Mortlach 2008 Murray McDavid – 54,3%

Mortlach Distillery is renowned among connoisseurs for its robust, almost meaty character. Murray McDavid initially allowed this spirit—distilled in 2008—to mature in ex-bourbon hogsheads before transferring it to a Pedro Ximénez barrique from the esteemed Bodegas Ximénez-Spinola for the crucial finishing stage. This four-year maturation in staves deeply imbued with sherry imparts a complexity to the whisky that can only be achieved through artisanal precision and the “art of maturation.”

On the nose, a complex bouquet unfolds with notes of baked apple, dried apricot, and the waxy character typical of Mortlach. On the palate, the malt reveals a generous side, featuring notes of soft toffee, ripe peach, and a rich, almost chewy malty body. The finish is reminiscent of freshly baked brioche and stroopwafel, underpinned by a warming, buttery spice that lingers, echoing the deep mahogany hue in the glass.