21/07/2023
Chapter 25
A chat with...Blair Sterrick - Pt.2(Morrison / Mac-Talla) - #21
Welcome to the second part of this three-episodes series.
This time we will focus on Mac-Talla, a range that features Islay’s whiskies. Mac-Talla, means “echo” in Scottish Gaelic, and the name was chosen to perfectly reflect the connection that the Morrison Family have had with Islay for generations (see mention). With this range they aim to take the drinker on a taste journey across the island.
Accompanying us, to discover this range, will be again Blair Sterrick, UK Sales Manager for Morrison.
Let’s see what he told us…
Hi Blair, welcome to the Part 2 of the interview. Before discussing today's range and products can you tell us what's your favourite whisky destination?
Previously I would have had to say Speyside but having recently been over on Islay for Fèis Ìle where the weather was just exceptional all week I would have to say Islay just pips Speyside but again it could be a completely different place when the rain is pouring and the wind it is howling but there is just something so magical about the Island and the way of life.
If you were meaning destination wise as in a venue then it has to be Milroys of Soho in London (see mention), it is an absolute whisky institution where the bar staff are so knowledgeable that if you are a Whisky Guru or a complete novice they can find the exact drink for you.
Now tell us a bit more about Mac-Talla, what is it that makes it stand out in the whisky industry?
It might sound cliché, but Mac-Talla really is a journey of taste in Islay with each expression being very different showing the depth and variety that the island produces. Given the family history on the Island (see mention) we are delighted to have an Islay range in our portfolio.
We have three expressions in the range a classic at 46% (Terra), a cask strength at 58.2% (Mara) and an 15-Year-Old at 46% (Strata).
Terra means the earth and rich, peaty soil of Islay. This perfectly reflected the peat smoke in this expression, deriving its characteristics from Islay’s ground. Mara reflects the maritime nature of this whisky on the palate which has been heavily influenced by the Atlantic Sea Salt atmosphere that engulfs Islay and Strata is the plural of stratum, its name refers to the many igneous rock formations that are visible along Islay’s rugged but breath-taking shores and landscape which support the distilleries the Morrison families have close connections to, as well as the layered complexity of the dram.
Can you tell us what Mac-Talla's target audience is?
Given the three expressions we believe the Mac-Talla range has something for everyone both in terms of flavour profiles, maturations, ages and costs.
Take Terra for example for me this is a perfect introduction to the classic Islay style as it is more of a wood smoke than a peat smoke however it is very flexible as is also equally enjoyed by people who love a peaty Islay dram.
Can you tell us how you select your casks, and anticipate anything about what we can expect to see next?
As we don’t have a distillery on Islay we use stock from different distilleries to produce the range as well as any limited editions like the Red Wine barriques last year and our first ever Fèis Ìle bottling this year so definitely expect to look out for some more limited editions coming soon.
Consumers would expect products like Terra and Mara to include single malts aged 6-8 years old, but we include whisky up Casks are matured both on Islay and at MSWD’s warehouses in Perth allowing us more control and visibility of the development of the whiskies. 20%-30% of the malt used in Terra and Mara is 1st fill American oak (ex-bourbon) with the rest being refill casks to enhance the distillery character and pronounce the smokiness of the distillate. For Strata 15-year-old, we use a combination of Bourbon and 10-15% Oloroso Sherry casks to add depth and richness.
Official website: https://mactallawhisky.com/
Drams
and more...
Today's drams
- Mac-Talla Terra – 46%
- Mac-Talla Mara – 58.2%
- Mac-Talla Strata 15yo – 46%
- Mac-Talla Pedro Ximénez (Fèis Ìle 2023 Limited Edition) – 54.6%
Morrison Distillers
Morrison Scotch Whisky Distillers is today a family business under the ownership of father-and-son team Brian and Jamie Morrison since 2020, and formerly known as Morrison and Mackay.
The Morrison family has been involved in the whisky industry for many generations. They owned Islay’s Bowmore distillery since 1963, before being sold to Suntory (Japanese drinks producer) .
Since 2017 they also run the new Aberargie Single Malt Scotch Whisky distillery (Lowlands), based in the family’s 300 acre farm in Aberargie, just outside Perth. Their first release will soon happen and will mark the return to distilling for the family, after 25 years, since the Bowmore experience.
Milroy's
London’s oldest independent whisky merchant and bar, still today the best whisky line-up offer in London. The historic one in Soho since 1964, and the more recent one in Spitalfields (if you haven’t tried this one, we highly recommend it. Its team, Richard Patrulei & Jakub Korzynski, are both really passionate and knowledgeable and will for sure find something to please your palate).