Leapfrog 2011/2025 - 13 y.o. - Bourbon Barrels - Murray McDavid

Volume: 0.7 litres | Alcohol content: 54.4% | Chill filtration: No | Colouring: No

Special Features:

This new release of Leapfrog is a peat-forward Islay single malt distilled at Laphroaig in 2011. The whisky initially matured in ex-bourbon barrels before being finished in first-fill bourbon barrels. In autumn 2025, Murray McDavid bottled a total of 687 bottles from casks 85290, 85291 and 85292 at 54.4%. The whisky is non-chill-filtered and has no added colouring.

The name Leapfrog refers to the approximately 25-year-old “McDavid vs. McGoliath” story from Murray McDavid’s early years. For this new release, the entire maturation sequence uses bourbon oak.

Tasting Notes:

• Nose: On the nose, citrus oils, light smoke and salted butter combine with sweet vanilla and creamy caramel.
• Palate: On the palate, glowing embers, lemon sweets and chilli meet soft cream toffees and gentle sweetness.
• Finish: The finish is oily and peaty, with sweet charcoal and pineapple, while a soft vanilla note lingers.

Distillery/Bottler:

This single malt comes from Laphroaig on Islay’s south coast. Murray McDavid was founded in early 1994 by London wine merchants Mark Reynier and Simon Coughlin together with Gordon Wright of Springbank. The company soon made a name for itself by maturing Scotch whisky in different casks, particularly selected wine casks. In 2000, the team initiated the reopening of the closed Bruichladdich Distillery and brought in Jim McEwan as Master Distiller. Murray McDavid is now owned by Aceo Ltd. and operates from Coleburn Distillery in Speyside. For Leapfrog, the independent bottler is responsible for cask selection, finishing and bottling.

Facts: