Google News（Whisky 綜合）｜原題：Scam Whisky Cask Firm Shut Down by UK High Court - The Whiskey Wash
英國倫敦高等法院於8月25日下令清算詐騙公司Cask Spirits Global Limited。調查發現17名客戶共支付132,000美元（約97,249英鎊），卻僅4人持有有效所有權文件。該公司透過社群媒體和冷門電話招募買家，承諾120%-150%回報率，但許多客戶收到的酒桶根本不存在或未在其名下登記。公司也未提供27份中的29份會計文件，與兩個倫敦地址都無實際關聯。這是繼2024年10月Cask Whisky Ltd遭關閉後，另一起類似詐騙案件。
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The High Court in London has wound up Cask Spirits Global Limited, a whisky cask investment firm whose customers paid for casks that in most cases they never legally owned. The order was made on Tuesday 25 August after an Insolvency Service investigation, and the Official Receiver has been appointed liquidator.
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READ THE STORYInvestigators identified 17 customers who paid a combined $132,000 (£97,249). Only four held valid ownership documentation.
The true loss may be higher. The company failed to provide 27 of the 29 accounting documents investigators requested.
“Our investigations identified serious concerns about the way Cask Spirits Global Limited was run and the harm caused to customers who invested in good faith,” said Mark George, chief investigator at the Insolvency Service. “People handed over thousands of pounds for whisky casks they never legally owned.”
Incorporated in June 2024, the company recruited buyers through social media advertising and cold calling. It used high pressure sales tactics, promising substantial returns and tax advantages.
Some customers received certificates for casks that did not exist. Others held certificates registered in the company’s name rather than their own, or naming warehouses that had no relationship with the firm.
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One buyer, promised returns of 120% to 150%, was told his cask sat in a bonded warehouse in Scotland. The warehouse denied any connection to the company.
The gap between paperwork and reality is the heart of the case. A certificate of ownership issued by a seller has no legal standing on its own.
Ownership of a cask held under duty suspension is recorded by the bonded warehouse. HMRC’s Excise Notice 197 instructs the owner of warehoused goods to tell the warehousekeeper before any sale and to “give details of who the new owner will be.”
The instrument that is traditionally used to comply with a warehouse’s obligations is a delivery order, which is a document that directs a warehousekeeper to transfer title on its own register.
A delivery order is not a legal requirement, but it remains standard practice and in the event a delivery order isn’t issued, buyers should get written confirmation from the warehouse that its register has been updated.
Owner registration under the Warehousekeepers and Owners of Warehoused Goods Regulations was removed in March 2025 and so there is no legal reason for a warehouse not to transfer ownership on their register.
Cask Spirits Global Limited traded as “Cask Spirits Ltd” on its website and customer materials. No company of that name exists at Companies House, and the title documents customers received made no reference to the entity that took their money.
Two London addresses appeared in the firm’s materials. Investigators found no verified presence at either, leaving customers no reliable route to complain or seek a refund.
It also ran multiple undisclosed bank accounts and did not file its statutory accounts consistently.
Contact with customers stopped around March 2025. While they claimed they had ceased trading, the firm tried to open an account with a bonded warehouse the following month.
“Despite claiming to have stopped trading, the company appeared to still be active and posed an ongoing risk to the public,” George said. “We will not hesitate to act where a company cannot be trusted with people’s money.”
It is not the first such case. The High Court wound up Cask Whisky Ltd in October 2024, and the Official Receiver later confirmed it did not own the whisky held in bonded warehouses in its name.
Guidance on checking cask ownership, including delivery orders, is published at Protect Your Cask. The Insolvency Service announcement sets out the full findings.
After more than a century devoted to beer, Tsingtao Brewery is making an unexpected move: into whisky.
The Chinese brewing giant has struck a long-term partnership with Ireland’s Great Northern Distillery, giving it an immediate route into imported whisky while laying the groundwork for something more ambitious – its own whisky distillery in China.
Tsingtao is not alone. Shanghai Bairun Investment Holding Group, the company behind China’s dominant ready-to-drink cocktail brand RIO, is preparing to pour more than RMB 1 billion (US$148.78 million) into expanding its whisky maturation capacity.
The investments come as whisky consumption in China begins to move beyond its traditional strongholds of bars and at-home drinking. In parts of southern China, whisky is increasingly appearing at business dinners and wedding banquets, encroaching on occasions long dominated by baijiu and Cognac.
The shift is turning what was once a relatively niche imported spirit into a category that some of China’s biggest drinks companies are betting could become a much larger market.
Tsingtao Makes Its Whisky Move
Tsingtao Brewery announced a long-term partnership with Ireland’s Great Northern Distillery earlier this month, formally marking its entry into whisky.
Under the agreement, Great Northern will supply Tsingtao with a range of Irish whiskies aged from three to 21 years, which will be distributed through the brewer’s extensive domestic sales network.
The two companies will also form a specialist blending team to develop whiskies tailored to Chinese tastes and the broader Asian market, according to the company announcement.
But Tsingtao’s ambitions extend beyond importing and distributing Irish whisky. The company is also planning to build its own whisky distillery in China, with Great Northern providing technical expertise and support.
Based in Dundalk, Ireland, Great Northern Distillery was founded by Irish whisky pioneer John Teeling and began production in 2015. One of Ireland’s largest independent distilleries, it operates primarily as a B2B producer, supplying bulk whisky, contract distillation, private-label products and blending services to brands around the world.
According to its website, Great Northern has an annual production capacity of 20 million liters and holds more than 500,000 casks in inventory.
Founded in 1903, Tsingtao is one of China’s oldest and best-known beer producers. Over more than a century, it has built a nationwide production and distribution network, with products spanning mainstream lager, premium beer, wheat beer and dark beer.
In 2025, Tsingtao reported revenue of RMB 32.47 billion (US$4.83 billion), up 1.04% year on year, while net profit attributable to shareholders rose 5.6% to RMB 4.59 billion (US$682.9 million).
And it is not the only major Chinese drinks company placing a bigger bet on the category.
On June 17, Bairun, one of China’s leading cocktail producers and the parent company of RIO, unveiled plans for a private placement to raise as much as RMB 1.305 billion(US$194 million).
Of that, RMB 1.14 billion(US$170 million) is earmarked for expanding malt whisky maturation capacity, part of a project with total planned investment of RMB 1.36 billion(US$202 million). Another RMB 165 million(US$24.55 million) will go toward a research and testing center.
Bairun began building its whisky business around 2019, investing in Laizhou Distillery in Qionglai, Sichuan. The distillery now produces whisky, gin, vodka and other spirits.
By the end of 2025, Laizhou had filled nearly 600,000 casks and developed the capacity to manage as many as 1 million oak barrels.
Whisky Moves Onto the Banquet Table
The wave of investment comes as the way Chinese consumers drink whisky is beginning to change.
In Guangdong and Fujian, two of China’s most developed markets for imported spirits, whisky is moving beyond bars and at-home consumption and into the much larger banquet market.
Traditionally, banquets in the two southern provinces have been dominated by baijiu, with wine playing a secondary role. When imported spirits appeared, Cognac typically ruled the table, particularly Rémy Martin, Martell and Hennessy — collectively known to generations of Chinese consumers as the “three major foreign spirits.”
Whisky is beginning to challenge that hierarchy.
“In Fujian, whisky has already entered business dinners and wedding banquets across the board,” Wu Yonglei, general manager of major Fujian drinks distributor Xiamen Fond Wine, told Vino Joy News.
“For wealthier consumers choosing alcohol, it’s generally Moutai, The Macallan or Penfolds. Those with a smaller budget might choose brands such as The Singleton or Grant’s.”
A veteran whisky merchant described a similar trend, particularly around Quanzhou, a prosperous commercial hub in southern Fujian known for its elaborate wedding and celebratory banquets.
“Imported spirits at these occasions used to be predominantly Cognac, but whisky has become increasingly common in recent years,” said the merchant, who asked not to be named.
Popular choices include leading single malts such as The Macallan, Glenfiddich, The Balvenie and The Singleton, the merchant said.
Trading Down Is Giving Whisky an Opening
Part of whisky’s growing appeal comes down to price.
As Chinese consumers become more cautious about spending, Wu believes whisky offers an attractive alternative to premium Cognac.
“The ‘three major foreign spirits’ are relatively expensive,” he said. “With consumers trading down, many have realized that plenty of 12-year-old Scotch single malts cost only RMB 200 to RMB 300. They offer better value for money than Cognac, so consumers have started choosing them.”
The anonymous whisky merchant agreed that the broader shift toward value is helping whisky gain ground at banquets. Demand for 12-year-old single malts continues to grow, the merchant said, while higher-age-statement whiskies have weakened.
China’s latest import figures, however, paint a more nuanced picture.
In the first half of 2026, China imported 15.56 million liters of whisky, down 9.18% from a year earlier. Yet import value climbed 15.74% to US$242 million.
The divergence — lower volumes but higher value — points to a sharp increase in the average declared price of imported whisky.
Price alone also cannot explain whisky’s growing presence at the banquet table. Brand recognition is becoming increasingly important.
Banquet drinking in China is highly visible. The bottle on the table is not simply a drink but a signal of the host’s taste, generosity and status, making recognizable brands particularly important.
“In the past, when people talked about foreign spirits, they generally meant Rémy Martin, Martell and Hennessy — the ‘three major foreign spirits,’” Wu said. “Now, when many people in Fujian talk about foreign spirits, they mean whisky.”
For Wu, that shift is evidence that whisky brands are gaining recognition well beyond their traditional enthusiast base.
Major whisky companies are also actively cultivating the banquet channel, borrowing tactics once used successfully by Cognac houses.
“The approach is very similar to what Cognac brands used to do,” Wu said. “They create standardized table settings at each banquet to maximize brand visibility and provide service staff to pour drinks for guests. It makes the whole occasion feel very premium and helps establish the brand image quickly.”
Plenty of China Is Still Untapped
Despite that progress, whisky consumption remains heavily concentrated in Fujian and Guangdong, leaving much of China relatively underdeveloped.
For the industry, that represents both a limitation and an opportunity.
“There are still many blank spaces in China’s whisky market,” the anonymous merchant said. “Most consumers still don’t really know whisky. If you have patience, there are opportunities.”
That untapped potential is one reason established drinks companies are moving into the category before it matures.
But whisky’s growi
Google News（Scotch/Distillery）｜原題：Largest Ever Johnnie Walker Collection Hits Auction This September - The Whiskey Wash
威士忌拍賣行(Whisky Auctioneer)9月11-21日舉辦創紀錄拍賣，推出收藏家Frans Op den Kamp耗時20年蒐集的Johnnie Walker收藏，共3,200多件拍品，包括1,600多瓶標準瓶裝、600多瓶迷你瓶，以及1,000多件廣告和紀念品。收藏涵蓋逾百年的Johnnie Walker歷史，包括1968年前的Black、Red、Swing等稀有瓶裝，以及限量200瓶的1805 Celebration Blend和僅25瓶的Jenson Button簽名版等現代稀品，是該品牌有史以來規模最大的拍賣。
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Whisky Auctioneer will hold a landmark sale this September featuring the largest collection of Johnnie Walker ever brought to auction. The sale, running from 11-21 September, offers more than 3,200 bottles, miniatures and pieces of original advertising and memorabilia assembled by one collector over two decades.
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READ THE STORYAt the heart of the sale is the 20-year story of Frans Op den Kamp. His Johnnie Walker journey began in 1999 with a $130 bottle of Blue Label bought on his way home from a business trip to New York.
Over two decades, his fascination evolved into an in-depth knowledge of the brand. Fellow collectors and industry figures turned to him for help dating, valuing and authenticating bottles.
“Johnnie Walker has been a constant companion throughout my collecting journey,” said Op den Kamp, collector and consignor. “What began with a bottle of Blue Label bought in 1999 grew into more than two decades of learning and travelling.”
He added: “Parting with the collection is certainly not easy, but I feel I have achieved what I set out to do.”
The collection spans more than a century of Johnnie Walker history. It runs from early 20th-century Old Highland Whisky bottlings through to modern limited editions and ultra-rare releases.
