Whisky Focus - Whisky News Archive 2021

• 14th December 2021
  Fettercairn 16 Year Old 2nd Release 2021 Edition Review
  Following the release of the outstanding inaugural Fettercairn 16 Year Old last year, the distillery has now released its successor, the Fettercairn 16 Year Old 2nd Release 2021 Edition, a less sherried and more subtle dram than last year but still a very good single malt for your money.
   
• 14th December 2021
  Glen Moray 2008 Manzanilla Finish Warehouse 1 Review
  Review of the Glen Moray 2008 Manzanilla Finish Warehouse 1, the third and final Warehouse 1 release of 2021 and this time it is a cask strength Glen Moray 2008 vintage which has been finished in Manzanilla sherry casks. If you are a fan of the excellent malty core range Glen Moray 12 year old, then this is it on steroids and with a gentle Manzanilla sherry finish.
   
• 10th December 2021
  Glen Moray 15 Year Old Edinburgh Homecoming Edition
  The Official Single Malt of Edinburgh Rugby, Glen Moray, releases a limited edition 15 Year Old Homecoming Edition to celebrate the club's first ever permanent home: DAM Health Stadium.
   
• 10th December 2021
  GlenWyvis Inaugural Release
  GlenWyvis Distillery, has launched its first-ever whisky, 3,600 individually numbered bottles of The GlenWyvis Inaugural Release a 3 Year Old Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky. It is a combination of 18 casks, including 15 first fill ex-Tennessee whiskey, two first-fill ex-Moscatel and one refill Hogshead, the grain-forward whisky is said to showcase the fruitiness of extra-long fermentation.
   
• 9th December 2021
  Glengoyne Teapot Dram Batch No. 008 Now Available
  It is that time of year once again, Glengoyne has launched the next instalment in its big sherried Teapot Dram series, Glengoyne Teapot Dram Batch No. 008. This batch is a release of 3,000 bottles and once again it is available exclusively direct from Glengoyne.
   
• 8th December 2021
  Construction Of Dunphail Distillery In Speyside Begins
  Construction of the new Dunphail distillery in Speyside gets underway and London's Bimber distillery, the folks behind Dunphail, have launched 'Founders Club' membership at £695, members will receive four bottles of Dunphail whisky and a bottle of London's Bimber single malt which equates to £139 per bottle.
   
• 3rd December 2021
  The Macallan Estate Festive Experience - A Night on Earth in Scotland
  The Macallan Estate has unveiled a unique festive experience inspired by, and carefully curated to honour, its latest whisky expression, The Macallan A Night on Earth in Scotland which has been created from a selection of The Macallan’s American and European oak sherry seasoned casks, along with American ex-bourbon barrels to deliver its rich, sweet shortbread-like character.
   
• 1st December 2021
  Glen Scotia Named Scottish Whisky Distillery Of The Year 2021
  For a second time this year, Campbeltown-based Glen Scotia has been recognised for its whisky-making abilities after scooping yet another prestigious award. The distiller has been named the Scottish Whisky Distillery of the Year at the Scottish Whisky Awards, an accolade it receives just seven months after being crowned as the ‘Best in Show’ at this year’s San Francisco World Spirits Competition for its Glen Scotia 25-Year-Old expression.
   
• 1st December 2021
  The Oxford Artisan Distillery Red Red Rye
  The Oxford Artisan Distillery has unveiled its fifth batch of Oxford Rye Whisky, Red Red Rye, a triple-matured rye whisky with a rich, wine influence., hence its name.
   
• 29th November 2021
  Midleton Distillery Visitor Experience €13 Million Redevelopment
  Irish Distillers today unveiled detailed plans for a massive €13 million redevelopment of its distillery experience at Midleton Distillery, Co. Cork, which will transform the attraction into a world-class whiskey destination. The ambitious redevelopment plan will deliver new whiskey tours and experiences as well as new shopping, bar, café and restaurant facilities.
   
• 26th November 2021
  Forest Flow Sculpture Marks Replanting Of Fettercairn Ancient Forest
  Scottish land artist Rob Mulholland has unveiled a flowing and shimmering new sculpture marking the replanting of a ancient forest near the Fettercairn distillery and the rolling foothills of the Cairngorms.
   
• 26th November 2021
  Tamdhu Whisky & Jamón Tasting At London's Brindisa Delicatessen
  Tamdhu Scotch single malt whisky has teamed up with London's Borough Market's famous Spanish delicatessen - Brindisa - to host special whisky and jamon tasting experiences this December.
   
• 24th November 2021
  The Balvenie The Tale of The Dog and The Creation of a Classic
  The Balvenie has unveiled two rather rare aged additions to its The Balvenie Stories Collection - The Balvenie The Tale of the Dog 42 Year Old Year Old a domestic market release and The Balvenie The Tale of the Dog 46 Year Old Year Old a global travel retail release, launching alongside the two rare aged expressions in The Balvenie Stories line-up is The Balvenie The Creation of a Classic.
   
• 22nd November 2021
  Glenmorangie A Tale of Winter
  Glenmorangie A Tale OF Winter is a 13 year old Marsala wine cask finished winter warmer from the creative folks at Glenmorangie.
   
• 19th November 2021
  Midleton Very Rare Dair Ghaelach Kylebeg Wood
  Midleton release the fourth instalment of their so far outstanding Dair Ghaelach series of virgin Irish oak finished Single Pot Still whiskey's.
   
• 19th November 2021
  J.G. Thomson & Co’s Collection From The SMWS Owners
  The owners of The Scotch Malt Whisky Society has launched a new spirits brand, J.G. Thomson & Co, which has launched its first collection of small batch spirits including a bold Jamaican rum, a citrus dry gin, three blended malt Scotch whiskies featuring Sweet, Smoky and Rich expressions, and two exceptional limited edition aged whiskies - one a 23 year old blended malt, the other a 1972 blended grain.
   
• 17th November 2021
  Glencairn Ruby Tribute Blended Whisky To Be Auctioned For Charity
  To mark their 40th anniversary family-owned and run Scottish glassware company, Glencairn Crystal are auctioning an extraordinary piece of whisky history for charity, The Glencairn Ruby Tribute Blended Scotch Whisky.
   
• 16th November 2021
  Bunnahabhain 12 Year Old Cask Strength
  Bunnahabhain has launched an annual-edition cask strength 12 Year Old whisky inspired by visitor tastings in the distillery’s iconic ‘Warehouse 9’. The Bunnahabhain 12 Year Old Cask Strength 2021 edition is bottled naturally coloured, non chill-filtered and at a cask strength of 55.1% ABV.
   
• 12th November 2021
  Tamdhu Quercus Alba Distinction
  Tamdhu unveil Quercus Alba Distinction, a First-Fill American oak Oloroso sherry cask matured limited edition which is said to deliver warming cinnamon and vanilla, with sharp citrus and cherry flavours. A rich and luscious palate brings plum, dates, chocolate, and subtle oak notes.
   
• 12th November 2021
  Gordon & MacPhail Private Collection £100,000 Showcase
  Gordon & MacPhail Private Collection Showcase is a one-off collector’s item, a collection of 17 single malt whiskies, and it is now available to buy at the eye watering price of £100,000.
   
• 10th November 2021
  Ballot For New Limited Edition Jameson 21 Year Old
  Jameson Irish whiskey is bringing 2021 to an end with the introduction of a rather special limited-edition release of the world’s favourite Irish whiskey. They have bottled 2,301 bottles of Jameson 21 Years Cask Strength 2021 Batch which will be available for Irish whiskey fans to purchase via an online ballot to mark the end of the year.
   
• 9th November 2021
  Caisteal Chamuis Island Blended Malt Scotch Whisky Review
  Review of the new no age statement Caisteal Chamuis heavily peated Island blended malt Scotch whisky, a blend of single malt whiskies distilled on the islands of Skye, Orkney & Islay which has been finished in First-Fill American Bourbon casks. Definitely one for the peatheads, a delicious new sweet peaty blended malt that could rival some of the best quality big Islay peaty single malt drams out there such as Ardbeg or Kilchoman.
   
• 8th November 2021
  anCnoc 2009 Vintage Review
  Review of anCnoc 2009 Vintage matured in a combination of First-Fill Spanish oak butts and American ex-Bourbon oak barrels, a deliciously enjoyable smooth easy drinking anCnoc with sugars, spice and all things nice.
   
• 5th November 2021
  The Glenlivet 12 Year Old Licensed Dram Amazon Exclusive
  The Glenlivet 12 Year Old Licensed Dram Limited Edition is a First Fill Double Oak matured single malt, meaning it is a combination of First Fill ex-American and ex-European cask matured Glenlivet whisky.
   
• 4th November 2021
  Bowmore No Corners to Hide 23 Year Old and 32 Year Old
  Bowmore No Corners To Hide series launches with 23 Year Old and 32 Year Old limited editions, both were matured in ex-bourbon American oak hogsheads and both were finished for 2 years in Essencia barriques. The two new divilish drams are exclusive to travel retail.
   
• 4th November 2021
  The Macallan Harmony Collection Rich Cacao
  The Macallan Harmony Collection Rich Cacao, the first limited edition whisky in an innovative new series of single malts, a rich sherried dram matured in a combination of of European and American oak casks is said to bring together the worlds of chocolate and whisky.
   
