Bladnoch Distillery has unveiled Loch Maberry: Stories of Bladnoch, Chapter Three, the latest release in its limited-edition series celebrating people with a deep personal connection to the historic Lowland distillery.
The third chapter tells a story of love, loss, second chances and lasting connection, centred on Roddie and Elaine Burgess, whose relationship began with an unexpected encounter following a day spent at Bladnoch.
A love story connected by Bladnoch
Roddie had been visiting the distillery for Waterfall Day with his friend Iain. That evening, they returned to a hotel in Newton Stewart, where they met Elaine, who had travelled to Galloway following the death of her husband.
Both Roddie and Elaine had experienced loss, and their meeting might easily have been a fleeting moment. Months later, however, Iain encountered Elaine again in Northumberland and passed on Roddie’s number.
That chance meeting eventually developed into a long-distance relationship and marriage.
During their wedding ceremony, the minister, who had travelled from Tennessee, wanted to incorporate Scottish traditions. When a quaich was suggested, there was only one appropriate answer: “Well, it has to be filled with Bladnoch!”
The minister went on to compare their marriage to the finest Bladnoch whisky, saying it would only get better with age.
For Roddie and Elaine, Bladnoch has since become something uniquely theirs: a place to return to and a whisky connected to their story.
Choosing their own Bladnoch
Invited to the distillery to select the whisky that would represent their relationship, the couple tasted a range of cask samples alongside Master Distiller Dr Nick Savage.
They ultimately chose an eight-year-old spirit matured in an ex-Cognac hogshead, drawn to the warmth they felt reflected their story.
Distilled in November 2017 and bottled in July 2026, the whisky delivers notes of apricot, marmalade and syrup, followed by a long, richly sweet finish.
As with the previous chapters of the series, Roddie and Elaine took a sample home to spend time with the whisky and create their own tasting notes, while Dr Nick Savage wrote his independently. Both sets of tasting notes appear on the finished bottle.
The couple also exchanged letters with Nick about their story, their connection to Bladnoch and the selection process. These personal letters are included with every bottle.
Dr Nick Savage described Chapter Three as the most personal story yet told through Loch Maberry, drawing a parallel between the couple’s journey and the patience required to create whisky.
The Cognac hogshead, he added, brings “real warmth” to the whisky, with apricot, marmalade and lingering sweetness.
From the River Bladnoch to the bottle
The Loch Maberry is the source of the River Bladnoch, whose water has sustained the distillery since its foundation in 1817.
The series takes its name from this important source and celebrates the people who appreciate Bladnoch’s Bold Galloway spirit, recognising their role in keeping the distillery and its story in flow.
Chapter Three follows Chapter Two, released in October 2025 and centred on Elizabeth Cobbett, the great-great-granddaughter of distillery co-founder Thomas McClelland.
The inaugural 2024 release paid tribute to Mr Arnold, a lifelong admirer who discovered Bladnoch while living nearby in Garlieston.
Today, Bladnoch is enjoying a significant revival under owner David Prior, who acquired the distillery in 2015 and became the first Australian businessman to own a Scotch whisky distillery.
Loch Maberry: Stories of Bladnoch, Chapter Three is bottled at 58.9% ABV, with natural colour and no chill filtration. Just 458 bottles have been produced worldwide.
Each bottle comes in a presentation box containing the letters from Roddie, Elaine and Dr Nick Savage, documenting their experience of creating the whisky together.
Priced at an RRP of £108, Chapter Three is available exclusively from the Bladnoch Distillery website and distillery shop.
