Fife-based independent bottler Spiritfilled is celebrating the fifth anniversary of its award-winning Mythical Beasts label with the launch of five rare single cask whiskies.
Founded in 2021 by Ross Archer and Russell Spratley, the business has built a strong reputation for sourcing exceptional single casks, alongside operating a dedicated cask dealership division. The anniversary collection has been curated to showcase both the diversity and quality that have come to define the Mythical Beasts range.
The limited-edition release features five distinctive whiskies, each selected for its individuality and long-term collectability. Among them is a 13-year-old Balmenach, a vibrant Speyside expression finished in a sherry hogshead, offering richness and intensity at cask strength. Also from Speyside, a 13-year-old Aberlour matured in a PX sherry hogshead delivers a deeper, sweeter and more indulgent profile.
Older expressions include a 24-year-old Loch Lomond, matured in bourbon casks before a port barrique finish, bringing bright red fruit notes alongside a refined structure. A 30-year-old Tobermory, matured across sherry butt, rum and PX casks, was selected for its distinctive and expressive character. Completing the line-up is a 30-year-old Tomatin, finished in Oloroso casks, offering layers of orchard fruit, honeyed richness and balance.
Gordon Brown, brand ambassador for Spiritfilled, said: “Reaching five years is a significant milestone for Mythical Beasts.
“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 bring the total number of Mythical Beasts bottlings to 21, spanning a range of regions, ages and cask styles. Since its launch, the label has gained industry recognition, including IWSC Gold Medals, World Whiskies Awards category wins and multiple accolades from The Spirits Business.
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.”
Central to the Mythical Beasts concept is its storytelling approach, with each whisky linked to a legendary creature that reflects both its character and regional identity.
Mr Brown explained: “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.”
He added that sourcing remains at the heart of the business: “We work within a trusted network of brokers, distilleries and private clients to identify standout casks, often while sourcing on behalf of others.
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“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 on the new releases can be found at spiritfilled.co.uk.
