Whisky Focus - Whisky News Reviews Interviews Events New Releases

• 26th February 2026
  Glencairn Crystal Presented With Kings Award for Enterprise
  Lady Haughey (Susan) CBE, the Lord-Lieutenant of Lanarkshire, visited Glencairn Crystal Studio Ltd on 20 February 2026 to formally present the business with its trophy for the King's Award for Enterprise. As one of a limited group of organisations across the UK to receive this distinction, Glencairn Crystal was honoured for its achievements in Innovation—its fourth time earning this remarkable recognition.
   
• 24th February 2026
  Whisky Pricing - Are Whisky Drinkers Being Priced Out?
  The recent wave of restructuring across the Scotch whisky industry has raised an increasingly urgent question among whisky consumers and commentators alike: are whisky drinkers being priced out of the very market they helped build?Over the past two decades, increased premiumisation has reshaped the whisky landscape. Older age statements, luxury packaging, special releases, and escalating prices turned whisky into a global prestige category. But now, as the world economy slows and household budgets tighten, demand for high-cost whisky has started to falter — and the industry is showing signs of strain.
   
• 24th February 2026
  Bowmore & Laphroaig Distillery Operational Teams Merge
  As the global whisky downturn deepens, Suntory Global Spirits has confirmed a major structural change on Islay, merging the operational and production teams at its two renowned distilleries, Bowmore Distillery and Laphroaig Distillery.
   
• 20th February 2026
  Chivas Brothers Net Sales Down 5%
  In whisky business news, Chivas Brothers, the Scotch whisky division of Pernod Ricard, has reported total net sales of –5% for the first half of the financial year ending December 2025.
   
• 16th February 2026
  Lagavulin 11 Year Old Sweet Peat
  Lagavulin 11 Year Old Sweet Peat, available exclusively in the United States for now, is matured in first-fill American oak ex-bourbon casks. This new permanent expression highlights sweetness drawn from oak and malt, balanced by the distillery’s unmistakable smoky character.
   
• 14th February 2026
  Redbreast Moscatel Wine Cask Edition
  Redbreast has introduced Redbreast Moscatel Wine Cask Edition, the fifth release in the acclaimed Iberian Series. While all Redbreast expressions mature in a combination of ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks, the Iberian Series stands apart through its use of specially sourced sherry casks selected for these limited offerings. Created by Master Blender David McCabe, this edition honours both tradition and innovation by incorporating Moscatel wine casks from the historic Bodegas Quitapenas to further deepen the signature character of the renowned Irish single pot still whiskey.
   
• 12th February 2026
  The Macallan Diamonds Are Forever 55th Anniversary Release
  The Macallan has introduced a new single malt Scotch whisky: The Macallan Diamonds Are Forever 55th Anniversary Release. Created to commemorate 55 years since the film first appeared on the big screen, this expression highlights a shared dedication to craftsmanship, innovation, and storytelling that links the distillery with Diamonds Are Forever and the wider world of James Bond.
   
• 10th February 2026
  London Distillery Ten Times Around the Sun 10 Year Old
  The London Distillery Company has unveiled Ten Times Around the Sun, set to become London's first 10 Year Old single malt whisky—a milestone release that marks a chapter in the city's renewed whisky renaissance. Crafted from Quenchsignificant  spring barley and filled on 20 October 2015 into a single ex-bourbon cask (#007), Ten Times Around the Sun is bottled at 51.4% ABV.
   
• 5th February 2026
  InterBev Spirit of Our Community Awards Beneficiaries
  International Beverage has announced the Scottish charities that will benefit from its £25,000 Spirit of Our Community Awards fund. The Airdrie-based spirits producer revealed today the three main beneficiaries of this year’s awards. A total of £20,000 will be shared among the selected organisations, chosen from a wide range of applicants. An additional £5,000 will be distributed among seven runners-up.
   
• 5th February 2026
  Valentine’s Day Whisky Cocktail Ideas From Tomatin
  Highland distiller Tomatin is marking this Valentine’s Day with two new sweet, indulgent whisky cocktails—ideal for a cosy night in with friends or a romantic date at home. Whether you're a long-time whisky lover or just beginning to explore the world of single malts, they tell me that Tomatin 10 Year Old and Tomatin Double Cask offer the perfect base for February’s Valentine-inspired serves.
   
• 4th February 2026
  Ardbeg Ten Year Old Cask Strength Is Coming!
  After more than two decades calling for it Ardbeg are set to launch an Ardbeg Ten Year Old Cask Strength expression exclusively for Ardbeg Committee members. They tell me it is bursting with aromas of tar, sea spray and sweet, smoky richness, bottled at 61.7% ABV – the highest strength ever seen in a Committee Release. My review will be coming soon, so watch this space!
   
