Lately I've noticed an increase in the amount of Independent Bottlers of Scotch Whisky in the LCBO Vintages section. Occupying most of the shelf space this spring is the Murray McDavid line. Last week, Scotch Blog acquired the limited edition Murray McDavid Allt-A-Bhainne 1996 12yr old.
Aged in American Oak and new French Oak the label claims: cereal, nut toffee, ripe grape, mango, pear and mild spice.
We at Scotch Blog found the label a tad overstated upon tasting.
We at Scotch Blog found the label a tad overstated upon tasting.
Nose: A light nose of toffee, cocoa and coffee beans
Palate: Cereal maltiness bordering on toasted bread with a hazelnut, cocoa flavour, a peppery spice of heat drives the somewhat thin mouth-feel.
Finish: Not a great finish. Shockingly hot and unrefined for a 12 year old malt. Heavy cocoa and molasses-like sweetness linger with the resonant heat.
Overall: Water doesn't help much with the heat and the dram tastes either like it's over-oaked or over-proof and, judging by the 46% A.B.V., we suspect the former. The fruit aspects mentioned on the label are muted, indiscernible and not worth writing. Finally, the pleasant aspects of the whisky's sweetness are overwhelmed by the intense heat which leads to an unremarkable end.
Since there were only 1500 bottles produced there may be some appeal to the die-hard whisky collector but, at this high price, there are better 12 yr old single malt whiskys.
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