The Speysiders 2009 MM (Murray McDavid) (46%)

The Speysiders 2009 MM (Murray McDavid) is a blended malt Scotch from Murray McDavid. It vats malts from several distilleries, Craigellachie lending a soft Speyside heart. Bacardi's John Dewar and Sons bought it in 1998, alongside Aberfeldy, Aultmore and Royal Brackla.

Craigellachie's smooth, sweet malt is the kind that built Johnnie Walker. Ex-Sherry wood added a dried fruit richness to the heavy, meaty malt. The robust make rewards long ageing, the meatiness giving way to tropical fruit. The distillery was founded in 1891 by a group led by Peter Mackie, the man behind the White Horse blend. The heavy, oily make is prized by blenders for the backbone it gives White Horse. The oily spirit shows the cask clearly, vanilla and tropical fruit over a meaty malt. It was launched as a single malt brand in 2014, with a bare knuckle, old fashioned image.

Reduced to 46%, it is mellow. Soft orchard fruit, honey and a gentle spice run through it, smooth and approachable. Beneath it run meaty malt, tropical fruit and a waxy oil. A robust, malty finish ends on tropical fruit and a warm spice. A characterful blended malt Scotch.