• 3rd February 2026
  International Beverage Invests In New US Distribution Hub
  International Beverage has announced the launch of a new international spirits hub in the United States, a key step in advancing its ambitious plans for the growth of its premium spirits portfolio across American markets. Based in Manhattan, New York, the hub represents the company’s first fully owned and managed US route to market in more than ten years.
   
• 2nd February 2026
  Luss Distillery Officially Opened By First Minister of Scotland
  First Minister John Swinney officially opens Luss Distillery, a major new multi-million-pound whisky tourism destination on Loch Lomond in the historic village of Luss, marking one of Scotland’s most significant recent investments in whisky tourism.
   
• 28th January 2026
  The Dalmore 17 Year Old Joins Core Range
  Highland Single Malt Whisky, The Dalmore, has unveiled a new permanent addition to its core portfolio: The Dalmore 17 Year Old. This release marks a deeper exploration of Sherry cask maturation, which they tell me delivers greater richness and complexity.
   
• 21st January 2026
  Kilchoman Cask No. 1 Prize Draw Winner Announced
  Kilchoman Distillery has announced the winner of its prize draw as it marks its 20th anniversary in 2025. Founded in 2005, Kilchoman was the first new distillery to be established on Islay in more than 124 years.
   
• 18th January 2026
  Cutty Sark Review - A Dram For Burns Night
  I you are looking for a dram to toast Rabbie Burns this Burns night may I suggest Cutty Sark, a great value, classic, light-bodied blended Scotch with a bright, accessible Speyside character, straightforward, balanced, and quietly charming—no drama, just a clean sail across calm seas.
   
• 14th January 2026
  Glencairn Glass Crime Short Story Competition Returns For 2026
  The Glencairn Glass, the official glass for whisky, is once again raising a dram to crime fiction with the return of its much-loved annual Crime Short Story Competition. Launching today, 14 January, in partnership with the Bloody Scotland International Crime Writing Festival, the competition invites both established and aspiring writers from across the globe to submit an original crime short story of fewer than 2,000 words. This year’s key requirement is that the protagonist must be from Scotland. Entries close on 31 March 2026.
   
• 14th January 2026
  Lochlea 7 Year Old - The Oldest Bottling From Lochlea So Far
  Lochlea Distillery has unveiled its oldest single malt release to date: a limited Lochlea 7 Year Old Single Estate Single Malt, marking a significant milestone for the independent, family-run Ayrshire distillery. Matured exclusively in seven hand-selected first-fill Bourbon casks filled in 2018, the 7 Year Old represents the natural evolution of Lochlea’s spirit.
   
• 12th January 2026
  Tomatin 2011 Single Cask #37607 For 2026 Year Of The Horse
  Highland distillery Tomatin has unveiled a limited single cask whisky to celebrate the 2026 Lunar New Year, ushering in the Year of the Horse 2026. Tomatin Year of the Horse 2026 is a 2011 vintage single cask release, matured in a first fill Pedro Ximénez sherry butt, Cask No. 37607. You don't see many global single cask releases from Tomatin so grab it while you can.
   
• 6th January 2026
  The SMWS Celebrates Burns Night In 600 Year Old Crypt
  Following a sold-out gathering last year, the international whisky club, The Scotch Malt Whisky Society is once again celebrating Scotland’s national bard with an immersive Burns Night event in London later this month. Taking place on Friday, 23 January in the atmospheric medieval crypt beneath St Etheldreda’s Church in Farringdon, the evening promises a blend of Scottish tradition, food, music and exceptional whisky.
   
• 23rd December 2025
  Glen Moray Three 'Wise Gems’ Of Whisky Gifting Wisdom
  Some Glen Moray whisky recommendations from me and Glen Moray shares three ‘wise gems’ of whisky wisdom on how to gift, serve and wrap a single malt this season.
   
• 19th December 2025
  Dewar's Aberfeldy Distillery Celebrates End Of A Milestone Year
  Dewar’s Aberfeldy Distillery marks the close of a landmark year and will open 2026 with an Evening of Burns entertainment.
   
• 16th December 2025
  The Glasgow Distillery Celebrates The End Of Landmark Year
  Founded in 2012 as Glasgow’s first independent single malt whisky distillery in over a century, The Glasgow Distillery is rounding off one of the most pivotal years in its history. The past year has seen 21 new single malt releases, the debut of a sold-out visitor tour programme, and substantial progress toward its sustainability goals.
   
• 9th December 2025
  Local Heros Sherry Bomb, Sweet Peat And Big Smoke Reviews
  Review of The Distillery at Coleburn Batch 1 of 'Local Heros' blended malt Scotch whiskies Sherry Bomb, Sweet Peat and Big Smoke. Local Heros Sherry Bomb delivers exactly what its name promises. Sweet Peat offers a beautifully balanced experience, beginning with a creamy, fruity nose accented by lovely sweet peat and oak spices. Big Smoke proves to be more nuanced than its name initially suggests, opening with a light, honeyed sweetness and gentle peat on the nose before unveiling its true character on the palate.
   
• 9th December 2025
  Christmas Message From Harrison Ford On Behalf Of Glenmorangie
  What could top a classic Christmas ad? Harrison Ford in a kilt and Santa hat, holding a bottle of the multi-award-winning Glenmorangie Original 12 Year Old single malt Scotch whisky. In this festive message, Ford—decked out in full holiday style—brings a playful twist to seasonal campaigns as he toasts Glenmorangie’s Highland single malt.
   
• 8th December 2025
  Glasgow Distillery Reveals New Tour Dates
  In response to demand for the public whisky tours launched in July, The Glasgow Distillery has announced a fresh six-month schedule for its single malt whisky tour and tasting experience. These new dates will be available exclusively through the distillery’s website from today, 8 December.
   
• 4th December 2025
  Ardgowan Launch 4 New Limited Edition Clydebuilt Whiskies
  Ardgowan Distillery’s boutique Scotch whisky label Clydebuilt has broadened its portfolio with four new Single Malt and Blended Malt releases, following a £5 million investment this year securing whisky stock for the brand. The 4 whiskies are Clydebuilt 27 Year Old 100% Sherry Matured Blended Malt – Speyside, Highland & Island - Clydebuilt 2009 Bourbon Hogshead, Fettercairn Distillery - Clydebuilt 2012 Bourbon Hogshead, Royal Brackla Distillery - Clydebuilt 2014 Sherry Butt, Ben Nevis Distillery.
   
• 3rd December 2025
  The SMWS Diptych - Creators Collection Series
  Twin whiskies distilled on the same day in 1994 at the Glendronach distillery highlight the craftsmanship of oak in the newest releases from the Scotch Malt Whisky Society’s Creators Collection. The Society introduces Diptych, a limited-edition pair that examines symmetry and contrast through two 30-year-old single casks drawn from the same origin.
   
• 2nd December 2025
  Glasgow Distillery Exclusive At Buchanan Galleries Whisky Shop
  Glasgow Distillery unveil limited edition 9 Year Old peated single malt which will be available exclusively at The Whisky Shop's Buchanan Galleries and Princes Square shops in Glasgow city centre.
   
• 2nd December 2025
  Gleann Mòr Spirits Acquires Lowland Bond
  Gleann Mòr Spirits, the Edinburgh-based and award-winning independent spirits producer behind Rare Find, today announced the full acquisition of Lowland Bond, Fife’s premier excise warehouse. Having previously held a share in the facility, the company has now secured complete ownership from the Edinburgh Whisky Company.
   
• 1st December 2025
  Rare Find Caol Ila 42 Year Old Single Cask
  Independent bottler, Rare Find, has introduced a rare Caol Ila 42 Year Old single cask whisky, a landmark release that brings the company's 10th anniversary year to a close with some style. This new expression—drawn from refill hogshead #1288—returns to the distillery that featured in the brand’s very first bottling.
   
• 25th November 2025
  Lochlea Overtone Over & Stout
  Lochlea has revealed the concluding release in its UK-exclusive collaboration with Overtone Brewery: Lochlea Overtone Over & Stout. This final instalment in comprises of three stout-seasoned casks (two Bourbon barrels and one STR barrique), alongside one first-fill Bourbon barrel and one ex-peated Bourbon barrel.
   
• 25th November 2025
  The Borders Distillery Introduces ERP Ahead Of First Release
  The Borders Distillery has taken a significant step toward the release of its first single malt Scotch whisky. The Hawick-based distillery has rolled out Bottle ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning), a cloud-based platform that provides full visibility of the whisky-making process from start to finish.
   
• 24th November 2025
  Cù Bòcan Creation #7
  Cù Bòcan—the experimental single malt produced at Tomatin Distillery each winter has unveiled Cù Bòcan Creation #7 which marks two decades of peated spirit production at the distillery. Creation #7 has been matured in a rare combination of Pineau des Charentes Rouge and American virgin oak casks. The result they say is a whisky defined by notes of rhubarb, custard, gentle heather smoke and sweet oak spice.
   
• 18th November 2025
  InterBev Crowned Best Employer At HR Industry Awards
  International Beverage, the global premium spirits producer has been recognised for cultivating an exceptional workplace environment after taking home one of the HR industry’s most respected honours. The company secured the Best Employer / Workplace of the Year award at the 2025 HR NETWORK National Awards, which took place last Thursday at Glasgow’s Hilton Hotel.
   
