Google News（Whisky 綜合）｜原題：New American Single Malt Documentary Debuts On Prime Video - The Whiskey Wash
紀錄片《West of Tradition》已在 Prime Video 上線，追蹤美式單一麥芽威士忌的發展歷程。影片以西雅圖的 Westland Distillery 為敘事中心，並訪問全美各地的蒸餾廠、農民與威士忌製造者。2024年12月，美國菸酒稅務及貿易局正式認可美式單一麥芽威士忌為獨立品類（需100%麥芽大麥、單一蒸餾廠製造）。紀錄片由 PBS 紀錄片《The Water of Life》製作團隊執導，涵蓋 McCarthy's、Stranahan's、St. George Spirits 等全美知名酒廠，強調美式單一麥芽威士忌的多樣創新與在地特色，而非傳統蘇格蘭威士忌的模仿。
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A new feature documentary, West of Tradition, chronicling the emergence of American single malt whiskey, has launched on Prime Video. The film uses Seattle’s Westland Distillery as its narrative spine while following distillers, farmers and whiskey makers across the United States.
The documentary was produced by the team behind the PBS films The Water of Life – A Whisky Film and Independent Spirits.
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The documentary follows a landmark ruling in which American single malt whiskey received formal federal recognition from the US Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau in December 2024. The category rules require the spirit to be made from 100% malted barley and distilled at a single US distillery.
The film was directed by Greg Swartz and produced by Trevor Jones, Nate Barlow and Joe Vulopas.
“Whisky has always been a story of place,” said Swartz. “What interested me was what happens when you take an old idea like single malt and put it in completely different hands and completely different places.”
He added: “American distillers weren’t handed hundreds of years of tradition telling them exactly how this had to be done. They had to figure it out for themselves — and that uncertainty, ambition and creativity is where the story of this film really lives.”
Every Kirkland Bourbon Ranked, From Worst to Best
READ THE STORYWhile Westland provides the central narrative, the film travels across the American single malt landscape. It features Whiskey Del Bac in Arizona, McCarthy’s in Oregon, Stranahan’s in Colorado, St. George Spirits in California, Cedar Ridge in Iowa and Virginia Distilling Company in Virginia.
“American single malt isn’t really one story,” said producer Trevor Jones. “It’s a collection of people in very different parts of the country who arrived at a similar idea, then took it in completely different directions.”
Jones continued: “That diversity is what makes this feel like the beginning of a genuinely American tradition rather than an imitation of somebody else’s.”
The film showcases distillery floors, barley fields, forests, breweries, wineries and rack houses. It explores how agriculture, climate, local ingredients and creativity influence the final whiskey.
“We started with whiskey, but the deeper we went, the more this became a film about people building something without knowing exactly where it would lead,” said producer Nate Barlow.
He added: “These distillers weren’t just making drinks. Whether they realized it at the time or not, they were helping build a category.”
West of Tradition is now live on Prime Video, with more platforms to follow.
One that Ardbeg fans have been waiting on for a long time. The Ardbeg 10 Cask Strength, bottled at a formidable 61.7%, is one of those drams. I have to thank my buddy Claude for lending me the bottle, because this has quickly become the best Ardbeg I have tried in a very, very long time.
Let me get straight to it. If you are an old-school Ardbeg lover, you are going to absolutely adore this whisky. There is nothing not to love here. The nose is everything you want a bourbon cask matured peated Scotch to be. There is a gorgeous meaty, smoky note that reminds me of smoked deli meats, balanced by something genuinely sweet underneath; think honey, smoked hay, and smoked grass. Layer on that classic coastal character, all empty seashells and briny salt, with a touch of powdered sugar, and you have a seriously complete nose.
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What truly astonishes me is the palate. At over 60% ABV and only 10 years old, you would expect a wall of heat. Instead, you get super briny, viscous, beautifully controlled spirit with almost no burn at all. The viscosity is incredible, and the peat level sits at what I would call perfect. This is the whisky everybody was hoping for and asking for, and Ardbeg finally delivered.
My one gripe has nothing to do with what is in the glass. Ardbeg tends to run pricier here in Canada, and even in Alberta it often costs more than it does in the US. Value hunters will do better south of the border. My other small wish is that Ardbeg would age-state all of their community releases. If it is 5 years old, let us know. If it is 3, let us know. When it happens to be a stellar 10 years old like this one, absolutely let us know.
For me, this bottle lands at an 88. If the sweetness had been dialled up just a touch, the score would have crept higher, though a few drops of water might coax that out for you. Personally, I do not think it needs any. I will certainly be hunting out another bottle to buy for myself, because if the recent standard 10 has left you cold, this release will pull you right back onto Ardbeg.
So, is this the return to form you have been waiting for? Let me know in the comments.
Every Kirkland Bourbon Ranked, From Worst to Best
READ THE STORYTo see my full tasting of the Ardbeg 10 Year Old Cask Strength, check out my YouTube video.
Britain grants English whisky protected status under U.K. law
The designation places the fast-growing category alongside Scotch, Irish and Welsh whisky, shielding the name from misuse at home or abroad.
Friday, September 18, 2026
English whisky has been granted protected geographical indication status in the United Kingdom, giving the category formal legal protection and putting it on the same legal footing as Scotch, Irish and Welsh whisky.
The decision was confirmed by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs on September 11, when it approved “English Whisky” and “English Whiskey” as protected names under the UK Spirit Drinks Geographical Indications scheme. The move means producers outside England cannot use those names unless they meet the approved production rules.
The recognition marks a major step for a category that has expanded quickly in recent years. Industry figures cited by Defra say England now has more than 70 whisky distilleries, up from 46 in 2023, with exports reaching more than 30 countries. The same estimates put the value of whisky maturing in cask in England at about £1 billion.