• 1st November 2021
  Bimber The Spirit of the Underground Collection Release No.2
  Bimber unveil the second instalment of their The Spirit Of The Underground whisky series, the next four stops for the London based distillery is Victoria, London Bridge, Paddington and Chancery Lane.
   
• 1st November 2021
  Yamazaki 55 Year Old Travel Retail Exclusive
  Suntory introduces the oldest expression of Yamazaki Japanese single malt to date, the Yamazaki 55 Year Old and as you can imagine you will need deep pockets if you want to taste this one. Bottled in 2020, the Yamazaki 55 will be available to select Global Travel Retail with bottles found in London, Paris, Hainan, Hong Kong, Taipei, Amsterdam, Seoul, Delhi, Istanbul, Dubai and Singapore.
   
• 26th October 2021
  Chivas Regal 12 Year Old Gets A New Look
  Chivas Regal has unveiled a new look for its flagship Chivas Regal 12 Year Old Scotch blended whisky, a move which has been conceived with sustainability at its heart which is good to hear as Chivas 12 is one of the world’s biggest-selling Scotch whiskies.
   
• 25th October 2021
  Glengoyne Wetlands Single Cask Release
  Glengoyne release First Fill European Oak Sherry Hogshead Single Cask whisky in partnership with the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust with proceeds of the whisky going to the WWT, with the proceeds from the sale of each bottle going towards the creation of more wetlands across the UK.
   
• 25th October 2021
  The Effects Of Climate Change On The Scotch Whisky Industry
  As one of Scotland’s main exports, Scotch whisky is enjoyed the world over. Now, a new study commissioned by Glengoyne Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky has revealed we shouldn’t take a good dram for granted, as projected temperature increases and changes in rainfall patterns threaten distillery production over the next fifty years.
   
• 25th October 2021
  Bunnahabhain Moves Towards Net Zero Emission Distillation Process
  Bunnahabhain is set to become the first Islay distillery with a Net Zero Emission Distillation process, the distillery's new £6.5m Biomass Energy Centre will save 3,500 tonnes of carbon per year.
   
• 22nd October 2021
  Café Drambuie At Heathrow Terminal 3
  If you will be passing through Heathrow airport Terminal 3 this month look out  for a new Café Drambuie retail activation which welcomes passers-by to its ‘coffeehouse with a whisky twist’ café retail concept, where visitors can try three tempting cocktail serves: Drambuie Iced Espresso, Drambuie Iced Coffee and Drambuie Coffee Tonic.
   
• 21st October 2021
  The Glencairn Glass Short Story Competition 'A Crystal Clear Crime'
  Calling all you budding crime short story writers, the Glencairn Glass has launched its first ever crime short story competition with the theme: 'A Crystal Clear Crime'. Is there a William McIlvanney short story crime writer amongst you. They say that a dram or two has inspired many of the best writers over the years, perhaps you are one of them!
   
• 20th October 2021
  Emma Walker Named As The New Master Blender For Johnnie Walker
  Johnnie Walker, the world’s best-selling Scotch Whisky, has announced that Dr Emma Walker will take over from Dr Jim Beveridge OBE as Johnnie Walker Master Blender. Jim is set to retire at the end of this year after more than 40 years at Diageo, the last 20 of which as Master Blender. Jim will remain with the business until the end of the year when he will hand over the reins to Emma who will officially hold the title of Master Blender from 1 January 2022.
   
• 20th October 2021
  Diageo Opens Carbon Neutral Lebanon (Bulleit) Whiskey Distillery
  Diageo has opened its first carbon neutral whiskey distillery in North America, located at Lebanon, Kentucky, the new distillery will produce Bulleit bourbon whiskey as its first and lead brand using 100% renewable electricity, zero fossil fuels for production and virtual metering technology
   
• 15th October 2021
  Malt Whisky Yearbook 2022 Review
  Review of the Malt Whisky Yearbook 2022, a book which focuses on the facts & figures, history, recent events and the latest bottlings from the malt whisky distilleries around the world but focuses in more detail on the distilleries of Scotland. This 17th annual edition of the whisky facts packed book has been fully revised and updated by Yearbook editor Ingvar Ronde.
   
• 13th October 2021
  Glen Moray 1998 Barolo Finish Warehouse 1 Review
  Review of the Glen Moray 1998 Barolo Finish, the second of three whiskies from Glen Moray's Warehouse 1 Collection scheduled for 2021. Another deliciously rich sweet Glen Moray Warehouse 1 dram and the flavour pleasure experience it offers is no doubt helped by bottling it at cask strength, the best in the series so far.
   
• 8th October 2021
  Jura 18 Year Old Review
  Review of the Jura 18 Year Old, matured in American White Oak ex-bourbon barrels and finished in Grand Cru Classé Bordeaux red wine barriques, undoubtedly Jura, with very subtle Jura peat smoke present from nose to finish, it is a wee bit shy on the nose but the juicy palate and long finish more than makes up for it, the 44% ABV bottling strength simply adds to the flavour pleasure.
   
• 7th October 2021
  Jura 12 Year Old Review
  Review of the ex-bourbon cask matured and Oloroso sherry cask finished Jura 12 Year Old. It has a wee touch of saltiness which is a nod to Jura's coastal home and a subtle thread of Jura's unique peat smoke which runs from nose to finish along side the the balance of sherry and bourbon cask influences has made this a very enjoyable dram.
   
• 6th October 2021
  Highland Park Cask Strength Release No.2 Review
  Review of Highland Park Cask Strength Release No.2 a marriage of whisky of various ages which has been matured predominantly in sherry seasoned European and American oak casks and a small quantity of ex-bourbon casks. Smooth and delicious, a perfect balance of gentle honey smoked sherry and bourbon cask Highland Park and the cask strength simply adds to the flavour pleasure, an outstanding Highland Park. Highly recommend!
   
• 6th October 2021
  Tullamore D.E.W Rouge 13 Year Old Travel Retail Exclusive
  Perhaps a sign that we are returning to some kind of normality, William Grant & Sons has announced the launch of a new limited-edition, travel retail exclusive expression, Tullamore D.E.W Rouge, a 13 Year Old Irish Single malt whiskey which has been finished in French Bordeaux Red Wine casks.
   
• 5th October 2021
  Bushmills Causeway Collection 1991 Madeira Cask & 2000 Port Cask
  Bushmills distillery unveils two new limited release additions to their Causeway Collection, Bushmills 1991 Madeira Cask and Bushmills 2000 Port Cask. Both expressions will be available exclusively in Great Britain.
   
• 4th October 2021
  Distell Malt Collection 2021
  The Distell Malt Collection 2021 is a rather reduced collection this year but it still offers whisky drinkers something which hopefully should be rather special, there is only four limited edition whiskies in this year line-up a Deanston 2008 Oloroso Cask Matured, Tobermory 2004 Oloroso Cask Matured 17 Year Old, Ledaig 1999 Pedro Ximenez Cask Matured and Bunnahabhain 2011 Aonadh.
   
• 1st October 2021
  Diageo Special Releases 2021
  Diageo has unveiled its Special Releases 2021 line-up, this years highlights includes a Lagavulin 26 year Old, a young fiery, full-on peppery Talisker 8 year old and of course the Diageo Special Release stalwart Lagavulin 12 year old, said to be a perfect expression of this Islay distillery’s character.
   
• 1st October 2021
  Scallywag Winter Edition Cask Strength 2021
  Douglas Laing unveil the second seasonal cask strength winter warmer from their Scallywag Speyside blended malt whisky range, Scallywag Winter Edition Cask Strength 2021 which has matured exclusively in a combination of Oloroso and Pedro Ximinéz Sherry butts and offered at a flavoursome natural cask strength of 53.1% ABV.
   
• 1st October 2021
  Glenmorangie Transforms Its Boutique Highland Hotel
  If you ever fancied spoiling yourself with a luxury few days away from it all Whisky Break then Glenmorangie have just the thing for you, the Highland whisky maker has transformed its boutique Highland hotel into a sensory playground, where guests can immerse themselves in its delicious and wonderful world.
   
• 30th September 2021
  Oxford Rye Whisky Batch 4
  These Oxford Rye batch releases seem to be coming thick and fast since the inaugural release back in April this year, the Oxford Artisan Distillery has just announced the release of The Graduate, the fourth batch of Oxford Rye Whisky and its largest bottling run to date.
   
• 29th September 2021
  Kentucky Owl The Wiseman Bourbon
  Kentucky Owl The Wiseman Bourbon is the first Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey produced and distilled by Kentucky Owl in collaboration with the Bardstown Bourbon Company, both located in The Bourbon Capital of the World — Bardstown, Kentucky.
   
• 28th September 2021
  The GlenAllachie Wood Finish Range Batch 3
  The GlenAllachie today unveiled the third batch of limited release single malt whiskies in their Wood Finish Range, this latest instalment in the ongoing range consists of 3 single malt whiskies - The GlenAllachie 11 Year Old Pedro Ximénez Wood Finish, The GlenAllachie 12 Year Old Ruby Port Wood Finish The GlenAllachie 13 Year Old Madeira Wood Finish.
   
• 24th September 2021
  Highland Park 15 Year Old Viking Heart
  Highland Park has added a new permanent 15 Year Old expression to their core range. The 15 Year Old contains a high percentage of first-fill European oak sherry seasoned casks which is said to deliver a warm, dry spicy note whilst first-fill American oak sherry seasoned casks back this up with notes of vanilla and crème brûlée. A small proportion of refill casks allow the DNA of Highland Park whisky to shine through, namely its gentle heather peat and lightly fruity character.
   
