Friday May 8th 2026
Brand ambassador and Bonnyrigg local Gordon Brown
Written by Midlothian View Reporter, Liam Eunson
Spiritfilled, the Fife-based independent bottler, is celebrating the fifth anniversary of its award-winning Mythical Beasts label with five rare single cask releases.
The business, which also has a separate cask dealership division, has earned a growing reputation for unearthing exceptional single cask whiskies since being founded by Ross Archer and Russell Spratley in 2021.
To mark the special milestone, five casks that reflect both diversity and excellence across the range have been selected, all collectable with a long-term value.
The Balmenach 13-year-old is a vibrant Speyside whisky finished in a sherry hogshead, delivering richness and intensity at cask strength.
The Aberlour 13-year-old, finished in a PX sherry hogshead, offers a deeper, more indulgent profile, showcasing classic Speyside character with added sweetness and depth.
Moving into older expressions, the Loch Lomond 24-year-old combines bourbon maturation with a port barrique finish, bringing together bright red fruit notes with elegant structure.
The Tobermory 30-year-old is triple-cask matured in sherry butt, rum and PX sherry casks and was chosen because it offers real individuality at 30 years of age — mature, characterful and unmistakably expressive.
Finally, the Tomatin 30-year-old represents the pinnacle of the release, a beautifully matured Highland whisky with an Oloroso finish, offering layered orchard fruits, honeyed richness and remarkable balance.
“Reaching five years is a significant milestone for Mythical Beasts,” said brand ambassador and Midlothian native Gordon Brown, who is based in Bonnyrigg.
“What began as a natural extension of Spiritfilled’s expertise in sourcing exceptional casks has evolved into a
highly regarded independent bottling series.
“At its core, the journey so far has always been driven by one principle: if we discover a truly remarkable cask, we bottle it. That commitment to quality, combined with a strong sense of storytelling, has helped build a loyal following among collectors and whisky enthusiasts alike.”
The new releases are all collectible with a long-term value and Mr Brown added: “We felt it was important to mark five years in business with a series of rare releases. Together, these whiskies were chosen to showcase the full spectrum of what Mythical Beasts stands for – from bold, cask-driven character to refined, long-aged elegance.
“They have been selected to appeal across the spectrum, from seasoned whisky drinkers to dedicated
collectors, as well as those discovering Mythical Beasts for the first time.
“With a balance of vibrant cask-strength expressions and more mature, refined aged whiskies, alongside limited outturns, they offer something for every audience while still retaining the rarity and character that define the series.”
The new expressions take the total number of releases to 21 across the Mythical Beasts range, spanning multiple regions, ages and cask styles.
Since launch, the label has received strong recognition across major industry competitions, with highlights including International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC) Gold Medals, World Whiskies Awards category wins, and multiple medals from The Spirits Business tastings.
Explaining the idea behind the label, which has legendary Scottish creatures linked to each whisky, Mr Brown added:
“Mythical Beasts is about combining exceptional whisky with storytelling.
“Each release is inspired by a legendary creature, with the character of the whisky reflected in the mythology behind it. But it goes a step further – each ‘beast’ also represents the whisky’s regional identity.
“For example, Nyami Nyami is closely tied to Speyside releases, while The Dryad reflects Highland expressions, linking the style and character of the whisky to its origin.
“Just as no two myths are the same, no two casks are the same. It’s about creating whiskies with identity – something to be enjoyed, but also collected and remembered.
“Sourcing sits at the heart of everything we do. We work within a trusted network of brokers, distilleries and private clients to identify standout casks, often while sourcing on behalf of others.
“Occasionally, we come across casks that are simply too special to pass on. Those are the ones that become part of the Mythical Beasts series. Each cask is carefully sampled and selected for its individuality, and every bottling is released as a single cask, natural colour and non-chill filtered – ensuring the whisky is presented as authentically as possible.”
More information can be found here: https: //www.spiritfilled.co.uk/collections/our-single-cask-whiskies.
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