Under the new rules, English whisky must be made from UK cereal grain and English water, distilled in England from wort produced in England at less than 94.8% ABV, matured in England for at least three years in wooden casks of no more than 700 liters, and bottled at a minimum of 40% ABV. The application for the status was led by the English Whisky Guild, the trade body representing English distillers, after a public consultation that began in February 2025.
The approval gives English producers a stronger legal basis to defend the name in domestic and export markets. For the wider drinks industry, that matters beyond whisky alone because protected naming rules shape labeling, marketing and trade disputes in wines, beers and spirits. In practice, the new status could help English whisky producers challenge misuse of the name abroad and may strengthen the category’s position with distributors and retailers.
At the same time, the new geographical indication has opened a dispute over how English single malt should be defined. The Scotch Whisky Association, which represents Scotch producers, objected during the consultation process and said the English rules are too flexible in areas that Scotch has tightly defined for decades.
The central disagreement is over production at a single site. Scotch single malt must be mashed, fermented and distilled at one distillery in Scotland. Under the English rules, whisky can still be labeled single malt if distillation takes place at a single English site, even when the wort has been produced elsewhere in England by an outside maltster or brewery. The Scotch Whisky Association has argued that this risks confusing consumers and weakens an international understanding of what “single malt” means.
The English geographical indication also allows greater flexibility in cask type and equipment. Producers may use any wooden cask for maturation, rather than only oak, and the rules permit modern still designs that are not allowed under Scotch specifications. The full product specification is due to be published on October 1, and some operational details were not yet public when the status was announced.
The English Whisky Guild has defended the approach as consistent with the category’s own development. According to the trade group and industry reporting, England’s first modern whisky, laid down in 2003 by Hicks and Healey, used wort from St Austell Brewery. Supporters of the new rules say English whisky should not be required to copy the Scotch model exactly in order to gain legal recognition.
Not all English distillers agree with the final form of the rules. Liam Hirt of Circumstance Distillery in Bristol has said he plans to appeal, arguing that the geographical indication follows the Scotch structure too closely instead of adopting a more flexible framework like the one used for Welsh whisky. That means the category could still face internal debate even after winning protection.
For Scotch producers, the issue is not only legal but commercial. Scotch remains the dominant UK whisky category and the global reference point for single malt. The arrival of a protected English whisky category may create more direct competition, especially in the premium and single malt segments where definitions, provenance and production claims carry strong weight with consumers. Whether that competition becomes significant will depend on how fast English distillers build export demand and whether buyers accept the category’s distinct rules.
The decision also has implications for cask investors, particularly in Asia, where Scotch has long been treated as the benchmark whisky asset. Geographical indication status adds credibility to English whisky as a recognized category, but it does not create a mature resale market. English whisky casks remain outside Financial Conduct Authority regulation, just as Scotch casks do, and there is no established secondary market with the same depth, pricing history or buyer network associated with Scotch.
That distinction is important because legal recognition of a name is not the same as market liquidity. Brokers, auction houses and private investors now have a clearer legal framework for English whisky, but there is still limited public evidence on resale performance or pricing trends for casks. The category may gain interest as a collectible or speculative asset, especially after the new status, yet its investment case remains less tested than Scotch.
For drinks companies, importers and retailers, the more immediate effect is likely to be on branding and market positioning. A protected English whisky category gives producers clearer language for labels and export paperwork and may make it easier to build consumer trust in overseas markets. It also gives trade bodies and producers a firmer basis to respond if the name is used on products that do not meet the specification. If English distillers use the protection to expand internationally, the result could be more visible competition across premium whisky shelves, particularly where consumers already compare origin, production method and single malt credentials closely.
SWA ‘profoundly concerned’ about English whisky GI
By Melita KielyMPs have raised objections to the new English whisky geographical indication (GI), as trade body the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) said it was “profoundly concerned” about the regulations regarding single malt.
Speaking in the House of Commons, Brendan O’Hara, SNP MP for Argyll, Bute and South Lochaber, said “centuries of craft” have gone into building Scotch whisky’s reputation.
“This decision to allow lower production standards for English single malt whisky undermines that,” he said.
A GI protective status for English whisky was approved on 11 September following years of development and consultation. There are now more than 70 distilleries producing English whisky, compared with 43 in 2023.
English whisky’s regulations state it must be: made from UK cereal grain and English water; distilled in England from wort created in England, at less than 94.8% ABV; matured in England for a minimum of three years in wooden casks of no more than 700 litres; and bottled at a minimum of 40% ABV. Plain caramel is the only additive allowed and only for colour.
Two subcategories were approved in the GI application, one for ‘malt English whisky’ and a second for ‘grain English whisky’, alongside two subcategory prefixes, ‘single’ and ‘blended’.
Unlike other whiskies made in the UK, English whisky must be made entirely from 100% UK-grown grains.
However, the main sticking point seems to be that unlike Scotch, English producers can mash and ferment off site in partnership with local breweries, for example, and still be classed as ‘single malts’. Scotch single malts must be mashed, fermented, distilled and aged at a single distillery in Scotland.
A spokesperson for the SWA said: “We are profoundly concerned by this decision.
“We do not oppose the principle of an English whisky GI, and indeed have helped in its initial drafting. But the text as approved undermines the established definition of ‘single malt’, creates confusion for consumers and jeopardises the category which the Scotch whisky industry established and built the reputation of around the world.
“Over 90% of single malt worldwide, and over 95% of single malt produced in the UK, is Scotch.
“Following discussions with Defra, we are considering our position and next steps.”
Supporting modern history
The English Whisky Guild said it was keen to introduce the flexibility for single malts to support the category’s modern history. Hicks & Healey used wort from St Austell Brewery to lay down England’s first modern whisky in 2003.
However, Lib Dem MP Alistair Carmichael said in the Commons: “I am really struggling to see what the government are seeking to achieve by removing the requirement for the whole process to be carried out on a single site.