• 24th September 2021
  Method And Madness Rye and Malt Review
  Method And Madness Rye and Malt is the first release of Irish whiskey distilled at the Midleton Micro Distillery, the innovative experimental distillery located within the Midleton Distillery in County Cork and I loved it, will this 60% rye to 40% malt mash bill go into full production at Midleton, I certainly hope so.
   
• 23rd September 2021
  Big Peat Christmas 2021
  Well here it is, the annual sign to whisky drinkers that summer is coming to an end and Christmas is now on the way, Santa's helpers at Douglas Laing's Glasgow workshop have been busy vatting and bottling and have now unveiled this years peaty festive offering, Big Peat Christmas 2021 Edition.
   
• 22nd September 2021
  Kilchoman 100% Islay 11th Edition Review
  Review of the Kilchoman 100% Islay 11th Edition which this year is a combination of 26 bourbon barrels and 7 Oloroso sherry butts which have been matured for a minimum of 9 years, the delicious sugary sweet peat is the star of this show and the touch of sherried fruit simply adds to the delicious peaty pleasure.
   
• 21st September 2021
  Redbreast Iberian Series Launches With Pedro Ximénez Edition
  Redbreast unveils limited edition Redbreast Pedro Ximénez Edition which joins the existing Lustau Edition to form 'The Iberian Series' which celebrates the brand’s long-standing connection to some of the Iberian Peninsula’s most celebrated cooperages and winemakers.
   
• 21st September 2021
  Loch Lomond Becomes Official Spirit Sponsor Of Super League
  The rugby fans amongst can expect to be seeing more of Loch Lomond whisky as the Loch Lomond Group have announced that they are the new spirit partner of the Betfred Super League, a partnership that will run until the end of the 2024 Super League season.
   
• 20th September 2021
  Rare Whisky Making A Strong Recovery
  Following a subdued Rare Whisky Market during 2020 due to Covid the Rare Whisky Market is set to break all previous records in 2021 according to whisky analyst, broker and investment experts Rare Whisky 101.
   
• 17th September 2021
  Aberfeldy 18 Year Old Finished In French Red Wine Casks Review
  Aberfeldy 18 Year Old Batch 2921 finished in French Red Wine Casks from the Côte Rôtie appellation is the third limited edition in the distillery's French Red Wine Cask Collection.
   
• 15th September 2021
  Tamdhu Cigar Malt
  Tamdhu celebrates the launch of First Fill European Oak Oloroso Sherry Cask matured Cigar Malt with a unique sherry cask inspired humidor. The big sherried dram is said to mirror the spice, aroma and mouthfeel of aged tobacco leaves used in only the best cigars.
   
• 14th September 2021
  The GlenAllachie 14 Year Old Oloroso Wood Finish
  The latest addition to The GlenAllachie Wood Series is The GlenAllachie 14 Year Old Oloroso Wood Finish, a combination of first and second fill American oak barrels, finished for over two years finishing in Oloroso puncheons.
   
• 13th September August 2021
  Tamdhu Batch Strength 6 Review
  Tamdhu has released the next instalment of their Cask Strength series, Tamdhu Batch Strength 6, and it is an absolutely delicious big Oloroso sherried dram, a pleasure from nose to finish, some quality sherry casks at play here and the cask strength simply adds to the flavour and pleasure experience. Tamdhu is becoming one to watch for fans of a big sherried dram going by the quality of this, highly recommended.
   
• 10th September 2021
  Glenmorangie Lighthouse Onsite Innovation Distillery
  The innovative and creative folks at Glenmorangie, led by Director of Whisky Creation Dr Bill Lumsden, have been busy once again, today Dr Bill and his team opened the doors to a new home for Glenmorangie whisky creation where they can let their imaginations run wild, a ground-breaking innovation distillery within the Glenmorangie distillery site which they have named the Glenmorangie Lighthouse.
   
• 3rd September August 2021
  Royal Lochnagar Scottish Ballet's 'The Sleeping Beauty Cask'
  A unique single cask of Royal Lochnagar whisky, laid down in 1994, has now been bottled ready for auction as part of Diageo’s prestigious Casks of Distinction range. Every pound raised at auction will go to the Scottish Ballet Endowment Fund. All bottling and auction costs have been generously donated by Diageo and Whisky Auctioneer in support of Scottish Ballet.
   
• 25th August 2021
  Karuizawa 1981 The Legend of Asama Only 30 Sets Available
  30 sets of Karuizawa Distillery’s incredibly rare 1981 vintage single cask malt whiskies is being released in exclusive ‘Legend of Asama’ sets encased in bespoke Glencairn Crystal glassware.
   
• 25th August 2021
  The Oxford Artisan Distillery Heritage Corn Whisky
  The Oxford Artisan Distillery has unveiled a new series of experimental whiskies titled Grain Stories which launches with the release of Heritage Corn Whisky.
   
• 24th August 2021
  Tales of The Macallan Volume I
  Tales of The Macallan Volume I, a rare 1950 single malt whisky, is the first edition in a new series of single malt whiskies which tells the story of The Macallan pioneers and their whisky-making legacy.
   
• 23rd August 2021
  Aberfeldy Barrels & Bees In London, Glasgow & Edinburgh
  Leading venues across London, Glasgow and Edinburgh create limited edition Aberfeldy honey laced cocktails to raise awareness of the importance of the honey bee.
   
• 20th August 2021
  Fettercairn Warehouse 2 Batch No.002 Review
  Fettercairn announce the release of the 2nd instalment of their Warehouse Collection, Fettercairn Warehouse 2 Batch No.002, a combination of 38% First Fill ex-American Rye barrels and 62% First Fill ex-Bourbon barrels, and it is outstanding.
   
• 18th August 2021
  Aberlour A’bunadh Collection Of 66 Bottles Goes On Sale
  A rarely seen vertical collection of Aberlour A’bunadh, one of the largest ongoing whisky series of all time, has gone on sale but you will need deep pockets if you want to get your hands on it as it has a price tag of £15,884.
   
• 17th August 2021
  The GlenAllachie 10 Year Old Batch 6
  The GlenAllachie has announced the launch of the launch of the latest batch of their GlenAllachie 10 Year Old Cask Strength Batch 6. Matured in a combination of Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso sherry puncheons along with a small quantity of Virgin Oak and Rioja casks, all personally selected by Master Distiller, Billy Walker.
   
• 17th August 2021
  Imbibe Live Line-Up For September Event
  Imbibe Live, the UK’s leading drinks industry event, has unveiled an action-packed masterclass schedule for this year’s event. Taking place from 13th-14th September at Olympia London, Imbibe Live will reunite the industry with a fantastic line-up of tutored tastings, insightful panel sessions and world class cocktail demonstrations, all curated in partnership with Imbibe Live’s ambassadors and leading drinks industry experts.
   
• 16th August 2021
  Bushmills Supports New Evening Standard Stories Festival
  Bushmills Irish whiskey announced as poetry partner and lead spirit sponsor for new Evening Standard stories festival in association with Netflix.
   
• 16th August 2021
  Tamdhu 12, 15 and Batch Strength Miniature Gift Pack Unveiled
  Just a quick one which may be of interest to those of you who may want to explore the Tamdhu Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky range or those who are looking for a whisky gift for a whisky loving friend or relative, Tamdhu has unveiled a new miniature gift pack featuring the Tamdhu 12 Year Old, 15 Year Old, and Batch Strength No. 005.
   
• 16th August 2021
  Jameson Orange
  As the popularity of 'Ready To Drink' spirit drinks and cocktails continues to soar Jameson Irish whiskey has unveiled their new zesty orange flavoured spirit drink entry into this new marketplace, the Jameson Orange.
   
• 16th August 2021
  Glengoyne Unveils Artwork That Will Reveal Itself Over 50 Years
  Michelin-starred restaurant City Social in London has unveiled a one-of-a-kind literary artwork by conceptual artist Jonathon Keats which will reveal itself over the next 50 years. Commissioned by Glengoyne, Scotland’s slowest distilled single malt whisky, the one-of-a-kind piece has been created to slowly reveal the words of a new poem by renowned poet, Cat Hepburn, all around the concept of time.
   
• 16th August 2021
  The Oxford Artisan Distillery Celebrates Fourth Anniversary
  The Oxford Artisan Distillery is celebrating its 4th anniversary and the release of its Oxford Rye Whisky Batch #3 to commemorate the occasion. The whisky was initially matured in American oak casks and then underwent a second maturation in Moscatel wine casks, sourced directly from Portugal.
   
•  16th August 2021
  Smokehead Rulebook Made To Be Ripped Up
  Smokehead has created the world’s first rulebook that’s literally made to be ripped up – and burned! The mystery smoky Islay single malt has brought together some of the UK’s most exciting visionaries, entrepreneurs, and business rebels, including Professor Green and Steven Bartlett, to create the rulebook.
   
• 27th July 2021
  Dunphail Distillery Receives  Planning Permission
  You may recall that back in March this year the team behind London's Bimber Distillery unveiled their plans for Dunphail Distillery, a new 200,000 LA capacity craft distillery in Speyside, Scotland, which they planned to construct through the conversion of an existing farm steading. I am pleased to say that the that plans to open the new Scottish whisky distillery and visitor centre in Dunphail, south of Forres have now been approved by Moray Council.
   
