Cask-strength coursework: Ian Macleod’s Blending Room creates blended Scotch whisky with Heriot-Watt students

Ian Macleod’s Blending Room has today announced the release of a limited-edition blended Scotch whisky, the result of a collaboration with distilling stars of tomorrow from The International Centre for Brewing and Distilling at Heriot-Watt University.

A team of four students worked with 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 is 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, giving an enriched nose of smoothtoffee and coconut with a warming base of clove and cinnamon. On the palate, a luxurious coating ofsweet 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,n “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.” 

Bottled at 44.4% ABV, the Ian Macleod Blending Room 01: Heriot Watt Release is available to purchase direct from Ian Macleod’s Blending Room for £35.

Key blend stats

Spirit Regional Composition in % 

45% Speyside  

15% Highland 

40% Lowland 

Initial Spirit Cask Composition 

15% First Fill Bourbon / 85% Refill Casks 

Spirit Age 

3 Years 

Non-Chill Filtered & Natural Colour 

Finishing Cask Filling Strength 

45% ABV (Bottling Strength 44.4&) 

Finishing Cask Char 

Char 3 

Time in Finishing Cask 

3 Months 

Finishing Wood 

Virgin American Oak Barrel 

About Ian Macleod Distillers 

Ian Macleod Distillers are privileged enough to remain one of the most widely respected and highly awarded Scottish independent family firms in the spirits industry, with four generations of expertise, distilling, blending and bottling to their name. They pride themselves on not only the storied history but their long-earned expertise in blending. 

The Blending Room range is a curation of fantastic spirits that are a testament to the art of blending and the stories about how, why and by whom they were created. Visit at: www.ianmacleod.com or follow Ian Macleod Blending Room on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.  

About Heriot-Watt University 

Since 1821, our pioneering research and education has made a positive impact on the global stage. We continue to push new frontiers in the fields of science, technology, engineering, business and design. Two centuries of innovation have led to what is today a unique international university with campuses in the UK, Dubai and Malaysia.   

Heriot-Watt’s approach to research excellence is a central theme of its ‘Strategy 2025’, which places students and staff at the heart of everything it does. By Shaping Tomorrow Together, the University continues to build an international presence and impact through its campuses and partnerships, focusing on its strengths in learning and teaching and research - in pursuit of knowledge for the benefit of society and the world. 

The International Centre for Brewing and Distilling is a unique teaching and research facility located within the Edinburgh Campus of Heriot-Watt University. The centre is based on a partnership between industry and academics providing Undergraduate and Postgraduate- level courses in malting, brewing, distilling, and related subject areas along with a research programme emphasising the biochemical and microbiological aspects of malting, brewing, and distilling processes. 

Provided by Ian Macleod