This single malt was distilled in 2012 at the Caol Ila Distillery on the Isle of Islay. Known for its bold, peaty and maritime spirit, Caol Ila is one of Islay's most celebrated producers of smoky single malt, and its clean, oily style makes it a superb canvas for adventurous cask finishes.

For this Benchmark release, Murray McDavid teamed up with the Wild Beer Co., the innovative Somerset brewery renowned for its experimental and barrel-aged beers. Casks that had held the brewery's Imperial Stout were shipped from Somerset to Speyside, where they were filled with peated Caol Ila that had first matured in bourbon hogsheads. The whisky then spent a further 18 months in these first-fill stout casks before bottling.

Imperial Stout is the strongest and richest style of stout, brewed with generous amounts of dark, roasted malts. Those deep, roasted flavours make a natural partner for Caol Ila's coastal peat smoke, adding richness and body without masking the distillery's character. The result is a bold and zesty Islay dram with a distinctive twist, which Murray McDavid describe as a peat-lover's dream.

Aged for 12 years and bottled in Spring 2024 from casks 2200718, 2200719, 2200720 and 2200721, it is presented at natural cask strength of 52.3% ABV, natural colour and no chill filtration. Limited to 1,502 bottles.