“It seems to me that they risk confusing the definition for the Scotch, Welsh and Irish industries, and they undermine the investments that have already been made in the conventional model by other English distilleries.”
Other MPs who also voiced concerns during the debate were Conservative MP John Glen, Lib Dem MP Tim Farron, Labour MP Dr Scott Arthur, Lib Dem MP Wendy Chamberlain and Lib Dem MP Susan Murray, to name a few.
‘No impact on how single malt is made in Scotland’
Stephen Morgan, the parliamentary under-secretary of state for environment, food and rural affairs, who was responding to the debate in the House of Commons regarding English whisky’s single malt definition, stressed the government would support all whiskies from the UK.
“I must stress that Scotch whisky’s protected status, reputation and production requirements are unchanged and that the English definition of single malt has no impact on how single malt is made in Scotland,” Morgan said.
“The government remain committed to supporting the success of the Scotch whisky industry and the wider UK sector.”
Dan Szor, chair of the English Whisky Guild and CEO of Cotswolds Distillery, said the GI approval was a “defining moment” for the category and that he was “immensely proud”.
He added: “It gives English whisky a clear and protected identity, celebrates the quality and provenance behind what we produce, and sends a powerful signal to consumers and markets around the world.”
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Rosemaund debuts The Director’s Cut 10yo English single malt
Google News（Whisky 綜合）｜原題：Booze News Weekly Roundup: New English Single Malt Category Angers Scottish Distillers, Trump to Lift Irish Whiskey Tariff, and More - VinePair｜僅標題
Google News（Whisky 綜合）｜原題：Lincoln Park is hosting a huge tequila and whiskey tasting festival this September — featuring 20+ premium brands, up to 25 pours, DJ sets, and a buffet - Secret Chicago
Chicago’s fall social calendar is about to get a little smoother, smokier, and considerably more spirited!
For one Saturday afternoon this month, Kings Dining & Entertainment in Lincoln Park will trade the usual game-night energy for rows of tasting cups, premium bottles, and a tequila-versus-whiskey faceoff that puts more than 20 brands in the room.
The 2026 Chicago Top Shelf Tequila & Whiskey Tasting Festival arrives on Saturday, September 26, bringing agave-forward pours, oak-aged whiskey, DJ sets, tasting guidance from industry pros, and a limited-capacity crowd to the entertainment venue on North Clybourn Avenue.
26 September 2026 14:30
We have all the details you need to know, and why it’s shaping up to be one of the Windy City’s most popular alcohol events this fall.
A tequila and whiskey showdown is coming to Lincoln Park
This isn’t the kind of tasting where you make one cautious lap around a room, sample something familiar, and call it a day.
Festival organizers say the afternoon will feature more than 20 premium tequila and whiskey brands, ranging from small-batch producers to established names.
The featured bottles are marketed as retailing for $70 or more, so it is a chance to compare bright, grassy agave notes with the deeper vanilla, spice, caramel, and oak profiles that make whiskey season so dangerously easy to romanticize.
Guests can expect tastings led by brand ambassadors and master distillers, who will share the stories and flavor profiles behind the bottles. A live DJ will keep the afternoon moving, while food and drink specials will be available throughout the event!
The announced brand lineup includes tequila, mezcal, bourbon, rye, blended whiskey, and ready-to-drink cocktails, with names such as El Nacimiento Tequila, Spirit of the Great Lakes Tequila, Salvadores Mezcal, Blaum Brothers Distilling, Cedar Ridge Distillery, Renard Whiskey, Aberfeldy, Teeling, and more.
VIP tickets come with 25 pours and buffet bites
The experience is divided into timed entry slots, so guests can choose how deep they would like to go into their tasting journey.
- VIP entry at 2:30 pm includes 3.5 hours of tasting, 25 quarter-ounce pours, buffet-style bites from 2:30 pm to 4 pm, and food and drink specials.
- VIP entry at 3 pm includes three hours of tasting, 25 quarter-ounce pours, buffet-style bites from 3 pm to 4 pm, and food and drink specials.
- General admission entries begin at 4 pm and include 15 tasting cups, with shorter options later in the afternoon offering seven tasting cups.
The festival is capped at a limited number of guests, according to the event listing, so the early VIP slots are the best bet for anyone hoping to take their time with the pours rather than sprinting through a tasting sheet.
There is also a charitable element to the afternoon: organizers say that 100% of proceeds from additional tasting-cup purchases will support the Bear Necessities Pediatric Cancer Foundation.
Why Kings is the perfect setting
Kings Dining & Entertainment, located in the NewCity development is usually known as a high-energy destination for bowling, arcade games, food, drinks, and group nights out.
That built-in party atmosphere makes it a fitting setting for an afternoon that is less buttoned-up tasting seminar and more choose-your-own-spirits adventure.
One side of the room may be reaching for a smoky mezcal or barrel-aged reposado, while someone else is deciding whether a wheated bourbon or a rye is the better opening act.
The festival runs from 2:30 pm to 6 pm on Saturday, September 26, leaving plenty of time to turn the tasting into the first stop of a Lincoln Park night out.
📍 Kings Dining & Entertainment, 1500 N. Clybourn Ave
🗓️ Saturday, September 26, 2026, from 2:30 – 6 pm
🎟️ Entry options range from shorter sample sessions to VIP tasting experiences with food. Tickets and current availability can be found online here starting at just $20.
