Craigellachie & Caol Ila Releases | Various ABV

Bowie

There are many different ways to come into whisky.

Whether at a bar, tasting, or with a friend, there’s a moment that turns the causal into the obsessive. That life-changing pour. The basic-to-botherer pipeline.

When my palate evolved to appreciate higher ABV’s and the complexities and engagement found in single cask whiskies, my sights naturally drifted to that world-within-a-world that is Independent Bottling.

Without guidance, except what I found on Scotch reddit or Dramface as I attempted to navigate this new space, I approached the indies with caution. Honestly, it’s daunting to any greenhorn punter looking to “level up” - let alone an American; and with shipping (and recently tariffs) in the pricing mix, I was worried a once-bitten-twice-shy moment would put a pause on future procurement.

Further, much like the wider world of whisky, decision fatigue added to the hesitation.

So, like any normal person in this situation, I went with the branding that most appealed to me.

I’m not afraid to admit it.

As I said, there’s many different ways to come into whisky. After all, what is Dramface if not an online confessional for the enthusiasts among us to wax philosophical (ramble?) about their meandering journey along the amber highway.

And it wasn’t the branding one might think. No, it had nothing to do with the liquid itself, or colorful artwork, a clever slogan, Instagram reel, paid advertisement, or any of the ways independent bottlers and spirits producers attempt to stand out in a crowded space.

It was a dog.

And not just any dog, it was “Rebel,” the logo/mascot for independent bottler Murray McDavid. A Terrier whose black and white face adorns the labels and boxes of each of their releases.

Anyone who knows me personally knows I have a soft spot for Yorkshire Terriers or “Yorkies.” And that’s simply because the best friend I’ve ever had was himself a Yorkshire Terrier.

I have no knowledge of him as a puppy. He was already 2 or 3 (or possibly older) when he suddenly arrived into our lives years ago, but all signs pointed to a rough life.

My ex-wife and I had discussed potentially getting a dog when we bought our house together in 2016, but decisions were delayed. She had severe allergies and the list of hypoallergenic breeds that don’t cost an arm and a leg is pretty thin. We also made the decision to not acquire a dog from a breeder, which meant adoption or a shelter animal.

Despite growing up with dogs, I was initially opposed but didn’t want to be the impediment. We were newly married and “happy-wife-happy-life” and all that. I was busy at the time growing a new business and, since I worked from home, knew the burden of most of the training, walking, and general caretaking would fall on me. I wasn’t thrilled at the prospect.

However, before a robust discussion could even occur serendipity struck, as it always seems to do in these situations. “Life,” as Jeff Goldblum famously said in Jurassic Park “…uh, finds a way.”

Within a week of our initial conversation, a friend of ours called and said that while she was driving home, a scared little dog ran in front of her and almost caused an accident or worse. She pulled over and picked up the tiny, frightened animal - malnourished and disoriented - and decided to take him home, give him a much-needed meal, and put up posters alerting the neighborhood he had been found. Knowing we had talked about it, the offer was made to give him a home with us.

We said we would talk about it, see if anyone claimed him from the posters, and get back to her. But there wasn’t much of a debate. Yorkshire Terriers are one of the most hypoallergenic dog breeds, checking a particularly important box. They’re also small - we both didn’t want a big dog - and without a doubt, we had to admit from the photos she sent that despite his disheveled and desperate state, he was very cute.

It’s hard to fathom in the moment when a link in the chain of our soul is about to be forged.

Once he went unclaimed from the posters, we took him in. The whole process took about four days.

His shaggy haircut and silver hair reminded us of a certain beloved artist who had just recently passed, the name fit perfectly.

We named him Bowie.

I’m not sure it was all the time we spent together in the beginning or if the cosmos just aligned, but the bond we had was instant. He followed me everywhere and I called him my “Velcro Pup.” We were inseparable after that.

We never got Bowie’s origin story or how he came to be on that road at that exact time that fateful night, but we surmised a few things. Since he had not been neutered, was purebred, in poor health, not well-cared for - not to mention abandoned - we assumed he was kept as a breeding stud for a puppy mill. Now, before our male readers react that “breeding stud” literally sounds like the dream life, horror stories abound regarding the conditions of these places.

Purebred Yorkshire Terriers can fetch thousands of dollars and are considered “designer dogs.” Breeding studs are put down or heartlessly discarded once they pass maturity - a little after three or four years - Bowie’s assumed age when we found him according to the veterinarian.

I tried not to think too much about it. One thing’s for certain, despite his past, he was a sweet boy with piles of love to give and we loved him right back.

More so than just being a great dog who we cherished: Bowie saved my life.

As I’ve briefly mentioned in previous Dramface write-ups, my divorce was a terribly dark period for me. A few years that are just a black hole of trauma, sorrow, regret, and grief - in the repository of my memories.