• 24th July 2021
  Fettercairn Distillery Celebrates Replanting of Ancient Forest
  As part of Whyte & Mackay’s expansion of their Scottish Oak programme, Fettercairn is set to celebrate the replanting of an ancient forest and they are set to release the first Fettercairn Scottish Oak bottling in 2022.
   
• 21st July 2021
  Glenmorangie & Ardbeg Whiskies ISC and IWSC 2021 Gold Haul
  Glenmorangie and Ardbeg Scotch malt whiskies have scooped an impressive Gold Medal haul from 2021’s International Wine and Spirit Competition and the International Spirits Challenge.
   
• 20th July 2021
  Whisky Hammer Deal With Hong Kong Rare Whisky Holdings
  Online whisky auction site, Whisky Hammer, and its sister retail business Still Spirit, is poised for global expansion after selling a 49% stake of the Scottish family business to Rare Whisky Holdings, a whisky investment group managed out of Hong Kong.
   
• 20th July 2021
  Whyte & Mackay Expanding Its Scottish Oak Programme
  Scotch Whisky maker Whyte & Mackay is expanding its Scottish Oak Programme across its entire estate of distilleries, the programme seeks to establish the use of native oak as a quality raw material for the wider spirits industry and support the skills required from harvest right through to cask creation.
   
• 16th July 2021
  Talisker Rewild Tour And Challenge
  Talisker launches Rewild Tour and challenges bartenders to create a cocktail that embodies the Wild Spirit character of Talisker.
   
• 16th July 2021
  Bimber 2021 Country Collection
  Bimber unveils the their Country Collection 2021 which includes includes a line-up of 24 single cask, single malt whiskies drawn from a variety of different cask types.
   
• 15th July 2021
  MacNair’s Boutique House of Spirits
  Introducing the new MacNair’s Boutique House of Spirits range which encompasses their new-look Lum Reek Blended Malt Scotch Whisky, and a brand new small-batch rum line named Exploration Rum.
   
• 14th July 2021
  Spearhead Single Grain Scotch Whisky From Loch Lomond
  Introducing Spearhead Single Grain Scotch whisky, produced using 100% malted barley and a continuous Coffey style still at the Loch Lomond distillery. The spirit has then been aged in ex-bourbon barrels before finishing in a combination of fire and infrared-toasted virgin American oak barrels.
   
• 12th July 2021
  Oxford Rye Whisky Batch #2
  Following the inaugural release back in April this year comes Oxford Rye Whisky Batch #2. The English rye whisky was produced by the new small English micro distillery using ancient heritage grains, grown by the distillery’s certified organic and regenerative farming partners. These grains require no pesticides, fungicides or herbicides, supporting sustainability and biodiversity in their fields.
   
• 9th July 2021
  Jameson Black Barrel Takes Double Gold At ISC 2021
  I am sure it wont come as much of a surprise to those of you who are familiar with it, it doesn't surprise me at all that Jameson Black Barrel celebrated a Gold Outstanding and 98 points from the International Wine and Spirits Competition 2021, and an impressive Double Gold medal from the International Spirits Challenge.
   
• 7th July 2021
  Cotswolds Hearts & Crafts Pineau des Charentes Review
  Review of Cotswolds Hearts & Crafts Pineau des Charentes Cask the second release in the series, this one has been fully matured in Pineau des Charentes French oak casks, an enjoyable dram overall, a good balance of oak and fruit on the nose and mouth before the fruit is outdone by the French oak on the finish.
   
• 6th July 2021
  The Macallan Partners With Bentley Motors
  The Macallan single malt Scotch whisky has teamed up with luxury British automotive manufacturer Bentley Motors in a unique partnership that will build on their rich heritage to develop distinctive collaborations and further their vision of a more sustainable future.
   
• 5th July 2021
  Inspiring Recipes To Make It A Glen Moray Summer
  Glen Moray have teamed up with some creative food and drink specialists to inspire drinkers to ‘shake, sizzle, sweeten and share’ their Glen Moray single malt this summer. From delicious fruit-infused cocktails to sip in the garden to spicy steak sauces to sizzle on a barbecue and refreshing iced desserts for after.
   
• 2nd July 2021
  Scallywag Chocolate Edition 2021
  Just in time for World Chocolate Day on 7th July Douglas Laing has unveiled the next instalment of their big rich sherried Speyside dram, Scallywag Chocolate Edition 4.
   
• 2nd July 2021
  Do You Have A Bit Of Jameson In Your Ancestry
  If you have ever wondered if you have a historic family connection with Jameson Irish whiskey or perhaps you are aware of a connection and you would like some more detail then you are in luck as Irish Distillers, producer of Jameson as well as some of the world’s best loved Irish whiskeys, and Ancestry, the global leader in family history, are working together to share 100 years of Jameson employee records online.
   
• 1st July 2021
  Ardbeg 8 Year Old Committee Release
  Ardbeg today launched the next instalment of their Committee exclusive bottlings, this time up Ardbeg whisky fans are being treated to a youthful Ardbeg 8 Year Old expression which has been matured in ex-Sherry casks. Said to be a smokier Ardbeg, but balanced by the ex-Sherry casks it has been bottled at what must be a flavoursome 50.8% ABV.
   
• 30th June 2021
  Douglas Laing Double Barrel Gets A Rebrand
  Douglas Laing launch a rebranded Double Barrel range with two new ongoing core range expressions - Double Barrel Islay / Highland blended malt and a Douglas Laing Double Barrel Speyside / Lowland blended malt.
   
• 25th June 2021
  Irish Distillers Launch 'A Perfect Blend' Podcast
  Irish Distillers, the company behind some of the most popular Irish whiskey's such as Jameson, Powers, Paddy, Midleton, Redbreast and The Spots has launched a new podcast, ‘A Perfect Blend’.
   
• 23rd June 2021
  The Macallan Concept No. 3
  The Macallan Concept No. 3, the third and final expression in the Macallan Concept series, it is set to hit the shelves of selected key airports globally and The Macallan Airport Boutiques with a price tag of US $150 per 70cl bottle.
   
• 23rd June 2021
  The Epicurean Ruby Port Finish and Tawny Port Finish
  Douglas Laing have released a pair of limited edition single Port cask finished blended malt whiskies - The Epicurean Ruby Port Finished and The Epicurean Tawny Port Finished.
   
• 22nd June 2021
  Whyte & Mackay 3rd Largest Malt Supplier In Asia Travel Retail
  Whyte & Mackay becomes third largest Malt Whisky supplier in Asia travel retail as it showcases the power of Single Malt at TFWA Asia Pacific Hainan Special Edition. Asia has always been a key market for whisky brands and during the pandemic the Single Malt category has remained resilient in the face of mounting challenges. Malt outperformed the coveted Cognac and Blended Scotch categories in the region’s duty free market during the pandemic.
   
• 22nd June 2021
  The Gladstone Axe The Black Axe Review
  Review of The Gladstone The Black Axe Scotch Blended Malt whisky, just like The Gladstone Axe American Oak expression The Gladstone Axe The Black Axe is a blend of 14 Highland and Islay single malt whiskies, but with the Black Axe having a bigger portion of the peaty Islay whiskies in the vatting, a gentle nose but it wins you over on the palate and finish.
   
• 22nd June 2021
  The Gladstone Axe American Oak Review
  Review of The Gladstone Axe American Oak Scotch Blended Malt whisky, a blend of 14 Highland and Islay single malt whiskies aged and finished in American Oak Bourbon barrels, if you enjoy a sweet big toffee'd dram you will like this.
   
• 22nd June 2021
  Wolfcraig Distillery Announces New Stirling Location
  Wolfcraig Distillery signs new deal with Ambassador Group and announces new location at the Craigforth Campus on the outskirts of Stirling.
   
• 21st June 2021
  Scottish Whisky Distilleries Book Review
  Scottish Whisky Distilleries is a new full colour guide to Scotland’s whisky distilleries from Destinworld Publishing which is aimed at whisky fans and the many whisky tourists who visit Scotland (during normal times) each year.
   
• 16th June 2021
  Glen Moray 2005 Tokaji Finish Review
  The Glen Moray 2005 Tokaji Finish is the second release in the distillery's ‘Warehouse 1 Collection’ and the first of three whiskies they plan to release over the course of 2021 from the new look Warehouse 1 Collection. A deliciously rich sweet Glen Moray, packed full of flavour at cask strength, a great pour for the summer weather.
   
• 15th June 2021
  Glencairn Crystal Launch A New Glencairn Pipette
  Scottish crystal company, Glencairn Crystal Studio, who I am sure you will recognise as the creator of the world’s favourite whisky glass, the Glencairn Glass, has launched a new Glencairn Pipette this week for whisky-lovers to add a wee splash of water to their dram.
   
• 11th June 2021
  Jura Distillery Cask Fèis Ìle Edition 2021 Review
  Following its launch at on Sunday I had the pleasure of tasting the Jura Distillery Cask Fèis Ìle Edition 2021 bottling a 18 year old single cask, single malt matured in a single refill sherry butt.
   
• 11th June 2021
  Jura Distillery Cask Fèis Ìle Edition 2019 Review
  Review of the Jura Distillery Cask Fèis Ìle Edition 2019 release which I tasted alongside the latest Jura Fèis Ìle 2021 release. I have said it before, Jura simply gets better with age and Jura and peat for me has always made the best bedfellows and this is a stunning big peated example of that and an interesting comparison to the latest unpeated Jura Distillery Cask Fèis Ìle Edition 2021 release.
   
• 11th June 2021
  Jura 21 Year Old Tide Review
  Review of the Jura 21 Year Old Tide, one of a pair of 21 year old single malt whiskies from the island distillery, it is no surprise this is a little bourbon like given the casks used to mature it, some lovely sugars, caramel and almond which becomes more Turkish delight on the finish.
   
• 10th June 2021
  Glen Scotia Virtual Malts Festival 2021 Photographic Exhibition
  Glen Scotia Distillery has collaborated with Document Scotland photography collective to capture the history and heritage of Campbeltown, these images from the past and present have been unveiled in an interactive online photographic exhibition as part of the Glen Scotia Virtual Malts Festival 2021.
   
• 10th June 2021
  Imbibe Live Set To Welcome Back Drinks Industry This September
  As the UK continues to take tentative steps back to a new normality the UK’s leading drinks industry event, Imbibe Live, has announced that it will be returning to London’s Olympia this September. This year’s event, which will take place in accordance with strict standards of health and safety, will welcome visitors from across the drinks industry.
   
• 10th June 2021
  Black Tartan Batch 21 A blend of Highland & Speyside Whiskies
  Black Tartan Batch 21 is a blend of five component Scotch single malt whiskies from Highland & Speyside distilleries. The five whiskies are: Inchgower 2008; Teaninich 2008; Benrinnes 2010; Blair Athol 2012; and Tormore 2016. The vatting of the five single malts produced a total of 2,990 70cl bottles.
   
• 9th June 2021
  Ardbeg Scorch Review
  My review of the recently released 57.1% ABV Ardbeg Scorch Committee bottling, matured in heavily charred ex-bourbon American oak casks. This is all about the sweet peaty bonfire smoke which reverberates from the nose to the finish, an absolutely outstanding example of peaty Ardbeg whisky.
   
• 8th June 2021
  New Look Sustainable Packaging For Talisker 10 Year Old
  Diageo has given its classic Scotch single malt whisky Talisker 10 Year Old a sustainable packaging makeover, but don't worry they haven't changed the whisky you will find in the bottle it is still the same classic sweet malty, seaweedy, peppery, spicy, smoky dram that you will be familiar with.
   
• 7th June 2021
  X by Glenmorangie Review
  Review of X by Glenmorangie which has been made for mixing but as it turns out it is also good on its own. created using a combination of whisky aged in bourbon casks, and some finished in new char oak casks. This may have the X factor for mixing but it also has the G factor for drinking neat, unmistakably Glenmorangie, and quite a good one at that.
   
• 4th June 2021
  Old Pulteney Collaboration With SeaTrees Kelp Restoration Project
  Ahead of World Ocean Day on 8th June 2021), Old Pulteney, The Maritime Malt, has announced a collaboration with kelp restoration non-profit, SeaTrees, making a commitment to plant more than 4,000 mangrove trees globally, and restore 2,665 square-feet of kelp forest. As well as the financial donation, Old Pulteney has collaborated with Pritesh Mody of World of Zing to create a limited-edition seaweed cocktail in celebration of World Ocean Day, with 10% of sales being donated to SeaTrees.
   
• 4th June 2021
  William Grant Appoint New Global Travel Retail Managing Director
  Perhaps a sign of a brighter future ahead for travellers and the badly hit whisky travel retail sector which is a big part of William Grant & Sons business model, the company has announced the appointment of David Wilson as Managing Director Global Travel Retail.
   
• 2nd June 2021
  Official Scotland National Football Team Whiskies
  Ahead of the delayed Euro 2020 competition here is the official Scotland Football Team Whisky line-up - Bowmore 22 Year Old, Glen Elgin 20 Year Old, Scottish National Team Scotch Blended Malt Whisky and Blended Whisky.
   
• 1st June 2021
  Kilchoman Fèis Ìle 2021 - Join The Virtual Festival This Thursday
  Fèis Ìle 2021 has gone virtual once again this year and this Thursday Kilchoman will be doing their best to make whisky fans feel that they are at the distillery with their 360° FÈIS ÌLE! A packed schedule of tours, tastings and live Q&As which will kick off from 12 Noon (Islay Time) this Thursday 3rd June. Pour yourself a dram and enjoy the day from the comfort of your own home.
   
• 28th May 2021
  Old Particular 'Cheers to Better Days' Mini Series
  Douglas Laing unveils Old Particular 'Cheers to Better Days' mini-series, four single cask whiskies: Bunnahabhain 12 Year Old, Linkwood 12 Year Old, Jura 12 Year Old single malts and Port Dundas 16 Year Old single grain whisky.
   
• 26th May 2021
  Brora Distillery Reopens After 38 Years
  After 38 years of silence Brora distillery has reopened and has gone back into production of what was once known as one of the peatiest Highland single malts. With a 800,000 litres of spirit each year production capacity Brora is among Diageo's smallest distilleries and I am pleased to say will be welcoming visitors in small numbers on a by-appointment basis, bookable via Brora.com from July.
   
• 26th May 2021
  Over 11,000 Sign Up For The Redbreast Dream Cask 2021 Release
  Over 11,000 Redbreast Irish whiskey fans sign up for the chance to buy 1 of 924 bottles of the latest instalment of the Redbreast Dream Cask series, the Oloroso Sherry Edition, a 29 Year Old Irish single pot still whiskey.
   
• 21st May 2021
  The GlenAllachie 30 Year Old Batch 1
  The GlenAllachie distillery has launched Batch 1 of its oldest ongoing core range expression to date, The GlenAllachie 30 Year Old. The Cask Strength sherried dram is the first in a series of annual small-batch releases at this age, which launches with only 2,000 bottles available worldwide in this first batch.
   
• 20th May 2021
  Heaven's Door Redbreast Master Blenders Edition
  Redbreast Irish single pot still whiskey has got together with Heaven’s Door Whiskey, Bob Dylan’s evolving collection of American whiskeys and the result is a limited edition 10 Year Aged Bourbon finished in Redbreast Irish pot still whiskey casks.
   
• 19th May 2021
  Jura Distillery Cask Fèis Ìle Edition 2021
  Jura unveil their Fèis Ìle Edition 2021 bottling a 18 year old single cask, single malt matured in a single refill sherry butt and this year for the first time the distillery will donate £25 from the sale of each bottle to the Jura Music Festival.
   
• 19th May 2021
  Timorous Beastie Meet the Beast Cask Strength Limited Edition
  Douglas Laing have unveiled a new limited release cask strength expression of their Highland blended malt whisky Timorous Beastie. Timorous Beastie Meet the Beast has been 100% matured in ex-American Bourbon barrels and has been bottled at a natural cask strength of 54.9% ABV which should amplify the flavour experience for fans of this sleekit, cowrin, Highland dram.
   
• 18th May 2021
  The GlenAllachie Launch Wine Cask Finish Series
  The GlenAllachie has launched the first instalment of a new Wine Cask Finish Series, the creative work of award-winning Master Distiller, Billy Walker, the series launches with three single malts, The GlenAllachie 11 Year Old Grattamacco Wine Cask Finish, 12 Year Old Sauternes Wine Cask Finish and 13 Year Old Rioja Wine Cask Finish.
   
• 18th May 2021
  The GlenAllachie 11 Year Old Grattamacco Wine Cask Finish Review
  Review of The GlenAllachie 11 Year Old Grattamacco Wine Cask Finish, it was inititially matured in American Oak ex-bourbon barrels, the whisky was then finished for almost another two years in certified Organic Super Tuscan barriques made of French oak from the Grattamacco winery, it is simply a delicious moreish Glenallachie.
   
• 18th May 2021
  The GlenAllachie 12 Year Old Sauternes Wine Cask Finish Review
  Review of The GlenAllachie 12 Year Old Sauternes Wine Cask Finish, inititially matured in American Oak ex-bourbon barrels, it was then finished for almost another two years in French oak casks which previously held Sauternes, a dessert wine originating from Bordeaux in South-West France. Put simply this is the quality whisky they produce at Glenallachie enhanced by all the rich deliciously sweet flavours you would enjoy in a glass of Sauternes.
   
• 18th May 2021
  The GlenAllachie 13 Year Old Rioja Wine Cask Finish Review
  Review of The GlenAllachie 13 Year Old Rioja Wine Cask Finish, inititially matured in American Oak ex-bourbon barrels before being finished in medium-toasted Spanish oak Rioja wine casks which have certainly added their influence to the whisky, it is another delicious, quality easy drinking moreish dram from the creative Master Distiller, Billy Walker.
   
• 14th May 2021
  Redbreast Dream Cask IV 29 Year Old Oloroso Sherry Edition 2021
  Redbreast unveils the next instalment in its Birdhouse members only Dream Cask series with the release of a 29 year old Redbreast Dream Cask Oloroso Sherry Edition which will be available to purchase via a ballot which goes live live from 17th to 25th May.
   
• 14th May 2021
  Naked Grouse Rebranded As Naked Malt
  Edrington rebrands Naked Grouse as Naked Malt but it is still the same sherry rich blended malt whisky in the bottle.
   
