Whisky Focus - Introducing 'Living Souls' A New Scottish Spirit Brand

Living Souls, an innovative Scottish spirits brand focused on small-batch and single-cask releases, has officially launched this month, bringing a fresh approach to independent bottling. Its debut collection, Batch #1, features four remarkable whiskies, setting a strong standard for quality and artistry right from the start.

Founded by three industry veterans—John Torrance, a former operations lead at Douglas Laing and general manager at Tullibardine; Jamie Williamson, founder of UK spirits distributor Kilninian Drinks Co.; and Calum Leslie, creator of PeatReekers and former head of innovation at Loch Lomond Group—Living Souls is the product of their combined experience and passion for exceptional spirits. Together, they’ve created a brand known for its limited-edition whiskies that are perfectly suited for celebrating life's big moments.

"With Living Souls we're not just introducing new whiskies, we’re setting the scene for unforgettable experiences," says John Torrance. "Each expression in Batch #1 has been carefully selected to offer something special to connoisseurs and collectors alike, setting the tone for future releases."

Batch #1 comprises four distinctive whiskies:

• Living Souls 15 Year Old Blended Scotch (46% ABV): Drawn from Living Souls’ solera system, to which exciting new whiskies are continually added, this blend evokes the casual opulence of a twilight dinner by the coast with notes of sherry and tapas-style meats. RRP £49.50.
   
• Living Souls 18 Year Old Ledaig Single Malt (41% ABV): Aged in refill butts and hogsheads and ideal for cosy evenings, the blend of 18-year-old Ledaig and Tobermory single malts provides a peaceful, pastoral whisky with elements of fresh apple and smoke. RRP £100.
   
• Living Souls 19 Year Old Islay Blended Malt (42% ABV): A "Kildalton" Islay blended malt matured in refill bourbon and sherry casks, this 19 year old is tailor-made for bonfire nights, featuring all the classic Islay hallmarks of peat-smoke and briny sea air. RRP £135.
   
• Living Souls 40 Year Old Blended Scotch (41.2% ABV): Laid down to marry in 1998 in a single refill sherry butt, the exceptionally well-aged blend boasts notes of ripe, juicy fruit and woodsy freshness, showcasing the depth of flavour and complexity that comes with time. RRP £125.

"Our main goal with Batch #1 was to create a range that appeals to various palates while maintaining the same uncompromising standards of quality," says Jamie Williamson, whose whisky industry experience spans 15 years. "We believe and certainly hope that this first quartet has achieved that balance nicely."

"As an independent bottler, we have the freedom to explore and select the very best spirits," adds Calum Leslie. "This flexibility allows us to focus entirely on creating unique flavour profiles that truly stand out. We are already hard at work on Batch #2, and we can’t wait for people to see what else we have in store."

Living Souls Batch #1 will be available from specialist online whisky shops such as The Whisky Exchange and Master of Malt
 

• UK Shops
   
• USA Shops
   
• European Shops

Whisky Focus