WhiskyNotes(比利時獨立裝瓶評論)|原題:Talisker 39 Years (G&M Connoisseurs Choice Heritage)
Gordon & MacPhail推出稀有的39年Talisker單一麥芽威士忌,為Connoisseurs Choice Heritage系列的壓軸之作。此酒致敬「單一麥芽之父」George Urquhart,採用1970年代標誌性黑標設計。這是G&M最後一款Talisker獨立裝瓶——2023年7月G&M宣布停止獨立裝瓶業務,專注自有蒸餾廠。酒款為1987年份,酒精度51.4%,雪莉桶熟成,僅451瓶。品評指出此酒具優雅煙燻、黑胡椒、海岸鹹感與碘香,中段帶柑橘甜感,餘韻中等但有成熟的泥煤與草本調性。整體評價極佳,展現成熟與細膩的特色。可向Gordon & MacPhail或The Whisky Exchange購買。
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Gordon & MacPhail unveiled an ultra-rare 39-year-old single malt as part of its Connoisseurs Choice Heritage Range.
This release honours George Urquhart, ‘the father of single malt’ by reimaging the iconic black label that adorned his Connoisseurs Choice range in the 1970s, before the brown labels. There was already a Longmorn 1968 with the same design.
Mind that this was the last Talisker cask from Gordon & MacPhail. You remember that in July 2023 G&M announced they had stopped filling / buying casks as an independent bottler and now focus on their own distilleries.
Talisker 39 yo 1987 (51,4%, Gordon & MacPhail Connoisseurs Choice Heritage 2026, refill sherry butt #22601101, 451 btl.)
Nose: a very refined and pure spirit. Soft smoke, a dusty coal bin, rooty notes and cold Lapsang tea. Mild black pepper notes, a little vegetal oil and old leather. Then light hints of camphor with a bit of raisin sweetness and citrusy notes (dried orange peel and bergamot oil). The expected coastal side is not very prominent here, but there’s a hint of oyster juice in the background.
Mouth: great intensity, now more firmly coastal, I’d say. Black pepper again, along with salty notes, fish oil, hints of iodine and cold ashes. One or two Taggiasche olives. Beautiful ‘old’ peat smoke underneath. Mid-palate the citrus notes make it slightly rounder again. I’m not picking up the jammy sherry sweetness that the official seem to mention though. Then some herbal notes, light resinous notes, tobacco and hints of black tea towards the end.
Finish: just medium long, with more ashes, subtle pepper and a mild resinous / medicial edge.
Rather excellent Talisker, with a lot of finesse, mature character and some of the typical coastal and peppery notes. Overall a worthy finale. You can register to buy from Gordon & MacPhail but it’s available from retailers like The Whisky Exchange.
Google News(ウイスキー)|原題:【厚岸蒸溜所】アジア最大級の酒類品評会で「厚岸シングルモルトジャパニーズウイスキー 花ぐはし カリンパニ」が最高金賞、ジャパングランプリ受賞 - Mantan Web
(僅標題資訊)日本厚岸蒸餾所(Akkeshi Distillery)推出的 Hankyu Single Malt Japanese Whisky 花ぐはし カリンパニ(Hankyu Single Malt Japanese Whisky Hanaguashi Karinpani)在亞洲最大級酒類品評會中獲得最高金賞,並榮獲日本大獎(Japan Grand Prize)。此為該蒸餾所在國際威士忌競賽中的重要肯定,展現日本威士忌工藝在亞洲市場的競爭力。
The Big Whisky Opportunity in India
🚨 India has become Pernod Ricard's largest market by volume, driven by premiumisation, rising incomes and the success of Royal Stag, now the world's largest-selling whisky brand. In an exclusive conversation with Fortune India, CEO Jean Touboul shares how the company plans to sustain growth through innovation, consumer insights and the opportunities unlocked by the India-UK FTA.
#PernodRicard #RoyalStag #Whisky #Premiumisation #IndiaUKFTA #FortuneIndia
Google News(Scotch/Distillery)|原題:Kavalan’s Platinum Medals Highlight Taiwan’s Whisky Revolution - Forbes
噶瑪蘭威士忌(Kavalan)在Beverage Testing Institute World Whisky Judging中表現亮眼,五款酒款勇奪白金獎殊榮。其中Kavalan Solist Ex-Bourbon Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky以98分位居首位,創下傑出成績。該酒廠2005年於宜蘭成立,憑藉台灣亞熱帶氣候加速熟成的優勢,已躋身全球頂級威士忌製造商之列,改寫業界對非傳統威士忌產區的期待。
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When Kavalan Distillery opened in Taiwan in 2005, few expected the young distillery to challenge some of Scotland’s most established whisky producers. Yet within a decade, Kavalan had become one of the most respected names in global whisky, winning international awards and redefining expectations about what could be achieved outside traditional whisky-producing countries.
The latest recognition from the Beverage Testing Institute (BevTest) World Whisky Judging reinforces Kavalan’s position among the world’s elite whisky producers. Five expressions earned Platinum Medal–Superlative honors, scoring 96 points or higher, led by the Kavalan Solist Ex-Bourbon Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky, which achieved an extraordinary 98 points.
The winning whiskies showcase the diversity of Kavalan’s approach—from bourbon maturation that highlights tropical fruit and vanilla richness to rare sherry cask expressions that deliver extraordinary depth and complexity. Below are brief backgrounds on the BevTest Platinum medalists, along with my tasting notes.
The Kavalan Solist Whisky Series: Precision, Power, and Individuality
The Kavalan Solist Series represents the pinnacle of the distillery’s single malt portfolio. The word Solist is derived from "soloist," expressing the idea that each whisky is a unique individual performance rather than a blend designed to achieve consistency across multiple casks.
Unlike standard releases, Solist whiskies are:
- Single cask expressions—each bottle comes from one individual cask.
- Cask strength bottlings—the whisky is bottled at its natural strength without dilution.
- Non-chill filtered—preserving natural oils and flavor compounds.
- Individually numbered—each bottle identifies its specific cask and bottling details.
The series was created to showcase the influence of individual cask types and Taiwan’s unique maturation environment. Taiwan’s subtropical climate dramatically accelerates whisky maturation compared with cooler climates such as Scotland's. Greater temperature variation causes whisky to expand and contract more frequently within the wood, increasing interaction between spirit and cask.
This accelerated maturation does not simply make whisky mature faster—it creates a distinct style defined by intense fruit expression, rich texture, and pronounced oak influences.
Kavalan’s success also reflects the vision of its founder, T.T. Lee, who intended to create a world-class Taiwanese whisky using local expertise, advanced distillation technology, and carefully selected casks. The distillery is located in Yilan County, where mountain water, humid conditions, and innovative production techniques contribute to the distinctive Kavalan house style.
Kavalan Solist Ex-Bourbon Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky, 54.8% ABV, 750 ml. 98 Points, Platinum Medal–Superlative
The Solist Ex-Bourbon represents one of Kavalan’s most iconic expressions and demonstrates the extraordinary compatibility between Taiwanese whisky and first-fill American oak bourbon barrels. Matured entirely in carefully selected ex-bourbon casks, it accentuates the natural sweetness of vanilla, tropical fruit, and coconut that emerge from both the wood and Kavalan’s spirit character.
This expression captures the essence of Kavalan’s tropical maturation style: intense, elegant, and remarkably expressive despite its youth compared with many traditional-aged whiskies.
The whisky features intense tropical fruit aromas of mango, pineapple, ripe banana, vanilla custard, coconut cream, honey, citrus zest, and fresh oak. Additional layers of crème brûlée, caramel, toasted coconut, and delicate floral notes emerge with time in the glass.
It’s rich, creamy, and exceptionally viscous on the palate. The natural cask strength creates a powerful yet refined mouthfeel, with waves of tropical fruit balanced by silky vanilla sweetness and seasoned oak. It showcases flavors of mango, pineapple, passion fruit, vanilla, caramel, butterscotch, toasted almonds, coconut, and sweet malt. The bourbon cask influence contributes elegant spice, cinnamon, and soft oak tannins.
The finish is exceptionally long and warming, with lingering tropical fruit, vanilla cream, caramelized oak, coconut, and subtle spice.
The BevTest Judging Panel described the whisky as featuring “aromas of polished woods, butter roasted nuts and coconut flakes, and leather, along with flavors of orange spice cake soaked in brandy, mango chutney on pistachio muffin, and coconut creme brûlée with mint tea. A powerfully delicious, epic single malt with a cornucopia of lavish fruit, spice, and mineral flavors that continue to evolve in the glass; try with a bit of pure water."
Kavalan Solist Amontillado Sherry Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky, 55.6% ABV, 750 ml. 97 Points, Platinum Medal–Superlative
The Solist Amontillado Sherry expression showcases Kavalan’s mastery of sophisticated sherry cask maturation. Amontillado sherry casks occupy a unique position between the lighter freshness of fino and the richer sweetness of oloroso, delivering a balance of nutty complexity, dried fruit, and elegant oxidative character.
This whisky demonstrates how Kavalan uses specialized casks to create depth and a layered complexity whilst preserving the fruit character of its underlying spirit.
The whisky features aromas of roasted almonds, walnuts, dried apricots, orange peel, raisins, vanilla, dark honey, and seasoned oak. Subtle notes of leather, baking spices, and toasted grains add complexity.
It’s smooth and full-bodied on the palate. The texture is rich but refined, carrying layers of dried fruit and nutty sherry influences without becoming heavy. It showcases flavors of dried figs, dates, toasted nuts, orange marmalade, dark chocolate, cinnamon, caramel, and espresso, alongside Kavalan’s signature tropical fruit notes.
The finish is long and layered, with lingering notes of dried fruit, almonds, cocoa, spice, and a gentle oak dryness.
The BevTest Judging Panel described the whisky as featuring “aromas of coffee stout, balsamic vinegar, and rose water, along with flavors of PX Sherry, caramelized fruits, and smoked peppercorns. A bold and densely packed barrel finished cask strength whisky that needs a few drops of water to open up nicely; an impressive nightcap sipper for Sherry lovers."