• 13th May 2021
  Kilchoman PX Sherry Cask Matured 2021 Edition Review
  Kilchoman has launched their first general ongoing PX (Pedro Ximénez) sherry cask matured single malt release, the Kilchoman PX Sherry Cask Matured 2021 Edition, it is simply a delicious balance of Kilchoman's earthy peat and PX sherry.
   
• 13th May 2021
  Bimber The Spirit of the Underground Collection
  London’s Bimber Distillery today unveiled 'The Spirit of the Underground' which will be an ongoing collection of single cask, single malt whiskies that celebrate the distillery’s home city's network of underground stations.
   
• 8th May 2021
  Kilchoman Fèis Ìle 2021 - The Kilchoman DNA Tasting Pack Review
  Kilchoman Fèis Ìle 2021 Kilchoman DNA pack is the first of three specially bottled tasting packs for this years virtual Kilchoman Islay Festival tastings, it contains four whiskies from the Kilchoman core range of single malts, but with a twist! Before reducing batches of their signature peated single malts of Machir Bay and Sanaig to their regular bottling strength of 46%, they have bottled them at their natural cask strength to appreciate the full power and character of their core range whisky. This pack also contains the latest edition of Loch Gorm and a preview of the yet to be released 100% Islay 11th Edition.
   
• 8th May 2021
  Kilchoman Fèis Ìle 2021 - Through the Ages Tasting Pack Review
  Kilchoman Fèis Ìle 2021 Kilchoman Through the Ages pack is the second of three specially bottled tasting packs for this years virtual Kilchoman Islay Festival tastings, it contains four whiskies which will take you through 15 years of Kilchoman maturation. Starting with Kilchoman's New Make Spirit before following the journey of maturation in ex-bourbon barrels through 2006, 2011 and 2016, this should be a fascinating journey giving you the and insight of how wood and time impact the final character and colour of the Kilchoman whisky over the years.
   
• 8th May 2021
  Kilchoman Fèis Ìle 2021 - Experimental Casks Tasting Pack Review
  Kilchoman Fèis Ìle 2021 Kilchoman Experimental Casks pack is the third of three specially bottled tasting packs for this years virtual Kilchoman Islay Festival tastings, it contains four whiskies including Calvados Cask 356 2018, STR Cask 207 2018, Cognac Cask 737 2016.
   
• 7th May 2021
  Compass Box Artist & Glasgow Blend A Tale Of Two Cities
  The creative whisky makers at Compass Box have revamped their Great King Street Scotch blended whisky collection, namely the Artist Blend and the Glasgow Blend. They have dropped the 'Great King Street' title from the name of each of the two whiskies giving each whisky a new more individual look and feel and I am pleased to say are now presented in a 70cl bottle for just a few pound more.
   
• 7th May 2021
  Compass Box Artist Blend Review
  Review of the single malt rich Compass Box Artist Blend which is now presented in a 70cl bottle, the Artist Blend (formally Great King Street Artist’s Blend) is a tribute to the city of Edinburgh and is still a cracking very well constructed, enjoyable, easy to drink blend that could rival most single malts in its price range for quality and pleasure.
   
• 7th May 2021
  Compass Box Glasgow Blend Review
  Review of the single malt rich, peaty, Compass Box Glasgow Blend which is now presented in a 70cl bottle, conceived as a contrast to the Artist Blend, it is said to represent the bold, fearless and humorous personality of the Glaswegians. The whisky  brings a deliciously sweet, slightly earthy. peaty delivery.
   
• 7th May 2021
  Gold Rush For SMWS At San Francisco World Spirits Competition
  The Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS) have picked up another gold haul of awards at the annual San Francisco World Spirits Competition including taking home a ‘Best in show’ award along with a host of ‘Double Gold’ and ‘Gold’ awards.
   
• 6th May 2021
  The Macallan Supports Conservation Work In The River Spey
  The Macallan supports vital conservation work in the River Spey as Phase Two of The Moray Firth Tracking Project is launched by The Atlantic Salmon Trust.
   
• 4th May 2021
  Gordon & MacPhail Mr George Legacy First Edition Glen Grant 1953
  Gordon & MacPhail launch Mr George Legacy series with a rare Glen Grant 1953 67 Year Old, a first fill sherry butt matured, single cask, single malt whisky and incredibly bottled at a cask strength of 59.4% ABV.
   
• 30th April 2021
  Isle of Arran Lochranza & Lagg Distillery's Now Open For Visitors
  As lock down restrictions gradually ease I am pleased to tell you that Isle of Arran’s two Scotch Whisky distilleries will be re-opening their visitor centres in line with Scottish Government guidance, as Scotland’s islands begin to welcome back visitors from the mainland. They have unveiled a new programme of daily tastings to come at their Lochranza and Lagg Distilleries.
   
• 29th April 2021
  Tamdhu Dalbeallie Dram 004 and Tamdhu Club Single Cask
  Tamdhu has unveiled two limited edition releases for this year's Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival, albeit a virtual festival once again this year. They have announced the release of the next instalment of their popular Dalbeallie series the Tamdhu Dalbeallie Dram 004 and their other festival release it the Tamdhu Club Single Cask N0. 7196.
   
• 29th April 2021
  Glen Scotia 25 Year Old Named SFWFC Best Whisky In The World
  Glen Scotia 25 Year Old named The Best Whisky In The World at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2021.
   
• 28th April 2021
  Loch Lomond 45 Year Old Unveiled
  Loch Lomond Whiskies has just unveiled a Loch Lomond 45 Year Old Oloroso sherry finished expression which is the first of three releases from the Loch Lomond distillery's new 'Remarkable Stills Series'.
   
• 26th April 2021
  Glasgow Whisky Announces Purchase Of Tromie Mills Distillery
  Glasgow Whisky purchases a distillery site at Drumguish, Kingussie, which is currently occupied by the Speyside Distillery, they plan to build a new distillery on the site when the current tenant vacates in Spring 2025.
   
• 23rd April 2021
  Jameson Crested Finished in Devil’s Ladder Belgian Tripel Barrels
  Irish Distillers has teamed up with Cork based craft beer maker Eight Degrees to create a limited edition Jameson Crested Finished In Devil’s Ladder Belgian Tripel Barrels.
   
• 23rd April 2021
  Oxford Rye Whisky Batch 1
  The Oxford Artisan Distillery, a new small English micro distillery, which to date has turned out some vodka and gins like many new small distilleries has unveiled its inaugural whisky release, and it is something a little different for whisky enthusiasts to explore, not a single malt as you may have expected but an English Rye Whisky  - Oxford Rye Whisky Batch #1.
   
• 22nd April 2021
  Old Pulteney Coastal Boulevardier
  To mark World Earth Day, today April 22, Old Pulteney has teamed up with bottled cocktail innovators, World of Zing, to create a unique cocktail for a cause. 10% of proceeds will go to Old Pulteney’s new sustainability partner, SeaTrees, a kelp-restoration non-profit with a mission to help combat climate change.
   
• 22nd April 2021
  Diageo's World Class Competition GB Bartender of the Year 2021
  Mark McClintock, has been awarded the title of Diageo World Class Bartender of the Year 2021. Mark will now go on to represent GB in the first ever fully virtual World Class Global Final taking place from 4th-8th July 2021.
   
• 21st April 2021
  Kilchoman Fèis Ìle 2021
  Kilchoman Fèis Ìle 2021 bottling and Fèis Ìle tasting packs are now available for you to join virtual tastings online and they will only be available from the Kilchoman website but don't hang around or you may miss out.
   
• 19th April 2021
  Ardbeg Scorch Launching On Ardbeg Day 2021
  Ardbeg Distillery invites you to join them for an online Ardbeg Day extravaganza and uncover the ‘lairs’ of flavour in their latest limited edition Ardbeg Scorch. Matured in heavily charred ex-bourbon American oak casks it will come in two forms, the 57.1% ABV Ardbeg Scorch Committee bottling and the 46% Ardbeg Day Edition bottling.
   
• 16th April 2021
  Jura Rum Cask Finish Review
  Review of the Jura Rum Cask Finish, the third release in a new cask finish series from the island distillery, simply a delicious very enjoyable easy to drink unpeated Jura single malt with a lovely gentle rum cask influence and at a fantastic price for a 1 litre bottle.
   
• 15th April 2021
  Laphroaig 10 Year Old Sherry Oak Finish
  The Laphroaig 10 Year Old Sherry Oak Finish is said to be a new take on the flagship 10 Year Old which Laphroaig fans will be very familiar with. The new Laphroaig 10 Year Old was initially matured in a combination of American Oak ex-Bourbon and Refill Oloroso Sherry casks then finished for between 12 - 18 months in Oloroso sherry casks before being bottled at 48% ABV.
   
• 15th April 2021
  Woodford Reserve Distillery Expansion Plans To Meet Demand
  Brown-Forman Corporation owners of the Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon whiskey brand has unveiled plans to double its production at its Woodford Reserve Distillery in Versailles, Kentucky, to meet the growing demand for Woodford Reserve, the world’s top-selling super-premium American whiskey. The expansion plans will see the addition of three new copper pot stills which will double its production capacity.
   