In total, the archive comprises more than 1,600 full-size bottles, over 600 miniatures, and more than 1,000 pieces of advertising and memorabilia.
Highlights include pre-1968 corked Black, Red, and Swing bottlings. There are also rare single malt bottlings from Cardhu, Talisker, and Mortlach that reference John Walker on their original labels.
Modern rarities feature the 1805 Celebration Blend, limited to 200 bottles, and Jenson Button’s Signature Blend, limited to just 25 bottles.
Consigned from California, the collection has been brought to Scotland for cataloguing.
“What makes this collection so fascinating is the completeness of the story it tells,” said Joe Wilson, head curator and spirits specialist at Whisky Auctioneer. “The sheer breadth of the collection is a testament to Frans’ 20 years of dedication.”
Johnnie Walker remains the world’s number one Scotch whisky brand, owned by drinks giant Diageo.
Laphroaig has unveiled a rare 35-year-old expression as the second release in its Strong Characters collection, a limited-edition series honoring individuals who shaped the distillery’s legacy. The Islay single malt is priced at £880 and limited to 5,500 bottles worldwide.
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READ THE STORYThe new expression honors Dugald Johnston, son of Laphroaig co-founder Donald Johnston.
Dugald inherited the distillery at a young age during one of the most challenging periods in Islay’s history. He learned the secrets of crafting the whisky behind the scenes before officially assuming control on his 21st birthday in 1857.
Islay faced economic hardship, the effects of a famine and a dwindling population at the time. Despite this, Dugald grew Laphroaig in size and reputation. Over the following 20 years, he increased production more than threefold while preserving Laphroaig’s character.
The release follows the first bottling in the series, a 33-year-old dedicated to Donald Johnston.
While the debut showcased the influence of sherry casks, the 35-year-old is matured exclusively in American white oak ex-bourbon barrels.
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The whisky is bottled at 43.8% ABV.
According to the official notes from the brand, the nose offers freshly baked pastry, apple and cherry, comparable to Bakewell or crumble. The palate delivers smokiness and spice, with a creamy mouthfeel opening to light raisin.
The finish carries lingering aniseed and a light, peppery mouthfeel, which fades back to peat smoke notes.
“There are very few casks of high-aged Laphroaig whisky left, so creating this 35-Year-Old expression was both a privilege and a responsibility,” said Dr Calum Fraser, master blender, Scotch and Irish at Suntory Global Spirits. “The result is a whisky that showcases a softer, more nuanced side of Laphroaig while remaining true to its unmistakable character.”
Kirsteen Beeston, senior global marketing director, Scotch and Irish at Suntory Global Spirits, added: “Dugald’s story is one of resilience, conviction and leadership that continues to resonate today, making him a fitting subject for this chapter.”
Illustrator Bill Bragg designed the bottle label and packaging with black-and-white illustrations capturing life at the historic Islay distillery.
The whisky is available on Laphroaig.com and specialist whisky retailers. In the UK, it is exclusive to JPHA until September 28 before wider distribution.
Google News（Scotch/Distillery）｜原題：This Massive 3,200-Piece Johnnie Walker Scotch Whisky Collection Is Heading To Auction - maxim.com
荷蘭藏家 Frans Op den Kamp 花費 25 年蒐集的龐大 Johnnie Walker 威士忌收藏即將拍賣，包含超過 1,600 瓶全瓶裝、600 瓶迷你瓶及 1,000 多件古董紀念品與廣告物件。亮點包括僅製造 200 瓶的 1805 Celebration Blend（紀念創辦人 John Walker 生日 200 週年）與賽車手 Jenson Button 限量 25 瓶的 Signature Blend。Op den Kamp 於 1999 年以 130 美元購入第一瓶 Johnnie Walker Blue Label，此後不斷深化知識與收藏，如今以「幾無遺珠」為由決定拍賣。拍賣會將於 9 月 11 日開放競標，9 月 21 日截止。
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This Massive 3,200-Piece Johnnie Walker Scotch Whisky Collection Is Heading To Auction
Including more than 1,600 full-sized bottles, 600 miniatures, and a thousand-plus pieces of vintage memorabilia.
The largest collection of Johnnie Walker whiskies and collectibles ever assembled is up for auction next month, and this century-spanning accumulation of liquids and artifacts could be yours if you’re the high bidder when the gavel falls on September 21. It took collector Frans Op den Kamp more than two decades to assemble the thousands of items in the auction lot, including more than 1,600 full-sized bottles, 600 miniatures, and a thousand-plus pieces of vintage memorabilia and ads.
The bottles date back to the early 20th century, including releases labeled “Old Highland Whisky.” Highlights of the auction are plentiful, but there are standouts of the lot which were technically never even available for sale. The first is the 1805 Celebration Blend, which was “crafted to mark the 200th anniversary of John Walker’s birth.” Only 200 bottles were ever gifted and went to individuals recognized for “significant contributions to modern life.”
Bottle number two of the standouts is the “ultra-exclusive Signature Blend by Jenson Button, created by the Formula One world champion and limited to just 25 bottles sold by private invitation in Shanghai.”
You might be assuming the worst about why this collection is hitting the auction block, but Op den Kamp is thankfully still with us. He made the decision to sell this collection in part because there’s not much left to collect. “Parting with the collection is certainly not easy,” Op den Kamp explained in a statement, “but I feel I have achieved what I set out to do.”
Op den Kamp’s collection began the way many whiskey collections do: with a singular, special bottle. He purchased his first bottle of Johnnie Walker Blue Label in New York in 1999, on his way home from business. The bottle cost $130. “What began with a bottle of Blue Label … grew into more than two decades of learning and traveling,” explains Op den Kamp, “from discovering rare market-specific bottlings to bringing together the full story of Johnnie Walker across a century.”
Op den Kamp, by the way, has become much more than a collector in the 25 years since he picked up that first bottle. He’s described as having an “encyclopedic” knowledge, which he has shared with industry experts over the years, including the legendary Dr. Nick Morgan, author of the Johnnie Walker bicentennial history.
Op den Kamp won’t have the final say on who takes his collection home, of course, but he does have an image in mind of who the winner should be. “I hope these bottles find their way to collectors who discover something that resonates with them, whether that’s a particular whisky, a moment in Johnnie Walker’s history, or simply the thrill of the hunt. Most of all, I hope it inspires a renewed appreciation for the art of blending and the story of Scotch whisky.”
Whisky Auctioneer’s sale opens September 11 and closes on September 21. To see a full list of the bottles and memorabilia in the lot and register to bid when the lot opens, visit the Whisky Auctioneer listing.
G. Clay Whittaker is a Maxim contributor covering lifestyle, whiskey, cannabis and travel. His work has also appeared in Bon Appetit, Men’s Journal, Cigar Aficionado, Playboy and Esquire. Subscribe to his newsletter Drinks & Stuff for whiskey reviews and trends, perspectives on drinks, and stuff.
Scam whisky firm shut down by UK government
Cask Spirits Global has been closed after it was found that customers paid nearly £100,000 (US$136,000) for casks of whisky they never owned.
The fraudulent whisky investment company was officially wound up at the High Court in London on Tuesday 25 August following an inquiry by the Insolvency Service.
Investigations into 17 customers who paid the firm a combined total of £97,249 for cask investments revealed that only four held valid documents of ownership.
Some were issued paperwork in the name of a fictitious company, while others received certificates that contained false storage information, or simply referred to casks of whisky that never existed.
One customer was told that a cask he believed he owned was located at a bonded warehouse in Scotland, only to discover that the warehouse denied any connection to Cask Spirits Global.
Mark George, chief investigator at the Insolvency Service, said: “Our investigations identified serious concerns about the way Cask Spirits Global Limited was run and the harm caused to customers who invested in good faith.
“People handed over thousands of pounds for whisky casks they never legally owned.
“Despite claiming to have stopped trading, the company appeared to still be active and posed an ongoing risk to the public.
“We will not hesitate to act where a company cannot be trusted with people’s money.”
The Insolvency Service noted that the full extent of losses suffered by Cask Spirits Global’s clients remains unclear, as it failed to provide 27 of the 29 accounting documents requested by investigators.
Drinks writer Felipe Schrieberg, who has previously covered the issue of fraudulent whisky investments, said: “Unfortunately, this piece of news doesn’t come as a surprise. The cask investment ‘market’ for the general public is high risk, unregulated, lacking in transparent data on historical sales, and filled with misinformation.
“This company is just the tip of the iceberg when considering the wider threat that cask investment schemes pose to the reputation of the Scotch whisky industry and people’s savings. Hopefully this is just the beginning in taking meaningful action to stop further scams.”
Failure to file accounts
Cask Spirits Global was incorporated in June 2024 and traded under the name ‘Cask Spirits Ltd’, despite no such company being officially registered.
Companies House lists a Mr Paul Fredrick Hutchins as the firm’s director.
Investigators were unable to find evidence of the company’s presence at two London addresses listed in its marketing materials, further noting that its customers did not have a reliable way of making contact with inquiries and complaints.
The company is said to have used cold-calling, targeted social media advertising, and high-pressure sales tactics to sell investments on the promise of substantial profits and tax advantages.
Even as the company made claims about returns on investments of up to 150%, it failed to file its statutory accounts on a consistent basis.
Cask Spirits Global ended all communication with its customers circa March 2025, claiming it had ceased trading before attempting to open a new account with a bonded warehouse the following month.
An official receiver will now oversee the liquidation of Cask Spirits Global.
The Insolvency Service is part of the British Government’s Department for Business and Trade. It can apply for companies to be wound up if such action is found to be in the public interest and also has the power to disqualify directors, and pursue criminal convictions for fraud and other business-related offences.
Victims of scams, including the mis-sale of whisky casks, can make reports directly to the Insolvency Service.
In July this year, the Advertising Standards Authority found that Capgroup Int – formerly known as London Cask Company and Caskcap – has displayed ‘misleading’ review scores and failed to provide appropriate risk warnings on its website.
The issue of fraudulent cask sales gained national attention in March 2025 when the BBC broadcast an hour-long documentary entitled Disclosure: Hunting the Whisky Bandits.
Jack Daniel’s American Single Malt Whiskey Will Now Be Available Nationwide
It wasn't that long ago that American single malt wasn't a legally recognized category, despite the fact that it was being made by distilleries for decades, mostly in the craft world. That all change when the TTB (Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau) made it official about a year and a half ago. Major whiskey brands started releasing their own versions before that, including Jack Daniel's which announced this week that its version will now be available on a national level.
The current rules for American single malt are as follows: the whiskey must be mashed, distilled, and aged in the U.S. at one distillery from a mash of 100 percent malted barley; stored in oak barrels (used, un-charred new, or charred new) with a maximum capacity of 700 liters; and bottled at not less than 80 proof. Caramel coloring is allowed as long as it's disclosed on the label. Jack Daniel's released its first single malt in 2022, a couple of years before the category was ratified, called Twice Barreled Special Release American Single Malt Finished in Oloroso Sherry Casks. Indeed, that whiskey was finished for two years in sherry butts.
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Jack's regular American single-malt expression joined the lineup the following year, but it was only available at as a global travel retail exclusive. That 90-proof Tennessee whiskey, which undergoes the Lincoln County process during which it's filtered through charcoal before barreling, was aged for three years in sherry casks after initial maturation (really more of a secondary maturation than a finish). This new whiskey is similar to that duty free shop release, spending four years in new charred oak and then two to three years in sherry casks, only it's now available at specialty retailers around the country in a one-liter bottle.
"At Jack Daniel's, we strive to be at the forefront of creativity and experimentalism when it comes to crafting great whiskey, and helping lead the way as American single malt becomes an officially recognized whiskey category is an incredible milestone for the distillery," said master distiller Chris Fletcher in a statement. "We've seen a fantastic response from international travelers in recent years, and we're now thrilled to bring this special whiskey to friends across the country." Official tasting notes describe notes of dark chocolate, nuts, berries, and a subtle sweetness on the palate.
While Jack Daniel's American Single Malt is now a national release (SRP $75), it's only available for a limited time and in limited numbers, according to a rep for the brand (and it's still available at global travel retail). Look for it at your local liquor store starting next month if you want to try it for yourself.
