Tullibardine – 2013 9 Year Old 1st Fill Four-Grain Cask Finish, Murray McDavid (70cl, 46%)

This is a nine-year-old Highland single malt from Tullibardine, distilled in 2013 and released by Murray McDavid in spring 2023 as part of its Benchmark series. Only 1,220 bottles were filled, at 46%, without chill-filtering or added colour. The whisky matured first in bourbon hogsheads, then received a finish in 110-litre casks from Koval that had held American four-grain whiskey, made from oats, malted barley, rye and wheat. It was the first time these casks had been used to finish Scotch. The nose combines creamy vanilla and pastry with citrus. Buttery malt meets toasted oak on the palate, and the finish leaves caramel, nut brittle and spice.