Whisky Focus - Whisky News Reviews Interviews Events New Releases

• 7th December 2023
  The SMWS Release New Christmas 2023 Gift Membership & Bottle
  New for Christmas 2023 from The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, the world’s biggest whisky club, Gift Membership and a Bottle tailored to the recipient’s personal taste for £129.
   
• 7th December 2023
  Berry Bros & Rudd 2023 Winter Release
  Berry Bros & Rudd conclude their 325th anniversary year with their final seasonal release of 2023, 4 Scotch Single Malts, a Scotch Single Grain, a English Single Malt and a Jamaican Rum.
   
• 6th December 2023
  The Macallan A Night on Earth - The Journey
  The Macallan A Night on Earth - The Journey, the second limited edition annual release in the Night on Earth series, a balanced combination of first-fill American ex-bourbon barrels, along with European and American sherry-seasoned oak casks.
   
• 6th December 2023
  White Peak Wire Works Full Port Christmas Release
  Derbyshire's White Peak Distillery has unveils a new addition to their coveted Wire Works collection just in time for Christmas: the Wire Works Full Port. Crafted in limited quantities, this release has been matured solely in Tawny Port casks, resulting in they tell me, a sumptuous flavour profile.
   
• 6th December 2023
  White Peak Team Up With Sat Bains For 3 Single Cask Releases
  White Peak team up with Michelin Star Chef Sat Bains to select and release 3 single cask whiskies, the Wire Works Whisky RSB (Restaurant Sat Bains)Cuvee Collection.
   
• 4th December 2023
  North Star Spirits Scoops Independent Bottler of the Year Award
  The Scottish Whisky Awards 2023 marked a historic moment as North Star Spirits triumphed over long established, much larger competitors, claiming the Independent Bottling championship for the third time in just four years. Among North Star’s impressive liquid collection, a remarkable 12 of its whiskies were nominated for taste excellence.
   
• 4th December 2023
  Crurated Announces Expansion Into The Prestige Spirits Category
  Online retailer, Crurated, launches into the World of Prestige Spirits. Partnering with the world’s most celebrated distilleries including exceptional curations from Samaroli Macallan, The Glenturret and Royal Salute.
   
• 4th December 2023
  RAER Whisky Clinches Gold For Best Blended Scotch Whisky
  Once more, RAER, the independent, family-owned distillery situated near Glasgow in Jackton, has achieved triumph at the renowned Scottish Whisky Awards. Their RAER Pedro Ximénez Expression clinched gold, earning the prestigious title of the world's best blended Scotch.
   
• 1st December 2023
  Loch Lomond Eyes Growth Of Its Unique Spearhead Single Grain
  Spearhead sets its sights on expansion while the Loch Lomond Group reintegrates the distribution of its pioneering single-grain whisky into its portfolio in the UK.
   
• 1st December 2023
  Douglas Laing XOP Scallywag Tormore 35 Years Old
  Here is something a little special for you just in time for Christmas, Douglas Laing has unveiled the newest addition to their XOP series to commemorate their 75th Anniversary: the remarkable XOP Scallywag Tormore 35 Year Old.
   
• 28th November 2023
  Glenmorangie 18 Year Old Gets New Look, New Name And New Price
  Glenmorangie has unveiled a new look for its 18 Year Old single malt and along with the new look it has a new name and a new price. Fans of the 18 year old northern Highland dram needn't worry as it will be the same 18 Year Old whisky they are already familiar with in the bottle.
   
• 24th November 2023
  Cafe Drambuie At Edinburgh Airport This Festive Season
  If you are travelling through Edinburgh airport this festive season why not stop by Cafe Drambuie for a winter warmer, you will find it beyond security, adjacent to the Departures World Duty Free store.
   
• 23rd November 2023
  Turntable - Starward A Scottish Australian Blended Malt Unveiled
  Glasgow based whisky blender Turntable has teamed up with Australian distillery Starward for their latest creative limited edition blended whisky created using 39% Starward, 29% Inchgower, 22% North British and 10% Caol Ila.
   
• 21st November 2023
  Berry Bros & Rudd Mark 325th Anniversary With Laphroaig 1999
  Britain's oldest spirits and wine merchants, Berry Bros. & Rudd, are celebrating a historic 325 years with a new bottling handpicked by Chair Lizzy Rudd, Laphroaig 1999 Single Malt Scotch Whisky.
   