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Google News（Whisky 綜合）｜原題：The Bourbon Rule That Doesn't Actually Matter Is Always Serving It Neat - Tasting Table
Urban Bourbonist 創辦人 Chris Blatner 破除波本威士忌文化中最常見的迷思——認為好威士忌必須純飲。他強調威士忌的享受方式沒有絕對正確答案，加冰、加水或調製雞尾酒都無妨。適度稀釋反而能柔和酒精刺激感，更清晰地品嚐香氣層次。唯一應遵守的真正規則是「耐心品飲」：首次品嚐新酒款應小口啜飲，讓味蕾適應酒精度，並讓威士忌在杯中靜置 30 分鐘，觀察其與空氣互動後風味的變化。
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The Bourbon 'Rule' That Doesn't Actually Matter
The world of bourbon can seem intimidating with all those rare, sought-after, often pricey bottles out there. But everyone should feel bourbon is open to them for exploration. There are certain myths around bourbon to stop believing, and we wanted to know what the biggest one is. So, we asked Chris Blatner, creator of the @urbanbourbonist Instagram page, which myth thinks is nonsense.
"The idea that good bourbon should only be consumed neat," Blatner says. "That's absolutely ridiculous. Drink it however you enjoy it the most." Ordering bourbon "neat," as opposed to "on the rocks," means requesting it without ice, and Blatner emphasizes there's no right or wrong approach here.
"Adding water or ice changes the experience," he says, "but that doesn't mean it ruins the whiskey." Some bourbon connoisseurs skip ice because they believe it dilutes the whiskey's flavor. But in fact, some degree of dilution can actually be ideal: Dillution tones down any alcohol harshness so you can concentrate on the bourbon's individual aroma notes. That's why some enthusiasts go so far as to add a few drops of water if they don't prefer ice — the water opens up and intensifies certain flavor compounds. So, neither ice nor water are "incorrect" ways to enjoy bourbon. Neither are cocktail ingredients, Blatner adds. "Using an expensive bourbon in a cocktail isn't against the rules," he notes. "You're the person drinking it, so what you want matters more than somebody else's 'rules.'"
The one bourbon rule to follow is all about patience
The key takeaway is to drink bourbon however makes you happiest. If you genuinely love it neat, drink it neat. Try ice or water to open up different aromas. Use a high-quality expression in some of the best bourbon cocktails to elevate their flavors. That said, are there any rules we actually should abide by?
"Give a bourbon a chance before deciding you don't like it," Blatner says. "Take a small sip first, especially with higher-proof whiskey, and let your palate acclimate to the alcohol before really evaluating if you like it." This is one of the most important tips for drinking bourbon: Don't rush to judgment. Blatner explains that the whiskey's ethanol can come through most prominently in the first sip, making it seem harsher than it actually is. To really get the full flavor, aroma, and mouthfeel experience of any new-to-you bourbon, it's crucial to take it slow and allow its full range of flavors to emerge. Not letting bourbon breathe is one of the most common bourbon-tasting mistakes, and it's an easy one to stop making.
"It's important to let a whiskey sit in the glass and to drink it over a period of 30 minutes to see how it changes as it interacts with the air and as you swirl it and sip on it," Blatner says. "It's amazing how different a bourbon can taste 30 seconds after you poured it compared to 30 minutes later."
Colorado has no shortage of homegrown treasures, but few inspire as much pride as Palisade peaches.
If you love Palisade peaches and enjoy sipping a cocktail every now and then, you’ll want to try Breckenridge Distillery’s brand-new peach whiskey, which is made from gallons and gallons of pure peach puree, plus a hint of vanilla.
To create the new spirit, the distillery teamed up with Palisade’s Talbott Farms, home of one of the Western Slope’s longest-running peach orchards. Founded in 1907, Talbott Farms is now in its sixth generation of family ownership, with three generations still involved in operations. Peaches cover 450 acres of the farm, which also grows grapes, apples and cherries.
“At this point, Palisade peaches are the highest-priced peaches on the market,” says Charles Talbott, who helps run the family business.
He says Palisade’s combination of hot, dry days, cool nights and high elevation creates the ideal conditions for peaches to develop their signature sweetness and flavor.
“Palisade is 10 degrees hotter or colder [than other regions] on any given day,” he says. “Add canyon winds to a hot day and it allows the fruit to build acidity and sugar.”
After one of the driest winters on record, Palisade’s peach harvest arrived three weeks early this year. Talbott said his family’s farm expects to have 95 percent of its peaches harvested and packed by mid-August—making this the first year since 1974 that the farm won’t be packing peaches over Labor Day.
The decision to partner with Talbott Farms was driven by a desire to source ingredients locally and showcase one of Colorado’s most beloved agricultural products, says Bryan Nolt, founder and chief executive officer of Breckenridge Distillery.
He also thought Palisade peaches would pair beautifully with whiskey.
“Palisade peaches are one of Colorado’s most iconic agricultural treasures,” he adds. “We wanted to showcase them in a way that feels authentic to our home state. The whiskey captures the flavor of a Colorado summer—from the orchard to the glass—and celebrates the farmers, ingredients and craftsmanship that make it possible.”
The Breckenridge Distillery team also got a firsthand look at the popularity of Palisade peaches in alcoholic beverages when its neighbor—and fellow Tilray Brands subsidiary—Breckenridge Brewery partnered with Talbott Farms several years ago to create Palisade Peach Ale. The beer has since become the brewery’s fourth-best-selling of all time.
The distillery’s honey whiskey is also among its top-selling spirits, so building on that success—especially given how naturally honey and peach pair together—was another inspiration for the peach product.
While not overly sweet, the whiskey’s natural peach notes come through on both the nose and palate from the first sniff and sip. The peach juice softens the whiskey’s heat, creating a smooth approachable finish. It’s a spirit likely to appeal not only to whiskey collectors and diehards, but also to drinkers who wouldn’t consider themselves traditional whiskey or bourbon connoisseurs.
“I love it,” says Billie Keithley, who serves as “liquid chef” for Breckenridge Distillery. “People always ask what my husband and I drink at home. I drink cheap Prosecco, and my husband drinks Coors. The peach bottle I had opened, he couldn’t avoid. We both tried it and were hooked right away. I came home and the bottle was gone. It’s easy to sip … and keep sipping.”
When it comes to cocktails, the peach whiskey’s pairing possibilities are nearly endless. Cinnamon, tea, lemon and honey are obvious complements, but nut-based liqueurs and syrups, along with blackberry, jalapeño and even coconut, are also scrumptiously symbiotic.
“Peaches vary like any other fruit,” says Keithley. “All the peach flavor in the whiskey is natural. It doesn’t have a thick viscosity. It blends well and can change with small adjustments, maybe two drops of vanilla bitters or cherry.”
Although the peach whiskey just debuted, Keithley has already been experimenting with cocktails. Among her creations so far is the chilled, lip-smackingly tangy “Orchard’s Embrace,” made with peach tea, cinnamon, lemon, orgeat foam and a touch of salt. For a spicy kick, there’s also the “Tropical Heat Wave,” which combines the whiskey with jalapeño, blackberry, honey, lemon, mint and a hint of coconut.
“You want the flavors to dance together,” Keithley says.
She adds that the peach whiskey also makes an exquisite Old Fashioned when combined with classic bitters and dried cherries, or a cozy, comforting hot toddy when paired with lemon, hot water, honey and cinnamon.
Breckenridge Peach Whiskey is now part of the distillery’s regular wholesale lineup and is available at liquor retailers throughout Colorado. It can also be ordered for nationwide shipping through the distillery’s website.
Google News（Whisky 綜合）｜原題：Brother Justus' Founders Reserve IV is like drinking whiskey jam - AOL.com
明尼蘇達威士忌品牌 Brother Justus 推出 2026 年版 Founders Reserve IV，採用淡艾爾單一麥芽桶混調，帶有夏季水果風味。酒評家認為這款 110 proof 威士忌展現出甜蜜果香（黑莓、李子、櫻桃）與焦糖香草風味的完美平衡，具備足夠複雜度與清爽的辛香尾韻，整體評分為 A。Brother Justus 與 Joseph A. Magnus 一同證明美國中西部寒冷州份也能釀造優質威士忌。
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Brother Justus' Founders Reserve IV is like drinking whiskey jam
I've touched upon Brother Justus here before. It was in service to a pretty dense Father's Day whiskey guide, and it was my first experience with the Minnesota-based brand.
That included last year's Founder's Reserve. I thought it was pretty good -- sweet, fruity and a little earthy. Whiskey expert Fred Minnick liked it even more. He named it one of his top five American whiskeys of the year.
The 2026 edition promises something new. Summer fruit flavors and a blend of pale ale single malt barrels. That leaves some expectations to be met, but Brother Justus has, to date, stood up alongside Joseph A. Magnus as a spirit that proves the coldest weather states in the midwest can do whiskey, too.
Let's see what we've got.
Founders Reserve IV (2026): A-
A slightly dense pour leaves some legs slowly running down the sides of the glass. The smell off the top is sweet with a slight briny edge before big fruit flavors kick in. Berries and sugar abound.
The first sip is very sweet -- not cloying or overpowering, but undeniably a sugary malt. Once it clears the tip of your tongue, those fruit flavors clock in. There's a lot of southern pie flavors at play -- blackberry, plum, a little cherry maybe? Either way, it's a big swirl of pleasant flavors, warming in a way that lets you know it's whiskey, but not matching the kind of intensity you might expect from a 110 proof spirit.
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The blending has undoubtedly sanded down some of the rough edges, but you sink into the oak flavors you'd expect from the barrel. It shows up with a bit of a creme brulee influence; toasted sugar and vanilla. It stands out as a sipper. There's enough complexity here to bring you something new each time you take a pull, which is exactly what I want from a whiskey.
The question is whether it will be too sweet for some. Ultimately, that dry, slightly spiced finish helps tie everything together for a satisfying sip.
Would I drink it instead of a Hamm's?
This a pass/fail mechanism where I compare whatever I’m drinking to my baseline cheap beer. That’s the standby from the land of sky-blue waters, Hamm’s. So the question to answer is: on a typical day, would I drink Brother Justus' Founders Reserve IV over a cold can of Hamm’s?
Yeah. I really appreciated the sweeter, juicier profile here, tempered just enough with that salt and caramel to snap each sip off dryly and give you a chance to come back for me.
This is part of FTW’s Beverage of the Week series. Here, we mostly chronicle and review beers, but happily expand that scope to any beverage that pairs well with sports. Yes, even cookie dough whiskey.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: Brother Justus' Founders Reserve IV is like drinking whiskey jam
Google News（Whisky 綜合）｜原題：Whiskey Del Bac Four-Course Pairing Experience with Chef Daniel Scordato - Tucson Foodie
美國亞利桑那州圖森市的威士忌酒廠 Whiskey Del Bac 將於 2026 年 8 月 28 日舉辦四道料理搭餐威士忌品鑑活動，由知名主廚 Daniel Scordato 主持，活動地點在 The Treasury 1929。此類搭餐體驗讓威士忌愛好者能深入認識酒廠風味特色，搭配精心設計的料理更能展現威士忌的層次感，為品飲者提供沉浸式的品酒體驗。
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Whiskey Del Bac Four-Course Pairing Experience with Chef Daniel Scordato
Fri, Aug 28, 20265:45 PM – 8:00 PM MST
At The Treasury 1929 · 2 East Congress, Tucson, 85701
Learn MoreFri, Aug 28, 20265:45 PM – 8:00 PM MST
At The Treasury 1929 · 2 East Congress, Tucson, 85701
Learn More
Buffalo Trace Is Hosting Free Whiskey Tastings In 4 Cities. Here’s How To Get Tickets
For bourbon fans who have always wanted to visit Buffalo Trace Distillery but haven't made the pilgrimage to Kentucky, the distillery is bringing a taste of Frankfort a little closer to home.
Buffalo Trace Distillery is bringing back its traveling tasting experience, Buffalo Trace Distillery On Tour, for a second year, with stops planned in four U.S. cities this fall. The complimentary experience will visit Branson, Missouri; Kansas City, Missouri; Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas; and Denver, Colorado, beginning in October.
