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Classification: Straight Bourbon Company: Wooler Brands Distillery: Sourced from an undisclosed Kentucky distillery(ies) Release Date: June 2026 Proof: 90 Age: NAS (Company press release states aged 5 years) Mashbill: 72% Corn, 18% Rye, 5% Wheat, 5% Malted Barley Color: Light Yellow Gold SRP: $40 / 750mL (2026) Yellow cake | Vanilla | Peeled orange | Sandals wood | Faint brown sugar Vanilla | Light oak | Orange rind | Baking spices | White peppercorn | Faint caramel | Thin mouthfeel Caramel | Brown sugar | White peppercorn spice | New oak | Flash of yellow cake | Short Wooler Whiskey Bourbon plays it safe with their standard bourbon, offering consumers an inoffensive sip for an inoffensive price. Wooler Whiskey brands were founded by Jason Wooler, a 30 year spirits industry who suffered a stroke, which led to years of recovery. With a focus on family, the company states that Wooler “chose to build something new alongside his family, combining decades of experience with a shared commitment to the business. That decision is at the heart of Wooler Brands: a modern spirits company run by real family involvement.” In fact, the brand’s logo, which is a sheep wearing a tilted crown, is a nod to the Wooler family’s English farming heritage. Opening with gentle, pleasing scents, Wooler Whiskey Bourbon focuses on a sweeter aroma that rests atop peeled orange and sandalwood scents. These transition to a classic flavor profile in the palate that blends in orange rind. Although the mouthfeel is thin, it isn’t a major detriment. The bourbon’s finish is short and to the point, focusing on various sweet flavor notes that mingle with white peppercorn spice and new oak. Wooler Whiskey Bourbon delivers everything consumers might expect for a 5 year, 90 proof bourbon, and nothing more. And that’s okay, especially considering its affordable price of $40. Those looking for a light and approachable bourbon will feel right at home with Wooler Whiskey Bourbon. The bourbon in review is from Batch No. 54.

The Louisville Music Festival Alliance has announced two festival pregame events in partnership with Mayor Craig Greenberg and Danny Wimmer Presents. Rock The Ville takes place at Fourth Street Live! on Saturday 19 September 2026, while Bourbon, Brunch, & Bluegrass returns to the NuLu neighborhood on Saturday 26 September 2026. Straight Neck Stills & Littlemill Roots: Five Things You Didn’t Know About Loch Lomond READ THE STORYBoth are official Danny Wimmer Presents (DWP) pregame events. Rock The Ville serves as a pregame to the Louder Than Life festival. Bourbon, Brunch, & Bluegrass leads into Bourbon & Beyond. Each event will feature food and drink specials from local businesses, live music, ticket and merchandise giveaways, contests, live art and special activations. Rock The Ville runs from 10am to 1pm. It will feature a Fit Check Fashion Show, where guests can wear their best festival outfits for a chance to win prizes from Louder Than Life. Additional contests will include Bourbon Tray Carrying and Best Air Guitar. Bourbon, Brunch, & Bluegrass runs from 11am to 3pm on S. Shelby St., between Market St. and Jefferson St. in NuLu. This year’s event will feature a Vinyl Record Show and a Vintage Festival Merch Swap. Signup now to make sure you don't miss out on the latest whiskey news and deals. By Signing up, you accept and agree to our Terms of Services and you acknowledge our Privacy Statement. The Whiskey Wash is protected by reCAPTCHA, and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Signup now to make sure you don't miss out on the latest whiskey news and deals. By Signing up, you accept and agree to our Terms of Services and you acknowledge our Privacy Statement. The Whiskey Wash is protected by reCAPTCHA, and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Both events will offer a full bar, a commemorative photo op, live bourbon barrel art and local food. TARC will provide free shuttle passes to the festival grounds while supplies last. “We’re thrilled to bring Bourbon, Brunch, and Bluegrass back to NuLu for another exciting celebration of everything that makes our neighborhood special,” said Katie Meinhart, NuLu Business Association President. “It’s a great opportunity for locals and visitors alike to enjoy great food, live music, and bourbon while experiencing the energy and hospitality of NuLu before heading out to Bourbon & Beyond.” Both events are free to attend. Support comes from Delta Dental, Stock Yards Bank & Trust, Fourth Street Live, NuLu Business Association, Louisville Tourism, NuLu Marketplace and TARC. Attendees are encouraged to visit local bars and restaurants within each event area, which will offer their own specials for the festival weekends. Bourbon & Beyond, held annually in Louisville, bills itself as the world’s largest bourbon and music festival, combining spirits, food and live performances across multiple stages.

GameDay Spiked, a range of premium canned vodka cocktails, has launched as the official canned cocktail of the Georgia Bulldogs through a partnership with University of Georgia Athletics. The brand, now part of the TAG Reserve Spirits portfolio, is available at major retailers across Georgia and South Carolina, with additional states set to roll out in the coming months. Straight Neck Stills & Littlemill Roots: Five Things You Didn’t Know About Loch Lomond READ THE STORYThe GameDay brand first built its name with GameDay Vodka, a six-times-distilled, gluten-free, American-made vodka. That spirit now serves as the base for GameDay Spiked. The canned cocktails come in four flavors. Fruit punch is dubbed The GOAT, lemon-lime is named Cleat Chaser, strawberry-lemonade is called Cinderella Story, and grape is known as The Closer. Each 12oz can is lightly carbonated and made with real fruit juice. The cocktails are 5% ABV, contain 99 calories, are gluten-free, and have no added sugar. The Georgia partnership carries personal significance for Alex Wood, a former Bulldogs baseball standout, 12-year major league pitcher, and 2020 World Series champion with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Wood is co-founder and strategic advisor to TAG Reserve Spirits, which added the GameDay brand to its portfolio in January 2026. “UGA is where I became who I am, on and off the field,” Wood said. “Having GameDay Spiked stand alongside the Bulldogs means something personal to me, and I can’t wait for fans in Athens to see it for themselves. Dawg Nation, here’s to you.” Signup now to make sure you don't miss out on the latest whiskey news and deals. By Signing up, you accept and agree to our Terms of Services and you acknowledge our Privacy Statement. The Whiskey Wash is protected by reCAPTCHA, and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Signup now to make sure you don't miss out on the latest whiskey news and deals. By Signing up, you accept and agree to our Terms of Services and you acknowledge our Privacy Statement. The Whiskey Wash is protected by reCAPTCHA, and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Ryan Tripp, chief executive officer of TAG Reserve Spirits, said the brand builds around products that already resonate with consumers. “GameDay has meant something to sports fans since day one,” Tripp said. “GameDay Spiked is the brand at its best, a premium canned cocktail made for the way fans actually celebrate, and standing alongside Georgia Athletics is exactly where it belongs.” GameDay creator Zach David oversees brand development and operations for GameDay Spiked within TAG Reserve Spirits. The brand’s standard eight-pack includes two cans of each flavor. A Georgia Bulldogs-branded variety pack and 16oz single-serve cans are also available. Two flavors, The GOAT and The Closer, will be sold at University of Georgia football games throughout the season. GameDay will be on-site at every home game at Dooley Field at Sanford Stadium. The brand is aimed at the more than 200 million sports fans in the US. In Georgia it is distributed by Savannah Distributing Company, while Morales Beverage Group handles South Carolina.

Skrewball Whiskey has unveiled Peanut Butter & Strawberry Jelly Flavored Whiskey, the brand’s first flavor innovation since it pioneered the peanut butter whiskey category in 2018. The release rolls out across the US in September 2026, pairing the brand’s signature peanut butter whiskey with strawberry jelly flavors. Straight Neck Stills & Littlemill Roots: Five Things You Didn’t Know About Loch Lomond READ THE STORYThe new expression is inspired by the classic PB&J sandwich. It combines Skrewball’s peanut butter whiskey with the “nostalgic flavor of strawberry jelly.” The whiskey is available in two formats. Both are bottled at 70 proof (35% ABV). The 100ml can carries a suggested retail price of $3.99 (£2.95 / ₹378) and contains two full-strength servings. The 50ml bottle is priced at $1.99 (£1.47 / ₹189). Skrewball positioned the smaller formats as portable options for outdoor and social occasions. The brand said the cans are built for “tailgates, concerts, camping trips and wherever the unexpected happens.” “Drinkers want big flavor, and we wanted to deliver it in a tiny can,” said Steve and Brittany Yeng, co-founders of Skrewball Whiskey. “Throw it in your cooler or back pocket, crack one open with a friend, and enjoy the nostalgic combination.” Signup now to make sure you don't miss out on the latest whiskey news and deals. By Signing up, you accept and agree to our Terms of Services and you acknowledge our Privacy Statement. The Whiskey Wash is protected by reCAPTCHA, and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Signup now to make sure you don't miss out on the latest whiskey news and deals. By Signing up, you accept and agree to our Terms of Services and you acknowledge our Privacy Statement. The Whiskey Wash is protected by reCAPTCHA, and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. The co-founders added: “The unexpected is what Skrewball does best, and this sets the stage for where our brand is heading next.” Richard Black, managing director of North American Distillers, said the launch reflects the brand’s approach to flavored whiskey. “Skrewball has always challenged expectations around what whiskey can be, and PB&J is a natural expression of that spirit,” Black said. “By taking a flavor combination that consumers know and love and reimagining it through our signature peanut butter whiskey, we’re continuing to push flavored whiskey in unexpected directions.” He continued: “The result is a playful, nostalgic take on a classic pairing that feels unmistakably Skrewball.” Skrewball was founded by Steven Yeng, a Cambodian refugee, and his wife Brittany. Steven first created a peanut butter shot at a bar he ran in Ocean Beach, San Diego, before Brittany used her chemistry background to develop a shelf-stable whiskey. The brand is owned by Pernod Ricard, the world’s second-largest spirits and wine company. Skrewball said fans can expect further releases later this fall.