• 16th November 2023
  The SMWS Launches Drop & Dram Subscription Service
  The Scotch Malt Whisky Society is launching a new £45 per month subscription service which offers subscribers 3 X 50ml bottles of the Society's cask strength whisky each month, monthly society membership and access to purchase from their range of full size bottles, alternatively you could take out a annual membership for £85 for the year.
   
• 14th November 2023
  Ardbeg The Rollercoaster £85,000 2 Bottle Set
  Ardbeg have unveiled, a rare 2 bottle set of single malts, one distilled in 1981 and the other in 1989. They are said to capture Ardbeg's rather turbulent times in the 1980's when the peaty whisky making distillery's future was not at all certain.
   
• 14th November 2023
  Ground Broken For £20 Million Ardgowan Distillery Construction
  Ardgowan Distillery, the inaugural zero-carbon whisky distillery in Inverclyde, has initiated the construction of its £20 million visionary "cathedral of whisky". Muir Construction, based in Inverkeithing, is set to complete the first phase over the next 12 months.
   
• 10th November 2023
  Inter Bev Picks Up Award For Its Human Resources Programme
  In whisky business news International Beverage's 'people-first' philosophy achieves significant recognition at premier HR Industry Awards with Sam Kirk earning the title of HR Director of the Year, while the Inter Bev Human Capital team secures a victory for their outstanding Health and Wellbeing program.
   
• 10th November 2023
  Dunphail Distillery Fills First Casks And Opens Second Funding Round
  Dunphail Distillery is now in production and has filled their first casks, sherry butts and they have announced that they have now opened a second round of funding.
   
• 8th November 2023
  Kilchoman 16 Year Old
  Kilchoman launches the oldest global release bottling to date, the Kilchoman 16 Year Old, a vatting of predominantly ex-bourbon barrels with just a hint of ex-Oloroso sherry casks in the mix.
   
• 7th November 2023
  The Leith Export C0. Expands Its Whisky Range
  Leith Export Co. has expanded its whisky offering with the release of Perpetuity Batch #2, a Scotch blended whisky and Table Whisky, a single grain whisky.
   
• 31st October 2023
  The Dalmore Vintage 2005 & 2008
  The Dalmore unveils the third instalment in their annual release limited edition Vintage Collection, The Dalmore 18 Year Old Vintage 2005 and The Dalmore 15 Year Old 2008, each is non chill filtered, naturally coloured and bottled at what should be a flavoursome strength.
   
• 30th October 2023
  The Glencairn Glass Crime Short Story Competition 2023
  The world’s favourite whisky glass, the Glencairn Glass, is once again venturing into the thrilling realm of crime fiction with its annual short story competition. The Glencairn Glass sponsored Bloody Scotland Crime Short Story Competition has returned for 2023 and is now open for entries.
   
• 27th October 2023
  Bimber Spirit Of The Underground Collection Release No.5
  London’s Bimber Distillery has unveiled the fifth instalment of their 'The Spirit of the Underground Collection' - this time up the Bimber whisky train has made stops at Bond Street, Hammersmith, Regent's Park and Tottenham Court Road tube stations.
   
• 26th October 2023
  Kilchoman PX Sherry Cask Matured 2023 Edition Review
  Kilchoman have released their first limited edition 100% PX sherry cask matured whisky, the Kilchoman PX Sherry Cask Matured 2023 Edition and to cut a long story short it is absolutely outstanding.
   
• 25th October 2023
  GlenAllachie Wine Cask Series Batch 2
  The GlenAllachie unveils Batch 2 of their Wine Cask Series, a trio of whiskies, a 11 Year Old Premier Cru Classé Cask Finish, a 10 Year Old Grattamacco Cask Finish, and a GlenAllachie 9 Year Old Douro Valley Cask Finish.
   
• 25th October 2023
  Inter Bev Appoint New Global Sales Director and Operations Director
  In whisky business news International Beverage which boasts single malt Scotch whiskies Old Pulteney, Balblair, anCnoc and Speyburn amongst its portfolio, has appointed two senior leaders, Veronica Amago takes the role of Global Sales Director and Alan Mitchell as Operations Director.
   
• 24th October 2023
  Ardbeg Anamorphic Committee Release
  Ardbeg has announced their latest Committee exclusive offering, Ardbeg Anamorphic which will be available from 10 am on November 2, 2023 to Ardbeg Committee members based in the UK. It is described as a multi-dimensional whisky that transitions and evolves among four distinctive flavour profiles: sweetness, smokiness, herbal notes, and spiciness.
   