Louisville Just Made Visiting Buffalo Trace A Whole Lot Easier
Rather than simply pouring a few samples, the pop-up is designed as a condensed version of the experience visitors might have at Buffalo Trace's historic Frankfort distillery. During each approximately 75-minute session, an expert host will lead guests through four whiskeys while discussing their mashbills, maturation, tasting notes and the history behind the brands.
This year's tasting lineup includes Buffalo Trace Bourbon, Eagle Rare 10 Year Old, Weller Antique 107 and Sazerac Rye 100 Proof.
That last bottle is a relatively recent addition to the Buffalo Trace portfolio. Introduced in 2025, Sazerac Rye 100 Proof is a higher-proof counterpart to the familiar 90-proof Sazerac Rye. Buffalo Trace says it developed the whiskey in response to interest from bartenders looking for a rye with enough intensity to stand up in cocktails.
"The heart of Buffalo Trace Distillery On Tour is bringing Buffalo Trace closer to our fans and creating more opportunities for them to experience the Distillery beyond Frankfort," Erica Bovard, senior brand director at Buffalo Trace Distillery, said in a statement. "We were thrilled by the response to last year's tour and are excited to build on that momentum by returning to familiar markets and reaching new ones. It is a chance to share our whiskeys, our stories and the craftsmanship behind them with the people who make Buffalo Trace what it is."
Bringing the Buffalo Trace experience outside Kentucky
Buffalo Trace launched On Tour in 2025 as its first traveling tasting experience, initially bringing the concept to St. Louis, Kansas City, Jacksonville and Tampa. Last year's sessions were also complimentary and featured the same four-whiskey lineup.
Kansas City is the only city returning from that inaugural schedule, while Branson, Dallas/Fort Worth and Denver are new additions.
Taking the experience on the road makes particular sense for Buffalo Trace. Its Frankfort property has become a destination in its own right for whiskey drinkers, and tour demand can be high enough that the distillery warns visitors it may not be able to accommodate everyone at their preferred time. Buffalo Trace currently offers several complimentary experiences on the property, including its introductory Trace Tour, which runs about 75 minutes and includes a tasting.
How To Taste Whiskey Like Buffalo Trace's Master Blender
The distillery itself also has a long history. Whiskey production on the site dates back more than two centuries, and today Buffalo Trace produces a sprawling collection of some of American whiskey's best-known labels, including Buffalo Trace Bourbon, Eagle Rare, Weller, E.H. Taylor Jr., Stagg and the coveted bottles in its annual Antique Collection.
The property has also expanded substantially in recent years. Buffalo Trace brought a new stillhouse online in 2022 as part of an expansion of production capacity, and in 2025 filled its nine millionth barrel since the end of Prohibition.
For fans who do make it to Frankfort, the distillery's expanded visitor center and gift shop now encompasses 35,000 square feet of shopping, tasting, event and gallery space. Complimentary guided tastings are offered daily.
On Tour attempts to recreate at least a small piece of that experience without requiring a trip to Kentucky.
"Some of the best memories are made around a table, sharing a sip of Buffalo Trace Bourbon with people you enjoy," Ed Bell, Sazerac Homeplace Director, said in a statement. "The response to our first On Tour showed us there's something meaningful about creating those moments outside the Distillery, and we're excited to do it again in new locations."
Where Buffalo Trace On Tour is headed
Each city will host 14 complimentary tasting sessions spread across four days, with staggered afternoon and evening start times.
The 2026 schedule is:
- Branson, Missouri: Big Cedar Lodge, Oct. 1-4
- Kansas City, Missouri: The Bauer, Oct. 8-11
- Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas: The Laurel, Oct. 14-17
- Denver, Colorado: Church Ranch Event Center, Nov. 12-15
In addition to the whiskey tasting, each location will have custom city-specific barware available for purchase while supplies last. However, bottles of whiskey won't be sold at the events.
Tickets are free, but reservations are required, and attendees must be 21 or older. Registration opens Sept. 2 at 10 a.m. ET, with a maximum of four tickets per person.
Given the enthusiasm surrounding Buffalo Trace and some of the harder-to-find bottles in its portfolio, waiting until October to decide whether you want to go probably isn't the move. The distillery says availability is limited and expects reservations to go quickly.
Buffalo Trace Distillery On Tour reservations
This article was originally published on Forbes.com
Google News（Whisky 綜合）｜原題：Jack Daniel’s American Single Malt Whiskey Will Now Be Available Nationwide - Robb Report
Jack Daniel's 宣布其美式單一麥芽威士忌（American Single Malt）將在全美專賣店推出，限量供應，建議零售價 $75 美元。該款威士忌先在美國新橡木桶中熟成 4 年，再在雪莉桶中熟成 2-3 年，具有黑巧克力、堅果和漿果的風味特徵。美式單一麥芽在 18 個月前才被美國酒稅貿易局正式認可為官方類別，Jack Daniel's 早在 2022 年就推出首款產品。這次全國發售標誌著威士忌產業的重要里程碑。
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It wasn’t that long ago that American single malt wasn’t a legally recognized category, despite the fact that it was being made by distilleries for decades, mostly in the craft world. That all change when the TTB (Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau) made it official about a year and a half ago. Major whiskey brands started releasing their own versions before that, including Jack Daniel’s which announced this week that its version will now be available on a national level.
The current rules for American single malt are as follows: the whiskey must be mashed, distilled, and aged in the U.S. at one distillery from a mash of 100 percent malted barley; stored in oak barrels (used, un-charred new, or charred new) with a maximum capacity of 700 liters; and bottled at not less than 80 proof. Caramel coloring is allowed as long as it’s disclosed on the label. Jack Daniel’s released its first single malt in 2022, a couple of years before the category was ratified, called Twice Barreled Special Release American Single Malt Finished in Oloroso Sherry Casks. Indeed, that whiskey was finished for two years in sherry butts.
Jack’s regular American single-malt expression joined the lineup the following year, but it was only available at as a global travel retail exclusive. That 90-proof Tennessee whiskey, which undergoes the Lincoln County process during which it’s filtered through charcoal before barreling, was aged for three years in sherry casks after initial maturation (really more of a secondary maturation than a finish). This new whiskey is similar to that duty free shop release, spending four years in new charred oak and then two to three years in sherry casks, only it’s now available at specialty retailers around the country in a one-liter bottle.
“At Jack Daniel’s, we strive to be at the forefront of creativity and experimentalism when it comes to crafting great whiskey, and helping lead the way as American single malt becomes an officially recognized whiskey category is an incredible milestone for the distillery,” said master distiller Chris Fletcher in a statement. “We’ve seen a fantastic response from international travelers in recent years, and we’re now thrilled to bring this special whiskey to friends across the country.” Official tasting notes describe notes of dark chocolate, nuts, berries, and a subtle sweetness on the palate.
While Jack Daniel’s American Single Malt is now a national release (SRP $75), it’s only available for a limited time and in limited numbers, according to a rep for the brand (and it’s still available at global travel retail). Look for it at your local liquor store starting next month if you want to try it for yourself.
The shift reflects broader changes in Nigeria's consumer landscape. Growing urbanisation and evolving lifestyles among the country's middle class are driving increased demand for premium whisky brands. Beyond Nigeria, the Middle East and Africa whisky market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 5.7 per cent between 2026 and 2033, fuelled by rising consumer sophistication and increasing demand for premium expressions. As consumers become more informed and intentional about their choices, the whisky industry's playbook is evolving. By 2026, leading brands are placing greater emphasis on consumer-driven storytelling than on traditional marketing, recognising that today's drinkers want to understand the heritage, craftsmanship and character behind every bottle.
This shift is evident in the way premium whisky brands are engaging Nigerian consumers. Rather than relying solely on advertising or visibility at social events, many are creating opportunities for people to experience whisky in more meaningful ways. Guided tastings, curated dining experiences, educational masterclasses and cultural collaborations are helping consumers move beyond simply recognising a label to appreciating the craftsmanship that defines it. These experiences encourage curiosity and build lasting connections with brands through knowledge rather than novelty.
The Macallan offers a strong example of this approach. Over the past year, the single malt Scotch whisky brand has consistently introduced experiences that place storytelling at the centre of consumer engagement. Whether through curated dining experiences, immersive tastings or limited-edition releases, the focus has remained on helping consumers understand the people, processes and heritage behind every expression.
Its recent introduction of the Diamonds Are Forever 55th Anniversary Release in Nigeria reflects that philosophy. Inspired by the 1971 James Bond film, the limited-edition expression was unveiled through exclusive tasting experiences in Lagos and Abuja, where guests explored not only the whisky itself but also the story behind its creation. From cask selection and maturation to the inspiration drawn from the James Bond archives, the experience demonstrated how storytelling can deepen appreciation and strengthen a consumer's connection with a brand.
This approach reflects a broader shift in consumer expectations. Increasingly, premium whisky drinkers are looking for experiences that provide context alongside quality. They want to understand where a whisky comes from, what makes it distinctive and why it has earned its reputation. In response, the world's leading whisky brands are investing in experiences that educate as much as they entertain, recognising that informed consumers are more likely to develop lasting brand affinity.
The trend also mirrors wider changes in the luxury market. Across fashion, hospitality, travel and premium beverages, consumers are placing greater value on authenticity, craftsmanship and experiences that feel personal. The brands that continue to resonate are those that create genuine opportunities for engagement rather than relying solely on traditional advertising or status-driven messaging.
Ultimately, what the world's best whisky brands are getting right in Nigeria is not simply their ability to sell premium spirits. They are recognising that today's consumers value substance alongside prestige. By combining heritage, craftsmanship and meaningful storytelling, they are helping shape a more informed whisky culture, one where appreciation is built not only through what is poured into the glass, but through the stories that bring every expression to life.
Isthmus 44 launches India's 1st single-cask Scotch whisky curation service
Isthmus 44, a Gurugram-based company, just launched India's first-ever single-cask Scotch whisky curation service.
This follows the new India-UK trade deal that slashed Scotch import taxes from 150% to 75%, making it way easier (and more affordable) for premium and indie whisky brands to enter the Indian market.
Isthmus 44 releases 'Chapter I'
Their debut release, called Chapter I, is a nine-year-old single malt from The GlenAllachie Distillery in Scotland (only 343 numbered bottles are up for grabs at ₹12,000 MRP each).
Buyers also get into "The Circle," a register with early access to future release information and panel notes.
Isthmus 44 is keeping things selective and experience-focused, so don't expect these bottles everywhere; they're all about limited editions and curated drops.
Google News（Scotch/Distillery）｜原題：Isthmus 44 Debuts India’s First Single-Cask Scotch Curatorial House Amid India-UK FTA Scotch Tariff Cuts - Passionate In Marketing
Gurugram, 27 August 2026: Isthmus 44 unveiled Chapter I, its inaugural single-cask Scotch release, at Oak & Cru, The Quorum, Gurugram, on 25 August. Founder Sachin Uppal presented the limited expression before whisky collectors, connoisseurs, trade professionals, and industry veterans.
The launch introduces India to the independent Scotch bottling tradition, under which individual barrels are chosen for their provenance, maturation and sensory character. A single cask yields a finite quantity; once exhausted, the resulting expression cannot be reproduced.
The debut comes as duties on imported Scotch ease under the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which has reduced the previous 150% tariff on Scotch whisky to 75%, with further reductions planned over the coming years. The move is expected to improve access to premium Scotch in India and create greater opportunities for independent and smaller producers to reach Indian collectors.
Isthmus 44 specialises in sourcing individual casks across Scotland. An expert panel evaluates the spirit at different stages, identifying the moment when distillery identity and the influence of the wood, the previous fill, and time. Approved selections are bottled in Scotland, as required under the regulations of the Scotch Whisky Association, before arriving in India as numbered releases.
Chapter I comes from The GlenAllachie Distillery in Speyside. Distilled on 24 October 2016, the nine-year-old single malt matured in an ex-Oloroso sherry hogshead and was bottled on 15 January 2026 at 46.2% ABV. The release comprises 343 bottles, priced at an MRP of ₹12,000.
Presented without chill filtration or added colour, the whisky carries notes of dark fruit and sustained spice from the Oloroso-seasoned oak. GlenAllachie’s sweet, malty profile remains discernible through the maturation influence, delivering the structure sought by the selection panel.
Speaking at the event, Sachin Uppal, Founder, Isthmus 44, said, “India’s whisky consumer has become informed, curious and willing to seek distinctive provenance. That evolution creates room for independent curation, where judgment begins with the liquid itself at its core. Isthmus 44 was founded to connect Indian collectors with exceptional Scottish casks selected through disciplined evaluation. Our long-term ambition is to build credibility through thoughtful choices, transparent information and releases that merit attention from serious enthusiasts across the country for years ahead.”
A digital presentation revealed how the GlenAllachie hogshead was assessed and chosen. Attendees were introduced to the considerations guiding the panel, including spirit quality, maturation history, wood influence, flavour development and readiness for release.
The session moved into a guided tasting during which participants recorded observations across the nose, palate and finish. A curated food menu explored the whisky’s interaction with varied ingredients, textures and preparations.
Guests later joined a cask-personalisation activity featuring miniature display barrels. Participants created their own interpretation of a private selection and received the completed piece as a keepsake. The exercise offered a tactile introduction to cask identity without representing actual whisky ownership or filling.
Numbered bottle holders gain entry to The Circle, Isthmus 44’s register for Chapter owners. Membership includes advance information on forthcoming selections, panel notes and invitations linked to future releases and events.
The company plans measured commercial growth through on-trade establishments aligned with its positioning. Retail expansion will remain selective, with emphasis placed on suitable outlets, informed presentation and appropriate shelf placement instead of rapid distribution.
About Isthmus 44
Founded by Sachin Uppal, Isthmus 44 is India’s first curatorial house dedicated to single-cask Scotch. Its numbered Chapters connect Indian collectors with limited Scottish expressions chosen through expert assessment and bottled at origin.
Google News（Scotch/Distillery）｜原題：The world’s most sought-after whiskey has been named and it’s available all oer the world - Whisky Monkeys
Michter's 在 Drinks International 年度評選中連續第四年獲得全球最受推崇威士忌殊榮，擊敗來自全球的主流及精釀威士忌品牌。該排名由超過 25 國的調酒師、記者及威士忌專家組成的國際評審團投票決定。Michter's 主打波本威士忌、黑麥威士忌等美式威士忌，強調每款酒皆待熟成至最佳狀態才推出。在全球貿易環境不確定的當下，這項四連冠成績凸顯美式威士忌在國際市場的競爭力，其產品全球均可購得。
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Winning once is great, twice is special, but four years in a row on the top step? Then you’re clearly doing something right. Michter’s has done it again and can call itself the world’s most admired
whiskey for the fourth time in 2026.
For the fourth consecutive year, the American whiskey brand tops Drinks International’s The World’s Most Admired Whiskies. With that, Michter’s leaves both major and boutique producers from every corner of the globe in its wake.
Michter’s once again the world’s most admired whiskey
Drinks International’s annual ranking is compiled by an international panel of drinks buyers, bartenders, journalists, and whiskey experts from more than 25 countries. They determine which whiskey brands command the most admiration worldwide. In 2026, that yields the same winner for the fourth year running:
Michter’s.
Even the organizers didn’t expect this year’s results to culminate in such a remarkable victory.
“When we started this ranking, we never imagined a single brand would rack up such an impressive streak of wins.”
- Shay Waterworth, Drinks International editor| Whisky Deals from Whisky Exchange | Week 35 |
| Glenfiddich 18 Year Old | 77,63 euros |
| The Perfect Measure 25 Whisky and Spirits Advent & Tasting Set | 99,80 euros |
| 20 Whiskies That Changed The World Tasting Set | 119,82 euros |
| Port Charlotte 10 Year Old | 47,87 euros |
| Glenmorangie A Tale of Tokyo | 60,15 euros |
American whiskey pulls ahead of the competition
For Michter’s, this fourth win comes at a pivotal moment. The global drinks industry is facing a challenging market and uncertainty around international trade. Michter’s isn’t immune to that, but the brand prefers to focus on what it does best: the quality of its whiskey.
Michter’s produces
bourbon, rye, sour mash whiskey, and American whiskey. According to the company, its various expressions aren’t simply pulled from the barrel after a set number of years. Each whiskey is matured until the team decides it’s truly ready to drink.
Michter’s primary distillery is in Shively, a neighborhood of Louisville. In Springfield, the company maintains an estate of roughly 205 hectares for growing grain. You’ll also find the Michter’s Fort Nelson Distillery right in the heart of Louisville.
That last location houses the historic pot still system from the former Michter’s Pennsylvania Distillery. Visitors can take tours, enjoy tastings, and settle in at The Bar at Fort Nelson.
Number one four years running
If you don’t happen to be near Kentucky every week, there’s an easier way to celebrate the win. The whiskey is available worldwide for everyone to enjoy. Have you ever had the pleasure of tasting a Michter’s?
FAQ
- What is the most admired whiskey in the world in 2026?
Michter’s has been named the World’s Most Admired Whiskey of 2026 by Drinks International, claiming the number-one spot for the fourth year in a row.
- Who determines the World’s Most Admired Whiskies ranking?
The list is compiled from the opinions of an international group of drinks buyers, bartenders, journalists, and whiskey experts from more than 25 countries.
- What whiskey does Michter’s make?
Michter’s produces a range of American whiskeys, including bourbon, rye, sour mash whiskey, and American whiskey.
Google News（Scotch/Distillery）｜原題：5 Award-Winning Whiskies Cheaper Than The Macallan 12 Year Old Sherry Oak - The Whiskey Wash
麥卡倫12年雪莉桶英國建議零售價£95（約台幣3,400），美國售價$90-$100，價格高昂。本文介紹5款2025-2026年國際賽事獲獎的替代選項，都具有麥卡倫同樣的乾果、巧克力與香料風味但價格更低：Aberlour 12年雙桶£33、Glendronach 12年£49、GlenAllachie 12年£42（2025年世界威士忌大賽最佳單一麥芽威士忌）、Indri Agneya 46%印度威士忌£58、Arran The Bodega雪莉桶55.8%£58。這些選項讓預算有限的威士忌愛好者有更多優質替代品可選擇。
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The Macallan needs no introduction in whisky circles. It is iconic, it is historic, and… it is expensive. The 12 Year Old Sherry Oak carries a recommended retail price of £95, with most UK retailers listing it somewhere above £75. In the US it retails for between $90-$100. While the whisky is unquestionably good, the price has, for a long time, left drinkers asking why they should spend that much on a 12 year old single malt, and what else might be worth trying instead.
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READ THE STORYThere is a good deal worth trying, as it happens. Sherry casks are not in short supply, and plenty of distilleries fill them and charge considerably less than Macallan.
The five whiskies below each won a medal at a major competition in 2025 or 2026, each delivers the same dried fruit, chocolate and warm spice character people buy the Macallan 12 for, and each costs less. One of them was named the best single malt in the world last year.
Aberlour 12 Year Old Double Cask, 40%, £33 / $55 – Spirit Gold 2026, 95 points
Aberlour sits in Speyside, and the 12 Year Old Double Cask is matured in a combination of ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks, with the two cask types married together before bottling. It comes out at 40% ABV, the same strength as The Macallan 12.
The whisky took a Spirit Gold at the International Wine & Spirit Competition 2026 with a score of 95 points, and a Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2026.
Our own Phil Dwyer picked out rich fruit, spiced milk chocolate, red grapes and toffee, and described the whisky as one “hidden in the shadows of some of its towering neighbors.”
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The Glendronach 12 Year Old, 43%, £49 / $60 – Double Gold, SFWSC 2026
The Glendronach distillery is in Forgue in Aberdeenshire, and its 12 Year Old spends its entire maturation in pedro ximénez and oloroso sherry casks. The whisky is bottled at 43% with natural color and no chill filtration.
It won a Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2026.
Of the five bottles here, this one lines up most directly with the flavor description on the Macallan bottle. Dark chocolate, raisin, and candied citrus peel all show up, and the sherry influence is heavy.
It is often named in online discussions of Macallan alternatives.
The GlenAllachie 12 Year Old, 46%, £42 / $69 – World’s Best Single Malt, World Whiskies Awards 2025
You probably saw this one coming.
In March 2025, the GlenAllachie 12 Year Old was named World’s Best Single Malt at the World Whiskies Awards. The 12 also went on to take a Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2026.
Billy Walker bought the Speyside distillery in 2017. The 12 Year Old is matured in Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso casks alongside virgin oak, then bottled at 46% with natural color and no chill filtration. Writing for Forbes, our very own Mark Littler noted a nose of fried banana and almond, with stem ginger, sultana and buttery vanilla on the palate.
Tom MacLaren, head of client services at Whisky Auctioneer, told Littler: “Lately, GlenAllachie has been my go-to alternative to Macallan 12.”
Indri Agneya Single Malt Indian Whisky, 46%, £58 / $70 – Gold, LSC 2026, 95 points
Indri Agneya is made by Piccadilly Agro Industries in Indri, Haryana, in northern India. The whisky is built on six-row Indian barley, lightly peated and double distilled in copper pot stills, then matured in ex-bourbon and pedro ximénez sherry casks and bottled at 46% without chill filtration.
Summers in Haryana are long and hot, which speeds up extraction from the wood, so the cask influence can be seen sooner than it would be in a cooler climate like that in Scotland.
At the London Spirits Competition 2026 it took a Gold with 95 points and was named Indian Single Malt Whisky Of The Year. The LSC judges described “a long, oily finish featuring spiced honey and subtle peat.”
The peat makes this a departure from the other four whiskies here, though the sweet, fruited character will be familiar, and I think the smoke adds just a little something extra.
Arran The Bodega Sherry Cask, 55.8%, £58 / $75 – Category Winner, No Age Statement Single Malt, World Whiskies Awards Scotland 2025
Arran The Bodega Sherry Cask is made at Lochranza Distillery on the Isle of Arran and matured exclusively in sherry casks selected from bodegas in Jerez. It is bottled at natural cask strength, 55.8% ABV, with natural color and no chill filtration.
It won its category at the World Whiskies Awards Scotland 2025 as a No Age Statement Single Malt from the Islands, and went on to be named Best Single Malt Scotch, Islands at the global awards. It was also shortlisted by The Whisky Exchange as one of the best Scotch whiskies of 2024, with the retailer calling it “an elegant single malt with rich layers of fruit and spice.”
Toffee, sweet spice, ripe fig, cherries, dark chocolate and mandarins all feature.
Is Macallan Still Your Go-To?
None of this is an argument against The Macallan 12. It is a well-made whisky with a long history behind it, and the people who reach for it are not making a mistake. The sticking point has always been the price, and with household budgets under pressure, a lot more drinkers are looking at what else the sherried category offers before committing £95 to a 12 year old single malt.
On the evidence above, the category offers a good deal. Four of these five bottles come in above 40% ABV, three carry natural color with no chill filtration, and every one of them has a recent medal to show for itself.
So what do you pour instead, or is The Macallan 12 still your go-to? Let us know in the comments.
If this kind of comparison is useful, we have also looked at whiskies cheaper than Johnnie Walker Blue Label and whiskies cheaper than The Macallan 18, along with a closer look at why The Macallan costs what it does.
Isthmus 44, a Gurugram-based venture, launched its debut release on 25 August 2026, positioning itself as India’s first curatorial house dedicated to sourcing and presenting single-cask Scotch whisky to Indian collectors.
The company’s inaugural release, Chapter I, is a nine-year-old single malt from The GlenAllachie Distillery in Speyside, distilled in October 2016 and bottled in January 2026 at 46.2 per cent ABV. Matured in an ex-Oloroso sherry hogshead, the release comprises 343 numbered bottles priced at ₹12,000 MRP. It is presented without chill filtration or added colour.
The launch coincides with a significant shift in India’s Scotch import regime. The India-UK Free Trade Agreement has halved the existing 150 per cent tariff on Scotch whisky to 75 per cent, with further reductions scheduled over coming years. The change is expected to improve market access for premium and independent Scotch producers targeting Indian buyers.
Isthmus 44’s model mirrors the independent bottler tradition established in the UK, where individual casks are selected based on provenance, maturation character and sensory evaluation rather than being blended into standard commercial releases. Each cask yields a finite quantity of bottles that cannot be replicated once sold out.
Founder Sachin Uppal introduced the release at Oak & Cru, The Quorum, Gurugram, before an audience of collectors, trade professionals and industry veterans. Casks sourced by the company are evaluated by an expert panel and bottled in Scotland under Scotch Whisky Association regulations before being imported to India as numbered releases.
Bottle holders of Chapter I are enrolled in The Circle, a register granting early access to future release information and panel notes. The company said retail and on-trade distribution would remain selective, prioritising informed presentation over broad market penetration.
Published on August 27, 2026
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Speyside single malt Glen Moray has signed a three-year extension to remain the ‘Official Whisky’ of the ISPS Handa Senior Open. The Elgin-based distiller announced the deal on 17 August, following this year’s Championship at Gleneagles.
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READ THE STORYThe extended contract will take Glen Moray to Royal Porthcawl in 2027 and beyond.
The partnership celebrates the shared Scottish roots of golf and whisky. Glen Moray first signed a three-year deal starting at Carnoustie in 2024.
The ISPS Handa Senior Open is Europe’s only senior major. It is hosted each July at an iconic UK golf course and attracts more than 20,000 fans each year. The Championship features 144 players competing for one of the sport’s most sought-after senior titles.
Glen Moray’s on-site tasting room, bottle shop and sampling program have become one of the Championship’s most popular attractions.
This year, the distiller introduced a deeper tasting and masterclass experience, led by Global Brand Ambassador Iain Allan and his team. Nearly 600 guests sampled the brand’s spirit across four complimentary whisky flights from the Explorer, Heritage, Xperience and Warehouse 1 ranges.
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The Glen Moray Chipping Challenge also returned, drawing 1,500 participants this year.
All players received a bottle of Forbidden Fruit, a recent expression from the Xperience Range. Drams and cocktails were served in hospitality at Gleneagles Hotel and at the pre-event Pro-Am tournament.
Allan presented a unique bottle of Glen Moray to this year’s winner, Jerry Kelly. The single cask #5286 was distilled in 1994 and bottled in 2026 exclusively for the Championship.
“After three successful years of partnership with the ISPS Handa Senior Open, we are more convinced than ever that world class golf and whisky go hand in hand,” said Stephen Watt, commercial and marketing director at Glen Moray.
“Being part of this incredible Championship is a huge source of pride,” he added. “And now, with three more years ahead of us, we look forward to planning more exciting activations.”
Edward Kitson, Championship director of the ISPS Handa Senior Open, said: “We are delighted to extend our partnership with Glen Moray for another three years.”
Google News（Scotch/Distillery）｜原題：M — N Associates Draws on Scottish Whisky Heritage for The Rampant Club Identity - Branding in Asia
創意設計公司 M — N Associates 為位於胡志明市的私人會所 The Rampant Club 開發品牌識別系統。The Rampant Club 致力於威士忌文化與相關社交活動，品牌視覺汲取蘇格蘭威士忌傳統，以威士忌杯刻面圖案為核心幾何元素貫穿始終。核心標誌採用蘇格蘭皇家旗幟上的獅子紋章 Lion Rampant，融入威士忌與蘇格蘭文化元素。字體設計支援越南文符號，將蘇格蘭威士忌的古老靈魂與越南文化相融合。此案展示威士忌品牌在亞洲市場的高端策略。
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Creative agency M — N Associates has developed the brand identity for The Rampant Club, a private members’ club in Ho Chi Minh City, which the agency describes as being “for those devoted to whisky and everything worth gathering around it.”
The agency’s scope covered naming, the brand design system, custom typography, digital experience, photography direction, applications, and guidelines.
Concept
The identity draws on Scotland’s whisky heritage, with its visual language built around symbols and motifs associated with that tradition. A wheel-cut diamond pattern, abstracted from the faceted surface of a whisky glass, runs throughout the identity as a unifying device.
“For this narrative, we immersed ourselves in Scotland’s rich whisky heritage, translating its symbols into a contemporary visual language,” said M — N Associates.
“Woven throughout the identity are Scotland’s most enduring symbols, from the Lion Rampant of the Royal Banner of Scotland and the nation’s enduring thistle, to Highland dress, tartan and heraldic motifs.”
Rampant Mark
At the center of the identity is the Lion Rampant from Scotland’s Royal Banner, retaining its distinctive outstretched stance while introducing details drawn from whisky and Scottish culture.
According to the agency, the mane echoes the form of the Great Highland bagpipes, while adjustments to the ornamental tail and triangular details adapt elements of the original Duncan Taylor Whisky mark, creating a connection between the club and the whisky house from which it was born. The agency notes: “There is luxury in knowing what to leave untouched.”
Wordmark
The identity includes a trio of wordmarks. The primary wordmark uses a Gothic-inspired sans serif with an upright posture, while tightened spacing references the club’s discreet private entrance.
The letter “A” replaces its conventional crossbar with a diamond detail drawn from the wider identity. An abbreviated “T.R.C.” provides a shorthand for the club name, while a handwritten wordmark introduces a less formal element across the club’s activities and social touchpoints.
“The font’s final touch lies in its full support for Vietnamese diacritics, lending the old soul of Scottish whisky a new nuance shaped by Vietnam’s cultural rhythm,” said the agency.
Custom Type and Layout
The Rampant Mark’s forms and signature diamond detail extend into a custom typeface, Rampant Sans. Elements of the Lion Rampant figure, including the curved sweep of its tail, the rounded ends of its limbs, and shapes within its body, were abstracted into the letterforms.
The agency said digital layout takes cues from old Scottish newspapers, using spacing and whitespace as measured elements across the composition. Generous margins and structured proportions translate elements of print design into the digital setting and are intended to encourage a slower pace of navigation.
The club’s website applies the editorial system across its presentation of activities, spaces, and membership enquiries.
Illustration
An illustration series extends the identity across club pursuits including golf, tennis, art, dining, and shared activities. The illustrations depict the Lion Rampant in a warmer and more playful style, with orange accents and recurring diamond geometry connecting the series to the wider identity.
Across social media, the illustrations are used alongside Rampant Sans and the wordmark system for content around club gatherings and activities.
All images provided by M — N Associates.
Credits
Client: The Rampant Club
Branding firm: M — N Associates
Executive Creative Director: Duy — N
Project Manager: M — Lan
Associates Creative Director: Bảo Trương
Designers: Thái-Tú Nguyễn, Khánh Trần, Phương-Anh Nguyễn, Đức-Thuận Lê, Uyển-Nhi Nguyễn, Văn-Tú Nguyễn
Main Illustrator: Amanda Moeller
Digital Designer: Phương Lưu, Hà-Chi Lê
Junior Project Manager: Hồng-Chi Phan
Copywriters: Ly Nguyễn, Tân Nguyễn, Thảo-Vy Nguyễn
Printing Producers: Hồng-Chi Phan, Thanh-Vy Lê
Typography under Type Associates
Type Design: Bảo Trương, Duy — N
Portfolio Photography: Khôi Nguyễn
Portfolio Producers: Bảo Trương, Khánh Trần, Thái-Tú Nguyễn, Phương-Anh Nguyễn, Hồng-Chi Phan, Thảo-Vy Nguyễn
In the Scottish Lowlands lies
Bladnoch Distillery, one of the oldest whisky distilleries in the country. The distillery boasts a rich story that stretches back an impressive 206 years. Join us as we dive into the history of Bladnoch,
Scotland, and Lowlands whisky in this
Distillery Thursday.
How a farm became a queen
Our journey takes us to the Scottish Lowlands of 1817. Close to the sea, Bladnoch Distillery sits on the river of the same name. It began life as a farm, but John and Thomas McClelland applied for a license to distill. They received it that year, marking the start of a golden era in which the family began crafting the water of life.
The McClelland family kept at it for nearly a century, passing down the secrets of distilling from one generation to the next. During this time the distillery expanded significantly and modernized in earnest.
At its peak, the distillery produced roughly 230,000 liters of alcohol annually and housed no fewer than six washbacks. It’s no wonder Bladnoch Distillery earned the nickname “Queen of the Lowlands.” But turbulent times lay ahead.
Out of the frying pan and into the fire
In the early 20th century, whisky sales slumped. Demand fell sharply, while supply surged. These two forces meant Bladnoch Distillery was among those forced to shut its doors. That happened in 1905, and the closure lasted until 1911.
In that year, a lifeline appeared from an unexpected place: Ireland. Dunville & Co., owner of the Royal Irish Distillery, purchased Bladnoch and restarted production of Lowlands whisky. Progress was uneven, with the stills falling silent more than once.
Then in 1937, Dunville received a stark message. Distillers Company Limited, an oversight body within the Scotch whisky industry, issued a statement declaring that Irish whiskey had no future.
The warning spooked Dunville & Co., which tried to offload Bladnoch Distillery quickly, even though it was profitable and held a healthy stock. A sale never materialized, and the distillery went bankrupt. The doors closed once more.
Bladnoch did find a new owner, but they chose to liquidate the distillery’s assets. The whisky and spirit stocks were sold off, and equipment like stills and washbacks went to Sweden.
Bladnoch Distillery remained closed until 1956, changing hands several times in the interim as a stripped-down whisky enterprise.
Rescue from an unlikely quarter
Bladnoch reopened that year and quickly gained fresh momentum. It became part of Inver House, and in 1966 four new stills were installed in the old farm buildings. Just over a decade later, Inver House sold the distillery to Arthur Bell & Sons, who ramped up production once again. A visitor center also opened.
Arthur Bell & Sons eventually placed Bladnoch under Guinness. Production declined and ultimately stopped in 1993. Thankfully, the pause lasted just a year, as two brothers from Northern Ireland stepped onto the scene.
Raymond and Colin Armstrong bought the distillery and the surrounding land. Their initial plan was to create a holiday village: the location seemed perfect, with abundant nature and the coast nearby. But they changed course and chose to make whisky again, which ran counter to the sale conditions.
In the end, the pair secured permission to resume distilling, but the venture didn’t turn a profit. They decided to sell. Australian entrepreneur David Prior purchased Bladnoch and immediately embarked on an ambitious renovation, an overhaul from top to bottom that took two years.
Toward the Bladnoch of today
By 2017, the work was complete and production restarted. It also marked the distillery’s 200th anniversary: a milestone worth celebrating. Bladnoch did so with a bicentennial release.
This 29-year-old single malt was distilled in 1988 and released in 2018. At the time, it was the oldest Bladnoch ever bottled. Matured in Oloroso sherry casks and finished in Moscatel casks, the whisky leans toward a sweet profile with notes of vanilla, cherries, and chocolate. A few years later, the bottle finally reached the United States, where it hadn’t previously been available.
In the meantime, Bladnoch has unveiled a broad range of age-stated whiskies and themed series. The 2021 Single Cask Series, for example, features six distinct single-cask expressions. Then there’s the Dragon Series, five expressions that honor the art of whisky-making.
The distillery team can tell you much more about Bladnoch’s rich and tumultuous past and they’re delighted to do so on a tour, such as the
1817 tour, which guides you through the Lowlands maker’s story in two hours.
Photos: Bladnoch Distillery
| Whisky Deals from Whisky Exchange | Week 35 |
| Glenfiddich 18 Year Old | 77,63 euros |
| The Perfect Measure 25 Whisky and Spirits Advent & Tasting Set | 99,80 euros |
| 20 Whiskies That Changed The World Tasting Set | 119,82 euros |
| Port Charlotte 10 Year Old | 47,87 euros |
| Glenmorangie A Tale of Tokyo | 60,15 euros |
Google News（Scotch/Distillery）｜原題：Wire Works Caduro X & Calvados Arrivée - The Whisky Wire
英國德比郡的 White Peak Distillery 推出兩款 Wire Works 系列新酒。Caduro X（46.8% ABV，£75）為紀念酒廠10週年，採用首次填充波本桶與招牌 STR 桶熟成，具熱帶果香、烘烤蘋果與溫和煙燻風味。Calvados Arrivée（49.2% ABV，£71）先用波本桶熟成再用蘋果白蘭地桶陳年3年，展現青蘋果、香草與蜂蜜的典雅風格。兩款都展現了 White Peak 精良的製酒工藝與桶陳管理技術，證明英式威士忌已有其獨特身份。
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There was a time when words such as handcrafted, small batch and limited-edition actually meant something. These days, they’re liberally splashed across whisky bottles and have become largely meaningless. Unless the bottle itself provides the answers, in the form of meaningful details and numbers, these terms are increasingly little more than marketing bumph.