Bulleit Frontier Whiskey has returned as the Official Whiskey Sponsor of the Texas Longhorns for a second consecutive season. The Diageo-owned brand will also serve as an associate sponsor of the university’s alumni association, the Texas Exes, with activations running throughout the 2025-2026 college football season across Austin and beyond. Straight Neck Stills & Littlemill Roots: Five Things You Didn’t Know About Loch Lomond READ THE STORYThe renewed deal follows what Bulleit described as “a successful first year” with the Texas Longhorns and Texas Exes. For Year Two, the brand will showcase its full portfolio, including Bulleit Bourbon, Bulleit Rye, and the recently launched Bulleit ’87, described as “a bold blend of bourbon and rye built to sip.” “Bulleit is all about backing the bold,” the brand said. “That spirit runs deep in both Bulleit and Longhorn Nation, from a shared pride in where we come from to a commitment to doing things differently.” At Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium, the sixth-floor Bulleit Frontier Lounge will serve two signature drinks: the Bulleit Bourbon Blackberry Tea and the Bulleit Bourbon Peach Lemonade. Fans aged 21 and over can also gather at the Bulleit Frontier Lounge Tent at Longhorn City Limits on the LBJ Lawn outside the stadium. Signup now to make sure you don't miss out on the latest whiskey news and deals. By Signing up, you accept and agree to our Terms of Services and you acknowledge our Privacy Statement. The Whiskey Wash is protected by reCAPTCHA, and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Signup now to make sure you don't miss out on the latest whiskey news and deals. By Signing up, you accept and agree to our Terms of Services and you acknowledge our Privacy Statement. The Whiskey Wash is protected by reCAPTCHA, and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. The brand will host a tailgate experience on the LBJ Lawn on 12 September, featuring cocktails, food, games, and giveaways ahead of one of the season’s biggest matchups. Alumni can enjoy Bulleit cocktails and neat pours at Texas Exes gameday tailgates at the Etter-Harbin Alumni Center, with sampling on 17 October versus Florida, 31 October versus Mississippi State, and 21 November versus Arkansas. Bulleit will also run a free six-week sweepstakes launching in late September. Prizes include two tickets to the Texas versus Arkansas game on 21 November, a pregame field tour with mascot Bevo, and a head coach-autographed football. The sponsorship is managed by Longhorn Sports Properties, a division of college sports media and technology company Learfield. Bulleit’s official cocktail recipes include the Peach Lemonade, made with 1.5oz Bulleit Bourbon, 0.5oz peach syrup, and 0.5oz lemon juice. The full range is available at TheBar.com, ReserveBar, and select retailers.

Jim Beam has unveiled “Hit The Beam,” a new football-season campaign starring actor and comedian Ben Marshall and former NFL kicker Kai Forbath. The campaign, which debuted today ahead of the NFL season kickoff game, gives fans the chance to win prizes each time a field goal attempt strikes the goalpost. Straight Neck Stills & Littlemill Roots: Five Things You Didn’t Know About Loch Lomond READ THE STORYThe bourbon brand aims to turn football’s “doink” – the sound of a kick bouncing off the goalpost, or “Beam” – into a moment of celebration for rival fans. “At Jim Beam, we’ve always believed the best moments are the ones shared with others,” said Regan Clarke, VP of American Whiskey, Suntory Global Spirits. “When the ball finds the Beam, it doesn’t matter which jersey you’re wearing, we can all raise a Beam & Lemonade together.” In the campaign spot, Marshall plays an unqualified coach tasked with teaching Forbath to miss on purpose. Forbath must aim directly at the goalpost instead of between the uprights. “I’ve watched enough football to know that a doink usually results in a lot of yelling, just not the good kind,” said Ben Marshall. “Jim Beam is changing that. Now, when a ball hits the Beam, there’s actually something to celebrate. My job was just to teach a professional kicker how to miss correctly, which I was obviously extremely qualified to do.” Forbath admitted the task proved harder than expected. “I spent my entire career trying to put the ball between the beams, so being told to aim for one was definitely a first,” he said. “It turns out hitting the goalpost on purpose is a lot harder than it looks. But if a doink means fans can win, I guess there really is such a thing as a good miss.” Signup now to make sure you don't miss out on the latest whiskey news and deals. By Signing up, you accept and agree to our Terms of Services and you acknowledge our Privacy Statement. The Whiskey Wash is protected by reCAPTCHA, and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Signup now to make sure you don't miss out on the latest whiskey news and deals. By Signing up, you accept and agree to our Terms of Services and you acknowledge our Privacy Statement. The Whiskey Wash is protected by reCAPTCHA, and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Throughout the season, every doink gives fans a chance to win an 85-inch TV, with up to five awarded each week. Winners are selected at random based on the number of doinks. If no kicks hit the Beam, eligible entries roll over to the following week. Fans can enter at HitTheBeam.com from September 9. Entrants must be 21 or older. The campaign rolls out across CTV, digital and social platforms including Meta, TikTok, Reddit and YouTube. As an official partner of the Seattle Seahawks, Dallas Cowboys and Kansas City Chiefs, Jim Beam will also release limited-edition bottles featuring each franchise at select local retailers. Jim Beam is the world’s best-selling bourbon, crafted by eight generations of family distillers since 1795.

Heaven Hill Distillery has released the 20th edition of its Parker’s Heritage Collection, a 14-year-old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey made with rye backset. The annual ultra-premium bottling honors the late Master Distiller Emeritus Parker Beam and will be available nationally in limited quantities from September 2026. Straight Neck Stills & Littlemill Roots: Five Things You Didn’t Know About Loch Lomond READ THE STORYThe release is comprised of 100 barrels made from Heaven Hill’s traditional Bourbon mashbill of 78% corn, 10% rye and 12% malted barley. The whiskey was distilled between October 2011 and January 2012. It was aged for 14 years across four rickhouses and multiple floors: Rickhouse A on the second floor; Rickhouse KK on the first and second floors; and Rickhouses L and M on the third floor. This edition incorporates rye backset during fermentation. This is a portion of the liquid left after distillation that is reused in the next batch to maintain consistency and develop the whiskey’s signature flavor. The technique was long championed by Parker Beam. It contributes a bold, spicy depth while enhancing the bourbon’s balance. Signup now to make sure you don't miss out on the latest whiskey news and deals. By Signing up, you accept and agree to our Terms of Services and you acknowledge our Privacy Statement. The Whiskey Wash is protected by reCAPTCHA, and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Signup now to make sure you don't miss out on the latest whiskey news and deals. By Signing up, you accept and agree to our Terms of Services and you acknowledge our Privacy Statement. The Whiskey Wash is protected by reCAPTCHA, and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. “The Parker’s Heritage Collection has allowed us to celebrate the extraordinary legacy of Parker Beam—his passion, his craft and the lasting impact he had on Heaven Hill and American Whiskey,” said Max Shapira, executive chairman of Heaven Hill. “We are proud that each release carries forward both his memory and his enduring commitment to doing things the right way.” Conor O’Driscoll, Heaven Hill master distiller, added: “Parker understood that the smallest details in the whiskey making process can have a meaningful impact on the final pour.” “This edition reflects that belief, using rye backset to create a 14-year-old Bourbon with remarkable depth, balance and spice.” The 20th Edition is bottled at barrel proof at 118.0 proof and is non-chill filtered. The suggested retail price is US$199.99 (£148 / ₹18,951) for a 750ml bottle. Select quantities will also be available in international markets. Parker Beam, for whom the series is named, was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) in 2010. Heaven Hill will donate a portion of the proceeds from each bottle sold to the ALS Association in his honor. To date, the distiller has donated more than $1.4 million to the ALS Association through the partnership.

Camikara, India’s first pure cane juice aged rum, has secured Silver medals for its 3, 8 and 12 Year Old expressions at the International Spirits Challenge (ISC) 2026. The wins add to a growing list of accolades for the brand, which competed against established rum producers from heritage rum-making nations. Straight Neck Stills & Littlemill Roots: Five Things You Didn’t Know About Loch Lomond READ THE STORYEach expression earned its Silver medal at the UK-based competition, one of the leading global spirits contests. The recognition builds on results from the SIP Awards in California. There, Camikara 8 Year Old was named Best in Class – Platinum, the highest honor in the Rum Aged/Rhum Agricole Aged category. Camikara 3 Year Old secured a Gold medal at the same event. Both expressions also received the Innovation Award, given independently by the judging panel after a blind-tasting process. The awards were determined solely on the quality, character and originality of the spirit. Madhu Kannu, head of international business at Camikara, said: “India is the second largest sugarcane growing country in the world, yet no distillery in India produced a 100% pure cane juice rum and then matured it entirely in oak barrels.” Signup now to make sure you don't miss out on the latest whiskey news and deals. By Signing up, you accept and agree to our Terms of Services and you acknowledge our Privacy Statement. The Whiskey Wash is protected by reCAPTCHA, and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Signup now to make sure you don't miss out on the latest whiskey news and deals. By Signing up, you accept and agree to our Terms of Services and you acknowledge our Privacy Statement. The Whiskey Wash is protected by reCAPTCHA, and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. “Camikara is the first and only one to do so,” Kannu added. “Today, the brand is proving India can make a rum that stands proudly among the world’s finest and commands recognition on the global stage.” Kannu continued: “Every bottle carries the character of our land, the strength of our sugarcane and the ambition of a nation that is ready to lead. Camikara is putting Indian rum on the map and defining it. This is the real Indian rum.” The brand takes its name from Sanskrit, meaning “liquid gold.” It is crafted from 100% pure sugarcane juice rather than molasses, following the traditional rhum agricole style. Camikara uses no additives. The rum matures in oak casks under North India’s subtropical climate, where wide temperature variations accelerate maturation. The range comprises 3, 8 and 12 Year Old expressions, each reflecting a different stage of maturation. Camikara 3 Year Old is designed to be enjoyed on the rocks or in cocktails, while the 8 and 12 Year Old expressions are positioned for sipping neat. Further information is available at the Camikara website.