• 15th April 2021
  Trial To Produce The Most Sustainable Glass Whisky Bottle Ever
  A successful pilot project has pioneered the lowest carbon footprint glass bottles ever produced for a Scotch whisky brand. The collaboration between Diageo, glass manufacturer Encirc and leading industry research and technology body Glass Futures, used waste-based biofuel-powered furnaces to reduce the carbon footprint of the bottle-making process by up to 90%. The trial produced 173,000 Black & White whisky bottles, also using 100% recycled glass.
   
• 15th April 2021
  Two New Scotch Single Cask Whiskies From Indie Bottler Skene
  Edinburgh based independent bottler Skene whisky release two Speyside region, American oak matured, single cask, single malt whiskies, Skene Glenrothes 11 Year Old and Braeval 6 Year Old.
   
• 14th April 2021
  Bacardi Appoints New Global Malts Ambassador
  Bacardi appoints Matthew Cordiner as Global Malts Ambassador for their portfolio of single malt Scotch whiskies - Aberfeldy, Aultmore, Craigellachie, The Deveron (Macduff Distillery) and Royal Brackla.
   
• 9th April 2021
  Collection Of Over 50 Rare Bottles Of Brora Up For Grabs At Auction
  As the reopening of the restored Brora distillery approaches specialist whisky auction website Whisky Auctioneer offers whisky enthusiasts the chance to grab some of the rarest single malt whiskies produced at the 'old' Brora distillery.
   
• 8th April 2021
  Kilchoman Loch Gorm 2021 Review
  Kilchoman Loch Gorm 2021 Edition is the latest instalment of the exclusively Oloroso sherry butt matured limited edition annual release from the Kilchoman farm distillery on the Isle of Islay. As always a delicious balance of Kilchoman's earthy peat and sherry.
   
• 7th April 2021
  Brora Triptych Elusive Legacy, Age of Peat and Timeless Original
  Brora Triptych Elusive Legacy, Age of Peat and Timeless Original is a rare set of three single malts released to mark the restoration of the small Highland distillery, each of the bottles in the set represents one of Brora's distinct styles.
   
• 31st March 2021
  Glen Moray Appoints New Head of Whisky Creation
  Following the departure of Glen Moray/La Martiniquaise-Bardinet’s Master Blender Dr Kirstie McCallum at the beginning of this year after what was quite a short stay the company announced today that they have appointed Stephen Woodcock as Glen Moray Head of Whisky Creation & Stocks.
   
• 31st March 2021
  Littlemill Testament 1976
  The Loch Lomond Group, owners of the now lost Littlemill distillery, has announced the release of 'Littlemill Testament' which was distilled back in 1976, 18 years before the distillery fell silent, making it the oldest expression to date to be released from the lowland distillery.
   
• 29th March 2021
  GlenAllachie 10 Year Old Cask Strength Batch 5
  GlenAllachie has just announced the launch of the next instalment of their highly rated 10 Year Old Cask Strength batch release single malt whisky, the new GlenAllachie 10 Year Old Cask Strength Batch 5 which is a combination of Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso sherry puncheons, Rioja barriques, and a small quantity of Virgin Oak casks expertly selected and blended by industry veteran and Master Distiller/Blender Billy Walker.
   
• 26th March 2021
  Method and Madness Mulberry Wood Finish
  Irish Distillers experimental whiskey brand Method and Madness has launched a Mulberry wood finished single pot still whiskey. Bottled at 46% ABV, the whiskey is described as being wonderfully complex with notes of smoked paprika, flavours of sweet toffee apple and a freshly cut wood character imparted from the virgin Mulberry wood.
   
• 26th March 2021
  Brendan Buckley Inducted Into The Whisky Magazine Hall Of Fame
  Brendan Buckley, International Marketing Director at Irish Distillers has been inducted into the Whisky Magazine Hall of Fame for his personal contribution to the growth of the Irish whiskey category on the global stage.
   
• 25th March 2021
  Highland Park 50 Year Old 2020 Edition
  This latest Highland Park 50 Year Old expression is the third 50 year old single malt whisky released by the Orkney distillery, created using their Solera style system which means it has been imparted with some DNA from the first two 50 year old releases but it is still very much a unique whisky. Of course you will need deep pockets or a lottery win to taste it but we can all but dream.
   
• 24th March 2021
  Compass Box Magic Cask Review
  Magic Cask is a new limited edition Scotch blended malt whisky from the creative folks at Compass Box, a blend of 98% Imperial single malt and 8% from an undisclosed distillery near the town of Aberlour. A delicious, spicy, lightly sherried, mature Speyside whisky. The creative folks at Compass Box have put together some deliciously outstanding whiskies over the years and this is another one.
   
• 24th March 2021
  Haig Club Mediterranean Orange
  With Spring and some nicer weather now in the not too distant horizon, I thought you may be interested in something a little different from Diageo's Haig Club brand, not quite a whisky, but a new spirit drink, Haig Club Mediterranean Orange which has been specifically developed to appeal to the growing early evening and ‘Aperitivo’ occasion.
   
• 22nd March 2021
  Big Peat Heroes Edition Pandemic Heroes Charity Bottling
  Douglas Laing honours pandemic heroes with limited edition Big Peat Heroes Edition which will with the sale of each bottle contribute the equivalent of £6.67 worth of sanitiser to either Erskine, Marie Curie or Hearts & Balls charities.
   
• 19th March 2021
  Compass Box Menagerie
  The creative whisky makers at Compass Box has launched their latest limited edition release, Compass Box Menagerie, a Blended malt containing Scotch single malt whiskies from Mortlach, Deanston, Laphroaig and Glen Elgin distilleries, combined with Compass Box’s Highland Malt Blend.
   
• 18th March 2021
  Glencairn Crystal Celebrates 40 Years
  Scottish crystal company, Glencairn Crystal Studios, which is synonymous amongst whisky drinkers for their Glencairn whisky tasting glass is celebrating 40 years at the cutting edge of crystal and glassware creation this year.
   
• 15th March 2021
  Aberlour 14 Year Old Double Cask
  Aberlour has added a fourth expression to complete its Double Cask matured range, the Aberlour 14 Year Old Double Cask which joins the existing Aberlour 12 Year Old, 16 Year Old and 18 Year Old Double Cask expressions in the line-up offering whisky drinkers and interesting incite into how a single malt whisky develops after another couple of years under the same maturation conditions.
   
• 15th March 2021
  Glen Scotia Invites Entries To Great British Entrepreneur Awards
  Glen Scotia Single Malt Whisky is calling on Scottish businesses to enter the Great British Entrepreneur Awards, which opens for entries from today March 15th.
   
• 12th March 2021
  Diageo World Class Competition Top Eight GB Finalists Revealed
  The delayed Diageo World Class competition which has now gone virtual has revealed the Top 8 GB finalists who will compete to achieve the accolade of becoming GB’s World Class Bartender of the year 2021.
   
• 11th March 2021
  Redbreast 10 Year Old Cask Strength Birdhouse Member Exclusive
  Fans of Irish Distillers Redbreast single pot still whiskey will be intrigued and I am sure pleased to hear that the Irish whiskey maker has taken a step back in time with the launch of a Redbreast 10 Year Old Cask Strength Batch 1 expression today.
   
• 10th March 2021
  Old Pulteney Augmented Reality App
  Old Pulteney, The Maritime Malt, has launched a free augmented reality app, which transports drinkers into the world of the single malt though an immersive AR whisky experience. The user is transported to a coastal scene through an interactive animation, uncovering the tasting notes, aromas and food pairings of each of the distillery's single malts.
   
• 8th March 2021
  Whyte & Mackay Takes Innovative Approach To Travel Retail
  Despite the limited passenger numbers during the Covid-19 pandemic Whyte & Mackay, producer of of Scotch single malt whiskies such as The Dalmore, Jura, Fettercairn and Tamnavulin has taken an innovative omnichannel approach to offsetting the reduced numbers by working in partnership with Taiwan’s most important Social Media whisky influencer Steven Lin.
   
• 5th March 2021
  President Biden Suspends Trumps 25% Whisky Tariffs
  President Joe Biden suspends the 25% tariff on Scotch Whisky imposed by Donald Trump in the long-running row over state subsidies for planemakers Airbus and Boeing.
   
• 4th March 2021
  Tamdhu Makes It 3-In-A-Row For At The World Whiskies Awards
  Tamdhu has made it 3-In-A-Row with their latest success at the World Whiskies Awards 2021 where their Tamdhu Iain Whitecross Single Cask 5892 Vintage 2003 was named the Category Winner in the WWA 2021 Single Cask, Single Malt Scotch category.
   
• 3rd March 2021
  Deirdre O’Carroll Appointed As Blender at Midleton Distillery
  Irish Distillers has announced the appointment of Deirdre O'Carroll as blender at its massive Midleton Distillery down in Co. Cork in the South of Ireland. In her new role, Deirdre will work with Master Blender Billy Leighton in Midleton Distillery, and will be responsible for the development of new and existing blends, marrying together specific and intricate flavours and aromas, ultimately, creating a palette of tastes that make up Irish Distillers’ portfolio of Irish whiskeys.
   
• 3rd March 2021
  Glenmorangie Family Plan Puts Inclusivity & Diversity Centre Stage
  The Glenmorangie Company today reveals a host of life-friendly transformations to help its people flourish at work and at home. The Company, which owns Glenmorangie and Ardbeg premium single malts, is evolving its family-leave policy to support all new parents during the precious first weeks of parenthood. And to help foster a more diverse, inclusive workforce, it is also reimagining the role of the office.
   