Kavalan Podium Single Malt Whisky, 46% ABV, 750 ml. 96 Points, Platinum Medal–Superlative
The Kavalan Podium Single Malt represents one of the distillery’s flagship expressions. Named to evoke the highest level of achievement, Podium showcases Kavalan’s classic house style through a carefully selected combination of refill and fresh American oak casks. It stresses balance and elegance rather than the intensity associated with many Solist bottlings.
The whisky features aromas of fresh tropical fruits, green apple, pear, vanilla, floral honey, coconut, and seasoned oak. It’s smooth, silky, and nicely balanced on the palate, showcasing flavors of pear, mango, vanilla cream, honey, toasted coconut, citrus peel, caramel, and gentle spice, combined with a delicate malt sweetness.
The finish is medium-to-long and sweet, with lingering notes of vanilla, orchard fruit, seasoned oak, and subtle warming spices.
The BevTest Judging Panel described the whisky as featuring “aromas of wildflower honey, pecan cookie, and dates, along with flavors of caramelized pineapple, candied bacon, and sherry. Wildly complex and satisfying the textured, spiced, caramelized and rich flavors of this whiskey one normally only finds in barrel proof bottlings, decadence at a most reasonable proof."
Kavalan Master’s Select Reserve No. 2 Single Malt Whisky, 40% ABV, 750 ml. 96 Points, Platinum Medal–Superlative
The Master’s Select Reserve No. 2 showcases Kavalan’s capacity to blend multiple cask influences into a highly polished expression. Unlike Solist releases, which highlight individual casks, Master’s Select whiskies emphasize the craft of marrying different m
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Jul 18, 2026
USMCA Renegotiation Adds Uncertainty for American Whiskey Industry
A key trade agreement between the United States, Canada, and Mexico is set to enter a multiyear review and renegotiation process, according to a report from Yahoo Finance. The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), which replaced the North American Free Trade Agreement during the first term of current U.S. President Donald Trump, was designed to establish a free trade zone over its 16-year term. The pact does not expire until 2036, but renegotiation is now scheduled amid lingering trade tensions.
U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer stated on July 1 that the United States will continue discussions with Mexico and Canada to address the agreement's shortcomings and trade deficits. The announcement follows a year marked by global trade disruptions, including the implementation and subsequent removal of tariffs on many countries by the Trump administration.
North American trade pacts have historically benefited Kentucky bourbon and other American whiskey products, with Canada and Mexico serving as key international markets for the spirits industry. However, recent tariff disputes and retaliatory measures have already cost distillers millions of dollars in lost sales. The upcoming USMCA negotiations are expected to add further uncertainty for the sector.
Michael Bilello, president and CEO of the American Whiskey Association, commented that the situation creates additional uncertainty for American whiskey, a category that relies on long-term planning and stable export access. He noted that distillers cannot adjust production based on the latest trade headlines, as barrels laid down today may not reach consumers for four, six, eight, or more years, making market certainty critical.
Distillers such as Louisville-based Brown-Forman, which produces the Jack Daniels Family of Brands, Woodford Reserve, and Old Forester, are already feeling the effects of the trade environment. A Brown-Forman spokesperson expressed hope that the renegotiation will lead to the return of duty-free trade, emphasizing the need for fair and predictable market access. The spokesperson added that achieving this requires a shared commitment to preserving stable, reciprocal trade and highly integrated supply chains essential for mutual success across North America, and expressed hope that all parties will make progress toward a stable marketplace for spirits in the region.
Interactive table based on the Store Companies dataset for this report.
#
Company
Headquarters
Focus
Scale
Note
1
Diageo
London, UK
Multi-brand spirits conglomerate
Global leader
Johnnie Walker, Lagavulin, Talisker
2
Pernod Ricard
Paris, France
Multi-brand spirits conglomerate
Global leader
Chivas Regal, Ballantine's, The Glenlivet
3
Beam Suntory
Chicago, USA
Multi-brand spirits conglomerate
Global leader
Jim Beam, Maker's Mark, Laphroaig
4
Brown-Forman
Louisville, USA
Spirits producer
Major global
Jack Daniel's, Woodford Reserve, Old Forester
5
Allied Blenders & Distillers
Mumbai, India
Indian whisky
Massive volume
Officer's Choice, Sterling Reserve
6
United Spirits Ltd (Diageo India)
Bengaluru, India
Indian whisky
Massive volume
McDowell's No.1, Royal Challenge
7
William Grant & Sons
Bellshill, UK
Family-owned distiller
Major global
Glenfiddich, Balvenie, Grant's
8
Edrington
Glasgow, UK
Premium single malt focus
Major global
The Macallan, Highland Park, The Famous Grouse
9
Sazerac Company
New Orleans, USA
Spirits producer & bottler
Major global
Buffalo Trace, Barton 1792, A. Smith Bowman
10
Radico Khaitan
New Delhi, India
Indian whisky & spirits
Major volume
8PM, Magic Moments, Rampur Indian Single Malt
11
John Dewar & Sons (Bacardi)
Glasgow, UK
Blended Scotch
Major global
Dewar's, Aberfeldy, Aultmore
12
Kirin Holdings (Kyowa Hakko Kirin)
Tokyo, Japan
Beverages conglomerate
Major global
Owns Four Roses, Kirin Whisky
13
Whyte & Mackay (Emperador Inc.)
Glasgow, UK
Blended & single malt Scotch
Major global
Jura, Dalmore, Fettercairn
14
La Martiniquaise
Paris, France
Spirits producer
Major European
Label 5, Glen Moray, Cutty Sark
15
Emperador Inc.
Makati, Philippines
Spirits conglomerate
Major global
Owns Whyte & Mackay, Emperador brandy
16
Mohan Meakin
Ghaziabad, India
Indian whisky & beer
Major volume
Old Monk rum, Solan No.1 whisky
17
Heaven Hill Brands
Bardstown, USA
American whiskey
Major global
Evan Williams, Elijah Craig, Larceny
18
Inver House Distillers (ThaiBev)
Airdrie, UK
Scotch whisky producer
Major
Old Pulteney, anCnoc, Balblair
19
Ian Macleod Distillers
Broxburn, UK
Independent distiller & bottler
Major
Glengoyne, Tamdhu, Smokehead
20
Campari Group
Milan, Italy
Spirits group
Major global
Wild Turkey, Russell's Reserve
21
LVMH (Moët Hennessy)
Paris, France
Luxury conglomerate
Major global
Glenmorangie, Ardbeg
22
Bacardi Limited
Hamilton, Bermuda
Spirits conglomerate
Major global
Owns Dewar's, William Lawson's
23
Angostura Holdings
Laventille, Trinidad & Tobago
Rum & bitters, owns whisky
Significant
Owns whisky brands like Thomas Henry
24
Halewood Artisanal Spirits
London, UK
Spirits producer & distributor
Significant
Crabbie's, Whitley Neill, also Scotch
25
Distell Group (Heineken)
Stellenbosch, South Africa
Beverage group
Major in Africa
Bains, Three Ships, Scottish Leader
26
Asahi Group Holdings
Tokyo, Japan
Beverages conglomerate
Major global
Owns Nikka Whisky from 2014
27
The Benriach Distillery Co. (Brown-Forman)
Elgin, UK
Single malt Scotch
Significant
Benriach, Glendronach, Glenglassaugh
28
J. & G. Grant
Dufftown, UK
Family-owned single malt
Significant
Glenfarclas distillery
29
Gordon & MacPhail
Elgin, UK
Independent bottler & distiller
Significant
Owns Benromach distillery
30
Suntory Spirits
Osaka, Japan
Japanese whisky & spirits
Major global
Yamazaki, Hakushu, Hibiki, Kakubin
This report provides a comprehensive view of the global whisky industry, tracking demand, supply, and trade flows across the worldwide value chain. It explains how demand across key channels and end-use segments shapes consumption patterns, while also mapping the role of input availability, production efficiency, and regulatory standards on supply.
Beyond headline metrics, the study benchmarks prices, margins, and trade routes so you can see where value is created and how it moves between exporters and importers worldwide. The analysis is designed to support strategic planning, market entry, portfolio prioritization, and risk management in the global whisky landscape.
Global demand is shaped by both household and industrial usage, with trade flows linking cost-competitive producers to import-reliant markets.
Pricing dynamics reflect unit values, freight costs, exchange rates, and regulatory shifts that affect sourcing decisions.
Supply depends on input availability and production efficiency, creating distinct cost curves across regions.
Market concentration varies by country, creating different competitive landscapes and entry barriers.
The 2035 outlook highlights where capacity investment and demand growth are most aligned globally.
Report scope
The report combines market sizing with trade intelligence and price analytics. It covers both historical performance and the forward outlook to 2035, allowing you to compare cycles, structural shifts, and policy impacts across countries and regions.
Market size and growth in value and volume terms
Consumption structure by end-use segments and regions
Production capacity, output, and cost dynamics
Global trade flows, exporters, importers, and balances
Worldwide - the report contains statistical data for 200 countries and includes detailed profiles of the 50 largest consuming countries + the largest producing countries
For the global report, country profiles provide a consistent view of market size, tr
Google News(Scotch/Distillery)|原題:Two Yorkshire Distilleries Just Made English Whisky History - Whisky Monkeys
英格蘭威士忌產業迎來首次壯舉。Cooper King Distillery 與 Spirit of Yorkshire Distillery 聯合推出 Many Hands Yorkshire Blended Malt Whisky,這是約克郡首款調和麥芽威士忌,也是英格蘭兩間酒廠首次完全開放合作的成果。起源於 2021 年 Cooper King 的銅製蒸餾器故障,Spirit of Yorkshire 伸出援手,兩間酒廠共同蒸餾原酒,於相同環境下熟陳 4 年後調和。此酒具有蜂蜜、香料與水果、堅果的複雜風味,限量 1,922 瓶,售價 95 英鎊(約 3,900 台幣),每瓶銷售所得 1 英鎊捐予約克郡谷地慈善信託。
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The
English whisky scene has a first on its hands. Cooper King Distillery and Spirit of Yorkshire Distillery have unveiled a whisky together. Meet Many Hands Yorkshire Blended Malt Whisky: the first blended malt from Yorkshire and the first whisky born from a fully open collaboration between two English distilleries.
This new whisky is a limited release born from an unexpected turn of events. The story of Many Hands began in 2021, when Cooper King Distillery’s copper pot still suddenly broke down. With production at risk of grinding to a halt for an extended period, the distillery needed help fast.
A helping hand from a neighboring distillery
The solution came from across the Yorkshire Wolds. Spirit of Yorkshire Distillery opened the doors of its Hunmanby site, where teams from both distilleries spent a day making spirit together on Spirit of Yorkshire’s copper pot stills.
What began as a friendly favor between two neighboring distilleries ultimately became a landmark first for the English whisky industry.
The first English blended malt of its kind
The malt spirit from Cooper King Distillery and Spirit of Yorkshire Distillery was filled separately into complementary sister casks. The spirits then matured side by side for four years under the same roof.
After maturation, the contents of the casks were married. The result is a Yorkshire blended malt that brings together Cooper King’s fruity, nutty character with Spirit of Yorkshire’s honeyed, spicy notes.
According to Head Distiller Abbie Jaume, Many Hands shows what’s possible when distilleries openly share knowledge, whisky, and ideas.
How does Many Hands Yorkshire Blended Malt Whisky taste?
According to the distilleries, this special English blended whisky has a warm, approachable profile made for sharing. Tasting notes below:
- Nose: Aromas of honeycomb, peach cobbler, and blackcurrant leaf.
- Palate: Notes of biscuit, roasted cashews, and freshly cracked black pepper.
- Finish: Warming, with buttered rye toast drizzled with honey.
The whisky is bottled at 48% alcohol by volume (ABV).
Limited release of just 1,922 bottles
Many Hands arrives as an exclusive summer release from Spirit of Yorkshire Distillery and Cooper King Distillery. Bottles are
available from the distilleries for 95 pounds.
From that price, 1 pound from every bottle sold will be donated to the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust. The charity supports apprenticeships for young people in rural areas and works to protect important British landscapes.
The whisky is available while stocks last. Enthusiasts hoping to secure this historic first for English whisky should move quickly.
Whisky Offers from Whisky Exhange in week 29
FAQ
- What is Many Hands Yorkshire Blended Malt Whisky?
Many Hands is the first blended malt whisky from Yorkshire. This limited release was created through an open collaboration between Cooper King Distillery and Spirit of Yorkshire Distillery.
- How does Many Hands taste?
The whisky offers aromas of honeycomb, peach cobbler, and blackcurrant leaf. The palate features notes of biscuit, roasted cashews, and black pepper, followed by a warming finish with rye bread, butter, and honey.
- How many bottles are available and what does it cost?
Only 1,922 bottles have been released. The whisky costs £95, and £1 from every bottle sold is donated to the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust.
A good friend got me these samples of Kwun Cheung, a Chinese single malt whisky. It is a fairly young brand from Guangzhou which attracted some attention through its use of indigenous Chinese wood types and good results at the 2025 World Whiskies Awards. Apparently the name 觀橡 means something like observing oak. Especially the Mongolian oak from the Changbai Mountains in northeastern China is used.
The company behind the brand, Guangzhou Shunchangyuan, has a history of producing fruit wines and they work with the Maltology team for this whisky project. The first whisky of this session is matured in a cask of their own lychee wine.
Kwun Cheung (55,4%, OB +/- 2025, Lychee wine seasoned Mongolian oak cask #047)
Nose: a rich and sweet oakiness. Sweet floral notes, hints of condensed milk and honey. Then definitely also a candied, syrupy side that could be the lychee wine. Hints of butter caramel and some hazelnuts. Just echoes of oriental herbs and spice.
Mouth: powerful and sweet again. I’m getting peach syrup, oranges and lychee, evolving towards caramel and hints of coffee candy. Underneath there is a warm woodiness that comes close to virgin wood at some point, with ginger and hints of juniper, as well as some resinous hints.
Finish: medium, mostly marked by woody notes and a faint metallic / citrusy edge.
Not bad. Still young and heavily marked by the experimental cask. The exotic and candied lychee footprint is highly uncommon but I’m sure they can get a really balanced whisky from this.
Kwun Cheung (59,3%, OB +/- 2025, Changbai mountains Liaotung oak cask)
Nose: less sweet, this time much more focused on the floral side of wood. White flowers, some gin botanicals, and lemon. White pepper and ginger as well. Excellent freshness but a limited profile.
Mouth: a bit too much now. Lemons and lemon peels, plenty of resinous notes, mint, white pepper and juniper. A little eucalyptus, some cedarwood and earthy cereals. There’s little fruitiness to be found in the spirit, it’s all about the wood. Subtle bitterness towards the end.
Finish: quite long, because of the wood.
Here it crosses a line for me. There’s too much oak involved to really assess the spirit. Especially the floral and bitter edge makes it harder to enjoy for me. Score: 74/100
Kwun Cheung (53,3%, OB +/- 2025, peated Mongolian oak cask #037)
Nose: the (mild) peat brings it together, balancing the wood. Still a resinous side, a lot of citrusy freshness and lemon oil, eucalyptus and cracked peppercorns. It does feel oriental, verging towards young Japanese distilleries at times.
Mouth: a lovely juiciness now, combining juniper, lemon peelings, even a little yuzu, and crushed mint leaves. Really vibrant. Here the resinous touches and peppery notes from the oak blend in nicely, coming close to artisan European or Japanese whiskies for instance.
Finish: quite long, with a nice sharpness to it, along with peppery notes and puffs of smoke.
The combination of oriental spice and juniper reminds me of Japanese whisky from Mizunara casks. This feels the most craft and the most integrated of all three. Score: 85/100
Impossible to keep up with the 100 Proof series from Signatory Vintage, especially these undisclosed (M) single malts. Here we have another cask #13, an Oloroso sherry butt bottled in the premium Exceptional Cask range.
Speyside (M) 16 yo 2009 (57,1%, Signatory Vintage ‘100 Proof – Exceptional Cask #13’ 2025, Oloroso sherry butt)
Nose: jammy red fruits but also lots of cigar boxes. Raisins, orange peels and plums. Some buttery nougat and brown sugar. Then milk chocolate, cinnamon and moist mossy notes. There’s some meatiness in the background but it also has a subtle floral touch, as if entirely different casks were brought together.
Mouth: a very spicy attack, with a lot of caraway, nutmeg and pepper. This is immediately followed by a sweet-and-sour layer of cherries, plums and dark chocolate. Also lightly bitter notes, almost medicinal at some point. Then the usual raisins and orange marmalade. Overall the umami side is bigger though. Coffee and more black pepper towards the finish.
Finish: medium to long, with clove, coffee and cocoa powder, as well as some spicy heat.
Really intense Macallan, a little pressure-cooked even. Perhaps a little rough around the edges, I’m sure this would improve in an open bottle. In any case better than most official bottlings and great value for money.
WhiskyNotes(比利時獨立裝瓶評論)|原題:Mortlach / Dufftown / Oban (Casks of Distinction)
比利時威士忌評論家評測由中國 The Whisky Firm 公司促成的三款 Casks of Distinction 官方獨立裝瓶:Mortlach 32yo (1991)、Singleton of Dufftown 32yo (1991) 及 Oban 30yo (1993)。Mortlach 展現濃郁雪莉桶風格,帶有複雜的菸草、咖啡及深層橡木調性,適合資深愛好者;Dufftown 91 分,香氣平衡優雅,無花果與雪莉風味完美呈現;Oban 92 分,兼具沿海煙熏特徵與豐富雪莉桶層次,部分瓶款仍可向 Revel Hibiki 購得。
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Not so long ago a parcel of Cask of Distinction samples were dropped off at my door. Occasionally they also end up in Europe, but most of these exclusive bottles go to Asia where some facilitators (not bottlers of course) specialize in this programme. Check out other prestigious casks that we’ve tried in the past.
In this case the casks were facilitated by The Whisky Firm. Established in 2020 in Qingdao (China), they also have a UK branch and access to a bonded warehouse in Scotland, which makes the international operations much smoother.
Mortlach 32 yo 1991 (49,7%, OB ‘Cask of Distinction’ 2024, refill European oak butt #4628, 520 btl.)
Nose: a complex mix of cigar boxes and exotic furniture polish, old brassware, walnut oil and old wine cellar. A full range of shades, from dark grison meat and spent coffee grounds all the way to expressive prunes, Cherry Heering, red berries and light hints of mint cordial. Drops of herbal extracts, Christmas spice, wet leaves and old leather. A very rich sherry bomb,
Mouth: more prunes and dates, quickly followed by black pepper and liquorice. Some pine, Seville orange and plenty of dark chocolate. Then lots of earthy notes, old Chartreuse and truckloads of pipe tobacco. More walnuts and coffee. Later also hints of well-aged Enmore rum. The trademark weight is clearly noticeable, even though it’s only mildly meaty (the best Ibérico). Mentholated notes, clove oil and hints of raisin sweetness keep things in check.
Finish: very long, sweet and savoury. Still deeply herbal, more tobacco and coffee, dark tea and salty black liquorice.
Not for the faint-hearted. This is a very herbal, savoury Mortlach with a lot of deep oak influence (but not too much). A very uncompromising dram, totally overtaken by the sherry, but this must have been quite a cask! Pretty brilliant in my opinion.
Singleton of Dufftown 32 yo 1991 (49,7%, OB ‘Cask of Distinction’ 2023, refill European oak butt #1881, 115 btl.)
Nose: a perfectly sophisticated nose. First we have figs, candy apples, raisins and orange peels. Gentle hints of patchouli in the background. Then a beautiful hint of old cupboard, cigar boxes and very light hints of earthy tea. Also linseed oil and brassware polish. The balance is impeccable.
Mouth: the earthiness and the tobacco stand out now. We find cedar wood, fresh leafy notes and cigars. Mid-palate it becomes slightly fragrant (potpourri) with a subtle tannic edge, but this also leads up to red berries, more raisins and toffee. Drops of herbal syrup and moss, walnuts and sweet cocoa dusting.
Finish: medium to long, back to dried fruits, tobacco and herbal tea.
There was a touch of floral oak on the palate, but it didn’t derail at all. Overall this Dufftown has a brilliant nose and a lovely style of sherry. Bottled right before the precipice. Score: 91/100
Oban 30 yo 1993 (55,3%, OB ‘Cask of Distinction’ 2024, refill European oak butt #683, 177 btl.)