Brown-Forman has revived a historic brand called Kentucky Boy to mark 50 years of service by Master Distiller Emeritus Chris Morris. The limited, one-time release debuts on September 10 at the Kentucky Bourbon Festival in Bardstown, Kentucky. Straight Neck Stills & Littlemill Roots: Five Things You Didn’t Know About Loch Lomond READ THE STORYKentucky Boy was crafted by Woodford Reserve master distiller Elizabeth McCall and Old Forester assistant master distiller Caleb Trigo in honor of their mentor. The pair drew inspiration from whiskies Morris developed during his career. These include Old Forester Birthday Bourbon, King of Kentucky, and Woodford Reserve Double Oaked. Bottled at 100 proof, Kentucky Boy carries a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of US$99.99 (£74 / ₹9,475). From September 11 at 10am ET, bottles will be available in limited quantities at Old Forester Distillery in Louisville, at shop.oldforester.com for shipping to states where it is legal, and at select Kentucky retailers. A release celebration with Morris will take place at the distillery on September 11 from 6pm to 8pm ET. Signup now to make sure you don't miss out on the latest whiskey news and deals. By Signing up, you accept and agree to our Terms of Services and you acknowledge our Privacy Statement. The Whiskey Wash is protected by reCAPTCHA, and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Signup now to make sure you don't miss out on the latest whiskey news and deals. By Signing up, you accept and agree to our Terms of Services and you acknowledge our Privacy Statement. The Whiskey Wash is protected by reCAPTCHA, and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Morris joined Brown-Forman in 1976. He rose to become the fifth master distiller in Old Forester history and the guiding force behind Woodford Reserve. His work helped usher in the global renaissance of premium bourbon. “It has been an honor and a privilege to have played a role in the renaissance of Kentucky bourbon,” Morris said. “Seeing consumers appreciate bourbon on a level historically afforded that of Single Malt Scotch and Cognac is most gratifying,” he added. “I am confident that future generations of Kentucky bourbon distillers will continue to build upon the momentum we started nearly 50 years ago.” To honor Morris, Brown-Forman turned to its archives to resurrect a historic brand name. The Kentucky Boy label was originally acquired in 1923, when the company purchased Louisville’s Lynndale Distillery during Prohibition. It was marketed through the 1940s under a thoroughbred racing theme. A portion of net proceeds will benefit Second Stride, a national equine adoption program for retired Thoroughbred racehorses. Brown-Forman is headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky. Its portfolio includes the Jack Daniel’s Family of Brands, Woodford Reserve, Old Forester, Herradura, and Diplomático Rum. The company employs around 4,900 people and sells in more than 170 countries.

Pursuit Spirits, the Louisville-based whiskey blender founded by the creators of the Bourbon Pursuit podcast, has announced “Found Footage,” a limited-edition collaboration with Atlanta’s Shortbarrel. The barrel-proof expression will launch at the Kentucky Bourbon Festival on Friday, September 11, available first at the Pursuit Spirits booth while supplies last. Straight Neck Stills & Littlemill Roots: Five Things You Didn’t Know About Loch Lomond READ THE STORYThe release marries Shortbarrel’s Sapsquatch maple-finished bourbon with Pursuit’s United Double Oak Rye. Its name and custom label design draw on a folklore-inspired theme centered on a “legendary beast” guarding a maple-finished bourbon in the woods. According to the brand, Pursuit laid down its Double Oak Rye “as bait” to draw the creature out. The official tasting notes from the brand describe a nose of brown sugar crumbles, Belgian waffles and ginger syrup. The palate opens with brown sugar butter before moving into chocolate cinnamon doughnuts and ginger beer. The finish features cinnamon candy, anise cookies and a light soda fizz. “When we talked to our friends at Shortbarrel about doing a collaboration project we wanted to take our best whiskeys and combine them to be something totally wild,” said Ryan Cecil, master blender and co-founder of Pursuit Spirits. “By marrying their sweet Sapsquatch bourbon with our Pursuit United Double Oak Rye Tobacco and Oak Bomb profiles we created a rare bottle worth stalking the woods for.” Signup now to make sure you don't miss out on the latest whiskey news and deals. By Signing up, you accept and agree to our Terms of Services and you acknowledge our Privacy Statement. The Whiskey Wash is protected by reCAPTCHA, and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Signup now to make sure you don't miss out on the latest whiskey news and deals. By Signing up, you accept and agree to our Terms of Services and you acknowledge our Privacy Statement. The Whiskey Wash is protected by reCAPTCHA, and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Clinton Dugan, co-founder of Shortbarrel, added: “This collaboration was all about seeing what happens when two distinct flavor profiles collide.” He continued: “The camera tape might be blurry, but the whiskey is so good your friends are going to swear you made the whole story up.” Festival attendees can visit the Pursuit Spirits booth from 2:00pm on Friday, September 11 to purchase the whiskey. The release will begin after the first Between Two Barrels session. “Found Footage” will later be available at Seelbach’s and at Pursuit Spirits on Whiskey Row. Rather than operating a traditional distillery, Pursuit Spirits sources award-winning bourbon and rye barrels from multiple distilleries across the US. The brand also operates a venue on Whiskey Row offering barrel selections and bottle-your-own experiences. Bottled in a 700ml format at 112.4 proof, “Found Footage” carries a recommended retail price of US$99.99 (£74 / ₹9,475).

Caol Ila has released the second bottling in its Islay Jazz Festival series, and this one keeps every stage of maturation inside American oak. Caol Ila Jazz Festival The Drummer is a 19-year-old Islay single malt, bottled at 52% ABV, with an outturn of just 996 bottles available at the distillery. Where last year’s opener leaned on a rare Scottish oak finish, The Drummer takes a different route to the same festival. It has been through a three-stage American oak maturation: refill American oak for the body, virgin oak for spice, and a closing finish in fresh ex-Bulleit Bourbon casks for a run of sweeter, vanilla-led notes on top. All of it sits over the coastal smoke that Caol Ila is known for. The key facts Distillery: Caol Ila Region: Islay Age: 19 years old (distilled 2006, bottled 2026)  ABV: 52% Cask: Triple American oak, refill American oak into virgin oak, finished in fresh ex-Bulleit Bourbon casks Bottles: 996 Size: 70cl  Availability:Caol Ila Distillery, tied to the 2026 Islay Jazz Festival RRP: [confirm from Malts.com / distillery before publishing — the 2025 edition was £250] Where Caol Ila Jazz Festival The Drummer fits in the series This is the second release in the partnership between Caol Ila and the Islay Jazz Festival, a collaboration that began in 2025. The first bottling was Caol Ila 18-Year-Old Jazz Festival Edition, The Guitarist, limited to 948 bottles at 52.8% ABV and finished with toasted Scottish oak cask ends. The Drummer follows the same festival-edition idea with a fresh angle on the cask build, moving the whole maturation into American oak and closing on those ex-Bulleit Bourbon casks. The festival itself returns for its 28th year, running from 11 to 13 September 2026 across distilleries, village halls and churches on Islay, with Caol Ila as headline sponsor and host of the opening night at its Brand Home overlooking the Sound of Islay. A bottling made specifically for the weekend gives visitors something to take home from a festival built on one-off collaborations, which is a neat fit for a limited run of 996. Who makes it: Caol Ila and the Sound of Islay Caol Ila takes its name from the Gaelic for “Sound of Islay”, the stretch of water that separates Islay from neighbouring Jura, and the distillery sits right on the shore near Port Askaig. Founded in 1846 by Hector Henderson, it is the largest distillery on Islay by output. Much of that spirit goes into Johnnie Walker, with a smaller portion held back for Caol Ila’s own single malt range, which runs from the no-age-statement Moch up through the 12, 18 and 25 year olds. The visitor experience reopened in August 2022 following Diageo’s investment in Scotch whisky tourism, and the distillery has since leaned into events like the Jazz Festival. For international readers newer to Islay: this is the island’s peated-whisky heartland, and Caol Ila’s house style is a lighter, more maritime take on that smoke than some of its southern-shore neighbours. What Caol Ila Jazz Festival The Drummer tastes like These are the distillery’s own tasting notes for the release. We have not tasted The Drummer, so read them as Caol Ila’s description rather than a Daily Whisky verdict. Caol Ila Jazz Festival The Drummer tasting notes (distillery) Nose: Citrus zest and green apple up front, butterscotch and creamy fudge underneath, with a light coastal smoke drifting through.  Palate: Milk chocolate and roasted malt first, then poached pear and brown sugar sweetness, warm woody spice, and Caol Ila’s deep rolling smoke.  ABV: 52% | Cask: Triple American oak (refill, virgin, ex-Bulleit Bourbon finish) | Age: 19 years old The stated profile leans sweeter and spicier than a standard Caol Ila, which tracks with the cask build: vanilla and fudge from the bourbon-cask finish, pepper and clove from virgin oak, and the smoke carried underneath by the refill American oak. Price and availability The Drummer is available at the Caol Ila Distillery in connection with the 2026 Islay Jazz Festival. As with the 2025 edition, expect distillery and travel-retail availability rather than wide grocery or supermarket distribution, and a specialist secondary presence once the 996 bottles move. For readers outside the UK, festival editions like this do reach international specialists. The 2026 release is already listed by at least one specialist that ships worldwide, including handling US duties, so buyers in Germany, the US and further afield are not shut out if the distillery sells through. Confirm the current RRP before you commit, as festival editions can carry a premium over the core range. Is it worth chasing? If you already like Caol Ila and enjoy tracking how one distillery’s smoke behaves under different wood, The Drummer is an easy one to want: an all-American-oak build on a 19-year-old is a clear, readable idea, and 996 bottles means it is collectable without being impossible. It will appeal to the Islay completist, the Jazz Festival follower building the series next to The Guitarist, and anyone who likes their peat wrapped in bourbon-cask sweetness. It is less obviously for someone chasing the biggest, cask-strength Islay hit, since 52% is firm but not fierce, or for a first-ever Islay purchase, where the core 12-year-old does the introduction for a lot less money. If the final RRP lands near the 2025 edition’s £250, weigh it as a festival keepsake and a distillery-exclusive age statement rather than a value everyday dram. We can say that we have tasted the 2025 version and is an fantastic bottle of whisky. Frequently asked questions What is Caol Ila Jazz Festival The Drummer? It is a limited-edition Islay single malt Scotch whisky, the second release in Caol Ila’s Islay Jazz Festival series after The Guitarist. It is 19 years old, bottled at 52% ABV, with an outturn of 996 bottles, made to mark the 2026 festival where Caol Ila is headline sponsor. What does Caol Ila Jazz Festival The Drummer taste like? By the distillery’s notes, the nose shows citrus zest, green apple, butterscotch and creamy fudge over a light coastal smoke. The palate brings milk chocolate, roasted malt, poached pear and brown sugar, with warm woody spice and Caol Ila’s deep rolling smoke underneath. What casks are used in Caol Ila Jazz Festival The Drummer? A three-stage American oak maturation. The spirit is matured in refill American oak and virgin oak, then given a final finish in fresh ex-Bulleit Bourbon casks. That last stage adds the sweeter, vanilla-led top notes, while the refill and virgin oak carry the spice and smoke. How much does Caol Ila Jazz Festival The Drummer cost? The official RRP for the 2026 edition should be confirmed via Malts.com or the distillery. For reference, the 2025 edition, The Guitarist, launched at £250 for a 70cl bottle, so a similar bracket is a reasonable expectation for a distillery-exclusive age statement. Where can I buy Caol Ila Jazz Festival The Drummer? It is sold at the Caol Ila Distillery on Islay around the 2026 Jazz Festival. Festival editions also tend to appear with specialist retailers, some of whom ship internationally including to the US and Europe, so buyers outside the UK should watch specialist listings if the distillery sells out. How is The Drummer different from The Guitarist? The Guitarist (2025) was an 18-year-old finished in toasted Scottish oak cask ends, at 52.8% ABV, limited to 948 bottles. The Drummer (2026) is a 19-year-old kept entirely in American oak, refill and virgin oak with an ex-Bulleit Bourbon finish, at 52% ABV, limited to 996 bottles. Leave a Reply