• 18th November 2025
  Whisky Makers Unite For Peatland Revival At RSPB Reserve
  A significant new conservation partnership has been launched today, bringing together RSPB Scotland and leading whisky distillers Suntory Global Spirits, Diageo and The Glenmorangie Company. Their shared goal is to revive peatland on Islay — one of Scotland’s most celebrated natural landscapes. The collaborative project at The Oa nature reserve aims to protect vital wildlife habitats, capture carbon, and honour the deep cultural ties between Scotland’s land, its communities, and the whisky industry.
   
• 18th November 2025
  Bruichladdich Black Art Sapero - First Part Of New Travel Retail Series
  Bruichladdich has relaunched its iconic Black Art range with a brand-new, travel retail–exclusive series, beginning with the release of Black Art Sapero. The first chapter in this new multi-part collection makes its worldwide debut this month at Singapore Changi Airport as part of the Changi 1st initiative. Owned by Rémy Cointreau, the Bruichladdich Distillery Company is positioning this opening release as the foundation for an annual series rollout.
   
• 17th November 2025
  Castletown Mill Restored As A New Whisky Distillery
  Historic Castletown Mill based in Castletown, Caithness, on Scotland’s north coast has been revitalised as a new whisky distillery - Stannergill Distillery.
   
• 12th November 2025
  G & M Donate Rare Book To The National Library Of Scotland
  In honour of Scotland’s natural heritage and enduring cultural legacy, Gordon & MacPhail, one of the nation’s most respected independent Scotch whisky producers, has joined forces with Mr. Pote Narittakurn Lee, Chairman of iGroup (and owner of Gordon & MacPhail’s distribution partner in Thailand), to donate a rare 21st-century edition of John James Audubon’s Birds of America to the National Library of Scotland.
   
• 11th November 2025
  Tomatin 10 Year Old Launches in Supermarkets and Amazon
  With Christmas fast approaching, Highland distiller Tomatin has introduced a new 10 Year Old single malt Scotch whisky, the Tomatin 10 Year Old Bourbon Cask as its name suggests was matured exclusively in bourbon casks offering whisky drinkers a different view of Tomatin which normally has a sherry, port, or wine casks influence.
   
• 10th November 2025
  Rare Find Unveil The Rare Find Vault Lifetime Membership Option
  Rare Find, the independent bottler celebrated for its distinctive single cask whisky releases, has unveiled The Rare Find Vault – an exclusive new lifetime membership that invites whisky enthusiasts into a world of discovery, craftsmanship, and community.
   
• 10th November 2025
  The London Distillery Company Yesteryear 6 Year Old Rye
  The London Distillery Company has unveiled Yesteryear – a six-year-old single London rye whisky that revisits and reinterprets the distillery’s pioneering LV-1767 Edition, first released in 2018.
   
• 6th November 2025
  Kilchoman Machir Bay Cask Strength 2025
  Here is one for the Big Peat lover's amongst you - Kilchoman has unveiled a limited edition Kilchoman Machir Bay Cask Strength 2025. The release come 3 years after the last Kilchoman Machir Bay Cask Strength release, and the distillery tells me it's everything fans have been waiting for.
   
• 6th November 2025
  Royal Elizabeth Bond Confirms Operating Partners
  Royal Elizabeth Bond, a major new bonded Scotch whisky warehousing development on the outskirts of Edinburgh, has appointed two specialist partners to support the launch of its 50-acre maturation facility at Dalmeny.
   
• 6th November 2025
  House Of Suntory Shop-in-Shop Sydney Airport Departures
  Suntory Global Spirits has joined forces with Heinemann Oceania to launch the first permanent House of Suntory shop-in-shop in Oceania. Situated within the main Heinemann store at Sydney Airport Departures, the 9-square-metre boutique showcases the brand’s collection of luxury Japanese whiskies and premium white spirits.
   
• 3rd November 2025
  Whisky Legends Celebrate 25 Years Of The Glencairn Glass
  Scotch Whisky legends gathered together last week at The Scotch Whisky Experience in Edinburgh, where Raymond Davidson — creator of the iconic Glencairn Glass — hosted a special dinner celebrating the glass’s 25th anniversary.
   
• 3rd November 2025
  Timorous Beastie Phantom Smoke
  Douglas Laing marries marries a peated Highland Malt with classic Timorous Beastie spirit to create the latest limited edition instalment in their Scotch blended malt Timorous Beastie range, the Phantom Smoke.
   

See earlier Whisky News from 2025 >>>
 

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