Mysterious island whisky from Bordeaux casks

Nose: Smoke clouds rise from your glass and blend with red berries, a salty sea breeze, and fresh malt.

Palate: Powerful and oily, fresh peat smoke spreads in the mouth, leaving enough room for ripe cherries and juicy cured meat.

Finish: Sweet fruits and gentle smoke linger long, leaving a pleasant dryness.

Our insider tip for all Peatheads and fans of single malts matured in red wine casks: Safe Haven 2014/2023 - 8 Year Old Saint-Julien Wine Cask Finish Mystery Malt (Murray McDavid)

The two-year finishing in exquisite oak casks from Bordeaux has given this powerful whisky from the Scottish west coast wonderful wine notes and plenty of depth. Thanks to the slightly elevated drinking strength, the aromas unfold their full potential - here you get beautiful intensity. A syrupy sweet scent of forest berries and stewed cherries combines with robust campfire smoke and fresh malt. Above all, a maritime sea breeze hovers. Impressive start with aromatic smoke. Complementary earthy peat and juicy cured meat in equal parts, along with wonderfully fruity cherries and sweet blackberry jam. With flavors of sweet fruits, gentle spice, and subtle smoke, the whisky lingers pleasantly in memory.

Since there is only one distillery that was established in 1798 on the Scottish west coast, it is clear that this drop is a Ledaig from the Tobermory Distillery. Sometimes, however, the independent bottler cannot name the distillery for licensing reasons and chooses nebulous descriptions or gives hidden hints. And if you are wondering now because Tobermory is located on the Isle of Mull: The islands are formally not a separate whisky region but are officially attributed to the Highlands.

To allow you to focus on the essential element, namely enjoyment, the taste takes center stage in this 2014 vintage. That’s why the renowned bottler Murray McDavid bottled the whisky without color additives and chill filtration. The latter helps preserve all the flavor-bearing substances. The true value of Safe Haven reveals itself when you taste it neat. With 50% ABV, the single malt can also handle a few drops of water. This opens the door to entirely new aromas.

After all, there are 1857 bottles of this bottling. With such a delicious whisky, it is still questionable how long it will be available. Therefore, take your chance and secure a bottle now.