• 24th October 2023
  Turntable Scotch Blended Whisky Core Range Reviews
  Review of the new Glasgow based blending house 'Turntable' core range of premium Scotch blend whiskies Paradise Funk, Bittersweet Symphony and Smokin’ Riff.
   
• 19th October 2023
  White Peak Wire Works Virgin Oak
  White Peak distillery in Derbyshire England has introduced an exciting new dimension to its Wire Works Whisky collection this season with the launch of their Virgin Oak Cask whisky, a limited release of 2,769 bottles which represents a significant step towards a permanent addition to the distillery's offerings.
   
• 18th October 2023
  Tamdhu Quercus Alba Distinction III
  Tamdhu unveils the third batch in their Quercus Alba Distinction series, this latest instalment continues to celebrate the unmistakable characteristics of first-fill American oak Oloroso sherry cask maturation.
   
• 18th October 2023
  Lochlea Fallow Edition Second Crop
  Lochlea commemorates the autumnal season on the farm with the unveiling of the 'Fallow Edition Second Crop' which has been exclusively matured in a combination Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez sherry casks.
   
• 18th October 2023
  Dunphail Distillery In Speyside Goes Into Production
  Dunphail Distillery in Speyside has gone into production, the distillery aims to craft a rich and fruity spirit, both peated and unpeated single malt whiskies which will be produced using their own on-site floor malting, traditional kilning, extended fermentation periods, and direct-fired stills.
   
• 16th October 2023
  Inter Bev Supports Local Scottish Communities With £25K Donation
  Leading spirit maker, International Beverage is offering individuals and organisations actively working to make a positive difference within their local communities in Scotland the chance to get a share of a £25K donation to support their good work.
   
• 16th October 2023
  The Dalmore Cask Curation Series The Sherry Edition
  The Dalmore introduces the inaugural offering in a four-year program showcasing its exceptional whisky collections. The Cask Curation Series kicks off with the Sherry Edition, a set of 3 rare aged Dalmore whiskies, a 26, 28 and 43 Year Old with each having been finished in different premium sherry casks. You will need deep pockets to taste this set but it is always good to look..
   
• 14th October 2023
  SMWS Celebrates 40th Anniversary With World Record Whisky Tasting
  A whisky club that originated with a close-knit group of friends in Edinburgh marked its 40th anniversary by achieving a GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title for hosting the largest online whisky tasting event. Established in Edinburgh back in 1983, The Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS) has since evolved into the world's largest whisky club, boasting nearly 40,000 members spanning over 20 countries worldwide.
   
• 13th October 2023
  Timorous Beastie 'Meet The Beast' Marks Friday The 13th 2023
  Will you be seeing red when you Meet The Beast, Douglas Laing's 2023 instalment of its Timorous Beastie Highland blended malt bottled to mark Friday The 13th, it boasts a formidable 54.3% ABV and has been exclusively matured in bourbon casks, ensuring an intense and unadulterated tasting experience.
   
• 12th October 2023
  Lochlea Distillery Named Ayrshire's International Business of the Year
  Lochlea Distillery, a family-owned and independent whisky distillery in South Ayrshire, Scotland, has received the 'Going Global – International Trade Business of the Year' award at the Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce Business Awards. These awards are highly regarded within the Ayrshire business community and serve as a platform to recognise outstanding achievements.
   
• 9th October 2023
  Malt Whisky Yearbook 2024 Review
  Review of the Malt Whisky Yearbook 2024 which covers no less than 821 malt whisky distilleries around the world with all the facts updated. With the ever increasing number of distilleries this is a must have for any whisky enthusiasts wanting to keep track of the world of whisky and there are few tasting notes thrown in also to wet your whistle.
   
• 6th October 2023
  The Distillers One Of One Charity Auction Raises £2.25 Million
  The auction results for The Distillers One of One Charity Auction and once again they have surpassed auction estimates raising £2.25 million which will be directed towards supporting The Distillers' Charity's Youth Action Fund.
   
• 6th October 2023
  Glenglassaugh 55 Year Old Breaks Auction Record In Aid Of Charity
  Glenglassaugh Coalescence of the Coast 55 Year Old, the oldest Glenglassaugh whisky ever released by the Highland distillery, which was meticulously curated by Master Blender Rachel Barrie, has achieved a remarkable feat by fetching a record-breaking £37,500 in the prestigious Distillers One of One Auction in aid of charity.
   