Hard Truth Distilling Co. will hold its third annual Harvest Festival on Saturday, September 26, at its Brown County campus in Nashville, Indiana. The event will feature the release of the distillery’s Master Distiller’s Reserve Dark Roast Rye alongside live music, local vendors, and seasonal activities. Straight Neck Stills & Littlemill Roots: Five Things You Didn’t Know About Loch Lomond READ THE STORY“Harvest Festival is a great event for the whole crew – the distillery campus will be totally decked out for fall, and we’ve got a little something to keep everyone entertained,” said Hard Truth Operations Development Director Chris Curtin. The festival runs from 3pm to 9pm and celebrates the fall season the region is known for. All ticketed guests will receive a pumpkin for decorating. Terrace games such as pumpkin bowling and inflatable ax throwing are planned for guests of all ages. Musicians Sydney Adams and Michelle Robinson will perform on the Hard Truth on the Rocks main stage. The Amazing Dennis Experience will present two magic shows on the terraces at 4pm and 5pm. A general Meet the Makers session with Hard Truth Master Distiller Bryan Smith will celebrate the release of Dark Roast Rye. The whiskey is the final Master Distiller’s Reserve expression for 2026. It combines two of Hard Truth’s limited-release rye mash bills, Caramel Malt and Chocolate Malt. Signup now to make sure you don't miss out on the latest whiskey news and deals. By Signing up, you accept and agree to our Terms of Services and you acknowledge our Privacy Statement. The Whiskey Wash is protected by reCAPTCHA, and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Signup now to make sure you don't miss out on the latest whiskey news and deals. By Signing up, you accept and agree to our Terms of Services and you acknowledge our Privacy Statement. The Whiskey Wash is protected by reCAPTCHA, and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Dark Roast Rye will first be available for purchase on the Hard Truth campus at the festival. Broader distribution will follow in the weeks after. A VIP ticket will offer guests access to a VIP tent with a cigar lounge and bar, two included drinks, whiskey samples, and an exclusive Meet the Makers event with Smith. The VIP experience will also feature offerings from Desnuda Tequila. General admission for adults aged 19 and over costs $20 (£15), with an early-bird rate of $15 (£11) through September 11. Admission for those aged 18 and younger is free. VIP admission for those aged 21 and over costs $60 (£45), with an early-bird rate of $50 (£37). “With Harvest Festival entering its third year, we’ve had the opportunity to hone the experience and build an even more fun and engaging event for our guests than ever. We can’t wait to see everyone here,” Curtin concluded. Tickets are available via the Hard Truth Distilling website.

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Most Cognac cask whiskies are finishes. The spirit matures in bourbon or sherry wood for years, then spends a few final months in ex-Cognac casks for a top note. Kilchoman Cognac Cask Matured does something more committed: it has spent its entire maturation in first-fill ex-Cognac barriques, with no other cask involved. The distillery calls it “Not A Finish”, and the name is doing exactly what it says. This is the 2026 edition, a vatting of 33 first-fill Cognac barriques distilled in 2019 and bottled at 50% ABV. It is non-chill filtered with natural colour, comes in the standard 70cl format, and carries a recommended price of around £70. It is available across the UK and Europe from this week. What is Kilchoman Cognac Cask Matured? Kilchoman Cognac Cask Matured is a limited Islay single malt Scotch whisky that has undergone full-term maturation in ex-Cognac barriques rather than a short finishing period. Barriques are French oak casks of roughly 250 to 300 litres, the size used in the Cognac and Bordeaux trades, so the wood-to-spirit ratio is high and the French oak has a lot of contact time. Distilled in 2019 and bottled in 2026 at 50% ABV, it is a no-age-statement release built from 33 casks. Not a finish: why full-term Cognac maturation matters Finishing is a well-established and much-loved technique across Scotch, and it produces some superb whisky. What Kilchoman is doing here is a different exercise. By putting new-make straight into first-fill Cognac casks and leaving it there for the whole journey, the French oak shapes the spirit from day one rather than being layered on at the end. That is also why it is harder to get right. First-fill casks give up their flavour quickly and generously, and an active Cognac barrique can march ahead of the spirit if you leave it too long. The distillery has to taste often and bottle at the moment the balance lands, rather than to a fixed schedule. Founder and managing director Anthony Wills put it plainly: “Full-term maturation in first-fill experimental casks is risky; we need to monitor the maturation very closely. The aim is to maximise flavour, both from the cask and from the spirit. The Cognac casks bring an abundance of flavour but left too long and they would overwhelm the Kilchoman spirit. The casks work to their own schedule, and we need to be ready to bottle when the balance is right.” This release follows Maury Cask Matured in the same “Not A Finish” series exploring full-term maturation. Where the Maury edition leaned darker and richer, Kilchoman describes the Cognac Cask Matured as the bright, vibrant counterpoint, pairing ripe pear and apple with crystallised ginger, baking spices and coastal peat smoke. Kilchoman: Islay’s farm distillery Kilchoman sits at Rockside Farm on the western Rhinns of Islay and started producing in 2005, the first new distillery built on the island in more than a century. Its identity is field-to-bottle: it grows barley on the farm, malts a portion on site, and distils, matures and bottles everything at Kilchoman. That closeness to the raw material is a big part of why the house style carries such a defined, bright peat character alongside its fruit. The distillery has built its reputation on core expressions such as Machir Bay and Sanaig and on a steady stream of cask experiments. The “Not A Finish” full-term series is the latest of those, and it is the kind of project a small, hands-on distillery is well placed to run, because it can watch individual casks closely and bottle on the spirit’s terms. How Kilchoman describes the Cognac Cask Matured The Daily Whisky has not tasted this release yet, so the notes below are Kilchoman’s own. We will add our verdict if we get a bottle in the glass. Nose: Ripe pears and apples, peat smoke, honey sweetness, toasted nuts and baking spices.  Palate: Buttery mouthfeel, with waves of baked fruit, honeycomb and salty sweetness. Finish: Drying smoke with lasting sweetness and mellow fruit. ABV: 50% | Cask type: 33 first-fill ex-Cognac barriques (full-term) | Vintage: distilled 2019 | Size: 70cl | Price: around £70 Price and availability: UK and Europe The Cognac Cask Matured is priced at around £70 for a 70cl bottle at 50% ABV, and it is out across the UK and Europe from this week. Kilchoman also sells directly from its own online shop and ships to a long list of countries, which matters for readers outside Britain. For our wider European readers, that direct route is the useful one. Kilchoman ships bottles to Denmark, the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, Norway and beyond, as well as to markets further afield including Japan, Australia, Singapore and much of the United States. If it is not yet on the shelf at your local specialist, it is worth asking them to order it or buying direct from the distillery. Who is it for? On paper this is aimed squarely at drinkers who like Islay peat with a fruit-forward, dessert-leaning cask influence rather than a heavy sherry bomb. If you enjoy Kilchoman’s brighter, orchard-and-honey side and you are curious about what French Cognac oak does across a full maturation instead of a finish, this is the interesting one to chase. At around £70 for a 50% ABV, non-chill filtered, naturally coloured single-cask-type vatting, it sits in familiar territory for a limited Kilchoman release. We will hold a firm verdict until we have tasted it. Frequently asked questions What is Kilchoman Cognac Cask Matured? It is a limited Islay single malt Scotch whisky from Kilchoman that spent its full maturation in first-fill ex-Cognac barriques rather than being finished in them. The 2026 edition is a vatting of 33 casks, distilled in 2019 and bottled at 50% ABV, non-chill filtered with natural colour. Is Cognac Cask Matured a Cognac-finished whisky? No, and that is the point of the “Not A Finish” name. A finish means a short spell in a cask at the end of maturation. This whisky spent its entire maturation in ex-Cognac barriques, so the French oak shaped the spirit from the start rather than being added as a final flourish. What does Kilchoman Cognac Cask Matured taste like? Kilchoman describes ripe pear and apple, peat smoke, honey, toasted nuts and baking spice on the nose, a buttery palate of baked fruit, honeycomb and salty sweetness, and a drying, smoky finish with lasting sweetness. The Daily Whisky has not tasted it yet, so these are the distillery’s notes. How much does Kilchoman Cognac Cask Matured cost? The recommended price is around £70 for a 70cl bottle at 50% ABV. As a limited release, secondary and retailer pricing can vary, so check with your local stockist or buy direct from Kilchoman’s online shop. Where can I buy Kilchoman Cognac Cask Matured? It is available across the UK and Europe from this week, through specialist retailers and directly from Kilchoman’s website. Kilchoman ships to many countries, including Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland, the US, Japan and Australia. What is Kilchoman known for? Kilchoman is Islay’s farm distillery at Rockside Farm, producing since 2005 as the first new Islay distillery in over a century. It grows and malts barley on site and is known for a bright, defined peat character and for a steady run of cask experiments like this full-term “Not A Finish” series. Leave a Reply