• 2nd March 2021
  Jameson Invites You To Join Its St Patrick's Day Celebrations
  As Ireland and the rest of the world approaches its second and hopefully last muted St Patrick's Day during the Covid-19 global pandemic the iconic Irish whiskey Jameson has extended a global invite to all to join in this year’s St Patrick’s Day celebrations, with a series of curated events, special edition party-at-home kits, and competitions that will run throughout March 2021.
   
• 1st March 2021
  Fettercairn Warehouse 2 Batch No.001
  Fettercairn distillery today launched The Warehouse Collection, the distillery's first ever collection of small batch single malt whiskies from the Highland distillery. The Warehouse Collection launches with Fettercairn Warehouse 2 Batch No.001, which has been crafted using a creative mix of five different cask styles.
   
• 1st March 2021
  Bimber Owners Unveil Plans For Dunphail Distillery In Speyside
  The folks behind London’s Bimber Distillery have today unveiled their plans to open a new Scotch whisky distillery in Dunphail, south of Forres, Speyside, Scotland. They have submitted plans to Moray Council which are currently under review for a small 200,000 LA capacity craft Scotch whisky distillery.
   
• 26th February 2021
  Benriach Smoke Season Review
  The Benriach distillery has added the Benriach Smoke Season to their whisky range. An outstanding 'Highland peated' Speyside dram, absolutely delicious, the mix of casks play there part well and the bottling strength simply makes this a flavoursome sweet peaty pleasure.
   
• 26th February 2021
  Knock Tales A New Monthly anCnoc Podcast Series
  Introducing Knock Tales Whisky Podcast with Gordon Bruce a new monthly podcast series which they created to lift the lid on the passion, process and personalities that go into making some of the world’s most expertly crafted products.
   
• 25th February 2021
  New Regulations For Japanese Whisky
  Long overdue rules and regulations governing Japanese whisky production are set to come into play from April this year.
   
• 23rd February 2021
  Rare Glenrothes 50 Year Old Fetches £39,000 At Aution
  Bottle 50 of 50 of Glenrothes 50 Year Old decorated with 22carat Scottish Gold from Scotland’s only gold mine sells for £39,000 at auction with the proceeds going to the winning bidders charity of choice.
   
• 22nd February 2021
  Macallan Sir Peter Blake
  Unveiled at the same time as the Macallan The Anecdotes Of Ages Collection is another new limited edition Macallan expression that is a little more accessible price wise at £1,200 a bottle, that is if you get lucky in the ballot, it is The Macallan Sir Peter Blake An Estate, a Community and a Distillery.
   
• 22nd February 2021
  Macallan The Anecdotes Of Ages Collection
  The Macallan Anecdote Of Ages Collection is the Macallan distillery's latest collaboration with iconic pop artist Sir Peter Blake. The collection consists of 13 bottles, each containing the same sherry rich 1967 vintage Macallan single malt whisky which has been selected by The Macallan Lead Whisky Maker Sarah Burgess and each of the 13 bottles are adorned with its own original Sir Peter Blake collage art on the label.
   
• 19th February 2021
  Midleton Very Rare 2021
  Beginning a new tradition under the guardianship of Master Distiller Kevin O’Gorman, the Midleton Very Rare 2021 vintage is the first expression in the series to be launched at the start of the year. The Midleton Very Rare 2021 includes whiskey aged between 15 and 36 years which have been matured in lightly charred ex-bourbon American oak barrels.
   
• 17th February 2021
  Green Tourism Awards For Lagavulin, Blair Athol, Oban & Clynelish
  Four of Diageo's Scotch Whisky distilleries have been awarded the UK’s highest eco-tourism award. Lagavulin, Blair Athol, Oban and Clynelish distilleries have all received the prestigious gold certification from Green Tourism for their sustainable practices, both in the brand home visitor experiences and the distillery operations.
   
• 17th February 2021
  Diageo Report An Unexpected Rise In Spirit Sales
  Despite Covid-19 Diageo's sales got an unexpected boost from US spirit drinkers, these sales have been driven by premium tequila and bourbon. Scotch sales remained flat which was no doubt due to the tax imposed by Donald Trump during his time as US President which would no doubt have made premium Scotch whisky drinkers look elsewhere.
   
• 16th February 2021
  Rampur Asava Review
  Review of the Indian Cabernet Sauvignon red wine cask finished Rampur Asava Indian single malt whisky. The Turkish Delight rose oils seem to be a common thread through the Rampur single malts, and no different here, the fruits from the Indian Cabernet Sauvignon red wine cask finish has made this quite a easy drinking red wine infused fruity pleasure.
   
• 15th February 2021
  Horizon Proteins Transforming Whisky Distilling Co-Products
  Horizon Proteins a spin-out from Heriot-Watt University Edinburgh who provide sustainability solutions by transforming underutilised whisky distilling co-products into cost-effective, high-quality nutrients for the aqua and animal feed industries has appointed Iain Lochhead Chief Executive Officer in a boardroom reshuffle to support its growth plans.
   
• 11th February 2021
  GlenDronach Cask Strength Batch 9 Review
  Review of The GlenDronach Cask Strength Batch 9, a delicious, outstanding, well constructed big sherried cask strength dram and one of the best examples of a combination of old and new Spanish Pedro Ximenez and Oloroso Sherry casks in the series so far.
   
• 5th February 2021
  Kilchoman Whisky & Chocolate Pairing
  Are you looking for a Valentines gift for a whisky lover then look no further as Kilchoman has paired its iconic core range peaty whiskies with some delicious unique Scottish chocolate from Edinburgh based COCO Chocolatier.
   
• 5th February 2021
  Construction Work At The New Rosebank Distillery Restarts
  Following a halt in production due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the partial collapse of the an old bonded warehouse wall construction of the new Rosebank distillery in Falkirk is underway once again.
   
• 3rd February 2021
  Diageo World Class Competition Goes Virtual
  Diageo World Class has announced that they are resuming the 2020 competition this year and that the much-anticipated World Class Studio Sessions will take place virtually for the first time
   
• 28th January 2021
  Speyside Distillers Reveal Plans For New Distillery In Speyside
  Speyside Distillers reveal their intention to construct a major new state-of-the-art distillery in the Speyside region as part of its ambitious plans for expansion but they have not yet revealed the location or size of the new distillery.
   
• 27th January 2021
  The Macallan Folio 6
  The Macallan Folio 6 is the latest instalment in The Macallan's 'Archival Series' which recollects the legendary advertising campaigns of The Macallan. This 6th release in the series celebrates a witty advert, which cleverly featured The Macallan Chairman as a Scotsman dancing the Highland fling.
   
• 27th January 2021
  Kirstie McCallum Leaves Glen Moray For Halewood
  After a short stay at Glen Moray Master Blender Kirstie McCallum joins Halewood Artisanal Spirits and will take charge of their Crabbie, Samuel Gelston’s, The Pogues, Aber Falls and Peaky Blinder whiskies.
   
• 27th January 2021
  Tomintoul Cigar Malt
  Angus Dundee Distillers has added a new no age statement single malt whisky to their Tomintoul range, the Oloroso sherry cask matured Tomintoul Cigar Malt which is described as having the perfect balance of sweetness and spice, with a rich, smoky background.
   
• 27th January 2021
  Royal Salute 21 Year Old Year Of The Ox Lunar New Year
  Royal Salute release a special edition of their premium 21 year old Scotch blended whisky to mark the Chinese Lunar New Year, Year of the Ox.
   
• 26th January 2021
  Ballantine’s Unveil First Light Expression - Ballantine's Light 20°
  Ballantine's has entered the the whisky spirit marketplace with the release of Ballantine's Light 20°, their first ‘light’ expression and lower-ABV spirit drink which contains half the alcohol by volume of their standard Ballantine's Finest Scotch blended whisky.
   
• 25th January 2021
  Ardbeg 25 Year Old
  Today Ardbeg released their newest and oldest permanent expression to join their core range, the Ardbeg 25 Year Old which Ardbeg says proves unequivocally that age cannot tame Ardbeg’s smoky power.
   
• 21st January 2021
  Ardbeg Arrrrrrrdbeg Committee Exclusive Bottling
  Ardbeg has announced the release date for their pirate themed Ardbeg Arrrrrrrdbeg Committee exclusive bottling which has been bottled to mark the 13 years Mickey Heads spent at the helm of the distillery.
   
• 18th January 2021
  Glen Scotia Partners With Great British Entrepreneur Awards
  The Great British Entrepreneur Awards has unveiled Glen Scotia single malt whisky as its first Entrepreneurial Spirit Partner. The partnership will see Glen Scotia sponsor the Entrepreneurial Spirit Award and Glen Scotia will also recognise and reward a business owner who has shown particular entrepreneurial spirit each month.
   
• 12th January 2021
  Sailor's Home Irish Whiskey
  Sailor's Home is a new brand of Irish whiskey which is billed as a contemporary and premium new Irish whiskey brand. It has launched with three expressions here in the UK - The Haven, The Journey and The Horizon.
   
• 12th January 2021
  Glenmorangie Company Strengthens Executive Team
  In whisky business news two senior promotions at one of Scotland’s most prestigious Scotch malt whisky companies have been announced. The Glenmorangie Company which is known for its Glenmorangie and Ardbeg whisky brands has strengthened its executive team as it looks to the future.
   

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