Balmenach – 12 Year Old 2013 Bourbon Barrel Murray McDavid Benchmark (57.3%)

This is a 12 year old Balmenach single malt from Speyside, distilled in 2013 and matured in a single bourbon barrel. Murray McDavid bottled it in 2026 for its Benchmark series, in an outturn of 725 bottles at 57.3% ABV. It is non-chill-filtered and of natural colour. Balmenach stands at the foot of the Cromdale Hills and was founded by James MacGregor in 1824. Its worm tubs are said to give a robust, spicy distillate, and the American oak adds vanilla, caramel and gentle woody spice. The whisky is described as creamy banana, vanilla and spicy chai, with a waxy texture and a sweet, malty finish.