Founded in September 1994, Murray McDavid established itself on Islay before becoming one of Scotland’s most respected independent bottlers, renowned for pioneering cask maturation and innovative whisky creation – a true leader in the field. Thirty-two years later, the company is paying tribute to its heritage with a carefully curated collection that showcases the remarkable diversity of Islay single malt.
The Islay Exclusive Release comprises six bottlings across Murray McDavid’s acclaimed Mission Gold and Benchmark ranges, featuring rare expressions from some of the island’s most celebrated distilleries.
The collection includes:
Mission Gold
- Leapfrog 1992 – 33 Years Old – American Oak Bourbon Barrel
- Ardbeg 2008 – 17 Years Old – Oloroso Sherry Butt
- Bunnahabhain Mòine 2007 – 18 Years Old – Bourbon Hogshead finished in an Amontillado Sherry Octave
Benchmark
- Leapfrog 2011 – 14 Years Old – American Oak Bourbon Barrel
- Caol Ila 2014 – 11 Years Old – Bourbon Hogshead finished in a Madeira Wine Barrique
- Bunnahabhain Mòine 2020 – 5 Years Old – Sherry Butt with a final finish in a fresh Oloroso Sherry Hogshead
Each whisky has been individually selected by Murray McDavid’s Whisky Creations Team to showcase the island’s unmistakable maritime character, powerful yet elegant peat smoke and exceptional spirit – all a result of the importance the company places on the The Art of Maturation.
Reflecting on the launch, Edward Odim, Managing Director, said:
“Thirty-two years ago, Murray McDavid began its journey on Islay with a vision to explore the endless possibilities of cask maturation. While we’ve grown significantly since those early days, our philosophy remains unchanged. This collection is both a celebration of our heritage and a showcase of the incredible diversity that Islay offers. Every whisky has been carefully selected to demonstrate not only the character of the spirit but also the transformative influence of exceptional oak.”
Over the past three decades, Murray McDavid has built an international reputation for sourcing outstanding Scotch whisky and maturing it in carefully selected casks from around the world. Today, operating from its traditional warehouses in Speyside, the company continues to push the boundaries of Scotch whisky maturation while remaining true to the pioneering spirit of its founders.