One distillery that can genuinely lay claim to its handcrafted credentials, on its bottles and otherwise, and one that exudes tradition, transparency and integrity in abundance, is the Derbyshire based White Peak Distillery. Founded in 2016 by Max and Claire Vaughan, the distillery is rooted in its unique heritage, with a focus firmly on flavour and a deep pride in its Derbyshire provenance.
A true craft distillery in every sense of the word, White Peak has brought genuine excitement and energy to the English whisky category over the past few years, as well as to the wider whisky world. It proudly demonstrates that English whisky isn’t simply playing catch-up with Scotch whisky; it has its own identity, its own character and crucially, its own sense of dramming adventure!
Recently, I was thrilled to get acquainted with a couple of the latest releases from their multi-award-winning Wire Works range: Caduro X, released to celebrate White Peak’s 10th anniversary, and Calvados Arrivée, which showcases how the distillery’s spirit interacts and interplays with different cask types.
Wire Works Caduro X
Single Malt English Whisky
46.8% ABV – RRP £75.00
Matured in a combination of first-fill ex-Bourbon barrels and the distillery’s signature STR (shaved, toasted and re-charred) casks.
Nose: It opens with bursts of tropical fruit before moving into baked apples, vanilla, orange zest, tinned strawberries and mixed spice. There’s also a creamy sweetness, with more than a hint of crème brûlée. Toasted oak sits underneath, bringing a gentle dryness, while delicate wisps of smoke hover in the background.
Palate: Those tropical fruits come charging back, along with more baked apples, orange zest and caramelised sweetness. The STR casks bring their own influence, adding spice and richness, while the Bourbon barrels provide a vivacious vanilla character.
Finish: Long, lingering, warm and very satisfying, with toasted oak, baked fruit, mixed spice and that gentle smoke echoing in the background.
Summary: A cracking 10th anniversary release. Fruity, spicy, creamy and gently smoky, with the sort of balance that makes the bottle disappear considerably faster than one might have intended.
Wire Works Calvados Arrivée
Single Malt English Whisky
49.2% ABV – RRP £71.00
Initially matured in ex-Bourbon barrels before being finished for three years in first-fill Calvados casks.
Nose: You’re immediately greeted by green apples, vanilla custard, cut grass, icing sugar, dried raspberries and baking spices. The nasal niceties then continue with the arrival of wine gums, honeycomb and a creamy white-chocolate note that adds something very Milkybar-esque to proceedings.
Palate: Green apples, vanilla, toffee, honeycomb, white chocolate and baking spices mingle beautifully, with the Calvados influence bringing an added fresh orchard character to the whisky. Delicate smoke provides just enough contrast to the apple and vanilla sweetness, giving the whisky just enough of a balancing backbone.
Finish: Long and lush, with apple, spice, honey and gentle oak, while that subtle smoke lingers elegantly in the background.
Summary: An absolute stunner of a release that not only exudes White Peak’s signature DNA, but also demonstrates the versatility and quality of its spirit, as well as its top-notch approach to cask management.
The English whisky category has exploded with energy in recent years, but White Peak has been one of the distilleries bringing genuine excitement and credibility to the party. These latest releases are proof, if proof were needed, that they are still very much knocking it out of the park, and I can’t wait to see what they have up their dramming sleeves next!
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GlenWyvis in dire need of funding to save distillery
Community-owned Scotch whisky distillery GlenWyvis is seeking a multi-million-pound investment by 2028 to secure its future.
Dingwall-based GlenWyvis was established in 2015 by John McKenzie, a former Army Air Corps helicopter pilot. The project was registered as a Community Benefit Society (CBS) in 2016, enabling it to operate as a not-for-profit business for the benefit of the wider community.
However, in recent years, the distillery has faced financial difficulties, alongside the Covid-19 pandemic, a fire in its wood-chip store, and a legal dispute with McKenzie, who owns the land the distillery operates on.
In a recent update to its members this month, GlenWyvis’ management committee warned of a “serious situation facing the distillery”.
Following a “full review of the business”, the business came to the conclusion that it needs “significant new investment to secure its future”.
The update noted: “A combination of rising costs, a prolonged downturn across the whisky industry, and the cumulative strain of long-running legal disputes with our landlord – disputes we have largely been successful in defending – has placed sustained pressure on the business.
“Member funds, grants and loans have supported the distillery since its inception 10 years ago, but these are no longer sufficient to sustain operations for the longer term.”
‘Exploring all viable options’
The statement also noted that the distillery’s production would “remain paused until we have greater certainty about the path ahead, and we do not believe it would be right to begin recruitment while that uncertainty remains”.
It continued: “We are exploring all viable options with our professional advisers, including external investment and, where appropriate, discussions with potential interested parties. If new investment cannot be secured, we may need to consider alternative arrangements for the distillery’s future.”
The management committee said its priority was to protect members’ interests and “secure the best possible outcome”.
Speaking to The Spirits Business yesterday (26 August), David Graham, a director of GlenWyvis, says: “We have already been out to our membership and told them that we need to raise a couple of million pounds to be able to see our way through 2028.”
But could external investment mean a move away from their community-owned structure? “It’s difficult to answer that question because there are several ways of looking at it,” Graham says.
He explains that as a CBS, “some 12% of our members live in any one of 36 countries worldwide” with a large proportion within the IV postcode area of northern Scotland – encompassing the city of Inverness, Dingwall and the surrounding areas.
“We have a very, very wide spread of people who’ve put their money into this and wanted to see it grow. We’ve had more than our fair share of headwinds. The bottom line is, we now have to find a solution for the longer-term.”
Industry on par with 1980s whisky loch
Addressing the challenges facing the industry, Graham pointed to the world’s biggest Scotch maker, Diageo, as an example, noting that the multinational company has cut staff and paused production at some of its distilleries.
“If you look at GlenWyvis, we have an installed capacity of 140,000 litres a year. By comparison to Diageo’s 20-plus million, that means we are a complete minnow. We don’t produce 140,000 litres, but we’d probably need to work 24 hours a day, seven days a week to be able to achieve something close to that.”
Graham notes that many smaller single malt distilleries in Scotland are facing similar challenges to GlenWyvis, while the major players are “inundated with bottle stocks”.
“We’re 10 years old, and we’re struggling, but the difficulty is that this is now a buyer’s market,” he says, noting that casks of “reputedly Macallan” are being sold off at lower prices that are “pretty much unheard of”.
He adds: “What we’re looking at now is probably on par with the whisky loch that destroyed distillery capacity in Scotland in the early 1980s.”
Graham did not disclose the kind of investor that GlenWyvis is looking for, but said the business is “open to offers”.
Regarding the production pause, Graham explains that production was “lost in 2025 and early 2026 through equipment breakdown”.
He continues: “We have completely rebuilt our biomass boiler, and it is now effective, but it has one hot test still to go through before it’s certifiable.”
However, during the last stage of the rebuild, GlenWyvis discovered a faulty steam valve which has since been replaced and is undergoing testing.
The second issue is staffing, with the distillery manager and distillery operator leaving the business in June.
“In the current environment, we don’t think it is ethical to go out and offer that post to people while we are uncertain about the distillery’s future,” Graham explains.
Furthermore, GlenWyvis has been fighting a legal battle with McKenzie, which has led to increased costs. Graham said they have been successful in the dispute when facing the landlord in court; however, there has been a “backlog in the taxation process” for the costs they were awarded. “There are open issues still going on,” he says of the dispute, adding: “In fact the can has been kicked open further in a couple of them just this week.”
In February this year, the distillery raised £500,000 (US$683,000) from the Catalyst Fund, a social investment fund from Scottish development agency Firstport. The funds would have supported whisky production, new jobs and strengthened its marketing and sales capacity.
However, the cash provided by the Catalyst Fund and previous fundraisers was “not sufficient to keep us going long term”.
Graham notes that a “fundamental issue” of the CBS model is that the funding needed is much larger than what a community can provide, compared with saving a village pub, which could be supported by £250,000 (US$339,528), as opposed to the millions of pounds GlenWyvis needs.
GlenWyvis is also selling casks of its whisky on its website to raise funds. It is also planning a refresh of its gin range as it has “not been an outstanding success”, Graham notes, although he warns that the gin category is crowded. “We have chosen to rebottle and refresh its branding to see how it gets on.”
He adds: “What we’re concentrating on at the moment is where we can go to be able to find enough funds to sustain our business, and then potentially find a way of reorganising it in some positive way that allows us to continue.
“We’ve been out to our members; they have given us some support by way of supporting our bond offers and our third share offer in 2025, but sadly the take from those was insufficient to our needs. We needed a lot more than they were capable of giving.
“We’d love them to go out and buy a couple of bottles each. We’d love them to donate money to the fight for our legal costs [in the dispute with McKenzie], and we’d absolutely love them to buy more shares.”
The distillery’s first share offer raised £2.6m (US$3.2m) in 2016 and the second totalled £1.1m (US$1.4m) in 2021. A third was launched in 2024 to raise £2m (US$2.5m).
However, the business cannot begin another share offer because GlenWyvis is a “going concern”.
“We don’t deserve to go out and ask people to invest unless they are sophisticated investors who know what the score is and know what they’re doing.”
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Google News（Whisky 綜合）｜原題：Video: Chris Stapleton’s 2023 Tampa Set Runs From “Parachute” To “Tennessee Whiskey” - That Eric Alper
（僅標題資訊）鄉村音樂歌手 Chris Stapleton 2023年11月在佛州坦帕 MidFlorida Credit Union 露天劇場的現場演唱會影像紀錄。演出涵蓋16首歌曲，從《Parachute》開場到《Tennessee Whiskey》作結，跨越多張專輯的經典曲目。Stapleton 以其標誌性的嗓音與吉他技藝為主，展現國家樂、藍調、靈魂樂與搖滾的融合風格。該演唱會影像展現他現場表演的魅力——無需過度製作，單靠歌曲本身與音樂人的才華即可撼動觀眾。
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Chris Stapleton’s 2023 Tampa performance captures exactly why his live shows can feel enormous without ever becoming overproduced. Across a 16-song set at MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre, Stapleton moves between country, blues, soul and rock while keeping the focus squarely on his voice, guitar and the songs themselves.
The show opens with “Parachute,” immediately settling into the kind of loose but tightly controlled groove that has become a hallmark of Stapleton’s concerts. “Second One To Know” follows before he moves into the title track from ‘Starting Over,’ one of several songs from that album featured throughout the performance.
From there, the set begins to stretch across different periods of his catalogue. “Millionaire” slows things down, while “Hard Livin’” brings back the grit before “Arkansas” pushes the performance toward a heavier country-rock sound.
“Midnight Train to Memphis” keeps that momentum going.
One of the strengths of the set is the way Stapleton can move from those tougher, guitar-driven songs into something much more restrained without making the transition feel abrupt. “You Should Probably Leave” brings the temperature down before “Cold” gives his voice room to take over, turning the song into one of the performance’s more dramatic moments.
Then comes one of the more unexpected turns: a brief run through “Free Bird,” the Lynyrd Skynyrd classic, before Stapleton heads into “The Devil Named Music.” Rather than structuring the show entirely around obvious singles, the set leaves room for those kinds of detours, making it feel more like a complete concert than a sequence of greatest hits.
“Nobody to Blame” and “Traveller” bring the performance back toward Stapleton’s breakthrough solo material. Both songs remain central to the identity he established with 2015’s ‘Traveller,’ an album that helped move his rawer mix of country, blues and soul into the mainstream without sanding away the rough edges.
