The Speysiders 2009 MM (Murray McDavid)

The Speysiders 2009 MM (Murray McDavid) is a blended malt Scotch from Murray McDavid. It marries single malts from more than one distillery, Craigellachie among them. Worm tubs give little copper contact, so the new spirit is robust and full, mellowing to tropical fruit with age.

The Craigellachie within gives a gentle apple and pear note. A sherry butt held it, the wood lending raisin and walnut to the robust spirit. The meaty, oily spirit takes cask flavour well while keeping its robust, worm tub weight. Worm tubs give little copper contact, so the new spirit is heavy and full, mellowing with time. 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. Its malt has long been the muscular heart of the White Horse blend. It was launched as a single malt brand in 2014, with a bare knuckle, old fashioned image.

Bottled at 46%, it is rounded. 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.