Nose: more spicy from the start, with punchy black pepper, hints of oak char and a layer of sour cranberries and crisp apple. Of course there’s also the classic tobacco, leather, as well as some linseed oil and black tea. Then some coastal markers like sea spray and iodine. Various balms and deep caramelized notes come out later. Very beautiful.
Mouth: fairly wood-driven as well. That means more pepper and ginger, along with cigar boxes and nice hints of tobacco leaves. A leathery drying note as well. Then black tea, autumnal leafy notes, raisins and cranberries, with a certain sourness of the wood. Later also Seville orange, thin mints and a hint of salted ganache.
Finish: quite long, with leather, cedar oak and drying herbal tea.
This Oban is another really lovely bottling. There’s just a slight tannic edge but overall still a very rich and elegant sherry profile. The subtle coastal elements are a nice asset as well. Great stuff. Several of these bottles are still available from Revel Hibiki. Score: 92/100
This is an assorted selection of recent Decadent Drinks releases. There’s a bit of everything, spanning all the ranges. Fancy an affordable young Ben Nevis, or would you rather go for a 38 year old Glenburgie?
Glenburgie 38 yo 1988 (46,7%, Decadent Drinks ‘Whiskyland’ 2026, refill hogshead, 168 btl.)
Nose: a typical DD profile, full of old waxes, paraffin and ripe orchard fruits. Secondary hints of green mango, cider apple, apricot, pollen and heather honey. Perhaps a whiff of frangipani in the distance. Then dried grasses and linseed oil, along with gentle herbs and a lovely dusty edge.
Mouth: gentle, with lots of round fruity notes, like apricot, pineapple, melon and waxed apple skin. Also creamy natural vanilla and a hint of (un-modern) coconut, with a bit more floral honey. Subtle hints of tropical tea and old waxes. Oak is the supporting act here.
Finish: quite long, with more hay, refined creamy fruits and a mild chalky / waxy note.
Glenburgie rarely disappoints. This waxy and fruity profile fits the Whiskyland series perfectly. Available from Decadent Drinks or Royal Mile Whiskies for instance.
The Teuchter – Ben Nevis 10 yo 2016 (47%, Decadent Drinks 2026, refill barrels + refill butt finish, 309 btl.)
Nose: starts fresh and fruity. There’s banana and gooseberry, along with a hint of pineapple. Then some mint leaves, even a light touch of juniper. Subtle beehive notes and nice waxy hints as well. Just a wee vegetal and grainy note in the background, becoming a tad more gritty as it sits in the glass.
Mouth: a bit more mineral and gravelly now. Still some yellow fruits, along with a grapefruit note, a hint of white pepper and ginger. A pleasant bitterness runs throughout, with some walnuts and just a hint of coffee beans. Then also a smoky menthol accent.
Finish: quite long, still slightly bitter, with peppery spice.
We recently had the rather uncommon 2003 vintage and now there’s 2016 which I hadn’t seen either. Started fresh and fruity but became more austere and intense along the way. Always a nice mineral character too. This will arrive late July, if I’m not mistaken. Score: 87/100
Blair Athol 28 yo 1998 (52,8%, Decadent Drinks ‘Decadent Drams’ 2026, two refill hogsheads, 160 btl.)
Nose: generous fruits, like peaches, mirabelles, tangerines and yellow apples, along with some marzipan. Lemon oils, with hints of linseed oil too. Then hay, some floral honey and some fresh grass after a while.
Mouth: a citrusy onset, on lemon cookies and lemon peels. Then sweet ginger, as well as some honey sweetness and later also caramelized notes. Very oily. Mid-palate it becomes greener, on cereals, grassy notes and a little pepper. There’s a waxy side to it as well, almost like a Clynelish but spicier.
Finish: quite long, with cereal notes, ginger and zesty citrus. Now also a little vanilla.
This Blair Athol shows a really oily texture, which works well with the grassiness but also the fruity sweetness. However after the Glenburgie I’m picking up too much sharpness to give it the same score. Available from Decadent Drinks or retailers like The Whisky Exchange. Score: 89/100
Blair Athol coming close to Clynelish? That calls for a real one…
Clynelish ‘Candlekitty’ 15 yo 2010 (51,5%, Decadent Drinks ‘Decadent Drams’ 2026, refill barrel, 230 btl.)
Nose: lemongrass and lemon juice, as well as gorse flowers, a nice saltiness and celeriac. Then clay, a little paraffin and hints of grass after the rain. Hints of green fruits underneath, along with a little cement, floral honey and classic notes of fresh laundry.
Mouth: entirely on lemons and grapefruits, apples, a little ginger and subtle herbal notes. In a second wave it becomes lightly caramelized, with pineapple, lovely viscous honey and more sweet grassy notes. Mineral and lightly earthy notes in the background.
Finish: long, very mineral and lemony again, with a gin and tonic vibe, some malt biscuits and subtle oak spice.
Excellent purity, close to the distillate, with all the expected waxiness, beehive notes and just the right amount of tangy sharpness. Close to last year’s Candlekitty. This one is lined up for late July as well. Score: 89/100
Old Jura 17 yo 2009 (54,8%, Decadent Drinks 2026, refill barrel, 125 btl.)
Nose: crisp, with fresh apple, gentle sea spray and plenty of oily notes. Sunflower oil, perhaps engine grease too. Gorse flowers. Later a hint of rubbed lemon skin and unripe pineapple appears. Then back to wet hay, a light hint of cardboard and mulching leaves.
Mouth: quite rugged. More mineral notes, with a clear saline footprint. Then green banana, still a hint of pineapple, and bittersweet fruits like yellow grapefruit. Chamomile and dried herbs. Drops of tonic water, a slice of dried ginger, perhaps a hint of mustard. I wouldn’t be surprised if there were some peat in this.
Finish: medium to long, with some earthiness, salt, some faint ashes but also light floral notes.
A quirky whisky, relatively unfruity with a pleasant austerity. Not perfect, but it’s a good Jura. Who has a good Jura in their collection? Available from Decadent Drinks or The Whisky Exchange, among others. Good fun Score: 88/100
Swimming teacher, 27, invests £96k in whisky casks - but doesn't like the taste
Enola Meade, 27, a swimming teacher from Warrington, has invested £96,000 into rare whisky casks as a long-term alternative investment – and she doesn't even like whisky
For most folk, stashing away £96,000 would mark the first milestone towards buying a home. But for 27-year-old Enola Meade, a swimming teacher from Warrington, that money has been put to work in a much more unusual way. While many of her peers were fixated on saving for a house deposit, Enola has adopted a different strategy for securing her future.
Following advice from a friend of her father's, she opted to invest in the whisky market. But she isn't doing this because she's a fan of the drink. In fact, Enola admits she isn't even a whisky fan. "I once tasted a small dram in winter," says Enola. "For me, it's not about the taste. It's just about watching the value go up."
The 27-year-old began saving at a young age, putting away birthday and pocket money whenever possible, while her parents contributed £25 a month into a savings bond, on her behalf. Once she began working as a school swimming teacher, she committed to saving an additional £1,000 from her wages every single month. By the age of 21, she had already saved an impressive £20,000.
When looking for where to put her money, she quickly grew frustrated with traditional banking options. "I started looking into savings accounts with high interest rates and ISAs, but banks are always lowering the amount of interest they pay. I wanted my money to work as hard as I do," she explains.
"I looked at silver and gold but the value goes up and down all the time and it's not the most reliable investment," she said. "I wanted something long-term that I could leave for 10 to 20 years, then reap the benefits.
"It was a work colleague of my dad's who suggested whisky. The more I looked into it, the more I thought it made sense. It's one of the only things you can just leave alone and its value will go up. It's not going to drop."
At first, Enola purchased one £12,000 cask and two £4,000 casks with her £20,000. She's since expanded her portfolio and now owns a total of 18 casks, acquired through Hackstons, a whisky cask investment firm.
"I never expected any of this to happen, I've surprised myself and everyone who knows about it," she says, acknowledging her journey hasn't followed a traditional route.
Still living with her parents rent-free, she has no intention of leaving her role as a swimming teacher, saying: "I absolutely love my job and wouldn't change it for the world."
If anything, her investments have provided her with a unique sense of career freedom. "I don't need a big money job because of my whisky investment," she explains. "I know I will have a comfortable future."
Her approach is focused on the long term. Enola hopes the value will go up by eight to 12 per cent a year so, even at eight per cent, the value of her 18 casks in 10 years should be around £207,000 - an increase of £111,000. In 20 years, they would be worth over £447,000.
While she says she might eventually buy a home, she is happy with her situation for now. "One day I will, but right now I'm very lucky to live with my parents. It's been amazing to have them on this journey with me," she says.
For those considering similar investments, Enola offers some simple advice: "These are long-term investments and something I'll be doing all my life. I would encourage more people to look at whisky as an investment. You don't have to like the taste."
For most people, saving £96,000 would be the first step toward buying a home. But for 27-year-old Enola Meade, a swimming teacher from Warrington, that money has been put to work in a much more unusual way: a collection of rare whisky casks.
While many of her peers were focused on saving for a house, Enola has taken a different approach to planning for her future. After getting some advice from a friend of her fathers, she decided to invest in the whisky market. But she isn't doing this because she’s a fan of the drink—in fact, she admits she isn't even a whisky fan. “I once tasted a small dram in winter,” says Enola, now 27. “For me, it’s not about the taste. It’s just about watching the value go up.”
The 27-year-old started saving as a child, setting aside birthday and pocket money wherever she could, while her parents added £25 a month into a savings bond for her. Once she started working as a school swimming teacher, she committed to saving an extra £1,000 of her salary every single month. By age 21, she had already built up an impressive £20,000.
When looking for where to put her money, she quickly grew frustrated with traditional banking options. "I started looking into savings accounts with high interest rates and ISAs, but banks are always lowering the amount of interest they pay. I wanted my money to work as hard as I do," she explains.
“I looked at silver and gold but the value goes up and down all the time and it’s not the most reliable investment,” she said. “I wanted something long-term that I could leave for 10 to 20 years, then reap the benefits.
“It was a work colleague of my dad’s who suggested whisky. The more I looked into it, the more I thought it made sense. It’s one of the only things you can just leave alone and its value will go up. It’s not going to drop.”
Initially, Enola bought one £12,000 cask and two £4,000 casks with her £20,000. She has since bought more and now owns a total of 18 casks, which she has bought through Hackstons, a whisky cask investment firm.
She admits that her path hasn't been conventional. "I never expected any of this to happen, I’ve surprised myself and everyone who knows about it," she says.
Living rent-free with her parents, she has no plans to leave her position as a swimming teacher, saying: "I absolutely love my job and wouldn’t change it for the world."
If anything, her investments have given her a different kind of career freedom. "I don’t need a big money job because of my whisky investment," she explains. "I know I will have a comfortable future."
Her strategy is designed for the long haul. She is aiming for annual returns of 8 to 12 per cent. If she achieves a conservative return of 8 per cent, she projects that her £96,000 could grow to over £207,000 in a decade, and possibly over £447,000 in 20 years.
While she says she might eventually buy a home, she is happy with her situation for now. "One day I will, but right now I’m very lucky to live with my parents. It’s been amazing to have them on this journey with me," she says.
For those considering similar investments, Enola offers some simple advice: "These are long-term investments and something I’ll be doing all my life. I would encourage more people to look at whisky as an investment. You don’t have to like the taste."
Google News(ウイスキー)|原題:【新商品発売】大分県唯一のウイスキー専業蒸溜所「久住蒸溜所」シングルモルトのシリーズ第3弾「シングルモルト久住 tabi#01」を7月31日発売! - 南日本新聞
大分縣唯一威士忌專業蒸溜所久住蒸溜所推出新系列「tabi」第一彈新酒款「Single Malt Kuju tabi#01」,將於2026年7月31日發售。該酒以「久住的旅」為主題,特色為甜感與果香豐富,酒精度53%,建議零售價12,000日圓(約台幣2,500元)。此為繼「sora」與「michi」系列後的第三部曲完結篇,未來將推出限量小批次與單一桶款式。
Google News(Whisky 綜合)|原題:How Experiential Luxury Is Changing India's Premium Whiskey Culture - Times Now
印度威士忌文化正經歷變革,消費者不再只看酒標和價格,而是追求背後的故事與深度。Rampur Distillery、Amrut、Paul John 等印度酒廠紛紛舉辦以敘事為核心的品酒活動,搭配在地美食與歷史背景,強調印度單一麥芽威士忌與蘇格蘭威士忌等量齊觀的地位。品酒會形式也從簡單的試酒轉變為由釀酒師或歷史學家引導的沉浸式體驗,彰顯在地皇室遺產、地方工藝與熱帶氣候對熟成的影響。這股向內尋求認同的浪潮,正重新定義印度高端威士忌的消費體驗。
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There was a time when a good whiskey night meant a good bottle. Maybe a single malt someone brought back from a duty-free run or a poured neat - basically something which was admired mostly for its label and price tag. However, that is changing now. Walk into any premium bar in Delhi, Mumbai or Bengaluru today and you will notice the conversation has shifted entirely - from "what are you drinking" to "what is the story behind what you are drinking."
And it shows that India's whiskey culture is going through its most interesting phase yet.
The Bottle Is Not The Whole Story Anymore
For decades, luxury in India came with a predictable memo - imported labels, recognisable logos and a certain performative flash. That is no longer what today's consumer is chasing. There is a growing appetite for depth: For knowing where something comes from, who made it, and why it tastes the way it does.Whiskey brands have picked up on this. Instead of the standard product launch which included a stage, a spokesperson, a few canapes, many are now building entire evenings around a single expression. Guests are not just handed a glass, they are walked through a narrative, often one tied to a region, a community, or a piece of history that shaped the liquid in front of them. Rampur Distillery's recent evening, A Salute to The Royal Heritage, happens to be a good example of this shift. Rather than simply unveiling a new whisky, the brand built the night around the legacy of the Nawabs of Rampur, taking guests through a tasting arc that moved from Rampur Double Cask to Rampur Asava. This culminated in an early pour of Rampur 1943 Virasat. What made it work was not the whiskey alone - it was the multi-course Uttar Pradesh-inspired menu built specifically to sit alongside each pour, so that food and drink were telling the same story.
Curated Tastings Are The New Cocktail Hour
This is not happening in isolation. Across the country, bars and clubs are redesigning what a "tasting" even means. Instead of a flight of drams lined up with tasting notes on a card, several venues are now hosting guided sessions where a whiskey maker, mixologist or even a historian walks guests through the making of a spirit. This could be the terroir of the grain, the climate that shapes the cask, the local craft traditions that inform the blend.Amrut and Paul John, two of India's other well-known single malt houses, have leaned into similar territory over the past couple of years. They have been hosting tasting sessions that lean heavily on the story of Indian distilling itself - the tropical climate's effect on maturation, the use of local grain, the argument that Indian single malts deserve to be spoken about in the same breath as Scotch. Indri, the newer entrant from Piccadily Distilleries, has built much of its early buzz the same way - through storytelling-led events rather than conventional advertising.
Heritage As The New Marketing Language
What ties this together is the growing comfort with looking inward. Rather than borrowing the language of Scottish glens or American bourbon country, Indian whiskey brands are increasingly drawing on their own heritage - royal courts, regional cuisines, local craftsmanship and what not.For the consumer, this has changed what a "premium" whiskey evening even looks like. It is less about the label on the bottle and more about the room, the meal, the people, and the history being shared over the course of the night.
Brown-Forman stock trades steady as bourbon and tequila drive long term growth
Veröffentlicht: 18.07.2026 um 03:56 Uhr, Redaktion AD HOC NEWS, Redaktionelle Verantwortung: Rafael Müller (Chefredaktion)Brown-Forman Corporation (ISIN US1170431092), best known for the Jack Daniel's family of whiskeys, has built a long record of growth that continues to underpin Brown-Forman stock for US investors. Over the past decade the Louisville based spirits group has expanded in premium bourbon, tequila, and ready to drink cocktails, using its global distribution network to support rising revenue, cash generation, and dividends. For investors, the most important numbers sit in the company’s reported results and its long term margins rather than a single trading day.
Brown-Forman stock represents ownership in a branded spirits portfolio that includes Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Apple, Woodford Reserve bourbon, Old Forester, Finlandia vodka, Herradura tequila, el Jimador tequila, and other regional labels. These brands give the company exposure to key categories such as American whiskey, tequila, and premium bourbon, which have grown in major North American and European markets over multiple years. As a result, Brown-Forman has been able to report consistent top line growth in its annual filings, with net sales rising over successive fiscal years as consumers trade up to higher priced bottles and cocktails.
Revenue up mid single digits in recent fiscal years
In its recent fiscal reporting, Brown-Forman has highlighted net sales growth and operating profit trends that show how the branded portfolio supports earnings. Over a recent fiscal year the company reported that net sales grew in the mid single digit percentage range compared with the prior year, reflecting price increases and volume growth in both whiskey and tequila. That growth has come on top of an already large revenue base built around Jack Daniel’s, Woodford Reserve and Herradura, meaning the absolute dollar increase in net sales runs into the hundreds of millions. For a mature spirits group, mid single digit net sales growth versus the prior year is a sign that Brown-Forman is still finding room to grow in core markets.
Operating income has also risen in recent years as Brown-Forman has focused on premium offerings with higher gross margins. In a recently reported fiscal year the company’s operating income increased by a lower double digit percentage compared with the preceding year, helped by a favorable mix shift toward premium whiskeys and tequilas as well as disciplined cost control in areas like logistics and marketing. This combination of revenue growth and margin improvement has translated into earnings per share growth for Brown-Forman stock holders. Over the same period, diluted earnings per share increased by a high single digit percentage year on year, showing that profit growth has outpaced revenue growth thanks to operating leverage.
Cash generation is another support for Brown-Forman stock. In its recent filings the company has reported hundreds of millions of dollars of operating cash flow in a single fiscal year, with free cash flow after capital expenditure sufficient to cover its dividend and leave room for reinvestment in aging whiskey stock, distillery upgrades, and brand support. For example, in a recent year Brown-Forman’s operating cash flow exceeded $800 million, while capital expenditure related to barrels, warehouses, and bottling facilities came in around $200 million, leaving more than $600 million available for dividends, debt reduction, or other corporate purposes. That level of cash generation is material for a company with a market capitalization in the tens of billions of dollars.
Margin profile and comparison with prior year
The margin profile underlying those numbers is central to the Brown-Forman equity story. In its spirits business, Brown-Forman has historically delivered gross margins comfortably above 50%, reflecting the economics of aging whiskey and tequila in barrels and selling the finished product under well known brands. In a recent fiscal year, the gross margin improved by around one percentage point compared with the prior year as higher pricing and premium mix offset rising input costs such as grain and glass. Even small shifts in margin matter, because Brown-Forman’s net sales base is measured in billions of dollars; a one percentage point improvement in gross margin on a $4 billion net sales base translates into roughly $40 million in additional gross profit.
Operating margin has followed a similar pattern. Over a recent period Brown-Forman reported an operating margin in the low to mid 20 percent range, up compared with the previous year as selling, general, and administrative expenses grew more slowly than net sales. This margin performance has been aided by Brown-Forman’s ability to spread global marketing campaigns across multiple geographies and product lines. For instance, the cost of promoting Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey can support companion variants like Tennessee Honey and Tennessee Apple, which share branding and distribution but push into slightly different consumer segments. A one or two percentage point shift in operating margin compared with the prior year materially affects earnings per share.
Compared with some peers in the global spirits sector, Brown-Forman’s margins are impressive. Large spirits groups with portfolios spanning whiskey, cognac, gin, and vodka often report gross margins that are similar or slightly lower, depending on their category mix and exposure to emerging markets. Brown-Forman’s focus on American whiskey and premium tequila has helped the company maintain gross margins above 50% and operating margins above 20%, putting it in a strong position to absorb input cost volatility and invest in brands over multiple years. For equity holders, the relative margin strength versus peers is an important indicator of long term competitiveness.
Bourbon and tequila contribution to growth
Brown-Forman’s growth has not been uniform across all categories. Bourbon and tequila have contributed disproportionately in recent years, reflecting category trends and consumer preferences. Woodford Reserve, a premium bourbon, has grown rapidly from a small base, with double digit volume growth reported in several fiscal years. While the company does not always disclose unit sales, Brown-Forman has indicated that the Woodford Reserve brand’s net sales growth has been in the double digit range over multiple periods, outpacing the overall company growth rate. That means Woodford Reserve’s share of Brown-Forman’s total net sales has gradually increased, enhancing the premium mix and margin profile.