Before the separation and before I moved, there were about six months where I slept in the guest room, a separation-before-the separation. Just incredible loneliness. Bowie was a light in that gloom.

He slept in the other room, but one thing I clung to was that every morning, as our broken house awoke, I would hear his little footsteps click-clack on the cold hardwood when my ex-wife opened the door to her room. The first thing Bowie did was come to me and I would just soak up his joy. He would wag his tiny little tail and just be so happy to see me. We would spend a few minutes together every morning. I would sing to him before starting my day.

Initially hesitant, and only after pressure from friends and others, she agreed to split custody following the separation. It was one of the only things I asked for. Picking him up was the highlight of my week. It’s no stretch to say that Bowie’s unconditional love and companionship kept me alive during that dark and challenging time.

As I slowly moved beyond my grief and embraced tree therapy and travel as a salve, Bowie began accompanying me as my “Adventure Pup.” His compact size allowed him to fly with me as airlines allow dogs who can fit in a carrier safely stowed under a seat. He experienced the wonderful sniffs that the forests and beaches of Northern California had to offer. One trip we did together remains one of my fondest, most cherished memories.

Unfortunately, Bowie’s health declined rapidly as he aged. When he experienced kidney disease I fought like hell through medication, routine, and a special diet to give him as much bonus time as possible. His love kept me alive and I did the same for him. But alas, he eventually passed.

The anguish from losing him hit me hard and I fell into a rut of depression and heavy drinking. That was also the year of my trip to the UK, and I visited lovely Yorkshire as a homage to him and his ancestors. A toast was had in his honor on a sunny summer day overlooking the River Ouse in the heart of York. It was as befitting a tribute as I could muster. Being in that moment helped with much needed closure.

That same trip, which also took me North to Scotland, stirred my passion for whisky, which led to more mindful drinking - allowing a healthier relationship with alcohol as I moved into moderation, slowing down, and enjoying my pours.

There are many different ways to come into whisky. Wherever the amber highway takes us, the journey is deeply personal.

This all flashed through my brain as I took a punt on my first independently bottled whisky, a Murray McDavid 10-year Caol Ila finished in PX Sherry and Amarone wine. Caol Ila had become a distillery I was reaching for a lot at the time (and still is) having enjoyed both the “Moch” and the core range 12 year old. I was excited to see what these finishing casks could do to the spirit.

But it was their logo that sealed the deal.

I wasn’t disappointed.

Review 1/2

Caol Ila 10yo, Murray McDavid Benchmark Series, finished in PX Sherry and Amarone Wine Casks, 53.1% ABV
US$98 paid (£78) & still some availability

Mascots and logos aside, I fell in love with this bottle after it was cracked and shared it widely among friends, other local whisky lovers and sent off as samples upon opening. Since this was a while ago, it’s been quite fun to reconnect with it as I opened the backup in preparation for this write-up.

I’m not in my Caol Ila era as much as I was when I first acquired this, but the distillery still holds quite a bit of favor in Archie land.

Score: 7/10

**Very Good Indeed.**
***TL;DR***
*A sweet, smoky and meaty Caol Ila*

Nose

As this is my second bottle I have heaps of notes.

Inviting peppery cookfire smoke and gristle. Lots of big, barbecued meats like Pollo Asado seasoning, grilled chicken, and charred beef. Chocolate covered cherries. Alcohol is well-integrated and blends well; this is very pleasant. Caramel syrup. Stubb’s BBQ sauce. Behind that there’s a lovely, rich sweetness that develops like chocolate covered cherries. Molasses. Ghirardelli sea salt dark chocolate. Applesauce with brown sugar. Juicebox. With time, more red wine dryness and bold grape sweetness comes through with hints of tartness like dried cranberries.

Water brings a sugary, cinnamon roll-ey sweetness, also wood smoke, red Jelly Bellies, strawberries, and Toblerone. Hints of red candy. Delightful.

Palate

Salty sweet. Peppery smoke is very present, if not more mellowed, but still rich and desserty. Mexican Hot Chocolate Cake. Glazed donut. Orange Chicken. Brandied cherries. Also, shrimpy and fishy notes in the middle that add depth and uniqueness. Oily and juicy. Less sticky than some PX whiskies and lots more fruity grape sweetness with red candy sweetness on the finish. Water brings milk chocolate, Tootsie Roll, and Cinnamon Red Hots, a little more spice here than I remember.

Initially I found the finish to be lovely and rich, now I find it to be a tad short, but not overwhelmingly so, there’s still quite a bit of lip-smacking goodness at the end that sends us off.

The Dregs

A great bottle and a delicious Caol Ila for those who enjoy this distillery. I’m very glad this was my “gateway” into that wonderful world-within-a-world that is independent bottling.

It was fun combining my previous notes to present on my “backup” bottle that laid unopened for a while after its predecessor was rinsed. There were subtle differences I did notice: it was more peppery than I remember as I dove in a second time.