由演員 Matthew Lillard 與編劇 Justin Ware 共同創辦的 Find Familiar Spirits，推出 Quest's End 系列最新作品《Revenant》威士忌。這款酒是該酒廠首支 Infinity Blend，混調自前幾個章節的精選威士忌。由大師級調酒師 Molly Troupe 開發，酒款呈現焦糖、楓糖漿、烤燕麥及杏仁餅酒等風味。瓶裝內附 50ml 收藏版「魔藥小瓶」，整體搭配奇幻故事背景與插畫，售價 $124.99 美元。同步推出限定骰子組合周邊商品。
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Find Familiar Spirits, the fandom-focused craft spirits venture co-founded by acclaimed actor Matthew Lillard and screenwriter Justin Ware, has officially unveiled the latest addition to the celebrated Quest’s End Whiskey line: Quest’s End Revenant.
Revenant marks a monumental milestone for the distillery as its first-ever Infinity Blend. The unique expression harmoniously marries select whiskeys harvested from previous Quest’s End chapters into one cohesive, legendary spirit.
A Layered Masterpiece Crafted by Molly Troupe
Developed under the expert guidance of Master Blender Molly Troupe, Revenant brings together diverse flavors to deliver an intricate, deeply layered drinking experience. The whiskey opens with inviting aromas of warm caramel and rich maple syrup. On the palate, the whiskey has notes of toasted oats and sweet amaretto. It also has a delicate touch of raw honeycomb. It offers a balanced pour worthy of a high-stakes victory feast.
An Epic Narrative Package and Collectible Potion Vial
In true Find Familiar Spirits fashion, Revenant seamlessly integrates world-class spirits with immersive fantasy lore. Written by acclaimed fantasy author Andrea Stewart and featuring stunning custom illustrations by artist Tyler Jacobson, Chapter 8 brings the adventuring party together for an epic showdown. One against the formidable warlock-turned-revenant, Haig the Heartless. Elevating the unboxing experience, every 750ml bottle of Quest’s End Revenant comes accompanied by an exclusive 50ml collectible “Potion Vial.”
Exclusive Dispel Dice Collaboration and Retail Availability
To celebrate the epic finale, Quest’s End has reteamed with Dispel Dice to release Revenant Rattle Bones, a custom tabletop dice set. The set also features a deep purple resin core swirling with shadowy tentacles . It features crisp metallic silver inking and the distinct Revenant motif emblazoned on each die. Both the Quest’s End Revenant and Revenant Rattle Bones dice sets are available now. Find them at FindFamiliarSpirits.com, retailing for $124.99 and $90, respectively.
Also, get ready for spooky season with Find Familiar Spirits’ exclusive Ghost Face Blood Orange Vodka.
Google News（Whisky 綜合）｜原題：In the Welsh Wind Meirion Completes Welsh Whisky Trilogy - The Whiskey Wash
威爾斯獨立蒸餾廠 In the Welsh Wind 推出威士忌三部曲最終章 Meirion，英鎊 60 元（約台幣 2,400 元）。此款酒精度 46% ABV、帶泥煤風味、未冷凝過濾，以麻沙橡木桶、輕度泥煤與大量綠麥芽為主要特色。綠麥芽（未乾燥發芽大麥）是酒廠的招牌元素，據稱賦予威士忌獨特的「原穀物特色」。聯合創辦人表示這款是三部曲中最有自信的作品，兼具海洋鹹味、梨果與黑莓風味，收尾帶烤紅椒與黑巧克力。
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In the Welsh Wind Distillery has released Meirion, the third and final expression in its Blended Welsh Malt Whisky trilogy. The whisky is available now from the Ceredigion distillery’s shop and website, priced at £60 per 70cl bottle.
Meirion follows the earlier Brychan and Ceredig releases in the series.
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The expression is bottled at 46% ABV, peated and non-chill filtered.
It is built around three key elements: a masala cask for fruit and spice, a light touch of peat, and more green malt than featured in Ceredig.
Green malt is barley that has begun to germinate but has not yet been kilned. It has become a defining characteristic of the distillery’s whisky, first appearing in its single malt Rhif Un before moving into blended production with Ceredig. Ceredig is believed to be the first blended whisky in the UK to feature green malt.
According to the distillery, the unkilned malt gives the whisky its “raw grain character” and is the reason its whisky “tastes like nowhere else”.
Every Kirkland Bourbon Ranked, From Worst to Best
READ THE STORYEach expression in the trilogy is named for a character drawn from the history and landscape of Ceredigion. Meirion is described as “the man of the sea”.
Ellen Wakelam, co-founder of In the Welsh Wind, said: “Meirion is the end of the trilogy but it doesn’t feel like a full stop. It feels like the most confident one we’ve made.”
She added: “The green malt is more present here than in Ceredig, the masala cask takes the fruit somewhere unexpected, and the peat is just enough to remind you this is a whisky from a coast, not a classroom. We’re very proud of it.”
According to the official notes from the brand, the nose offers maritime salinity and brine leading into ripe pear, blackberry and soft caramel. The palate carries soft smoke, caramelised pear, dark berry fruit and herbaceous notes, while the finish is long and savoury with chargrilled red pepper, raw barley and dark chocolate.
The distillery recommends serving Meirion neat, warmed gently in the palm of the hand.
In the Welsh Wind is an independent craft distillery founded by Wakelam on the Ceredigion coast of West Wales. It produces single malt whisky, blended Welsh malt whisky, gin and vodka.
Google News（Whisky 綜合）｜原題：Tenkyo Distillery Announces Kaze 921 First Edition Blended Whisky - The Whiskey Wash
日本福島縣天京蒸餾所(Tenkyo Distillery)將於2026年9月21日推出Kaze 921 First Edition 2026限量調和威士忌，僅生產921瓶，以紀念已故創辦人小池駿介的生日。此後每年9月21日都將推出新版本。本年份採用兩款深度熟成的Pedro Ximénez雪莉桶(美國橡木及歐洲橡木)與Kaze Solera系統調和，酒精度61.7% ABV，定價¥27,500(約台幣5,450元)。瓶身採用會津傳統工藝製作，包括會津和紙標籤及漆器手工封瓶。
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Japan’s Tenkyo Distillery will release Kaze 921 First Edition 2026, a limited-edition blended whisky, on 21 September 2026. The launch marks the birthday of the distillery’s late founder, Shunsuke Koike, with only 921 bottles produced.
