North British 16 yo (2007/2024), Murray McDavid – Sauternes Finish, 51.5%

Introduction

North British 16 Year Old is a distinguished single grain whisky that exemplifies Murray McDavid’s expertise in innovative cask finishing techniques and their commitment to showcasing the often-overlooked potential of grain whisky.

Production Method

• Raw materials: Premium Scottish grain (primarily wheat) from the iconic North British distillery in Edinburgh, one of Scotland’s oldest and most respected grain whisky producers.
• Distillation process: Continuous distillation using column stills, creating a lighter spirit with exceptional purity and smoothness characteristic of quality grain whisky.
• Maturation: Initial maturation in American bourbon casks for the majority of its 16 years, followed by a carefully monitored finishing period in French Sauternes wine casks.
• Special techniques: Murray McDavid’s signature “Art of Maturation” approach includes careful cask selection and monitoring throughout the finishing process to achieve perfect balance between the grain whisky character and the sweet, complex influence of Sauternes wine.

Tasting Notes

• Nose: Honey-drenched vanilla, tropical fruits, apricot preserves, and gentle oak spice with subtle notes of white grape and honeysuckle.
• Palate: Creamy butterscotch and toffee layered with ripe peach, candied citrus peel, and sweet baking spices, enhanced by the distinctive Sauternes influence bringing notes of sweet white wine, honey, and subtle botrytis character.
• Finish: Long and warming with lingering oak spice, dried fruits, and a delicate sweet wine essence that balances the grain whisky’s natural smoothness.

Recommended Serving

• Serving temperature: Room temperature (16-18°C).
• Glass recommendation: Tulip-shaped whisky glass or Glencairn to concentrate the delicate aromas.
• Serving ideas: Best enjoyed neat initially to appreciate its full character; a few drops of water can open up additional layers of flavor while taming the higher ABV.
• Food pairings: Pairs wonderfully with desserts featuring honey or caramel, aged cheeses, or fruit-based pastries that complement the Sauternes influence.

Product Specifications

• Alcohol content: 51.5% ABV (cask strength)
• Bottle size: 70cl
• Country/Region of origin: Scotland, Edinburgh (Lowlands)
• Certifications/Awards: Part of the highly regarded “The Art of Maturation” series from independent bottler Murray McDavid.

Summary

A Unique Tasting Experience

North British 16 Year Old represents the pinnacle of single grain whisky craftsmanship, elevated through expert Sauternes cask finishing that transforms an already excellent spirit into something truly extraordinary.

As a limited release from Murray McDavid’s specialty series, this expression offers a rare opportunity to experience the remarkable transformation that premium wine cask finishing can bring to aged grain whisky.

Bottled at cask strength and without chill filtration, this whisky carries the authority of traditional Scottish whisky-making enhanced by Murray McDavid’s renowned expertise in cask selection and finishing.

Recognition from Connoisseurs

Discerning whisky enthusiasts have long championed Murray McDavid’s innovative approaches to whisky maturation, with their Sauternes-finished expressions consistently receiving particular acclaim.

Collectors who have committed to exploring the “Art of Maturation” series recognize these bottles as essential additions to a comprehensive whisky library that showcases innovative finishing techniques.

The growing appreciation for premium grain whiskies among connoisseurs makes this North British expression especially noteworthy, as it demonstrates how exceptional grain whisky can become with proper aging and expert finishing.

From Edinburgh to Your Glass

Murray McDavid has gone to extraordinary lengths to select this exceptional North British cask and enhance it through their signature finishing process, offering you an exclusive taste of their whisky-making philosophy.

The approachable yet complex character of this whisky makes it instantly appealing, with layers of flavor that continue to reveal themselves with each sip.

By choosing this North British 16 Year Old, you join a community of whisky enthusiasts who appreciate how traditional Scottish distilling heritage can be respectfully enhanced through innovative approaches—an experience that awaits your discovery.