Caol Ila 2014 Murray McDavid – 56,8%

The distillery is located north of Port Askaig on the island of Islay, directly on the Sound of Islay. It was built in 1846 and has had a completely new stillhouse since 1974, expanded to six stills. The distillery, from which one has a wonderful view of the island of Jura, is now owned by Diageo. Caol Ila is a good example of a “working horse” that mainly produces for blends, in this case for Johnnie Walker.

Whether sherry casks from Spanish bodegas, strong wine casks from Madeira, port pipes from Portugal, barrique casks from Europe’s top vintners, casks from Caribbean rum distilleries or bourbon casks from the USA: Murray McDavid obtains casks directly from the producer. The wood treasure has become the trademark of the renowned independent bottler. Founded in 1994 by Mark Reynier (current CEO of Waterford and Renegade), Simon Coughlin and Gordon Wright (Springbank Distillery), Murray McDavid quickly made a name for itself with post-maturations in the exquisite casks. The team is also known for taking over and “saving” the Bruichladdich Distillery. But Murray McDavid’s home is the disused Coleburn Distillery in Speyside. The bottlings are matured in the traditional Dunnage warehouse between low, but thick walls and on a clay floor. Single malt and grain whisky, vatted malts and blended whisky appear in different series. Their heart: Benchmark. Only first-class single malts find their way into the turquoise-labelled bottles.
Only first-class single malts find their way into the turquoise-labelled bottles.