team
As 2025 has drawn to a close, we asked members of the Murray McDavid Team a simple — but dangerous — question:
What was your dram of the year?
The result? A wonderfully eclectic line-up spanning sherried Speysiders, peated Islay favourites, bold wine finishes, and even a cocktail recipe thrown in for good measure. From seasoned whisky hands to those newer to the journey, these are the bottles that defined our year — told in our own words.
Pour yourself something tasty and enjoy.
Linkwood 12yo –
Oloroso + Tawny Port
Liam Stephen
Liam’s pick combines tradition and indulgence.
Our Linkwood 12yo Oloroso Sherry + Tawny Port is the best of both worlds. A classic Speyside spirit with caramel sweetness, nutty with dark chocolate and a little hint of spice to warm you up over the winter months.
A Speyside dram built for the season.
Cask Craft Inchgower –
Madeira
Helen Abbott
Helen’s dram of the year is all about connections.
The Cask Craft Madeira Finish from Inchgower Distillery has been my favourite dram of the year. Not only is it one of the whiskies I sold the most this year, with customers absolutely loving it, but it also has a personal connection for me — my friend was involved in making it, so there’s an extra layer of meaning every time I pour a glass. The Madeira cask influence adds such a beautiful depth to the spirit. It’s a dram that feels both familiar and special.
The perfect balance of personal connection, customer love, and extraordinary flavour
Juniper Hill 9yo –
Moscatel de Setúbal Wine
Becca Smith
For Becca, it was love at first sip.
My favourite dram of the year has got to be Juniper Hill 9yo Moscatel Finish from Spring 2025. Made in the Scottish Highlands and finished in juicy Portuguese fortified wine casks, it’s got that perfect balance of fruit, spice, and sweetness.
The cask really shines here, adding layers of orchard fruits, cocoa, and a touch of liquorice that make every sip feel a little bit special. It’s rich and complex, but also dangerously easy to drink — honestly, every time I pour a glass, I find myself coming back for more. The finish lingers just long enough to remind you why this whisky has totally stolen the show for me this year.
A bold, modern whisky with real personality — much like its fan base.
Caol Ila 10yo –
PX Sherry + Amarone
Lois Pace
Lois didn’t hold back—and we’re glad she didn’t.
The Caol Ila 10 PX/Amarone has to be my festive dram of the year!
Whether you’re hunting for a tipple to get you through the dreaded present-wrapping, something to sip while you’re curled up by the fire with your favourite book, or even a bottle to gift someone special… nothing — in my opinion — comes close.
Caol Ila is a longstanding personal favourite of mine, and the PX/Amarone influence takes it to a whole new level. Peated spirit paired with sweet sherry or a robust red wine creates the most astonishing burst of flavours.
This small batch release from our Benchmark range takes Caol Ila’s iconic Islay smoke and wraps it in luxurious layers of fruit, spice and festive warmth.
An Islay classic with a bold new twist.
Linkwood Sherry Finish vs Benrinnes Port Finish
Lois Pace (Cask Craft Picks)
Choosing just one Cask Craft dram proved impossible—so Lois picked two.
For Cask Craft, I’m torn between Linkwood Sherry or Benrinnes Port…
Both lovely local distilleries offering quality spirit character!
Linkwood sherry is a total crowd pleaser. A delicate, grassy, floral spirit but with a slightly oily palate makes it super versatile. The sherry finish adds some extra warmth which is perfect for a cosy night in!
Benrinnes port would be my go to for a wee night cap or perhaps as an aperitif! It’s meaty, robust & savoury, but the port finish gives some sweet chocolatey notes to give a perfect balance!
Two local distilleries. Two very different moods. Both excellent.
Glen Garioch 14yo –
Ximénez-Spínola PX Sherry
Dean Jode
Dean’s dram of the year is all about provenance—and balance.
The 14yo Glen Garioch – Ximénez-Spínola PX Sherry is my favourite dram of the year as it’s effortlessly brilliant; a fine dram that proudly showcases the provenance of both spirit and cask. Having been matured for its final 3 ½ years in PX Sherry casks from our partners Ximénez-Spínola, the distinguished character of the Glen Garioch spirit carries itself beautifully under a silky cloak of sherried deliciousness.
