Shieldaig Speyside 18yo by Wm. Maxwell?

[Bill aka Mole]

I just picked up a nice single malt called Shieldaig Speyside 18yo and is produced by William Maxwell. It has a brandy like aroma with herbal and citrus notes and finish. The price was a steal at $45 / 750ml. Unfortunately I can not find either Shieldaig or Maxwell in my guide to single malt scotch. I am curious as to which distillery may have produced this wonderful liquid. Any ideas?

[ForresterModern]

Shieldaig, named after a lovely seaside town in the western islands I believe, is an independent bottler of multiple distilleries' whisky product. That means they visit, taste and buy special casks or overages of various distilleries and may then age tehm further before bottling them under their own label but also with the original distillery's name. I can only assume that this is an independent bottling of Speyside distillery's whisky by the Shiedaig folks. Maxwell must own Shieldaig, although my research has not born that out or refuted it.

Some other Shieldaig bottlings:

http://www.whiskybase.com/bottlers.php?bottlerid=75

[Bill aka Mole]

Aha! I'd knew that I'd forgotten something! I'd attempted to find this one by bottler name and forgotten about the independence of bottlers and distillers. Rereading a bit of Mr. Jacksons guide this morning without the interference of the Scottish Genie makes me feel a bit foolish, especially after going through the alphabetical listing last night in my euphoria of find my new prize.

The front label left quarter says Shieldaig Collection. The remaining 3/4 of the label has the following: Shiedlaig Speyside, A classic Speyside Malt with herbal and citrus notes slowly matured in Scotland, Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Aged 18 years, A true reflection of Scotland, Bottled in Scotland by William Maxwell & Co., Ltd. EH52 5BU. Only good info on back label is the importers name, Saranty Imports of White Plains, NY. The packaging box has a nice history of Shieldaig and the lower portion of the side of the box state: A limited edition of fine aged whiskies from the heart of Scotland.

Again, a very nice find. I think I may start a smallish collection for important days... Ah, who am I kidding! Every day above the flowers IS an important day and should be toasted accordingly! Cheers!

[Dale Seago]

Never heard of this one, Bill, but you make me want to find some!

[Bill aka Mole]

Dale, I picked it up at Total Wines & More out this way. Out there in the SF Bay area are plenty good to very good liquor stores (was stationed there from 1979 -1991) depending where you go. Unfortunately, I can't remember a single one now. The 18 yo I bought came in a display box, black in color with gold colored lettering in a nice not garish font. I hope that some has made it out that far. In the same group at my store were a 12 yo, an 8yo and a non-named aged bottle in the single malts. There were also blends but when you have a bit of a limited budget, you get picky which is why I bought the 18yo. Cheers!