Three Drams, Three Stories: Tamnavulin, Glen Scotia & Ledaig

Whisky, at its best, is storytelling in liquid form — and this trio tells three very different tales. From a Speyside spirit with a flirtatious Moscatel finish to a Campbeltown dram draped in Bordeaux red, and finally, an island powerhouse glowing with Hebridean moonlight, each brings its own sense of place, time, and attitude.

Let’s pour a dram (or three).

Cut Your Wold Loose Tamnavulin 13 year old

Distilled at Tamnavulin in 2011 and bottled 13 years later by Brighton’s Cut Your Wolf Loose, this Speysider spent its final two years lounging in a Moscatel Port pipe. Only 470 bottles escaped, dressed in artwork from street artist ZombieSqueegee — a fittingly rebellious touch for such an unhurried whisky.

Nose:At first, it’s shy — like it’s still deciding if it wants to talk to you. But patience pays. Soon enough, you’re rewarded with apricot pastry, ginger snaps, and orange marmalade.

Palate:Silky and self-assured. Honey, candied citrus, and a teasing dusting of autumnal spice glide across the tongue. The Moscatel influence hums in the background — subtle, sweet, and just the right amount of smug.

Finish:It lingers lazily, like it’s forgotten what it came in for. Sweet oak, wine gums, and a touch of nostalgia. Not showy — just quietly confident.

A breakfast whisky, if breakfast were at noon and came with linen napkins and jazz.

Glen Scotia Double Cask Bordeaux Red Wine Finish

Campbeltown doesn’t do ordinary, and this 2025 Glen Scotia Double Cask Bordeaux Red Wine Cask Finish, exclusive to Master of Malt, is proof. Initially aged in first-fill bourbon barrels before a nine-month holiday in Bordeaux red wine casks, it’s a dram that manages to be both elegant and maritime — like wearing a tuxedo to a beach barbecue.

Nose:Strawberry laces, vanilla, and peppery spice, with seaside whispers of oyster shells and coffee fudge. A flicker of raspberry tartness rounds it all out.

Palate:Rich yet composed. Think strawberry jam, vanilla icing, and wine-stained oak, all laced with sea spray and black pepper. There’s sweetness, but also sinew — like a Victoria Sponge Cake made by a Greyjoy (and somehow, it works).

Finish:Smoky beach BBQ, redcurrants, cockles, and a dash of cinnamon and caramel. It’s the seaside at sunset — complex, comforting, and just a bit windswept.

A dram that proves Campbeltown can flirt with Bordeaux and still keep its boots in the sand.

Ledaig 10 Year Old – Hebridean Moon – Smoke, Strength & Soul

From the Isle of Mull comes a whisky that doesn’t need to shout — though at 58.8% ABV, it certainly could. The Ledaig Hebridean Moon is a 10-year-old peated single malt, matured in bourbon casks and bottled at cask strength, with no chill-filtration, no colour added, and no apologies made.

Nose:Earthy peat smoke, soft vanilla, and a hint of worn leather — like an old sea captain’s study, with the windows open to the salt air.

Palate:Big, oily, and unapologetic. Candied fruit, black pepper, and tobacco smoke lead the charge, followed by toasted oak and a lick of cinnamon and brine to keep things vibrant.

Finish:Long and warming — vanilla, spice, and that unmistakable coastal smoke that lingers like a memory you don’t want to leave.

A dram that feels like staring into a peat fire on a cold night — hypnotic, elemental, and alive.

Final Thoughts

Each of these whiskies captures a different mood:

• Tamnavulin for lazy Sunday mornings.

• Glen Scotia for seaside evenings and spirited conversation.

• Ledaig for nights when the wind howls outside and you wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.

Three whiskies, three stories — and each worth listening to, one sip at a time.

Which was your favourite Dram this month?

• Ledaig Hebridean Moon
• Cut Your Wolf Loose Tamnavulin 13yr old
• Glen Scotia Double Cask Red Wine Finish