The initial elation has tamped slightly and although my palate has matured in that time, this still registers as “very good” to me. I’ve also had many different Caol Ila expressions across age statements and cask profiles (PX and sherry are still near and dear) so it’s less of a novelty as it once was, but I enjoy searching for nuance among different releases.

Despite both PX sherry and Amarone wine casks being used here, there’s still plenty of distillery character and this doesn’t feel “smothered” at all. The Amarone wine (of which I’ll admit I’m not super familiar with) seems to add those nice dry fruit notes that hang over the dram as an enjoyable accent while the PX brings barbecued meats and chocolatey dessert. With the alcohol assimilated well into the final presentation, we’re left with a rich, smoky, fudgy, sooty, meaty dram that’s very approachable and drinkable.

No wonder my whisky exploration continued at full tilt (and with enhanced vigor) following the purchase of this bottle.

Score: 7/10

Review 2/2

Craigellachie 16yo, Murray McDavid Benchmark Series, finished in a Palo Cortado Sherry Octave, 2025 Spirit of Speyside Festival Bottling, 58.2% ABV
US$100 paid (£79) & still some availability

The acquisition of this bottle was much less dramatic than the first one, although a smile did cross my face when mail day arrived and I saw that familiar logo.

Craigellachie is a distillery I’m very familiar with and have already lavished praise upon (all hail the worm tubs). A Palo Cortado sherry octave represented a cask profile I was quite curious about, plus a bottler I now trust. Throw in that I was getting last year’s festival release at a good price, the makings of a classic punt began to form.

Despite a low outturn of just 91 bottles, I was pleased it was still available online.

Score: 7/10

**Very good indeed.**
***TL;DR***
*Punchy and sweet, but the distillery character gets through*

Nose

Initially it felt a little cask-smothered and hot, but settled nicely after a while. Synergy between cask and spirit was more apparent with time and air. Opens with signature Palo Cortado dry nuttiness that’s like macadamias and pistachios. Then sweet and rich, Raisinetes and maple syrup. Shaved chocolate. An earthy dirtiness comes through that’s also oily and heavy with a metallic tang. Meaty like a Pepperidge Farm beef stick. Old, dusty leather sofa. Some cinnamon spice. Black tea. Browned apples. Candy bar wrapper. Shop floor.

Water tamps the heat and brings more savoriness, but also desserty sweetness. Chocolate covered coffee beans. Metal scrapyard and industrial funk. Slivered almonds. Fudge sundae. Wet wood. Steamy.

Palate

Sharpness at first with a bit of heat. Punchy, but then syrupy, caramel chocolates and Samoa Girl Scout Cookies. Velvety dessert sweetness. Brown sugar and baked apples. Thick, rich, and mouth-coating. More of that distillate-driven heaviness pops through that’s oily and adds some cured lunch meat. Water mellows that initial bite and brings peanut brittle and candied nuts. Almond clusters. More sweet stickiness on a long finish. Tangy. Nougat.

The Dregs

Another testament to both time and patience often being necessary for whisky enjoyment.

As the bottle settled, I was pleased to see more distillery character come through on later pours and extra complexities that added to the engagement. In the hands of skilled blenders and bottlers, an octave can work well to give plenty of active wood and cask seasoning notes to a spirit in a brief time without smothering the spirit. A heavy distillate like Craigellachie stands up to this type of treatment well and I’ve found that it’s quite diverse and, in this case, very enjoyable.

Palo Cortado is starting to show up more frequently, and what was once the “accidental” and “rare” sherry is commonly available to bottlers and distillers. It’s a cask profile I enjoy so there may be bias here, but regardless this is quite enjoyable whisky for fans of either Craigellachie or Palo Cortado sherry cask maturation.

The Final Dregs

Led into the wonderful world of independent bottling by a logo that reminded me of my beloved canine companion shows the many (if even unconventional) paths that exist toward whisky happiness. It’s a passion with infinite routes, a true “choose your own adventure” pastime.

Both bottles were quite cask forward but were integrated well, and settled over time. Murray McDavid do specialize in a lot of sherry and wine cask finishing on their bottles. Although I’m not always a fan of wine finishes, I do think both are very good.

I must give a hat tip to the Murray McDavid social media person who responded to my Instagram messages when I first started my page and was patient and kind when I asked a series of questions about their dog mascot.

For those curious, as I mentioned, the dog’s name is “Rebel.” It’s based on one of the Murray McDavid founder’s grandparents’ dogs, although he’s been renamed by the company (the innocent must be protected after all). The dog is a Westie Terrier and not a Yorkshire Terrier (they do have remarkably similar faces).

Murray McDavid has a special bottling series named “Rebel’s Reserve” that’s named after the dog, which I appreciate very much.

And to Bowie, you’re missed and loved - I think about you every day.

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