Dining

Bladnoch debuts Loch Maberry Chapter Two, a sherry-matured whisky with historic family ties

BLADNOCH Loch Maberry Chapter Two

Bladnoch Distillery has unveiled Loch Maberry: Stories of Bladnoch Chapter Two, the latest expression in a limited series celebrating personal connections to the privately-owned distillery and its Galloway heritage.

The Loch Maberry line takes its name from the loch that feeds the River Bladnoch, the water source that has sustained the distillery since it was founded in 1817. Each chapter in the collection is selected by an individual with a personal bond to the site.

This second release tells the story of Elizabeth Cobbett, the great-great-granddaughter of Thomas McClelland, who co-founded the distillery alongside his brother John more than two centuries ago.

Although aware of her family’s association, it was only after uncovering old photographs in her parents’ attic that Cobbett began to reconnect with Bladnoch. Her journey led her back to Dumfries and Galloway, where she met Master Distiller Dr Nick Savage and took part in the cask selection process for this release.

This second release tells the story of Elizabeth Cobbett, the great-great-granddaughter of Thomas McClelland…

Selecting cask 450/2006

Guided by Dr Savage, Cobbett selected Cask 450/2006, a single sherry butt cask distilled in 2006. The whisky has a natural colour, is non-chill filtered, and is bottled at an ABV of 48.6%.

The spirit has matured exclusively in sherry oak, contributing to its rich, dessert-led flavour profile. Each bottle is presented in a gift box containing personal letters from both Elizabeth and Dr Savage, documenting their collaboration and the story behind the release.

On the nose, the new expression offers notes of coffee, chocolate, peaches, and apricot jam, with a long nutty almond finish.

Cobbett said she had never considered herself a whisky drinker before visiting the distillery but described the experience as transformative, calling it “a day that taught me to appreciate the alchemy and subtlety involved in making whisky.”

Dr Nick Savage commented: “Elizabeth’s 20-year journey reconnecting with the distillery her great-great-grandfather co-founded shows that, like whisky, connections take time and patience to mature. Her experience reminds us why we make whisky.”

Chapter Two follows the 2024 inaugural release, which honoured Mr Arnold, a long-time admirer of Bladnoch whose enthusiasm reflected the dedication of the distillery’s team.

Owned today by David Prior, who acquired the site in 2015, Bladnoch continues to draw on its 19th-century heritage while positioning itself firmly in the modern era of independent Scotch whisky makers.

Loch Maberry: Stories of Bladnoch, Chapter Two is available now from Bladnoch.com, priced at £150.

Main points at a glance: Bladnoch Loch Maberry: Stories of Bladnoch Chapter Two

  • Bladnoch Distillery, Scotland’s oldest privately-owned distillery founded in 1817, has released Loch Maberry: Stories of Bladnoch, Chapter Two.
  • The limited-edition single malt is part of a series celebrating people with a strong personal connection to the distillery.
  • Chapter Two is inspired by Elizabeth Cobbett, great-great-granddaughter of distillery co-founder Thomas McClelland, who revisited her family history at Bladnoch.
  • The whisky was distilled in 2006 and matured in a sherry butt, delivering flavours of coffee, dark chocolate, almonds, peaches and apricot jam.
  • Bottled at 48.6% ABV, natural colour, and non-chill filtered.
  • Comes in a presentation box including letters from Elizabeth and Dr Savage about the cask selection.
  • The whisky is priced at £150, available from Bladnoch.com.

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About Steve May

Creator of Home Cinema Choice magazine, and Editor of The Luxe Review, Steve muses and reviews for Trusted Reviews, T3, Home Cinema Choice, Games Radar, Good Housekeeping, Louder Sounds, StereoNet and Boat International. He’s also the editor of professional home cinema website Inside CI. He's on Twitter/X, Tiktok and Instagram as @SteveMay_UK