The distillery, located in Bandai, Fukushima Prefecture, will release a new Kaze 921 edition each year on 21 September to commemorate Koike’s birthday.
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Koike began exploring whisky maturation in the Aizu region before Tenkyo Distillery was completed. He sourced new make spirit from three distilleries in Scotland and filled 189 casks across 58 different cask types.
"It was an exploration of how spirit, cask, climate and time could shape a whisky unique to this place," the distillery said.
A small quantity was later drawn from each cask and incorporated into the Kaze Solera System. Several casks with "particularly exceptional character" were set aside.
This year’s edition is centered on two richly matured Pedro Ximénez sherry casks – one American oak and one European oak – married with the Kaze Solera System matured in Aizu.
Every Kirkland Bourbon Ranked, From Worst to Best
READ THE STORY"Only 921 bottles have been produced. It is a blend that will never be repeated," the distillery stated.
The release also features traditional Aizu craftsmanship. Its label is made using Izugahara washi paper, incorporating barley straw from Aizu-grown barley and finished with traditional letterpress printing.
Each cork stopper is hand finished using an Aizu lacquerware technique known as ishime-nuri. The bottle is presented in a luxury presentation box.
Bottled at 61.7% ABV, the 700ml whisky is presented at natural color, natural strength and non-chill filtered. It is priced at ¥27,500 including tax (US$186 / £138).
According to the brand’s official tasting notes, the amber whisky offers a nose of "maple syrup, spiced nuts and dark cherries wrapped in chocolate." The palate is "rich and full-bodied yet juicy," leading to a long finish with "sweet maple syrup and peppery spice."
Tenkyo Distillery was founded by Koike (1993–2022) and began full-scale whisky production in 2024. Kaze Founder’s Reserve Legacy, the brand’s core expression, was first released in July 2025.
The whisky is available from 21 September 2026 through the Tenkyo online shop and the Yukkura direct-sales shop at the distillery.
"The world has changed. At Redemption we couldn't make enough but now there's a lot of whiskey out there," said Dave Schmier, with beautiful understatement. "Even when we didn't have to export, we did," he continued which, in retrospect, turns out to have been a wise decision.
I met Schmier at the third edition of The House of U.S. Spirits, a Shoreditch event organised by DISCUS (Distilled Spirits Council of the United States). He was there with independent bottler Proof and Wood, which he founded in 2015 after leaving Redemption Distilling. The event brought together the best in American whiskey, from big names such as Woodford Reserve and Maker's Mark to minnows like Hush & Whisper, whose founder John Clanton was conducting the brand's first ever tasting outside of Texas.
The silver lining to the current oversupply cloud is that Britain is getting a lot more of the very best American whiskey. In 2024 Buffalo Trace opened what they call a ‘distillery’ in Covent Garden though no actual distilling takes place on the premises. I visited last year and was treated to whiskeys I'd only ever seen photos of, like Pappy Van Winkle and George T. Stagg. Americans never had to do this sort of thing before because domestic demand was so strong. As Clanton put it: "except Jack Daniel's, American whiskey is not an export industry."
Joel Matticks from DISCUS is changing that perception. Since 2003 the USDA (the United States Department of Agriculture) has been funding MAP, the Market Access Program, to help push whiskey abroad such as in the EU, “by far the biggest market”, and Britain.
The House of U.S. Spirits event was packed with a young, noisy crowd, so different from the hushed reverence you get at Scotch whisky events. There were western-style hats, including one sported by one bearded backwoodsman who turned out to be the thoroughly English Dave Worthington from Master of Malt. He was representing Brother Bond, nothing to do with 80s boy band Brother Beyond, it's a bourbon brand from Ian Somerhalder and Paul Wesley, the stars of The Vampire Diaries.
Worthington thinks American whiskey is still something of a mystery over here. While most drinkers will have some inkling of what a single malt is, "people don't know what 'straight bourbon' or 'bottled in bond' mean." Then there are the names: while some refer to a distillery, like Jack Daniel's or Woodford Reserve, many are brands that might source their whiskey from somewhere else. It can all be a bit confusing to people brought up on Laphroaig or Balvenie.
Then there's the big orange elephant in the room. Thankfully the threat of a return to the tit-for-tat tariff wars of recent years has receded but anything is possible with Trump in the White House. He single-handedly managed to alienate Canada, formerly a massive market for American spirits. Matticks was diplomatic, as you might expect when I brought up the subject, "politics doesn't change what we do."
Forget the news, America has an ace up its sleeve when it comes to selling whiskey: cocktails. Classic drinks like Manhattans, Old Fashioneds and Boulevardiers were originally made with rye or bourbon. Scots and Irish are doing their best to muscle in but most people associate cocktails with good ol’ American whiskey.
And while there's worry about young people's drinking habits, the younger generations do enjoy a good cocktail of an evening. No wonder Matticks is aiming his work at bartenders, turning them into ambassadors who can do the explaining to the general public. He puts on events around the country in big cities such as Leeds and Bristol. While American whiskey nomenclature can be confusing, it's not hard to understand in the glass. With their big, crackling flavours of spice and sweetness, American whiskeys are very user-friendly.
There's more to America than just rye and bourbon, however. In December 2024, the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) finalised an official federal standard for American single malt whiskey, which took effect in January 2025. Representing the category was Andrew Meissner, chief commercial officer at Virginia Distillery Co.
The company was founded by an Irishman, using Scottish equipment and a Scottish consultant, the late Jim Swan, but the end product couldn't taste more American. These are Mack trucks of single malts. The extremes of the Virginia climate mean that the standard bottlings, which are six years old, have the flavour of much older whiskies. They say one year in Virginia or Kentucky is worth three in the dreich of Scotland.