Tequila brands such as Herradura and el Jimador have also delivered strong results. Brown-Forman has reported that tequila net sales grew by a double digit percentage compared with the prior year in recent filings, driven by growth in markets such as the United States and Mexico. Herradura, positioned as a premium sipping tequila, has benefited from consumer interest in aged expressions like reposado and añejo, which carry higher prices. El Jimador, meanwhile, has reached a broader audience as a more affordable tequila option, allowing Brown-Forman to capture different price tiers within the category. Overall, tequila’s contribution to Brown-Forman’s portfolio has grown, helping diversify away from a pure reliance on Jack Daniel’s.
Jack Daniel’s still plays the central role. Brown-Forman has noted in its reports that the Jack Daniel’s family of brands accounts for a majority of company net sales, with Tennessee Whiskey as the anchor. Over recent years Jack Daniel’s net sales have grown by mid single digit percentages on a base measured in billions of dollars. Extensions like Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey and Tennessee Apple have added incremental revenue, particularly in ready to drink
Google News(Whisky 綜合)|原題:New Riff's oldest Headliner yet blends 10- and 11-year-old whiskeys for charity - WKRC
New Riff Distilling推出年度Headliner系列最年長的版本,混調10年及11年熟成的威士忌,此次發售收益將捐贈予大辛辛那提地區的兩個非營利組織,將威士忌愛好者的購買力化為慈善支持。
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New Riff's oldest Headliner yet blends 10- and 11-year-old whiskeys for charity
New Riff Distilling is releasing the oldest edition yet of its annual Headliner whiskey, with proceeds benefiting two Greater Cincinnati nonprofits. (New Riff Distilling)
Whiskey JYPSI has introduced Tonewood — a limited-edition collaboration with Gibson that inverts the traditional relationship between guitars and whiskey.
The Whiskey JYPS x Gibson Tonewood expression is finished with toasted maple offcuts sourced from Gibson's guitar-building process. The release debuts with two expressions — Tonewood Vol. 1, bottled at 109 proof and priced at $799, and Tonewood The Collective, bottled at 103 proof and priced at $199. The first option utilizes older whiskey stocks, including 20-year-old straight bourbon and 14-year-old whiskey from a bourbon mash bill. The expression is finished with the Gibson maple offcuts to produce a deep profile featuring mature oak, vanilla, baking spice, honey, polished hardwood, caramelized sugar, and roasted nuts. The second variant, on the other hand, offers a lighter, more lifted character with vanilla, graham cracker, light caramel, toasted grain, and a clean finish with subtle smoke.
Image Credit: Whiskey JYPS
Why This Trend Is Growing
- Craft-linked Spirits
- Premium alcohol brands are increasingly borrowing provenance from adjacent artisanal sectors, creating room for limited releases defined by materials, makers, and production stories beyond distilling alone.
- Upcycled Flavor Finishing
- Repurposed manufacturing offcuts are emerging as distinctive flavor inputs, signaling potential for waste streams to become high-value sensory assets in luxury food and beverage.
- Music-branded Collectibles
- Cultural partnerships between spirits and iconic music brands are transforming bottles into collectible lifestyle objects that appeal to fandom, scarcity, and cross-category identity.
Industries Being Reshaped
- Whiskey
- Experimental finishing techniques and premium collaborations are expanding how whiskey brands differentiate aged stocks in a competitive luxury market.
- Musical Instruments
- Instrument makers can extend the value of their materials and heritage through partnerships that translate craftsmanship into new sensory and collectible formats.
- Luxury Goods
- Scarcity-driven collaborations combining heritage, craftsmanship, and storytelling are redefining premium products as cross-industry cultural artifacts.
The Louisville, Kentucky-based brand behind the world’s top-selling shot released Fireball Sneaks on July 15. Of course they did.
Quick explainer, because nobody asked for this: the Stash Flask is a new product from Fireball, a flat, resealable 200ml pouch that holds up to four shots of Fireball Cinnamon Whisky. (Think a juice pouch, but for whisky.)
The Fireball Sneaks are the delivery system.
They’re limited-edition black-and-red high-tops with a custom-cut pocket sewn into the tongue, sized exactly to hold one Stash Flask. Unzip the laces, and there’s your contraband compartment. Flame detailing on the outside, shot pouch on the inside.
The drop happens Friday, July 24, at 9 a.m. CST; it’s a sweepstakes, not a straight sale. Entries are open for one hour, then 50 winners get randomly selected and invited to buy a bundle for $25 plus shipping.
Each bundle comes with the sneakers, one 66-proof Stash Flask, an extra pair of yellow laces, and a drawstring bag. Miss the drop, and the Stash Flask is still available solo at retailers nationwide for $3.99, in 42- and 66-proof versions.
Fire-ballin’
Credit where it’s due, this is a smarter bit of design than the concept has any right to be. Most drink brands try apparel and end up slapping a logo on a hoodie.
Fireball actually solved a problem nobody asked them to solve — where do you stash a flask when you’re not carrying a bag — and hid the solution in plain sight. Given what we know about Fireball, it fits the brand completely.
Sneakers with a flask pocket track perfectly with that resume, thought whether 50 lottery winners counts as a real drop or a rounding error is a fair question.
Also, this may be a hot take, but I think the sneakers actually look pretty good (though our friendly neighborhood style guru might disagree). Fireball probably isn’t too worried either way.
Where to Buy It
Entry opens Friday, July 24, at 9 a.m. CST via Flaviar at FireballSneaks.com, with a one-hour window before 50 winners get randomly selected and invited to buy the $25 bundle, plus shipping.
No entry, no guaranteed shoes — this one’s a lottery, not a sale. The standalone Stash Flask, however, is already on shelves nationwide for $3.99.
What's The Best-Selling American Whiskey In 2026?
Few countries do whiskey better than the United States — we literally can't get enough of the stuff! American whiskey generates a staggering $5 billion in domestic revenue every year (per Distilled Spirits Council of the United States). That appetite for the homegrown stuff got us wondering: What's the best-selling American whiskey as of 2026? The obvious guesses are big-name brands like Jack Daniel's or Johnnie Walker, but according to Drinks International, it's Michter's that currently holds the No. 1 spot.
Michter's has held this title for three years running. While you'd logically expect the best-selling brand to be affordable, Michter's is considered a premium label, with standard bottles typically ranging from $55 to $150. It also produces luxury whiskeys, and its ultra-aged, limited-release Michter's Celebration Sour Mash can set buyers back upward of $6,000. But thanks to its strict production methods and popularity among bartenders, many believe its products are worth every penny.
What sets the brand apart are its unique methods, and the secret is in the barrel. Much of whiskey's color and flavor comes from the wood. Michter's, however, takes barrel-making a step further than most. Its oak barrels are air-dried outdoors for up to five years, mellowing the harsh, bitter compounds and setting up a smoother pour. Then comes the signature move: toasting the inside of each barrel before it's charred. This caramelizes the wood's natural sugars into a "red line" that the whiskey soaks into as it ages, extracting extra flavor and color that a charred-only barrel simply couldn't match. The result is a whiskey that expresses a complex blend of bold, smoky flavors alongside milder, sweeter notes.
It's not just the barrels that put Michter's in a league of its own
Beyond being America's best-selling whiskey brand, Michter's traces its roots to a distillery founded in 1753, when Swiss Mennonite farmer John Shenk founded a distillery in Schaefferstown, Pennsylvania. The brand has since moved its operations to Kentucky, where the state's climate plays its own role in shaping the whiskey's famously complex flavor.
Kentucky's hot summers and dry winters put constant pressure on the barrels, pulling whiskey deep into the wood as it expands in the heat, then pulling it back out as the wood contracts in the cold. Michter's leans into this even further with heat cycling, deliberately warming and cooling its warehouses each winter to force extra rounds of this push-and-pull. While this is certainly a costly process, every cycle means the whiskey has more contact with the wood, and with more contact comes more flavor.
While the maximum entry proof for bourbon is 125, Michter's whiskey also enters the barrel at a significantly lower proof than most other brands, meaning there's more water and less alcohol relative to the spirit. Here's how the science works: Overly harsh oak flavors are caused by phenol compounds, natural byproducts of the wood. Water breaks down these compounds, resulting in a sweeter and smoother final flavor. Higher-entry-proof whiskeys, by contrast, dissolve fewer phenols and extract more intense compounds, leaving them more prone to astringency. Entering the barrel at a lower proof also means less water needs to be added to bring the whiskey down to its final bottling strength. To the whiskey connoisseur, the result is a less diluted pour that lets the barrel's original aged character shine.
Google News(Scotch/Distillery)|原題:We’re Still Celebrating America’s 250th Anniversary With These 10 New Whiskey Drops - AOL.ca
美國獨立250週年慶祝活動延燒到威士忌市場,多家酒廠推出特別紀念版。亮點包括:喬治華盛頓故居Mount Vernon復刻版本威士忌($1,000,限量350瓶)、Lost Lantern精選全美50州各1款威士忌調和而成的United States of Bourbon($80)、前特種部隊創辦的Horse Soldier自由女神紀念版($799,限1,776瓶)、馬里蘭州Sagamore限量250瓶8年陳黑麥威士忌($125)等。這些新品從波本、黑麥到美式單一麥芽,價格從$78至$1,000不等,兼具收藏與品飲價值。
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We’re Still Celebrating America’s 250th Anniversary With These 10 New Whiskey Drops
The Fourth of July has come and gone, but American distilleries are releasing plenty of new whiskey bottlings to commemorate America’s 250th birthday. These are unique pours to toast America’s founding or to set aside for a special collection, each recognizing the country’s heroes and history.
We’ve deliberately skipped bottles of familiar whiskey wrapped in patriotic packaging. To be honest, those are some of the least expensive options. We’ve also bypassed any bottlings that have already sold out.
Here are 10 new special-edition American whiskeys to help keep the celebration going, from bourbons to regional-style ryes to American single malts.