A dram that doesn’t shout — but absolutely delivers. *Chef’s kiss*
Bowmore 23yo –
Port Pipe
Noah Odim
Noah’s dram of the year is a statement whisky.
The Bowmore 23yo Port Pipe Finish balances vibrant citrus and peppery spice against deep, heavy Islay smoke. The palate and finish fully deliver, evolving into something dark, complex, and deeply satisfying.
A whisky for slow sipping—and serious appreciation.
North British 13yo –
Murça Port + Spínola PX Sherry
David Wilson
David’s choice reflects both curiosity and comfort.
I’ll go with a Select Grain North British 13yo Murça Port + PX Finish. I like it as it is a bit different, I’m quite new into the whisky world but I know Single Grain whisky is popular just now and becoming more so. This one is particularly sweet and has a nice chocolaty taste. I can imagine this going well alongside a nice cheese board.
David’s perfect pairing?
Whisky, comfort food and zero regrets.
Inchmurrin 6yo –
Marsala Wine
Paul “Pabs” McNicoll
Pabs’ love for this dram is measured in emptiness.
For me this year I have loved the Inchmurrin 6 yo first fill Marsala. Such a tasty dram! It would have been the Spirit of Speyside exclusive Dailuaine which is very similar but I finished that one!! And its sold out… That’s how good it was.
I’d also recommend enjoying some of our lovely Iguana Rum by Aceo Spirits and also some Cask Craft Linkwood Sherry Finish
Tempting the whisky lovers into a rum? Bold move Pabs!
Benrinnes 11yo –
Bourbon Barrels
Ben Chambers
Ben’s pick is the kind of whisky that works just as well sipped slowly at home as it does poured from a hip flask on a walk in the hills.
This is a wonderfully versatile dram and one that genuinely offers a little something for everyone. Matured entirely in classic bourbon barrels, this Benrinnes strikes a lovely balance between freshness, sweetness, and character without ever feeling overworked or heavy-handed.
Proof that simplicity, when done well, can be incredibly rewarding
Leapfrog 13yo –
Bourbon Barrels
Lily Têtu
Lily’s dram of the year is deeply personal—and delightfully peaty.
My dram of the year would have to be Leapfrog 13yo from the Autumn Release. Of course, I am a bit biased but I genuinely think it is a proper tasty whisky if you are a fan of ‘old school’ peat. The other reason I love it so much is because it was distilled by one of my very good friends in the industry and it was one of the first few whiskies I was involved with, from selection to bottling (even labelling!) since I joining MMD. It gave me an opportunity to be a bit more creative and to illustrate the magnificent pun behind the name. I remember sketching frogs whilst on a flight to a whisky festival and the KLM flight attendants being really puzzled by the frog filled drawing pad.
For me, this is perfect representation of the cheeky nature of MMD whilst still focusing on the quality of whisky itself. Aged in refill bourbon casks, no messing about, this is the perfect Islay to wind down and relax after a busy year.
A whisky to leap into the new year.
Mull’s Finest 10yo –
Calvados Pays d’Auge Barriques
Lily’s Honourable Mention (and Cocktail Tip!)
I also have a soft spot for the latest edition of our Mull’s Finest 10yo Mystery Malt. Everyone who knows me, will know that I am a big fan of Calvaldos, and always champion this beautiful spirit, often not very well known. I am also quite partial to the peated single malt distilled in Tobermory and this Mystery Malt, finished in Calvados casks is a marriage made in peat and apple heaven. This whisky is deliciously fruity and smoky and makes a great pairing with dark chocolate. I also make a fabulous boulevardier should you feel more creative and experimental. I have experimented a fair bit and the perfect ratio would be 40/30/20 for this.
Curious? Lily’s perfected Boulevardier twist:
40ml Mull’s Finest 10yo (Calvados Finish)
30ml Sweet Vermouth
20ml Red Bitter (Campari)
Stir with ice, strain into a chilled old-fashioned glass over a large cube, and garnish with a thin slice of apple.
A Final Dram
From PX-laden Highlands to smoky Islay classics and creative finishes, our Drams of the Year 2025 reflect what Murray McDavid does best: celebrating flavour, character, and the stories behind the whisky.
Here’s to another year of great drams — and even better company.
Slàinte! 🥃