Virginia's entry-level Blue Ridge will set you back just £50. Most American whiskey also tends to be good value. Yes, the posh stuff can be silly money and best left to the bourbon bros but lower down the price scale, America offers a remarkable amount of ‘bang for your buck’ or ‘bosh for your dosh’ as they say in the East End. Get stuck in.
Five great American whiskeys to try
Angel's Envy Bourbon
This brand from the Louisville Distilling Company pioneered cask finishing in bourbon. It spends 4-6 years in new oak, followed by a minimum of 6 months in a port cask. Bottled at 43.3% ABV.
On the nose you get a varnish note, which to me always screams bourbon, but there's also dark cherries. Take a sip and it's decidedly fruity, with strawberries, orange peel and a fresh floral note. Very graceful.
Rabbit Hole Heigold Straight Bourbon
Part of the Pernod Ricard empire, this is made with 70% maize, 25% malted rye, and 5% malted barley, and bottled at 47.5% ABV.
Using malted rye is unusual and gives it a delicious toasted-cereal edge, combined with toffee, orange peel, cinnamon and black pepper. It's spicy but also smooth as hell. Great sipping, sorry, sippin', whiskey.
Virginia Distillery Co. Cigar Blend
A vatting of malt whiskies aged wholly in a wide variety of casks, including sherry, port, STR (shaved, toasted and re-charred), armagnac, Château Palmer and Islay whisky casks. Bottled at 54% ABV.
The smell is quite something with treacle, molasses, honey and tobacco. But you ain't seen nothing yet until you take a sip. This is a whiskey you can chew on. Jesus H. Christ. You've never had anything like this before. In a good way.
Proof & Wood Tumblin' Dice Single Barrel Rye, Apple Brandy Cask
So called because of the luck of the draw when buying casks. "We don't know what it's going to taste like until we open it," Schmier explained. This was sourced from MGP (Midwestern Grain Products in Lawrenceburg, Indiana), finished in Laird's apple brandy casks and bottled at 59.65% ABV.
Big fruity nose with apples and blackberries, hazelnuts and ginger. Despite its massive alcohol content, this is surprisingly sippable. The sweetness of the apple works beautifully with the big spices. Magnificent!
Hush & Whisper Single Barrel Rye
Distilled in Bryan, north of Houston, this won America's Best Single Barrel Whiskey at the 2026 American Distilling Institute (ADI) awards. It's aged for only two years, which is fine in the US, but in the EU and Britain, whiskey must be aged for at least three years to carry the name. Bottled at 50% ABV.
Cinnamon, ginger and aromatic Dr Pepper-like notes on the nose. On the palate, this is big and hugely spicy, with a lovely balancing sweetness. It's a little young and raw, but all the more appealing for that. Huge fun.
Branch & Barrel makes ‘whiskey’ from field peas
By Miona MadsenColorado-based Branch & Barrel Distilling has released a limited edition aged speciality spirit, made with a mash bill that includes 22% field peas.
Field pea mash bills are considered rare in aged spirits, as the category has primarily been characterised by unaged pea vodkas and gins.
Branch & Barrel believes its limited release Peas Please is among the first to incorporate field peas into a barrel-aged spirit similar to whiskey.
The speciality spirit is made from a mash bill of 64% corn, 22% Colorado field peas, and 14% barley, and is aged for six years, with water sourced from the Arapahoe Aquifer.
The small batch release is bottled at 45% ABV.
Branch & Barrel has previously experimented with field peas, which are said to be starchy and to have an earthy, savoury flavour.
The distillery released its initial single-barrel test batch in 2023, followed a year later by another limited release that paired field peas with hand-crushed white, pink, and green peppercorns.
Peas Please returns to the original formulation, omitting the peppercorns to isolate the field pea character and adding three more years to its ageing process.
Scott Freund, co-owner of Branch & Barrel Distilling, worked directly with a farmer in Elizabeth, Colorado, to source the peas used in the release.
Branch & Barrel is positioning Peas Please as a showcase for Colorado’s terroir in craft distilling, serving as a case study in integrating regenerative agriculture into a spirits supply chain.
Mitchell Nester, Branch & Barrel’s master blender, said: “Peas Please has a smooth, rich, complex flavour, akin to Bourbon-meets-añejo Tequila. This bottle was crafted to showcase uniquely Colorado ingredients and flavours you can’t find in just any whiskey-style expression, while supporting local agriculture.”
Peas Please is available only at Branch & Barrel Distilling’s tasting room in Centennial, Colorado.
Freund, Ryan Morgan, and Tom Sielaff established the distillery in 2015.
Related news
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14 Of The Smoothest Whiskeys On The Shelves (No Mixer Needed)
If you knew nothing about whiskey, then you may automatically assume that the smoother a whiskey, the higher quality it is. The reality is much more complicated. There are many great whiskeys that are big and bold, complex and robust, which means that a desire for smooth whiskey is more about personal preference than just wanting a quality tasting experience. This poses a problem for anyone seeking smooth whiskey, as they can't just rely on buying a more expensive bottle. You need to first know what the best smooth whiskeys are.
That's where I can help. I have a vast amount of personal experience with whiskey, which gives me the knowledge to know which bottles are smoother and which are either rough or simply have other qualities. I've enjoyed all of these bottles, and they serve as a great collection of spirits for those looking to seek out smooth whiskey. Not only that, but I've enjoyed countless other popular bottles that I deemed not worthy of making the cut. I've included both entry-level and premium bottles here to ensure there is something for all budgets. It will give you a great idea of where to start with smooth whiskey to avoid making any costly mistakes.