Leith-based independent bottler Blind Summit Whisky has released two 35-year-old single malt scotch whiskies from one Macallan cask distilled in 1989. The September 2026 launch is limited to 30 paired sets worldwide, with the whiskies finished separately in Rivesaltes fortified wine and Barbados rum casks. Straight Neck Stills & Littlemill Roots: Five Things You Didn’t Know About Loch Lomond READ THE STORYThe bottler has priced each 50cl bottle at approximately $1,650 (£1,250). A paired set costs approximately $3,300 (£2,500). The whiskies were drawn from a refill Bourbon hogshead distilled at The Macallan on 11 October 1989. They have been bottled at cask strength, non-chill filtered and at natural color. The Rivesaltes-finished expression has an ABV of 45.3%. The Barbados rum-finished whisky has an ABV of 46.4%. Blind Summit said each finishing cask was selected to “build on, rather than mask” the original Macallan profile. The official notes from the brand say the Rivesaltes finish adds dried fruit and nut richness, while the Barbados rum cask brings brighter tropical notes. James Zorab, co-founder and whiskymaker at Blind Summit Whisky, divided the original cask and monitored both finishes over more than two years. Signup now to make sure you don't miss out on the latest whiskey news and deals. By Signing up, you accept and agree to our Terms of Services and you acknowledge our Privacy Statement. The Whiskey Wash is protected by reCAPTCHA, and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Signup now to make sure you don't miss out on the latest whiskey news and deals. By Signing up, you accept and agree to our Terms of Services and you acknowledge our Privacy Statement. The Whiskey Wash is protected by reCAPTCHA, and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. “Our responsibility with a whisky of this age was to respect what the years in cask had already achieved,” Zorab said. “Each finishing cask was chosen to build on the character of the spirit rather than change it, and both were monitored closely throughout so that the finish never overtook the whisky. What we have bottled is two honest expressions of one exceptional cask.” Jamie Dawson, co-founder of Blind Summit Whisky, said the company had chosen not to follow a more conventional finishing route. “Sometimes you have to be bold,” Dawson said. “We didn’t want to release another Macallan finished in Oloroso simply because that’s what’s expected.” “Splitting the cask gave us the opportunity to explore two very different finishing journeys while making sure the character of the original whisky always remained at the heart of both expressions. The result is two distinct single malts with a common ancestry.” Each pair is presented in Blind Summit’s 50cl packaging with mirrored labels designed as one continuous artwork. The design was created with Leith-based Studio Reekee. Blind Summit was founded by Dawson and Zorab in Leith, Edinburgh. The company said its founders have more than 40 years of combined experience across whisky and fine wine, and have worked on more than 50 releases to date.

For a distillery so closely associated with rich sherry casks, dried fruit and Christmas cake, fresh coconut isn’t a tasting note most people would expect from The Macallan. Straight Neck Stills & Littlemill Roots: Five Things You Didn’t Know About Loch Lomond READ THE STORYThat’s exactly why the final release in The Harmony Collection caught my attention. Over the years I’ve reviewed plenty of Macallan expressions and while the quality is usually beyond question, the flavour profile rarely strays too far from the distillery’s well-established identity. This time, the brief was different. The final Harmony Collection release, Inspired by Fresh Coconut, promised a brighter, more tropical interpretation of Macallan while remaining true to its house style. That’s an ambitious balancing act. Having now spent time with a glass, I’m pleased to say it largely succeeds. A Different Side of Macallan Since launching in 2021, The Harmony Collection has given Macallan permission to explore ideas that sit slightly outside its traditional range. Sustainability has been the common thread, with each release pairing an experimental flavour direction alongside innovative packaging made from repurposed natural materials. Signup now to make sure you don't miss out on the latest whiskey news and deals. By Signing up, you accept and agree to our Terms of Services and you acknowledge our Privacy Statement. The Whiskey Wash is protected by reCAPTCHA, and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Signup now to make sure you don't miss out on the latest whiskey news and deals. By Signing up, you accept and agree to our Terms of Services and you acknowledge our Privacy Statement. The Whiskey Wash is protected by reCAPTCHA, and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. For this sixth and final chapter, coconut takes centre stage. The whisky is matured in a combination of ex-bourbon barrels and sherry-seasoned American oak casks, a recipe that immediately makes sense if coconut is the destination. American oak naturally contains relatively high levels of oak lactones, compounds responsible for the creamy coconut notes occasionally found in whisky. Combine those with ex-bourbon maturation, where vanilla and sweet oak already dominate, before layering in Macallan’s trademark sherry-seasoned American oak, and the foundations for a tropical whisky are already there. This isn’t coconut flavouring. It’s simply intelligent cask management. The Presentation The Harmony Collection has always been about more than the liquid, yet thankfully the packaging has never overshadowed what’s inside the bottle. Here, discarded coconut husk fibres are repurposed to create the presentation box, while coconut shells and coir are transformed into charcoal to produce the deep charcoal black finish. Against the subtle lavender detailing, it feels modern without becoming flashy. It’s one of the cleaner designs in the series and a fitting way to close the collection. In The Glass The first thing that struck me wasn’t actually the coconut. It was how fresh the whisky felt. The nose opens with ripe tropical fruit rather than heavy sherry. Mango and pineapple appear almost immediately, followed by soft vanilla, citrus peel and fresh coconut. Given a few minutes in the glass, toasted almonds begin to emerge alongside gentle baking spices, but everything remains light on its feet. There’s richness, certainly, but it never feels weighed down by oak. The palate follows the same direction. Yes, coconut is there, exactly as promised, but it doesn’t dominate the experience. Instead, it weaves naturally through layers of pineapple, lemon sponge, vanilla cream and soft honey, giving the whisky an almost dessert-like quality without becoming cloying. The American oak contributes a gentle sweetness, while the sherry-seasoned casks add enough structure to stop the tropical notes from feeling one-dimensional. Perhaps the biggest surprise is the texture. At 46.3% ABV, I expected a little more weight and grip, yet the whisky drinks with remarkable ease. It’s exceptionally smooth, carrying its strength so comfortably that the alcohol almost disappears into the fruit and oak. Some drinkers may wish for a little more intensity, but I found the restraint worked in its favour. The focus remains firmly on flavour rather than power. The finish is medium to long, gently floral with lingering coconut, soft vanilla, heather honey and delicate oak spice. Even after the tropical fruit begins to fade, the coconut remains, tying the whisky neatly back to the theme that inspired it. Does It Achieve What It Sets Out To Do? Absolutely. The biggest risk with a whisky built around one flavour is that everything else becomes secondary. Thankfully, that’s not what happens here. The coconut is obvious, but never forced. Instead of feeling like a novelty release, Inspired by Fresh Coconut remains unmistakably Macallan. The distillery’s trademark elegance is still present, only viewed through a brighter, fruitier lens than we’re accustomed to. That makes this one of the more interesting Harmony Collection releases. Rather than relying on unusual finishing casks or headline-grabbing production techniques, Macallan has simply demonstrated what thoughtful cask selection can achieve. Is It Worth £140? For collectors of The Harmony Collection, the answer is straightforward. This is the final chapter in a six-year story and completes the set beautifully. For drinkers, the decision comes down to what you enjoy. If your favourite Macallans are the rich, heavily sherried expressions packed with dried fruit and dark chocolate, this may feel like a departure. If, however, you’ve ever wondered what happens when Macallan leans further into American oak and allows tropical fruit to take centre stage, this is one of the most enjoyable explorations the distillery has produced in recent years. It doesn’t reinvent Macallan. It simply reminds us that one of Scotland’s most traditional distilleries is still capable of surprising people. That’s no small achievement.

Few Scotch whisky distilleries have built their identity around experimentation quite as decisively as Loch Lomond Whiskies. Straight Neck Stills & Littlemill Roots: Five Things You Didn’t Know About Loch Lomond READ THE STORYThe multi-award-winning Scotch distiller, consistently recognised as one of the world’s fastest-growing, prides itself on pushing the boundaries of whisky making, combining time-honoured techniques with innovative thinking and an exceptional breadth of capabilities, all rooted in a piece of engineering found nowhere else in Scotch whisky. In a time-honoured craft where distinction can be hard to pinpoint, Loch Lomond Whiskies sets itself apart with its straight neck stills, first installed in 1966 and still shaping every single dram made on the banks of the loch today. This year marks 60 years of these stills, and with them, 60 years of a distillery built on a conviction that flavour can be shaped at the point of distillation, not left to the cask maturation process alone. A Rich History of Whisky Making The Loch Lomond Distillery holds a fascinating history, as intriguing and rich as the Loch Lomond landscape itself. It can trace its roots back to 1772 to the old Littlemill Distillery near Dumbarton, and by 1814 the Loch Lomond Distillery was taking shape at the north-western end of Loch Lomond. In 1966 a new chapter was penned as the Littlemill Distilling Company opened a distillery on its current site in Alexandria where Loch Lomond Whiskies is made today. It was here that original owner Duncan Thomas commissioned a set of stills unlike any other in Scotland, transforming a distillery with a remarkable location into one with a capability to match. Walk through the stillhouse today and you’ll find three pairs of straight neck pot stills, two traditional swan neck stills, a continuous malt still and two pairs of continuous grain stills, backed by one of only four remaining on-site cooperages in Scotland. Signup now to make sure you don't miss out on the latest whiskey news and deals. By Signing up, you accept and agree to our Terms of Services and you acknowledge our Privacy Statement. The Whiskey Wash is protected by reCAPTCHA, and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Signup now to make sure you don't miss out on the latest whiskey news and deals. By Signing up, you accept and agree to our Terms of Services and you acknowledge our Privacy Statement. The Whiskey Wash is protected by reCAPTCHA, and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. The comparison to a Willy Wonka factory is surprisingly apt. There is an almost limitless sense of possibility in a distillery capable of turning its hand to so many different forms of spirit from unpeated or heavily peated, single malt or single grain, light and floral or heavy with smoke. Indeed, Loch Lomond is the only distillery in the world making a peated single grain style of whisky. Where Flavour Begins The straight neck stills lie at the heart of this extraordinary versatility. Unlike the familiar swan neck pot still, their design combines a pot still base with a straight neck incorporating perforated copper plates and a cooling ring. These features increase reflux, allowing the distiller greater influence over which characteristics make it through the still. Crucially, the stills can operate across an exceptionally broad range of spirit strengths, reaching as high as 90% ABV compared with around 70% from a conventional swan neck still. This variation gives Loch Lomond’s whisky makers another means of controlling the character of the new make. For Master Blender Michael Henry, that means flavour decisions can be made long before the spirit enters a cask. Fermentation, distillation and maturation all contribute, but the straight neck stills provide an unusually powerful starting point. Their influence is evident in the lighter, fruit-driven character that runs through much of the Loch Lomond Whiskies range. Awards That Keep Pouring In It might be a different way of doing things, but the Loch Lomond style is recognised globally for the quality of the spirit. Boosting a long list of accolades from the International Wine & Spirit Competition to the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, industry experts consider its spirts to be among the best in the world. Loch Lomond Whiskies 12 Year Old Perfectly Balanced is the clearest expression of the distillery’s house style, offering notes of fruit, honeyed sweetness and soft smoke. Crafted using both its unique straight neck stills and more traditional swan neck stills, before being aged in three varieties of American Oak casks, it has achieved several Gold Awards on the international stage. Meanwhile, Loch Lomond Waypoint 31 Year Old demonstrates its capabilities in older aged whisky. The oldest peated single malt ever released by Loch Lomond, it is crafted solely in the straight neck stills to create a heavily peated style of spirit that is rarely seen within the Loch Lomond collection. Launched on 1 September 2026, it is limited to 2,600 bottles worldwide and recently received 99 out of 100 at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2026. Six Decades, One Continuing Experiment The straight neck stills were installed in 1966 and remain fundamental to Loch Lomond’s approach six decades later. Their longevity is testament to the driving vision that innovation is most valuable when it changes what can actually be made. This spirit of innovation will be celebrated during Golden Week, running from 7 to 14 September 2026, when whisky drinkers around the world will be invited to discover more of Loch Lomond’s range through sampling and retailer promotions. Marking 60 years of the straight neck stills, the initiative offers a fitting opportunity to experience the result of six decades of experimentation. For more information about Loch Lomond Whiskies, visit www.lochlomondwhiskies.com

Editor’s Note: This whiskey was either bought as a sample by The Whiskey Wash or provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. Per our editorial policies, this in no way influenced the outcome of this review. Phil Dwyer is a freelance whisky writer and consultant. With a decade of experience in whisky retail and nearly as long running Whisky Wednesday on YouTube, Phil is dedicated to sharing his knowledge and enthusiasm with fellow whisky lovers. His goal is to make whisky accessible and enjoyable, dispelling the jargon and complexity that can sometimes surround the spirit. In addition to his online presence, Phil managed The Whisky Shop Manchester, where he curated an impressive selection of some of the finest drams available. Can a single grain whisky rival the richness of Armagnac? This decadent, dark-aged dram delivers unexpected herbs, chewy prunes, and a savoury oak finish. Fresh coconut from a distillery famed for sherry and Christmas cake? We taste Macallan’s final Harmony Collection release to see if this bold gamble pays off. What happens when a 3,000-year-old Egyptian tiger nut cake recipe inspires a Rye whiskey? WhistlePig’s Boss Hog XIII: The Golden Pharaoh has the answer.

The Glendronach Celebrates 200 Years With a $195 Whisky Club Exclusive Bottle Updated: Readtime: 3 min Every product is carefully selected by our editors and experts. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Learn more. For more information on how we test products, click here. - The Glendronach Boynsmill House Edition is a 14-year-old single malt released to celebrate the distillery’s 200th anniversary. - It combines Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez sherry cask maturation with a small number of Claret red wine casks. - Available exclusively through The Whisky Club from September 2026, priced at AUD$195. The Glendronach is celebrating its 200th birthday with a 14-year-old single malt that honestly doesn’t cost as much as you would first think for such a prestigious occasion. The new Boynsmill House Edition comes in at AUD$195, giving Australian whisky drinkers a chance to get their hands on what sounds like a rather spectacular anniversary release without having to spend a small fortune. There’s just one catch, though. The bottle is exclusively available through The Whisky Club, so if you’re not a member already, tap your mate on the shoulder who is and get them in the queue. Because if you’re a fan of The Glendronach’s sherry-led style, there’s a good reason to pay attention to this one. The whisky has spent fourteen years in the distillery’s familiar combination of Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez sherry casks, with Master Blender Dr Rachel Barrie adding a carefully selected number of Claret red wine casks. It’s a direct tip of the hat to the wines that once upon a time would have been served at the opulent gatherings of founder James Allardice, who established The Glendronach in 1826 on the Boynsmill Estate in Scotland’s ‘Valley of the Brambles’. 200 Years of Whisky Calls for a Dash of Red Wine Those Claret casks bring red berry fruit and another layer of complexity to The Glendronach’s rich character. It’s a fitting way to celebrate the distillery’s history without straying too far from the sherry cask maturation it’s known for. According to Barrie, the resulting whisky brings together ripe malt, Highland toffee, bramble and raisin, with stone fruit and plum leading into a mellow finish. She describes it as “a richly rewarding whisky that honours the enduring character of the Valley of the Brambles”. Sounds delightful. We’ll be sure to join anyone pouring themselves a dram if we get one into the Man of Many office. Beyond the bottle, the release ties into the restoration of Boynsmill House, the historic residence where Allardice hosted his guests. The house has been brought back to life as part of the bicentennial celebrations, with invitation-only experiences offering visitors a closer look at the distillery’s early history. Where Can I Get a Bottle? The Glendronach Boynsmill House Edition is due to land in September 2026, exclusively through The Whisky Club. At AUD$195, you’re getting a 14-year-old single malt bottled at 46.8% ABV, with that little dash of Claret adding something different to the distillery’s familiar sherry cask character. If you’ve been looking for an excuse to pick up a bottle of The Glendronach, its 200th birthday is a pretty good one. And if we manage to get our hands on this release, we’ll be more than happy to raise a glass to the occasion. The Glendronach Boynsmill House Edition – Official Tasting Notes - Colour: Rich copper. - Nose: Highland toffee, bramble and stone fruit, with hazelnut and raisin. - Taste: Ripe malt, dried fruits and nuts, followed by mellow chocolate caramel. Comments We love hearing from you. or to leave a comment.

Blind Summit Whisky launches the first in a planned series of rare old malts, with just 30 sets available worldwide, priced at £1,250 per bottle, £2,500 the pair. LEITH, EDINBURGH – September 2026: Independent Scotch whisky producer Blind Summit Whisky has unveiled its most exclusive collection to date. Drawn from a single Macallan cask distilled in 1989, the release comprises two individually bottled whiskies, with just 30 sets available worldwide and separately finished in Rivesaltes fortified wine and Barbados rum casks. Bottles are available individually at £1,250 per 50cl bottle, or as a paired set for £2,500. Drawing on Blind Summit’s collective years of whisky-making experience, each finishing cask was selected to build on, rather than mask, Macallan’s natural flavour profile. The Rivesaltes fortified wine finish deepens dried fruit and nut richness, while the Barbados rum finish draws out brighter tropical notes, giving each whisky its own character. More than two years in the making, Blind Summit Co-Founder & Whiskymaker James Zorab divided the cask and oversaw both finishes throughout, carefully preserving the balance and character of the original whisky while allowing each expression to develop independently. The result is two whiskies with distinct character from a shared origin, each revealing a different interpretation of the same whisky. Founded by Jamie Dawson and James Zorab, Blind Summit Whisky is an independent bottler based in Leith, Edinburgh. Together they bring more than 40 years’ combined experience across whisky and fine wine, the pair have developed a meticulous approach to cask selection and finishing through more than 50 releases to date. James Zorab, Co-Founder & Whiskymaker at Blind Summit Whisky, said: “Our responsibility with a whisky of this age was to respect what the years in cask had already achieved. Each finishing cask was chosen to build on the character of the spirit rather than change it, and both were monitored closely throughout so that the finish never overtook the whisky. What we have bottled is two honest expressions of one exceptional cask.” Adding his thoughts, Jamie Dawson, Co-Founder of Blind Summit Whisky, said: “Sometimes you have to be bold. We didn’t want to release another Macallan finished in Oloroso simply because that’s what’s expected. Splitting the cask gave us the opportunity to explore two very different finishing journeys while making sure the character of the original whisky always remained at the heart of both expressions. The result is two distinct single malts with a common ancestry.” Each pair is presented in Blind Summit’s signature 50cl packaging, with a unique mirrored label forming a single continuous artwork across the set, created in partnership with Blind Summit’s long-time Leith collaborators, Studio Reekee. Limited to 30 sets worldwide, priced individually at £1,250 per 50cl bottle, or as a paired set for £2,500. Available now via the Blind Summit Whisky website or through Blind Summit’s worldwide trade partners.

Whisky specialist Gordon & MacPhail eyes global growth with new marketing chief Moray-based whisky specialist Gordon & MacPhail has appointed Jo Coomber as its new Global Marketing Director to help expand its international reach. Jo brings to the family-run business more than 25 years of marketing experience, spanning the luxury sector and the creative industries. Recently, she has worked as a consultant advising major names like Suntory Global Spirits and Scottish design house Timorous Beasties. Mark Geary, the company’s chief executive, warmly welcomed the appointment. He said: “We are delighted to welcome Jo to the Gordon & MacPhail team. She will bring a wealth of experience to our Executive team and business as we deliver our ambitious growth plan. “Her proven track record in brand development and insight-driven marketing makes Jo the perfect fit as we continue to invest in our brands in key markets around the world.” Established in 1895 as a local grocery shop in Elgin, the company quickly distinguished itself by sourcing fine teas, wines and spirits. Under the ownership of the Urquhart family, the business later transformed into a pioneering independent bottler, expertly maturing single malt Scotch from various distilleries in its own bespoke casks. Now a globally respected whisky specialist, the company has two distilleries of its own – Benromach in Forres and The Cairn near Grantown-on-Spey. Commenting on her appointment, Jo said: “Gordon & MacPhail has a rich heritage, exceptional whiskies and an ambitious brand-led vision for the future. “It is a personal privilege for me to be joining the business at such an exciting time. I look forward to working with the team and partners to deliver the next phase of our brand growth ambitions – both at home and internationally.”

Online spirits retailer Master of Malt has launched The Islay range of whiskies in collaboration with female founded design agency Studio Minerva. The new Scotches were launched at The Whisky Showcase which Harpers attended – a portfolio tasting hosted by Atom Group sister companies Master of Malt and distributor Maverick Drinks. The three-whisky range was curated by Master of Malt’s head of whisky Dr Samuel J Simmons (pictured, right) and “rather than telling Islay's story distillery by distillery” it aims to celebrate “the shared character its whiskies are known for – tropical fruit, minerality and a backbone of peat”, said the retailer. The new launches feature a 16 Year Old Basalt, 20 Year Old Red Sandstone and a 30 Year Old Quartzite. The range will utilise a ‘continuous single cask model’, which Master of Malt explained means that “every bottle is still drawn from a single cask, but when one cask is finished, it rolls on to the next, same name, same age statement, same strength”. Each cask is distilled and matured on Islay. “Few places inspire devotion like Islay. It's a place of pilgrimage for whisky lovers, people who fall in love with it return to it, even permanently ink its name on their skin. And the island carries far more than any single distillery does,” said Simmons. He added: “That’s why we made a deliberate decision not to name them. This is a celebration of the island as a whole, as a place, not a hunt for individual names. The provenance is all there for anyone who wants to find it, the coordinates on the bottle, the cask code on the label, but the point is Islay itself.” Coral Harker (pictured, left), MD of Studio Minerva, explained the agency’s decision to pursue its own brand. “We've spent a decade building brands for other people, and starting one of our own has always been the dream,” she said. “The timing was never quite right. Then we met Master of Malt and the fit was there straight away, and The Islay certainly won't be the last brand we build together. "All of our favourite whisky brands start their story with a distillery. We started our story with the geology of the island.” Studio Minerva has worked with high profile business across whisk(e)y including Laphroaig and Bushmills. The Whisky Showcase The Islay joins a Master of Malt in-house range (known as Atom Brands) that includes Wormtub and That Boutique-y Whisky Company releases. Maverick Drinks’ group brand ambassador Dave Worthington was on hand at The Whisky Showcase to guide Harpers through this portfolio. That Boutique-y Whisky Company is Atom Brands’ indie bottling range which also celebrates its 14th birthday next week. The 11-bottle range aims to encourage world whisky exploration – from Scotch to Canadian corn whisky by way of Ireland. Its most recent bottling was launched in August of this year – World Whisky Blend 21 Year Old. Combining long-aged whiskies from Scotland, Ireland, Canada and Japan it is limited to just 440 bottles. Worthington detailed that 50% of the Boutique-y range is exported, mostly to the APAC region. Exports interestingly include sales of the Canadian 6 Year Old back to its country of origin. This whisky is also the most popular in the range and popular among bar world clients. The line of whiskies also includes a range of four Scotch examples from an Islay 8 Year Old to a Blended Grain 30 Year Old. Worthington pointed out that the labels for this mini-range start with a youthful deer for the youngest expression all the way to a fully-fledged ‘Monarch of the Glen’ for the 30 Year Old (see picture below). Harpers sampled the Peated Highland 18 Year Old which displayed enjoyable herbaceous notes followed by the quintessential smoky palate of a peated Highland bottling. Master of Malt are unable to disclose the distillers which provided spirit for the range, with the exception of their Bushmills 22 Year Old. The launch comes at a time when indie bottlers are entering somewhat of a heyday. One explanation for this is that amid Scotch’s oversupply challenges, many distillers are willing to part with their spirit for a new stream of revenue, providing opportunities for innovative bottlers. Worthington also presented some products that distribution arm Maverick Drinks imports. Kyrö is a Finnish rye whisky that has been featured by the company since 2018. Although rye whisky was made famous in the States, the crop is most widely grown across what Worthington described as the ‘rye belt’, which includes Finland (though the world’s leading producer is Germany). The grain is suited to short summers and poor soils he added. Harpers sampled the brand’s Malt Rye Whisky which had a lovely nose with hints of caramel. Worthington explained that rye whisky from the US is typically unmalted, whereas European expressions such as Kyrö usually are malted, providing what he described as a rounder taste profile.

The Islay-based Caol Ila Distillery, has announced details of its 2026 Islay Jazz Festival limited-edition release, the second in a trilogy of bottles marking the partnership between the distillery and the festival. Caol Ila Jazz Festival – The Drummer (52% ABV) is a 19 Year Old single malt Scotch whisky, matured in a combination of American oak and ex-Bulleit Bourbon casks. The latest release, which follows last year’s The Guitarist, is described as an unusually sweet and spicy expression of the coastal whisky, with smooth, rich flavours and undertones of the signature smoke for which Caol Ila is famed. Caol Ila is also hosting a number of exclusive experiences for whisky fans during this year’s Islay Jazz Festival, which takes place from September 11th-13th. Whisky lovers will have the chance to taste five distillery-exclusive drams in a guided tasting held in the distillery’s Maturation Warehouse as part of the Spirit of Smoke: Cask Draw & Tasting Experience. Guests will enjoy cask strength expressions straight from the cask in what promises to be a unique and rare experience. Throughout the weekend, the distillery will bring together a talented cast of musicians from across Scotland for a concert-style event at the distillery and a series of solo performances, alongside a host of special whisky tastings. The full programme of music will continue the festival’s tradition of presenting diverse jazz styles in intimate and scenic locations across the island. The programme will kick off at Caol Ila with performances from acclaimed saxophonist and composer Laura Macdonald and award-winning guitarist Graeme Stephen, who will premiere his latest work, ORWELL. Inspired by George Orwell’s iconic novel 1984, the piece was written during his time on the neighbouring island of Jura. Commenting on the news, Emma Watson, Caol Ila’s Brand Home Manager, said: “The line-up at this year’s Jazz Festival is incredible, and we’re excited to once again be a part of this celebration of music, whisky and island culture. Jazz embodies experimentation, boldness and the perfect blending of styles to make something beautiful – quite like our new festival release, The Drummer. The team have created a stunning 19-year-old which brings the best of American oak and bourbon casks to evoke flavours you wouldn’t normally associate with our coastal whisky, yet somehow only deepens the complexity of the light smoke which drifts through the arrangement.” Caol Ila Jazz Festival – The Drummer, is now available directly from the distillery, for a RRP of £275.00. Leave a comment