Related: This Boston Pub Crawl Reveals the Surprisingly Boozy Story of America’s Founding
01 of 10
Barrell Bourbon Batch 038 ($85)
As an independent bottler, Barrell is known for sourcing and blending whiskies — primarily but not exclusively bourbon — into high-end bottlings. This limited-release blend of straight bourbons melds distillate from Kentucky, Tennessee, Indiana,, and Maryland, with ages ranging from eight to 15 years. The stars-and-stripes motif on the label is subtle, but what’s in the bottle is brooding and bold, as befits a longer-aged bourbon bottled at cask strength. Expect lots of oak surrounded by toffee, cayenne, and clove heat, lifted by a hint of citrus peel.
02 of 10
Bhakta 1868 America250 Edition ($250)
Founded by American entrepreneur Raj Peter Bhakta, the brand has leaned into single-vintage Armagnacs after Bhakta acquired a remarkable collection of the French brandies. This special release blends America’s native bourbon with a blend of Armagnacs from 100 vintages, spanning 1868 to 2014, adding a luxurious touch. The release spans five separate barrels, each named for a notable historical figure: Washington, Jefferson, Hamilton, Lincoln, and France’s Marquis de Lafayette. Consider this an opportunity to sip a bit of history.
Related: The 6 Drinks That Tell America's Story Over 250 Years
03 of 10
George Washington’s Spirit of ‘76 Cask Strength Bourbon Whiskey ($1,000)
The first bourbon ever released from George Washington’s reconstructed Virginia distillery in more than two centuries went on sale on July 4. It was distilled, aged for seven years, and bottled by hand on-site at Mount Vernon using 18th-century techniques. Fewer than 350 bottles were made, and they’re not available online. To get a bottle, you’ll have to head to The Shops at Mount Vernon in person. However, bottles of rye whiskey and apple brandy from the historic distillery can be purchased online, alongside a magnum of Petit Verdot.
Related: What Did George Washington’s Beer Taste Like? A Brooklyn Brewery Has the Answer
04 of 10
Advertisement
Horse Soldier Liberty Edition ($799)
Founded by a group of former Green Berets, this bottling pays homage to the Statue of Liberty, including a bottle topper in the shape of Lady Liberty’s iconic flame. This is a limited release of 1,776 bottles, each containing a 13-year-old Kentucky straight bourbon. For each bottle sold, Horse Soldier donates to the Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island Foundation.
05 of 10
Lost Lantern United States of Bourbon 100 Proof ($80)
Independent bottlers Nora Ganley-Roper and Adam Polonski have made a business of sourcing, blending, and bottling some of the finest whiskeys made by distilleries around the country. This is their magnum opus: a blend of 50 bourbons, one from each state, to mark America’s 250th birthday. In a refreshingly transparent turn, every contributing distillery, from Denali Spirits in Alaska to Backwards Distilling in Wyoming, is listed on the label. Fans of high-proof bourbon can opt for a Cask Strength version, too. Notably, Lost Lantern also produced a special 1776 edition, incorporating whiskey from the original 13 colonies to honor America’s birthday. The initial run of 1,776 bottles sold out, but more are coming soon, Lost Lantern says.
06 of 10
Oak & Eden America 250 Founder’s Bourbon ($85)
This is a 90-proof rye finished with an American oak spire soaked in Vermont maple syrup. A This is a 90-proof rye finished with an American oak spire soaked in Vermont maple syrup. A total of 76 cases were produced, a nod to 1776, the year America declared its independence. That said, not everyone is a fan of whiskeys finished with oak chips or spirals, a technique used to add color, aroma, and flavor to whiskey more quickly than longer maturation in barrels. But there’s something fun and tactile about seeing the oak spire encased in the bottle, which can subtly change the liquid over time.
07 of 10
Rittenhouse United States 250th Anniversary Commemorative Edition ($100)
Compared with the standard-issue Rittenhouse Rye, a value-priced cocktail workhorse bottled at four years old, this is a 10-year-old bottled-in-bond version that levels things up. Both versions are made with Monongahela rye, a Pennsylvania grain that yields a bold, spicy whiskey. This special edition plays up the Pennsylvania heritage with Liberty Bell packaging.
08 of 10
Sagamore America 250 Eight-Year-Old Straight Rye ($125)
Maryland rye — the spicy bite of rye grain softened with a high percentage of corn — is a historic Mid-Atlantic style, once nearly lost but revived in recent years. This limited release of just 250 bottles celebrates the style as well as America’s 250th birthday. Released in mid-July, the bottles are available only at the Baltimore waterfront distillery. Each is signed and comes with a commemorative coin.
09 of 10
Silver Brothers Distillery American Single Malt ($78)
This three-year-old American single malt is the second whiskey from Silver Brothers, a distillery and 220-acre farm in Old Chatham, New York. If you’re looking for hyperlocal terroir, you’ll find it here: This whiskey is made from 100% New York state-grown barley, with no peat or wood smoke, ensuring a light, fruit-forward profile. Even the barrels are sourced from a New York state cooperage, and it’s aged in a dunnage-style barrelhouse, meaning the barrels are in direct contact with the earthen floor.
10 of 10
Tenmile Revolutionary Whiskey – General Washington ($95)
Perhaps the most ambitious semiquincentennial project, Hudson Valley, New York’s Tenmile Distillery has created a series of 12 whiskeys released monthly throughout the year, most named for Revolutionary War battles that took place in the region. While many of the bottlings have already sold out, this five-year-old American single malt remains available. It’s a blend of whiskeys finished in casks that previously held sherry and bourbon, yielding a rich mix of dried fruit and vanilla suitable for honoring America’s first president. Or go ahead and splurge on the whole set.
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Jaipur: Whisky lovers in the state may soon have a reason to raise a toast. Prices of Bottled-in-Origin (BIO) imported liquor are expected to decline as fresh consignments arrive under the revised import duty regime, making several premium Scotch whiskies more affordable for consumers.
The expected price reduction follows the implementation of the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), which came into effect on July 15. Under the agreement, India has reduced the basic customs duty on UK-origin whisky and gin from 150% to 75% with immediate effect.
Since most premium imported whiskies sold in India are Scotch whiskies distilled in Scotland, the reduction is expected to lower the landed cost of fresh imports. Popular brands likely to become cheaper include Chivas Regal, Ballantine’s, Johnnie Walker, Glenfiddich, The Glenlivet and The Macallan.
“The duty reduction became effective from July 15. Fresh consignments will arrive under the revised tax structure, and prices will be revised once the new stocks reach the market. We expect retail prices to fall by around 20%-25%,” said president of the Rajasthan Liquor Welfare Association Nilesh Mewra.
The association welcomed the move but urged the
Rajasthan govt to rationalise state taxes on premium Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL), particularly Indian whiskies, to ensure domestic brands remain competitive.
“If Chivas Regal or 100 Pipers are priced close to premium Indian whiskies, consumers are likely to prefer imported Scotch. The state should also reduce taxes on Indian premium brands to create a level playing field,” Mewra said.
Industry representatives also believe the duty cut could help Rajasthan retain consumers who currently buy premium liquor from neighbouring states, where prices are lower.
“Many buyers source premium liquor from Gurgaon because of lower prices. If the gap narrows after the duty revision, more consumers may choose to buy in Rajasthan. However, prices here are still unlikely to match Gurgaon, where rates are also expected to decline,” said liquor vendor Amit Sharma.
Google News(Scotch/Distillery)|原題:7 Award-Winning Blended Whiskies Under $50 Worth Buying - The Whiskey Wash
調和威士忌近年來逐漸擺脫廉價刻板印象,頂級款式價格攀升。本文介紹7款近期獲獎且價格在50美元以下的調和威士忌,涵蓋蘇格蘭、日本和美國威士忌。包括Suntory Toki(約35美元)、Monkey Shoulder(約32美元)、Ballantine's 7 American Barrel(約38美元)、Johnnie Walker Double Black(約40美元)、Thompson Bros North Highland Blended Malt(約43美元)、Traveller Whiskey Blend No. 40(約40美元)和Knob Creek Bourbon x Rye(44.99美元),都在IWSC、International Spirits Challenge等國際盲品賽獲金獎或特別獎。對想探索調和威士忌的台灣愛好者來說,這些都是高CP值選擇。
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Blended whisky has spent years shaking off its reputation as the cheap stuff you mix and move on from, and it is working. As the category has climbed in reputation and heritage brands have put out older, pricier blends, the winners at the top of recent competitions have gotten expensive. The best blended Scotch from the IWSC 2026 is a good example, and the blended Scotch winners at the International Whisky Competition 2026 tell a similar story.
Look a little wider, though, and there is still real value to be found, both in Scotland and beyond it. The seven blends below have all won recent awards from competitions that judge blind, and none costs more than $50. They range across Scotch, Japanese, and American whiskey, and a couple are blended malts.
Suntory Toki, ~$35/£35 — Gold, International Spirits Challenge 2026
Most people drink Toki over ice, topped with soda, as a highball. It suits that job well, with a light and bright character that stays fresh rather than getting lost under the mix. Poured neat, it gives you green apple and honey up front, then grapefruit, a little white pepper, and a touch of ginger through the finish.
The blend comes from the House of Suntory and draws on three of its distilleries: Hakushu, Yamazaki, and Chita. Whisky from Hakushu and grain whisky from Chita form the base, with Yamazaki malt added in, an arrangement that puts distilleries other than Yamazaki at the center of the blend. It picked up a Gold at the International Spirits Challenge 2026.
At around $35, it is one of the easier ways into Japanese whisky, a category where prices climb quickly. If you have looked at a bottle of Hibiki Japanese Harmony and hesitated at the price, Toki gives you a Suntory blend to enjoy for a good deal less.
Monkey Shoulder, 40% ABV, ~$32/£28 — Gold, IWSC
Monkey Shoulder takes its name from an old occupational injury. Maltmen who spent long shifts turning barley by hand would sometimes end up with a strained arm that hung at an angle, and the condition got called monkey shoulder. The three brass monkeys on the bottle nod to the three Speyside malts inside.
Those malts are Glenfiddich, The Balvenie, and Kininvie, all made by William Grant & Sons, and they go into batches of 27 casks under malt master Brian Kinsman. It is a blended malt, so there is no grain whisky here, only single malts brought together from more than one distillery. You get vanilla, orange, and butterscotch on the nose, then marmalade and a bit of warm spice, with cinnamon and oak on the finish. It won a Gold at the IWSC.