1. Gentleman Jack
I felt it was impossible to make a list of smooth whiskeys without including at least one bottle from Jack Daniel's. I could have included the classic Old No. 7 here, but Gentleman Jack is even smoother and more rounded. There is generally at least one production-related reason all of these bottles are smooth. For Jack Daniel's, that has a lot to do with the Lincoln County Process that Tennessee whiskey needs to go through. This is where the whiskey is filtered through charcoal, helping to quickly remove many of its impurities. This leads to a mellower tasting profile, which is the hallmark of whiskeys from the state.
However, Gentleman Jack goes one step further by going through this process before and after maturation. It helps create an exceptionally soft and approachable whiskey that doesn't have any bite at all. The flavor here isn't anything too complex. It has those familiar JD flavors of vanilla and caramel contrasted by toasted oak, light spice, and a subtle nutty character. Yet, these flavors are deeper and more sumptuous than the basic bottle. It's far from a challenging whiskey, but that's not the point. For a smooth, accessible, and consistent bottle, it's a solid place to start.
2. Glenmorangie 12-year
I mentioned production-related reasons above, and for Glenmorangie, that may well be the type of stills the distillery uses. They are remarkably tall. In fact, the distillery supports giraffe conservation due to the fact that these stills are around the same size as the iconic animal. This means the alcohol vapors have more contact with the copper, and heavier compounds are more likely to fall back down. As a result, only the most delicate vapors end up passing into the condenser. When you combine this distillation method with a well-crafted and matured spirit, you get an impressive 12-year Scotch. It's not only one of the smoothest around but also one of the best whiskeys you can get for under $60.
It showcases Glenmorangie's signature profile, which is characterized by a lovely mix of sweetness and fruit. That sweetness mainly comes from vanilla and honey, with the fruit presenting as a delicious blend of orange and lemon. It makes it a light Scotch that's delivered on a creamy texture. A little almond, oak, and spice help to give it added depth, but without taking anything from its smooth character.
3. Weller Special Reserve
Another reason that a whiskey can have a smooth character is if it's wheated. This is where wheat is used in the mash bill instead of rye. Not all wheated bourbons are well made, but Weller Special Reserve is a great example of one that is. When done well, the introduction of wheat can help to create a whiskey that's generally mellower and smoother. This is because it has more of a softness than a spicy kick that can come from rye. When you combine that with the 90-proof strength here, it adds up to a remarkably approachable whiskey.
The sweet notes here are particularly delicious, with plenty of rich vanilla and toffee. Alongside that, you'll enjoy creamy dark caramel and a touch of brown sugar. Cinnamon helps to give it added depth, as does a hint of cherry. The finish retains the smoothness found throughout the entire drinking experience, with a lovely lingering caramel. Weller Special Reserve manages to be both mellow and deep in flavor, a combination that's rare in whiskey.
4. Jameson
As we continue our journey through production methods, Jameson gets much of its smoothness from the fact it's triple distilled. This is fairly common with Irish whiskey, and it helps result in a spirit that has much of its impurities removed. If you're looking for a whiskey that's both smooth and affordable, Jameson has long been a great choice. Matured in a combination of bourbon and sherry casks, it has a soft and light profile that's helped it become the most popular Irish whiskey in the world.
The first impression is gently sweet, with notes of vanilla, caramel, and honey. This sweetness is complemented by a hint of fresh orchard fruit. There is a little toasted wood and spice underneath, but the overall character remains mellow, with very little of the alcohol burn that can make less-refined whiskeys difficult to drink without a mixer. At 80 proof, it's not a heavyweight, but that's part of its appeal. Jameson isn't trying to overwhelm your palate with huge flavors or high proof. Instead, it delivers consistency and balance at an affordable price.
5. Eagle Rare 10-year
The final main reason for whiskey to have smoothness is time spent in the barrel. As the years pass by, the whiskey starts to lose those rougher edges that are characteristic of raw spirit. Any alcohol burn will fade away, and its tasting notes become deeper and more rounded. Eagle Rare is a great example of how this maturation can help develop a beautifully smooth bourbon. Produced by Buffalo Trace, this Kentucky bourbon has considerably more oak and depth than many entry-level bottles while retaining an approachable character.
The palate is rich but remarkably balanced, with prominent notes of vanilla, caramel, and honey alongside toasted oak, dark fruit, and a touch of baking spice. Despite its 90-proof strength, the alcohol is generally well integrated, producing warmth rather than an aggressive burn. That combination of age and a relatively gentle character makes Eagle Rare particularly enjoyable neat. The finish is longer and more complex than what you might expect from a smooth-drinking bourbon, with lingering oak, vanilla, and subtle spice adding some extra interest after each sip. Eagle Rare 10-year is therefore a good choice when you want something smooth without sacrificing complexity.
6. Chivas Regal 12-year
If you want a Scotch that prioritizes smoothness over intensity, the Chivas Regal 12-year is a classic choice. This blended Scotch combines malt and grain whiskies from across Scotland, creating a mellow, rounded profile that's easy to enjoy without a mixer. The palate is gently sweet, with flavors of honey, ripe pear, and vanilla alongside creamy malt and subtle oak. There is a light touch of spice underneath, but nothing that dominates the drink or produces a harsh alcoholic bite.
Instead, Chivas 12 has a soft, almost creamy character that makes it particularly approachable for casual sipping. As with quite a few options here, it has a low proof of 80, allowing you to enjoy the whisky, but without worrying about an alcohol burn. The finish is reasonably smooth, with lingering sweetness, gentle fruit, and a little warming spice. It's a balanced whisky that's always going to give you dependable consistency and smooth flavor. With the bottle's 12 years of aging, you also get the benefit of extended matu
Flavored whiskey is a tricky thing to nail – and for many people, there’s no point in it in the first place. For a lot of whiskey aficionados, the whole joy of the drink is that its complexity is derived from its traditional production methods, not by anything else being added into it. That hasn’t stopped plenty of whiskey producers from making their own flavored versions, though, and sometimes they can get pretty out-there. We can just about take Fireball and its ever-increasing range of flavors, but Costco’s hot dog bourbon? That one was tough.
