Safe Haven (Ledaig) 2014/2023 - 8 yo - Murray McDavid Saint- Julien Wine Cask Finish

Volume: 0.7 litres | Alcohol content: 50% | Chill filtration: No | Colouring: No

Special Features:

Safe Haven is an 8-year-old smoky Mystery Malt from Murray McDavid's Autumn 2023 range. Following its initial maturation in a bourbon hogshead, the whisky spent its final 2 years in first-fill Saint-Julien-Beychevelle wine casks from Bordeaux. This red wine finish combines fruity cask influences with the oily, peaty character of the West Coast malt.

At 50%, this bottling has a powerful character. Cherries, red berries and fresh malt complement smoke and salty sea air, alongside wine notes, mild spices and a savoury note of cured meat. The release comprises 1,857 bottles. Its smoky West Coast style and 2-year red wine finish take centre stage.

Tasting Notes:

• Nose: On the nose, smoke and red berries combine with a salty sea breeze and fresh malt.
• Palate: The whisky is powerful and oily on the palate. Fresh peat smoke meets ripe cherries and succulent cured meat.
• Finish: Sweet fruits and gentle smoke linger at length. The finish leaves a pleasant dryness.

Distillery/Bottler:

Mark Reynier, Simon Coughlin and Gordon Wright founded Murray McDavid in 1994. Reynier and Coughlin came from the London wine trade, while Wright came from Springbank Distillery. Maturation in selected wine casks became an early focus of the independent bottler. Today, Murray McDavid belongs to Aceo and operates from the former Coleburn Distillery in Speyside.

For Safe Haven, Murray McDavid selected the malt, carried out the two-year finishing period and bottled the whisky. The distillery of origin remains part of the Mystery Malt range's riddle: it lies on Scotland's west coast and was first built in 1798. Safe Haven reflects the meaning of its original name: a safe harbour.

Facts: