As a national newspaper journalist with the Sunday People and Daily Star in 1992, Murray left Fleet Street after 13 years to become a whisky writer.

This total is reflective of the four key criteria: nose, taste, finish and balance, each awarded marks out of 25.

He claims one of his achievements includes playing a major role in resurrecting Ardbeg distillery in Islay after it closed in 1996.

In late 2020, after claims were made that Murray's whisky reviews include sexist language, a distiller and a retailer sought to distance themselves from him.

"[4] Murray lives in Northamptonshire, England,[citation needed] and also has a home near Frankfort, Kentucky, United States, in the heart of the bourbon-making region.