Bespoke Partnership Bowmore and Snarkitecture reveal unexpected parallels between architecture and whisky-making For its first collaboration with a whisky brand, New York design practice Snarkitecture joins Bowmore to create the Captivo Collection, two 20-year-old Islay single malts that explore layers of flavour, provenance, material and design In Partnership With Bowmore Some things reveal themselves all at once. Others ask for a closer look. It’s this idea of moving beyond the surface that underpins the Bowmore Captivo Collection, a collaboration between the historic Islay whisky maker and New York design practice Snarkitecture. The partnership – Snarkitecture’s first with a whisky brand – brings together two disciplines that might initially appear far apart. Yet, for architect and Snarkitecture co-founder Alex Mustonen and Bowmore master blender Dr Calum Fraser, the parallels between architecture and whisky-making soon became apparent: both are shaped by material, environment and time, and both reward attention to their many layers. Mustonen’s journey from New York to Islay provided the starting point. The island’s rugged topography and the atmospheric depths of Bowmore’s historic No. 1 Vaults informed Snarkitecture’s visual language for the collection, expressed through sculptural, portal-like forms that appear across the bottles and packaging. The effect suggests a threshold: an invitation to look beyond what is immediately visible. ‘Stepping into the world of whisky is a first for Snarkitecture,’ says Mustonen. ‘I drew similarities between how Bowmore’s whisky is made, and how I approach an architectural environment. In architecture, spaces and objects invite people to look again and question their assumptions.’ The same sense of layering runs through the spirit itself. The collection comprises two 20-year-old Islay single malts, each exploring the influence of wood and maturation in a different way. Bowmore Captivo Oak Voyage has spent two decades in American oak ex-bourbon casks before being finally aged in American oak Oloroso sherry butts. The result moves through notes of salted toffee, dried fruit, honey and orange peel on the nose, with the taste of to dark cherry, Manuka honey, candied orange, eucalyptus and toasted oak, finishing with vanilla sweetness and a whisper of campfire smoke. Bowmore Captivo Sherry Cask Pursuit, meanwhile, has matured in Spanish oak Oloroso sherry and American oak ex-bourbon casks, with an Oloroso sherry hogshead finish. Notes of honeycomb, mango and vanilla custard on the nose give way to the taste of black peppercorns, treacle and spice. Deliciously tropical fruit notes work alongside soft oak, smoked toffee and layers of sweet billowing peat smoke, featuring a long and indulgent finish with hints of charred mango. Such complexity is the product of precision rather than accident. Bowmore, Islay’s oldest licensed distillery, has been making whisky since 1779, with a measured process spanning traditional floor maltings, fermentation, slow distillation and decades of maturation. Here, Fraser’s blending and Mustonen’s architectural thinking meet around a shared principle: that the most compelling experiences rarely exist on a single plane. The collaboration will enter the design conversation during London Design Festival 2026, when Fraser and Mustonen will appear at the V&A’s Global Design Forum, on 13 September, to discuss how material, form, craft and environment shape our relationships with objects and flavour. Bowmore Captivo Collection ultimately makes a case for looking closer. In architecture, as in whisky, what first meets the eye – or palate – is only the beginning. To discover and purchase Bowmore Captivo Oak Voyage and Bowmore Captivo Sherry Cask Pursuit, visit bowmore.com. Bowmore Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky, 50.8% Alc./Vol. ©2026 Suntory Global Spirits Co., New York, NY. Bowmore encourages responsible drinking. For more information and resources on responsible consumption, please visit DrinkAware (UK) or DrinkSmart (US). Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox. Gavin Hastings is Bespoke Copywriter at Wallpaper* and has a wealth of experience from the luxury space, having previously worked with high-end brands including COS, Zegna, and Gucci to create impactful, modern content. - Richard and Su Rogers’ house, a modernist masterpiece, enters the National Trust22 Parkside in Wimbledon, a landmark example of pioneering 20th-century design, has been given to the nation by the Rogers family - Le Labo pays homage to Beijing in a new, limited-edition fragranceShiu 25 is the latest scent from the niche New York fragrance house, available in Le Labo stores around the world for one month only - Michele De Lucchi takes design to the seas for the first time with AzimutNew superyacht Magellano 27M’s sculpted wooden interior designed by AMDL Circle embraces both adventure and self-exploration - The Balvenie releases the world’s oldest whisky. 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Manzano Mountain Wilderness – Mountainair Ranger District Albuquerque, NM – September 9, 2026 — Resources are actively engaged on suppression efforts for the Whiskey Fire within the Manzano Mountain Wilderness 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. Notice: Privately owned aircraft and 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! Reported Date / Time: August 21, 2026 / 1350. Reported by Capilla Peak Lookout. Cause: Lightning. Size: 432 acres Containment: 42% 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. Fuels: Mixed conifer. Fire Behavior: Moderate 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. Fire behavior moderated earlier in the week upon receipt of precipitation on much of the fire; however yesterday more active behavior was seen on the northeast side of the fire. Critically dry fuels, poor humidity recovery and steep terrain will continue to support active fire behavior and growth within the Manzano Mountain Wilderness. Fire managers continue strategic operations which incorporate the realities of the landscape and conditions for full suppression. Smoke may be visible from Belen, Bosque Farms, El Cerro Mission, Las Maravillas, Los Lunas, Meadow Lake, Valencia, Peralta, Rio Communities, Mountainair, Torreon and Manzano. Area, Road and Trail Closure Order in effect for National Forest System (NFS) lands surrounding the Whiskey Fire (03-03-04-26-21). Review the closure orders here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/cibola/alerts. Weather forecast for Mountainair, NM (September 9, 2026) Today: Scattered showers and thunderstorms after noon. Increasing clouds, with a high near 88. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms. Tonight: Scattered showers and thunderstorms before 9pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 59. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming north after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Thursday (Sept. 10) Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. Light west wind increasing to 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon. https://www.weather.gov/ Comments are closed.

10 Torr Distilling & Brewing will mark the seasonal return of its Spiced Apple canned cocktail with a release party on Thursday, September 10, 2026. The event will take place at the company’s tasting room in Reno, Nevada, starting at 6 p.m. Straight Neck Stills & Littlemill Roots: Five Things You Didn’t Know About Loch Lomond READ THE STORYThe release coincides with International Canned Cocktail Day. It offers guests an early taste of fall. Spiced Apple is made with apple juice sourced directly from the Placerville region of California. The drink is refined using 10 Torr’s signature vacuum-distillation process. That process operates at approximately 10 Torr of atmospheric pressure. According to the company, this technique preserves fresh flavor and aroma. The seasonal cocktail has historically sold out. Its return comes as 10 Torr continues to expand its lineup of Nevada-made canned cocktails. The release party will feature the first pours and cans of the newly released Spiced Apple. Guests will be able to sample the seasonal drink alongside other fall-themed cocktails. A food truck will operate at the event. Team members from 10 Torr will be available to discuss the beverage, its Placerville-sourced apple juice and the company’s vacuum-distillation process. Signup now to make sure you don't miss out on the latest whiskey news and deals. By Signing up, you accept and agree to our Terms of Services and you acknowledge our Privacy Statement. The Whiskey Wash is protected by reCAPTCHA, and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Signup now to make sure you don't miss out on the latest whiskey news and deals. By Signing up, you accept and agree to our Terms of Services and you acknowledge our Privacy Statement. The Whiskey Wash is protected by reCAPTCHA, and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. The party will be held at 10 Torr Distilling & Brewing, located at 490 Mill Street in Reno. Vacuum distillation, sometimes called low-temperature or cold distillation, allows spirits producers to distill at lower temperatures by reducing atmospheric pressure. The method is used by a small number of craft distillers who aim to retain delicate botanical and fruit character that can be lost during conventional heat-based distillation. Reno has emerged as a growing hub for craft beverage production in the western United States. The city sits near the California border, giving local producers access to fruit-growing regions such as Placerville, an area historically known for its apple orchards. Canned cocktails remain one of the fastest-growing categories in the ready-to-drink (RTD) sector. The segment has attracted both major spirits companies and independent distillers seeking to meet consumer demand for convenient, premium-quality drinks. 10 Torr’s Spiced Apple release adds a seasonal offering to that expanding market. The company continues to position its canned cocktails as a showcase for its distillation technology.

Great whisky doesn’t have to break the bank. I know that’s a controversial statement in our current world of premiumisation and £500 distillery tours, but I’ve built my entire collection, and this whole channel, by spending smartly. Or, more accurately, by being a bit of a tight arse with the cash. Straight Neck Stills & Littlemill Roots: Five Things You Didn’t Know About Loch Lomond READ THE STORYSo let me share ten cracking single malt scotches you can pick up for under £50, all of which comfortably beat the average mark on my scoring. My first instinct is always to reach for something smoky, and Tobermory Distillery delivers twice over. The Ledaig Rioja Cask is a genuine banger at around £35, all earthy peat with bags of berries layered on top. It’s a repeat buy and one I’ve happily gifted to mates. Its stablemate, the Ledaig 10 at roughly £38, might just be the best value peated single malt about, with that oily, funky, vanilla-cream character shining through ex-bourbon casks. And don’t overlook the unpeated Tobermory 12, hugely underrated in my opinion, with crisp apples and oranges dropped into single cream, brought alive by a lovely coastal saltiness. Beyond the island malts, there’s a whole spread of transparency and quality to celebrate. Ardnamurchan AD is the perfect entry bottle for whisky nerds, fully natural with no fake tan and no fatty oils removed. It even makes the best old-fashioned I’ve mixed all summer. Then there’s the wonderful Glencadam 10, a bright, fruity, orchard-fresh Highlander that earns a solid eight from me, and the Bruichladdich Classic Laddie, a lactic, clotted-cream delight at 50% ABV that proves Islay without the peat can be superb. Lochlea Our Barley rounds out the malty, barley-led picks, leaning into that STR flavour I love so much. Signup now to make sure you don't miss out on the latest whiskey news and deals. By Signing up, you accept and agree to our Terms of Services and you acknowledge our Privacy Statement. The Whiskey Wash is protected by reCAPTCHA, and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Signup now to make sure you don't miss out on the latest whiskey news and deals. By Signing up, you accept and agree to our Terms of Services and you acknowledge our Privacy Statement. The Whiskey Wash is protected by reCAPTCHA, and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. For the peat freaks, two more deserve your attention. Laphroaig Quarter Cask is a massive upgrade on the standard 10, all medicinal smoke and briny brilliance thanks to those smaller casks. And on the independent side, Woodrow’s Jane Street The Smoky One offers a mystery Islay malt, widely rumoured to be Lagavulin, packed with ashy peat, smoky apple and a peppery salt note. It just slaps. If you fancy one final supermarket steal, Ardbeg 10 remains a tar-tastic cult classic that’s often heavily discounted. The verdict is simple. You don’t need to remortgage the house to drink brilliantly. Every bottle here is natural, honestly presented, and scores a strong seven or higher for me. So tell me, which affordable stunners have I missed, and why should they have made the cut? To see all of the bottles and hear my honourable mentions, check out my YouTube video.

Editor’s Note: This whiskey was either bought as a sample by The Whiskey Wash or provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. Per our editorial policies, this in no way influenced the outcome of this review. Beth is a freelance spirits journalist, taster and presenter. She entered the world of spirits in 2020 after joining Paragraph Publishing, the company behind Whisky Magazine and the World Whiskies Awards. She was editor of Whisky Magazine from September 2022 to July 2024 and served as one of the publication's tasters. Following a stint in content marketing for Scotch whisky brands, she now writes about and tastes whiskeys from around the world, contributing to The Whiskey Wash among other drinks titles. Can a single grain whisky rival the richness of Armagnac? This decadent, dark-aged dram delivers unexpected herbs, chewy prunes, and a savoury oak finish. Fresh coconut from a distillery famed for sherry and Christmas cake? We taste Macallan’s final Harmony Collection release to see if this bold gamble pays off. What happens when a 3,000-year-old Egyptian tiger nut cake recipe inspires a Rye whiskey? WhistlePig’s Boss Hog XIII: The Golden Pharaoh has the answer.