• 5th October 2023
  Chivas Brothers Unveil Plans For Islay Distillery
  Chivas Brothers unveil plans for a Islay distillery located on the picturesque grounds of Gartbreck Farm, west of Bowmore at Saltpan Point along the Loch Indaal shoreline, this distillery will offer breathtaking vistas overlooking Bruichladdich and Port Charlotte on the opposite shore.
   
• 5th October 2023
  The GlenAllachie 21 Year Old Cask Strength Batch 4
  A double Cask Strength release from The GlenAllachie distillery, 21 Year Old Cask Strength Batch 4 and 10 Year Old Cask Strength Batch 10.
   
• 4th October 2023
  Meikle Tòir The Original 5 Year Old Review
  Review of the new Meikle Tòir The Original 5 Year Old, cracking young sugary sweet peated dram with a good portion of oak spice that could rival any of the Scottish Islands peated drams for quality and peaty pleasure.
   
• 4th October 2023
  Meikle Tòir The Sherry One 5 Year Old Review
  Review of the Meikle Tòir The Sherry One 5 Year Old, quality sherry casks along with quality peaty distillate at play here results in a great balance between sherry, oak and peat combined with the flavoursome bottling strength of 48% ABV which all make for a very pleasurable young sherried, peaty dram.
   
• 4th October 2023
  Meikle Tòir The Chinquapin One 5 Year Old Review
  Review of the new Meikle Tòir The Chinquapin One 5 Year Old, a young, smooth delicious peaty dram with a unusual virgin Chinquapin wood influence we rare see but thanks to Billy Walker and his innovative team of whisky makers here it is and it works well along side the ex-bourbon barrels used to initially mature the whisky.
   
• 4th October 2023
  Meikle Tòir The Turbo 5 Year Old Review
  Review of the new Meikle Tòir The Turbo 5 Year Old 2023 Edition, delicious honey infused intense peat with a lovely oak spiced edge leads piggy backing on equally delicious sugar charged sherried fruit which is quickly joined by some lovely coffee notes and some young vibrant oak spice.
   
• 4th October 2023
  Scottish Alcohol Industry Partnership Appoint First Chairperson
  Kieran Healey-Ryder, of whisky makers Whyte and Mackay, has been appointed the first chairperson of the Scottish Alcohol Industry Partnership, representing the alliance of distillers, brewers, retailers and hospitality venues.
   
• 3rd October 2023
  Glencairn Crystal Supporting Distillers One of One Auction
  Glencairn Crystal, the esteemed Scottish glassware company known for its award-winning products, including its sturdy wee Glencairn whisky tasting glass which I am sure you are familiar with, is sponsoring the second edition of the world's most prestigious ultra-rare whisky auction: The Distillers One of One. This family-run business has also meticulously crafted bottles and decanters for 11 out of the 39 exceptional lots featuring extraordinary, once-in-a-lifetime whiskies from various distilleries across Scotland.
   
• 3rd October 2023
  The English Sherry Cask
  The English Distillery has announced the release of 'The English Sherry Cask', its inaugural sherry-matured single malt release into the core range. The PX sherry cask matured dram is described as a meticulously balanced and luxuriously rich whisky, with the wood influence elegantly complementing the overall profile.
   
• 3rd October 2023
  Deanston Virgin Oak Cask Strength 2023 Edition
  Straight from the cask to your glass, Deanston Distillery has announced the release of the inaugural batch of Deanston Virgin Oak Cask Strength.  Initially aged in barrels previously home to American bourbon, it then underwent a 12-month finishing period in virgin American oak barrels sourced all the way from the Kelvin Cooperage in Kentucky.
   
• 3rd October 2023
  Glasgow 1770 Small Batch Series 4
  The Glasgow Distillery, which unveiled Glasgow's first single malt whisky legally produced in the Scotland's biggest city since 1902, is expanding its innovative Small Batch Series by introducing three new expressions. After receiving numerous prestigious awards for its Glasgow 1770 Single Malt Scotch Whisky, including a recent gold medal at the International Spirits Challenge, the distillery is now reviving past cask experiments by maturing its whisky in Cognac, Tokaji, and Innis & Gunn Golden Beer casks.
   

See earlier Whisky News from 2023 >>>

• Whisky News 2023
   
• Whisky News 2022
   
• Whisky News 2021
   
• Whisky News 2020
   
• Whisky News 2019
   
• Whisky News 2018
   
• Whisky News 2017
   
• Whisky News 2016
   
• Whisky News 2015
   
• Whisky News 2014
   
• Whisky News 2013
   
• Whisky News 2012
   
• Whisky News 2011
   
• Whisky News 2010
   
• Whisky News 2009