Despite growing up in Craigellachie, in Speyside, a career in whisky was not on Matthew Cordiner’s radar at first. It took a summer job as a distillery tour guide at The Glenlivet in his university holidays to change that. Having discovered a love of whisky, Matthew joined the Chivas Brother Graduate Programme, and travelled the world as a whisky ambassador. In 2018, he became a brand home ambassador for Dewar’s Aberfeldy. He is now global malt whisky ambassador for John Dewar & Sons, representing the company’s portfolio of single malts — including Craigellachie.
Whisky #1
Craigellachie
13 Years Old
I know I may be a wee bit biased on this one, but Craigellachie 13 Years Old is just the favourite ‘go-to’ whisky, so it’s a must for me on the desert island. I am a Speysider through and through, and that’s where I tend to lean when it comes to flavour. It’s all about balance, with lots of herbaceous florals, fresh tropical fruits, a hint of spice, and, in the case of Craigellachie, that unusual umami cordite/meaty smoke note that keeps you coming back — think pineapple toasted on a barbecue. Absolutely delicious. As soon as I nose it, I’m straight back home, so it would be a great way to transport me off the desert island if I’m getting homesick.
Whisky #2
Scapa
16 Years Old
In Scotland we have a saying: “There are only two seasons: winter and July.” Occasionally in July we have this rare day known to Scots as ‘summer’. The Scapa 16 Years Old is the perfect summer dram, thanks to its light distillery character and maturation in ex-bourbon casks, imbuing clean fresh notes of ripe fruits and a citrus zing. I started my career in whisky in 2008 with Chivas Brothers, and this was always a favourite dram from the group. If it’s hot and sunny on this desert island, this is definitely a must-have from Orkney’s lesser-known distillery.
Whisky #3
Redacted
Bottle 001 Killowen Distillery
This whiskey is something a bit out of my norm that got me very excited. For a start it’s Irish, and it’s also just three years old. Much like the wonderful bottle illustration by local artist Fiona McDonnell, depicting the ‘Black Dog of the Rock’, it’s got teeth — bottled at 62.45% ABV, and matured in an ex-peated whisky cask. The whiskey comes from Killowen Distillery in Northern Ireland’s Mourne Mountains but has been bottled by indie bottlers Redacted (one to watch). A great example of robust old-school character thanks to the producer’s use of directly fired stills and worm tub condensers.
Whisky #4
Scotch Malt Whisky Society
Summer Strawberry Scones
I’m a big fan of the Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS) and its playful vision. Now living in Edinburgh, I’ve been invited along to the Vaults to host a few tastings alongside the Society team. The tastings are always great fun, with me showing off a few of our company bottles, and the SMWS showcases a few of its own bottlings from our distilleries. During a recent tasting, the team introduced me to Summer Strawberry Scones (Cask No 60.30) — a cracking wee 9 Years Old at 59.2% ABV, matured in a first fill ex-bourbon hogshead. It’s packed with delicious summer notes of lime sorbet, tart apple, hyacinths, and vanilla white chocolate mousse.
Whisky #5
Highlander Inn & Cask88
The Digestive Dram 27 Years Old
Growing up in Craigellachie, my local is one of the best whisky bars in the world — the Highlander Inn, which has bottled amazing drams. A favourite from a collaboration with Cask88 is the Digestive Dram — a single-cask blended malt (you heard me right) at 56.1% ABV. They have blended and matured four Highland malt new-make spirits in a single oak cask to mature for 27 years, producing something outstanding. It’s a rich, sweet, and waxy dram, with notes of ripe fruit, brown sugar, raisins, and a long finish. It was part of a limited release of 260 bottles, so it’s fantastic they had a few bottles of it on the bar to share with the local whisky community.
Luxury item
Cinema system
I’m a cinephile, so it would have to be a home (or in this case, desert island) cinema system, with an appropriate movie accompaniment for each dram:
Cast Away, Robert Zemeckis (2000) — an appropriate ‘go-to’ favourite.
Some Like it Hot, Billy Wilder (1959) — perfect conditions.
Jaws, Steven Spielberg (1975) — this one’s got teeth!
Muppet Treasure Island, Brian Henson (1996) — whimsical gold.
Whisky Galore!, Alexander Mackendrick (1949) — rare whisky to share with the community.