Single Malt Whisky, Scotland/Highlands – Mull

Founded in 1996 by Mark Reynier, Simon Coughlin, and Gordon Wright, the Murray McDavid trading house was acquired by the Rémy Cointreau group in 2012, before being purchased by Aceo Ltd in 2013. Highlighting the Ledaig distillery, founded in 1798 by John Sinclair, this expression, matured in a cask that previously held Amontillado sherry, reveals an authentic, rustic, intense, and oxidative profile. While cultivating the art of contrast, its aromatic and flavor profile is guided by a rich, oily peat that allows it to stay the course through thick and thin.

Nose: Rich, concentrated. Taking center stage, an oily, iodine-rich, saline peat, along with aromas of candied lemon, Williams pear, and heady flowers (broom), creates a captivating initial olfactory experience. With aeration, scents of barley porridge, verbena, almond milk, and beeswax emphasize the infused and oxidative character of the aromatic profile.

Palate: Both lively and creamy. Initially, a rich peat and lactic notes (almond) echo the nose. Then, floral (violet), mineral (slate) and gourmand (marshmallow) flavors gradually take on aquatic nuances (water lily, reed).

Finish: Fresh, velvety. Slightly tannic (powdery bloom), it transports us to pastoral landscapes with a pronounced “seaside” character (salt marshes, samphire). Licorice (stick), heady (violet, cornflower), herbaceous (tobacco), ashy, and seaweedy, the retro-nasal aroma is both ethereal and deeply rooted. The empty glass is inviting, perfect for enjoying a delicious porridge.