“Fire Away” follows, and the final stretch becomes increasingly reflective.
“Broken Halos” arrives near the end of the show, its understated arrangement giving the audience another chance to hear how much Stapleton can do without pushing every song toward a huge climax. The restraint is part of the appeal. He lets the melody and phrasing carry the emotional weight.
Naturally, the performance closes with “Tennessee Whiskey.”
The song has become one of Stapleton’s defining live moments, allowing him to stretch his voice over its slow, soulful groove while the band gives him plenty of space. After more than an hour moving through rockers, ballads and country standards of his own, it feels like the natural destination for the set.
The footage also illustrates how Stapleton’s catalogue had grown by 2023. Songs from ‘Traveller,’ ‘From A Room: Volume 1,’ ‘From A Room: Volume 2’ and ‘Starting Over’ sit together comfortably, with little separation between the early material that established his solo career and the songs that followed his rise to arena and amphitheatre headliner status.
There is some conflicting date information in the supplied source: the OnlyLiveConcert listing gives November 11, 2023, while its description says November 18. Either way, the footage documents Stapleton’s Tampa stop from that November 2023 run at MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre.
What comes through most clearly is how little Stapleton needs to manufacture a big moment. The voice does most of the work, the guitar playing supplies the grit, and the arrangements give the songs room to breathe.
SETLIST:
00:50 “Parachute”
05:19 “Second One To Know”
09:15 “Starting Over”
13:37 “Millionaire”
18:57 “Hard Livin’”
22:22 “Arkansas”
25:27 “Midnight Train to Memphis”
29:23 “You Should Probably Leave”
33:07 “Cold”
39:21 “Free Bird”
41:02 “The Devil Named Music”
47:25 “Nobody to Blame”
52:36 “Traveller”
57:08 “Fire Away”
1:01:59 “Broken Halos”
1:05:13 “Tennessee Whiskey”
Manzano Mountains – Mountainair Ranger District
Albuquerque, NM – August 27, 2026 — Resources are actively engaged on suppression efforts for three wildfires burning within the Manzano Mountains of the Mountainair Ranger District.
Safety: The health and safety of firefighters and the public are always the first priority. In order to facilitate safe and efficient suppression efforts the public is asked to avoid the fire areas and adjoining trails.
Drones pose a serious risk to firefighting and can cause air operations to cease. The public is reminded that “If you fly, we can’t!”
Mountainair Ranger District- Manzano Mountain Wilderness: Whiskey Fire (Update)
Reported Date / Time: August 21, 2026 / 1350. Reported by Capilla Peak Lookout.
Cause: Lightning. Size: 60 acres
Location: Steep terrain north of Osha Peak, south of Capilla Peak and west of the Manzano Crest Trail in the Manzano Mountain Wilderness within the Mountainair Ranger District of the Cibola National Forest.
Resources: U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and aerial support.
Fuels: Mixed conifer. Fire Behavior: Moderate/High.
Operations: The Whiskey fire continues to burn in mixed conifer vegetation in a location of inaccessible steep terrain where it is difficult to safely insert firefighters for direct extinguishment. With a lack of natural barriers, steep terrain, and dry fuels, the Whiskey Fire is expected to continue to grow in the Manzano Mountain Wilderness. Fire managers are building an organization and strategic plan which incorporates the realities of the landscape and conditions for full suppression.
Smoke may be visible from westside of Manzano Mountains, Mountainair, Manzano, Punta de Agua and Torreon.
Mountainair Ranger District- Manzano Mountains – Blanco Fire (Update)
Reported Date / Time: August 24, 2026 / 1540. Reported by Capilla Peak Lookout.
Cause: Undetermined. Size: 21 acres. Containment: 25%
Location: Manzano Mountains southwest of Fourth of July Canyon – Mountainair Ranger District of the Cibola National Forest.
Resources: U.S. Forest Service (USFS), New Mexico Forestry Division (NMFD) and Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA).
Strategy: Direct extinguishment.
Fuels: Timber and mixed conifer. Fire Behavior: Low.
Operation: Firefighters completed handlines around the entire fire. Firefighters continue to secure the lines and mop-up interior using hand tools to turn over soil and smother embers to cool hot spots and prevent reignition.
Smoke may be visible from Chilili, Tajique, Torreon, Manzano, Punta de Agua, Manzano and the Estancia Valley.
Mountainair Ranger District- Manzano Mountain Wilderness – Cerro Fire (Update)
Reported Date / Time: August 24, 2026 / 1302. Reported by Capilla Peak Lookout.
Cause: Lightning. Size: 7 acres. Containment: 25%
Location: Manzano Mountain Wilderness west of Fourth of July Canyon – Mountainair Ranger District of the Cibola National Forest.
Resources: U.S. Forest Service (USFS), New Mexico Forestry Division (NMFD) and Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA).
Strategy: Direct extinguishment.
Fuels: Timber and mixed conifer. Fire Behavior: Low.
Operation: Firefighters continue to secure the lines and mop-up interior using hand tools to turn over soil and smother embers to cool hot spots and prevent reignition.
Smoke may be visible from Chilili, Tajique, Torreon, Manzano, Punta de Agua, Manzano and the Estancia Valley.
Area, Road and Trail Closure Order in effect for National Forest System (NFS) lands surrounding the Whiskey Fire (03-03-04-26-18) and Cerro & Blanco Fire (03-03-04-26-19) . The official orders and map can be viewed at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/cibola/alerts.
Additional updates will be sent as new information is received.
Weather forecast for Mountainair, NM (August 27, 2026) Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. South wind around 5 mph becoming north. Tonight: Isolated showers and thunderstorms before 9pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 58. Northeast wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Friday (August 28): Isolated showers and thunderstorms after 3pm. Sunny, with a high near 92. North wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 20%. https://www.weather.gov/
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10 Single Malt Whiskeys That Are A Waste Of Your Money
This was a difficult list to curate as I love single malt, and I often find some charm in even the most basic expressions. Yet, there are some labels that aren't worth your money. There can be a few reasons for this. Some single malts are reasonably priced but come off as too basic and can easily be outperformed by similarly priced rivals. Other bottles are great but are overpriced and just don't represent good value. Both types make the list here.
All of these bottles are decent and perfectly drinkable. I have tasted them all and if I was gifted one again, I'd happily drink it. However, I'd never go and buy these bottles out of my own pocket. I have vast experience with single malts and enjoying countless bottles has given me a deep understanding of what equals great value and what doesn't. If you're making your way through the world of single malts and want to avoid poor choices, here are 10 bottles you should think twice about buying.
1. Auchentoshan American Oak
The first thing that bugs me about this bottle is the name. It gives the impression that being matured in American oak is somehow unique. In reality, the vast majority of Scotch is matured this way. I'd be able to quickly move past that if the whisky was great, but alas, it leaves a lot to be desired. The problem here is a common one among these bottles: The profile is a little too thin. There are many single malts which are light and approachable but still have enough depth to make them an enjoyable pour. Then, there are the ones like Auchentoshan, where the tasting notes are a little too one-dimensional.
Those tasting notes give you plenty of vanilla with some brightness coming in the form of lemon and coconut. Soft oak notes at least help to give it some depth, but simplicity is its biggest weakness. If you like your single malts with more pronounced fruit, spice, or oak, you'll be searching for something that isn't there. It's not a silky-smooth whisky, but it is completely inoffensive, so it's pleasant enough to drink, just not memorable. The average price is around $40. It shouldn't be difficult to find some more rounded single malts, but this bottle at least has the advantage of pairing brilliantly with Coke.
2. Cardhu 12-year
A beautiful bottle is always going to catch the eye, but it doesn't mean the whisky inside is going to be a beautiful dram. This is a bottle that could almost work as a decanter if you remove the branding. However, instead, this is a whisky stripped of any deep flavors. There are occasionally some nice notes, but they don't last long enough to be truly appreciated.
The sweetness here mainly comes from honey. There are also some orchard fruits, but they are a little too vague to pick out any specific note. Also, there is a gentle underlying warmth, but again, it's not deep enough to allow you to pick out an individual spice to describe it. As with most of the whiskies here, Cardhu is inoffensive, which makes it easy enough to drink. However, even with approachable expressions, most people want their whisky to have character. Sadly, nothing about this whisky captures your attention or leaves you with much to contemplate, and it usually sells for around $50. The only thing you're usually contemplating is what Scotch your money would have been better spent on.
3. Tomintoul 10-year
When I talk about deep whiskey flavors, this means that there are some that can be richer, stronger, and more complex than others. The basic profile may mimic similar flavors, but the tasting experience is vastly different. So, when a whisky like Tomintoul 10-year gives you vanilla on the palate, it's not the same as the vanilla you'll get from the likes of an Aberlour 12. You're left wishing for more flavor — and wishing you'd spent your money on a different bottle.
The other notes you'll get on the palate here include honey, citrus, and a touch of almond. The problem is that there is very little depth or development as you drink it, and the relatively gentle flavors don't leave a particularly lasting impression. Even those who enjoy delicate Speyside, they still expect some layers of flavor. Again, the issue here is more about value than it is about quality. There are numerous single malts that deliver greater complexity and stronger character. Tomintoul 10-Year is decent enough, but straightforward nature makes it difficult to call it a worthwhile purchase. Expect to spend around $40.
4. The Tyrconnell Single Malt
None of the whiskeys in this list have been extensively aged, but this single malt feels particularly youthful. It feels somewhat underdeveloped and is perhaps one of the reasons why The Tyrconnell didn't make our list of the best Irish whiskey brands. You get an immediate sense of that youthfulness with the tasting notes reminiscent of light cereal, citrus, and some vanilla. Usually sold at around $40, it's fine to drink neat, but it doesn't have the smoothness that accompanies many Irish whiskeys. To say it has an ethanol burn would be too harsh, but there is a little roughness.
That could be easily forgiven if it was a robust whiskey full of depth, but it's quite the opposite. Rather than showcasing the richness, fruitiness, and distinctive character that Irish single malts can offer, Tyrconnell doesn't deliver anything unique or particularly interesting. If you want an affordable introduction to Irish whiskeys, there are many great, underrated Irish whiskeys under $30. However, as a representation of what Irish single malt whiskey can offer, Tyrconnell falls a little short. There are more interesting Irish single malts, making this difficult to recommend.
5. Smokehead Original
I get what Smokehead is trying to do with its presentation – using the smokiness of peat to create a brand that is a little bit punk, a little rebellious, and a little defiant. And I have no doubt it works. The bottles look great and the whisky is good. It delivers big, smoky flavors from an Islay distillery that is not disclosed. Yet, one of the things I love most about Islay whisky is the individual character and distinct personality you get from each distillery. So, it's not that the whisky is awful, but it just ends up feeling a little generic and a little too one-dimensional.
There's plenty of smoke, medicinal peat, pepper, and charred oak in this bottle, making a big impression for anyone who enjoys powerful whiskies. For an average price of $40, it certainly doesn't lack intensity, and that alone can make it an enjoyable choice for casual peat lovers. The problem is that intensity alone doesn't necessarily make a great Islay single malt. With heavy peat and smoke dominating much of the experience, there's less fruit, sweetness, maritime character, and complexity you can typically find in best peated whiskies. Its redeeming quality is that it delivers exactly what its name suggests. If you simply want a smoky whisky without worrying too much about subtlety, Smokehead provides it. But I still want some nuance with peated whisky, and you don't get that here.
6. Jura 12-year
Made on an island just north of Islay, this distillery has the honor of being the only whisky distillery on the Isle of Jura. As you already know, this is faint praise, but it's another brand that has a beautiful bottle – the elegant curves contrast the harsh coastal setting. As for the whisky inside, you get a relatively gentle profile. Age isn't everything in Scotch, but when a whisky reaches the 12-year mark, you expect it to have some complexity, with tasting notes that highlight the personality of the distillery it's coming from.
Sadly, there isn't much personality to speak of. You get some vanilla and oak, along with just a touch of orchard fruit and spice. The problem is that these tasting notes are shared by most single malts, preventing them from having any memorable character. I've always wanted Jura to lean into its coastal surroundings and clash its gentle