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Ian Macleod
Blending Room 01 Heriot Watt Release is
a limit edition blended Scotch whisky
created through a collaboration with The
International Centre for Brewing and
Distilling at Heriot-Watt University in
Edinburgh.
Ian Macleod’s Blending Room has
teamed up with The International Centre
for Brewing and Distilling at
Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh for
this limited-edition blended Scotch
whisky, 'Ian Macleod Blending Room 01
Heriot Watt Release'.
A team of four students from Heriot Watt worked alongside Ian
Macleod Distillers to identify an ideal
method for finishing blended Scotch
whisky in a virgin American-oak cask,
looking at four key variables: Fill
Strength, Blend Formulation, Time in
Cask, and Toast/Char level.
The result of their collaboration is this 'Ian Macleod Blending Room
01 Heriot Watt Release', a 250-bottle release which
is equal parts 'A+ coursework' and a
Master Blender-certified dram. The
whisky spent 3 months finishing in
virgin American oak, Ian Macleod tells
me that this has given the whisky an enriched
nose of smooth toffee and coconut with a
warming base of clove and cinnamon. On
the palate, a luxurious coating of sweet
coffee and rich chocolate, finishing
with spice and lively oak character. The
perfect fireside dram for Christmas.
It’s the first collaborative bottling
between The International Centre for
Brewing and Distilling, and Ian Macleod
Distillers, and the project is set to
become an annual limited-edition
release.
What’s more, the impact of this
partnership will remain a key part of
this Heriot-Watt course year-round, with
Ian Macleod Distillers gifting equipment
to the University’s sensory suite to aid
the studies of the students.
Emma Newton, Blender at Ian Macleod
Distillers, said: “Ian Macleod
Distillers has a storied history in
distilling and long-earned expertise in
blending, so I think it’s fitting that
we’ve had the chance to share this
experience with the distillers and
blenders of tomorrow from the Brewing
and Distilling MSc at Heriot-Watt
University. As a graduate of this
programme, it has been a brilliant
collaboration and the students should be
proud as they’ve created a delightful
dram!”
Annie Hill, Professor at Heriot-Watt
University, said: "The students I have
worked with have been given an
experience that will help elevate their
career in the whisky world. We have
blended something really special and one
that myself and Ian Macleod’s Blending
Room are really proud of."
The four students who took part in the
project are Euan Martin, Matt Priaulx,
Kellan Cowan, and Jake Adcook, who won
the prestigious Dr Chris Greig Prize for
the ‘Best distilling project by a
Scottish student’ in 2021-2022.
Reflecting on his experience, Matt
Priaulx, said: "A massive thank you to
Ian Macleod’s Blending Room for the
opportunity to learn and gain the
expertise from the best in the business.
To be part of such a special bottling
has been such an enriching experience. I
look forward to sharing a dram with my
fellow course members and our
supervisor, Prof Annie Hill, who has
been on the journey with us."
The Ian Macleod Blending Room 01 Heriot
Watt Release Spirit Regional Composition
in % is 45% Speyside, 15% Highland and
40% Lowland whisky. The initial Spirit
Cask Composition 15% First Fill Bourbon
/ 85% Refill Casks. It is 3 Year Old
Non-Chill Filtered & Naturally Coloured.
The finishing cask filling strength was
45% ABV (bottling strength 44.4%), it
was finished in a Virgin American Oak
Barrel with a Char 3 for 3 months.
Ian Macleod Blending Room 01 Heriot Watt
Release is a limited release of only 250
bottles and it is reasonably priced at
£35 for a 70cl bottle, you will find it available
direct from Ian Macleod’s Blending Room
at: www.ianmacleod.com/heriot-watt-release-01
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