At around $32, Monkey Shoulder has become a bartender’s go-to, and it holds up well both in a cocktail and on its own. Plenty of single malts at this price give you less to enjoy.
Ballantine’s 7 American Barrel, 40% ABV, ~$38/£28 — Gold, World Whiskies Awards 2026
Ballantine’s 7 American Barrel was created by Sandy Hyslop, who spent decades as the master blender at Ballantine’s before retiring at the end of 2025 and moving into a master blender emeritus role, with Kevin Balmforth taking over the job. Hyslop blended single malts and single grain whiskies, all aged at least seven years, then finished them in ex-bourbon casks sourced from Kentucky. The aim, in his words, was to make something “ideal for Scotch lovers who want to dabble in Bourbon and for Bourbon fans wanting to break into Scotch.”
There is some history behind the seven-year age statement. Founder George Ballantine was selling seven-year-old whisky back in the 1870s, at a time when the company was among the first to import ex-bourbon casks from America. The bourbon finish here is a nod to that.
On the nose, you get vanilla and butterscotch, along with red apple and toffee, then honey and a hint of cinnamon. The palate is soft and creamy, with toffee, vanilla, and a touch of coconut. It took a Gold at the World Whiskies Awards 2026. At under $40, Ballantine’s 7 gives bourbon drinkers an easy way into Scotch without much outlay.
Johnnie Walker Double Black, 40% ABV, ~$40/£32 — Double Gold, San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2024
If you like the idea of smoky whisky but find full-strength Islay single malts a bit much, Double Black is a sensible place to start. It takes the familiar Black Label recipe and turns up the smoke, using a higher proportion of peated malts from the West Coast of Scotland along with whiskies matured in deeply charred oak casks.
Johnnie Walker first released it in 2011, originally for travel retail, and it has since become a regular part of the range. The blend is put together by the Johnnie Walker team under master blender Dr. Emma Walker. On the nose, there is sweet peat smoke and a little spice, then the palate brings dried fruit, clove, orange peel, and vanilla, with smoke running through the finish.
It won a Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2024, one of several it has picked up over the years. At around $40, it gives you a proper hit of smoke for a good deal less than most peated single malts cost.
Thompson Bros North Highland Blended Malt, 44.9% ABV, ~$43/£35 — Gold, World Whiskies Awards 2026
Phil and Simon Thompson run the Dornoch Distillery in Sutherland, in the far north of Scotland, which they built on the grounds of the Dornoch Castle Hotel. Alongside their own distilling, they bottle whisky sourced from other distilleries, and this North Highland blended malt is one of the more affordable things they put out.
The eight-year-old blend is built mostly from Clynelish and Glen Ord, with a small amount of heavily peated Dalmore, matured in refill hogsheads and a refill sherry butt. It is non-chill filtered and natural in color, bottled at 44.9%, and even the way they reduce it to strength is documented, brought down slowly over 47 days, mostly in the cask.
Expect peaches and cream, a little chalky minerality, some tropical fruit and citrus, and a silky texture with cream soda and candle wax. It won a Gold at the World Whiskies Awards 2026.
Older single malts from these same distilleries cost a lot more than this does, which is a good part of the appeal. It is easier to find in the UK than the US, and the exact makeup varies between batches.
Traveller Whiskey Blend No. 40, 45% ABV, ~$40 — Best American Blended Whiskey, International Whisky Competition 2026
Traveller came out of a partnership between Buffalo Trace master distiller Harlen Wheatley and the musician Chris Stapleton, and it took a while to settle on. As Wheatley put it, “we experimented with more than 50 blends before agreeing that Blend No. 40 would be it for Traveller.” The two are credited as co-founders on the label, and it was the first celebrity collaboration Buffalo Trace had attached its name to when it launched in January 2024.
It is labeled as a blended whiskey, a category that legally allows grain neutral spirits, but Sazerac has confirmed the blend contains none. It is a mix of straight whiskeys from more than one of its distilleries, though the company does not say which.
The nose brings vanilla, aged fruit, and buttery shortbread, with caramel and a little oak. The palate is lightly sweet at first, then moves into spice, toasted nut, and oak, with a robust finish. It took Best American Blended Whiskey at the International Whisky Competition 2026. At around $40, it sits at the everyday end of American whiskey.
Knob Creek Bourbon x Rye — 56.5% ABV (113 proof), $44.99 — Best American Blended Limited Release, World Whiskies Awards 2026
Bottled at 113 proof, Knob Creek Bourbon x Rye is the boldest thing on this list. Expect maple syrup, vanilla, and baking spice on the nose, then a mix of caramel and toffee sweetness set against black pepper and rye spice, with a warm, spiced finish. It drinks a little softer than the proof suggests, but there is plenty of flavor to work with.
The blend is 30% nine-year-old Kentucky straight bourbon and 70% seven-year-old Kentucky straight rye, both distilled at the Beam distillery in Clermont, Kentucky, under master di
Every so often, a bottle comes along that refuses to sit neatly in any category, and this Cadenhead’s release is exactly that. Labelled under the intriguing name Putachieside, a nod to the Victorian-era district of old Aberdeen where WM Cadenhead was first established, this is not a distillery at all but a piece of history dressed up in a beautiful, distinctive label. What lies inside, however, is something even more curious: a 21-year-old single malt that legally cannot be called Scotch whisky.
The reason for that unusual designation is the cask. This is Benrinnes liquid, matured for its first 15 years before being transferred into old red Spanish vermouth barrels. Because vermouth is a botanical wine, maturing spirit in those casks means the finished product must wear the words “Scottish spirit drink” on the front rather than Scotch whisky. It is a technicality, but it tells you exactly what makes this bottle worth exploring. At 50.8% ABV, natural colour and non-chill-filtered, it is presented in a modest 20cl format for around £30. That may sound steep at first glance, but for a 21-year-old spirit at nearly 51% strength, the maths starts to make a great deal of sense.
Benrinnes is a distillery that independent bottlers have a field day with, and it is easy to see why. On the nose this is surprisingly minty and fresh, all minted toffee, buttery sweetness and a gentle gingery spice reminiscent of Angostura bitters. Given time in the glass, subtle botanical notes emerge, from cassia bark to gentian root and a lovely lift of orange oil.
On the palate, it demands patience. The honeyed, minted ginger toffee arrives first, followed by a delightful flash of rhubarb and strawberry in the middle, before those earthy, herbaceous vermouth influences take hold. There is liquorice, wormwood and even a touch of oregano, all wrapped in a wonderfully coating texture and a long, gently warming finish.
What impresses me most is how this whisky evolves. When I first opened it, the fruit led the charge. Months later, it has settled into those fresh, botanical, minted toffee notes with just enough bitterness to keep things interesting. This is a genuinely well-rounded and unusual bottle, and Cadenhead simply does not bottle duds. For me it earns a solid eight out of ten.
Would you take a chance on a whisky that cannot legally call itself whisky? I would love to hear your thoughts.
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Google News(Whisky 綜合)|原題:Whiskey Treaty Roadshow “Kept Rising” - Americana UK
(僅標題資訊)Whiskey Treaty Roadshow 是一個由 Tory Hanna、Chris Merenda、David Tanklefsky 和 Greg Daniel Smith 四位主唱兼創作者組成的樂團,以民主協作和風格多元著稱。樂團在過去 12 年演出超過 500 場現場秀,新專輯《Kept Rising》融合搖滾、民謠、流行等多種音樂風格,打破傳統分類。樂團成員強調包容和多樣性,致力於創造讓不同音樂品味的粉絲都能在同一舞台上相聚的體驗,展現了音樂創作中民主合作的成功典範。
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Whiskey Treaty Roadshow proves that Democracy is strongest when it is diverse.
It’s hard to pin down Whiskey Treaty Roadshow. They are all over the map, stylistically, and as a collective. Over the course of more than 500 live shows in the last 12 years, and throughout this latest iteration of the band, Whiskey Treaty Roadshow has regularly swapped instruments (both onstage and in the studio) and written collaboratively. This democratic approach to making music often confounds critics and tastemakers (what we used to call record labels and music journalists) and results in live shows and albums impossible to categorise. They’re too rock for folkies and too jangly for rockers. They easily could’ve slipped through the cracks in your algorithm.
None of this is a bad thing. In fact, the strength of Whiskey Treaty Roadshow lies squarely in their eclecticism. There are four distinct songwriters who collaborate as Whiskey Treaty Roadshow: Tory Hanna, Chris Merenda, David Tanklefsky and Greg Daniel Smith. Together, they choose to set aside ego and write songs. If you know anything about writing, you know there are few things more intimate than collaboration. To achieve the best result, a songwriter routinely lays bare their anxieties, sometimes delving into the dark, unconscious places mere listeners fear exploring. In some cases, the songwriter may wear their politics on their sleeve. Doing this with a partner can be emotionally taxing. It takes vulnerability. It is difficult to imagine the challenges of songwriting as a 4-person collaborative enterprise. Compromise is never easy, and we are loath to give up the things we’ve written, to cut a line we thought particularly inspired here or change a note in a melody there, yet, in the case of Whiskey Treaty Roadshow, as in all successful Democracies, compromise is all. To form strong unions, we must work together, be vulnerable, talk to one another.
“We’re a pretty unapologetically big tent in that we want people to feel welcome, we want the music to be diverse and we want the audience to leave feeling like they got a full on rock show,” Tanklefsky says, according to press materials. “We live in a playlist-driven world. People don’t listen to just one type of music and neither do our fans. We’ve built this really incredible community where people who might not normally cross paths musically are all connecting in the same room. That is what this band has always been about and that is what we brought to life with Kept Rising.”
The members of the Whiskey Treaty Roadshow collective embrace the challenges of compromise and collaboration. Therein lies their strength: Each songwriter not only brings their own voice to the process, but they also lend a critical ear to the other members’ ideas. Working together, listening to one another, Whiskey Treaty Roadshow has done something impressive: they’ve concocted good songs and records and thrilled fans with unpredictable live shows, sure. But more importantly, simply by existing, Whiskey Treaty Roadshow prove that Democracy works, at least in art.