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A similarly meat-infused whiskey recently came to our attention from Tamworth Distilling, too – and this one might be as left-field as they come. Deer whiskey? Sure, why not.
The Deerslayer
New Hampshire-based distillery Tamworth Distilling puts innovation at the forefront of its mission. This whiskey producer has been called “the northeast’s answer to Willy Wonka” by Food & Wine, and amongst its flavors sits The Deerslayer, which is flavored with…venison. Yep, that’s right: To make this 49.5% ABV whiskey, which comes in 200ml bottles, Tamworth Distilling combines hand-chopped red deer venison with porcini mushrooms, cranberries, juniper berries, and green peppercorns, fermenting and then smoking the mixture – and then combining it with aged rye whiskey. The finished product is, Tamworth says, savory and smoky, with an undertone of spiced fruit.
If it weren’t for the venison (and the porcini mushrooms), this whiskey might sound pretty tame – but that meat changes everything. Surprisingly, though, reviews have noted that The Deerslayer has a surprisingly delicate, nuanced flavor. Yes, it tastes meaty, as you’d expect – but it’s not totally overwhelming, and the other flavors manage to shine through. Naturally, though, vegetarians need not apply.
A Wild World Of Flavor
Would you believe me if I said that Tamworth Distilling’s Deerslayer whiskey wasn’t the strangest of its flavors? Because for my money, it isn’t. Some of the distillery’s other whiskey and brandy infusions are seriously pushing the boat out in terms of palatability. Case in point: It has a whiskey flavored with castoreum (a secretion from the castor sacs of mature beavers), a whiskey infused with green crab, and a brandy flavored with durian and indole. The last one is called Corpse Flower Durian Brandy, just FYI.
Look, I’m going to be totally honest: I’m probably going to stick with regular whiskey, which I really don’t drink that often anyway. But that doesn’t mean I don’t respect the boundary-pushing here. Someone’s got to innovate!
Thoughts? Questions? Complete disagreement? Leave a comment!
Google News（Whisky 綜合）｜原題：After Years of Making Whiskey for Other Brands, MGP Is Releasing a Bourbon Under Its Own Name - Robb Report
美國最大代工酒廠MGP在印第安納州勞倫斯堡營運近百年，長期為Four Roses、Bulleit等知名品牌代工威士忌。如今MGP首度推出自有品牌威士忌，包括10年份、111proof的《MGP Chapter One: Out of the Shadows》（建議售價$70），以及Remus系列的黑麥威士忌和Series X（各$80）。此舉反映威士忌業界對代工與原酒來源已不再諱莫如深，MGP也因此得以展現其作為美國威士忌基礎製造者數十年的實力。
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For about a century, some of the best whiskey in the country has been made at a massive distillery in the small town of Lawrenceburg, Indiana. Known as Seagram’s after Prohibition, the distillery changed hands a few times over the years and ultimately became MGP in 2011. Most importantly, it has been responsible for producing excellent bourbon and rye for well-known brands like Four Roses (before that distillery was revived in the early 2000s), Bulleit, Templeton, and Dickel. It has also released whiskey under some in-house brands over the past decade, but for the first time ever it is now “stepping out of the shadows” and releasing a new bourbon under the MGP name—and it’s very good.
In 2021, MGP acquired Luxco, a Missouri drinks company, and added distilleries and brands like Limestone Branch, Yellowstone, and Blood Oath to its portfolio. It also created the Ross & Squibb brand, a historic name that includes Remus Bourbon and Rossville Union Rye. As we’ve reported over the past year, the company has faced some challenges in the current whiskey market, reporting significant declines in sales and pausing production as the demand for contract-distilled whiskey has decreased.
Despite that, this new expression is being released under the MGP name—specifically, it’s called MGP Chapter One: Out of the Shadows. Among other things, this is an indication of how far the whiskey world has come from the days when contract distilling and sourcing were considered to be dirty secrets, mostly due to certain brands not being transparent about the practice and even making up fictional stories about where their whiskey came from.
Those days are well behind us, so why not bring one of the most important names in American whiskey to the forefront? “The MGP name has built incredible equity over generations because of the quality of the products we make and the people behind them,” said president and CEO Julie Francis in a statement. “We’ve been making whiskey and spirits that others have proudly put their names on for decades. Bringing the MGP name back to the distillery and launching MGP Chapter One: Out of the Shadows is an exciting opportunity to share that story directly with consumers.”
This inaugural release is a 10-year-old straight bourbon bottled at 111 proof. Master distiller Ian Stirsman blended together barrels of bourbon made from the distillery’s historic LBSV mashbill (60 percent corn, 36 percent rye, four percent malted barley) that were aged in Rickhouse G. Official tasting notes detail aromas of butterscotch, burnt sugar, molasses, and cherry on the nose, with cherry cola, raspberries, chocolate, sassafras, and leather on the palate.
The other MGP news is that it’s releasing two new expressions under its Remus lineup, and one is the first ever rye whiskey to bear that name. Even though the distillery does release rye under its Rossville Union line, this is a significant step considering how much rye whiskey it makes for other brands. Remus Repeal Reserve Rye Whiskey is made from the distillery’s classic 95 percent rye grain mashbill, and is a blend of whiskey distilled in 2015 and 2016 that was bottled at 111 proof. The other new release is Series X, a blend of three different mashbills distilled from 2008 to 2017 which were blended together by Stirsman and bottled at 107 proof.
Remus Repeal Reserve Rye Whiskey and Series X are available now for a suggested price of $80, while MGP Out of the Shadows is priced slightly less at $70 per bottle.
The Balmoral, the landmark hotel at the east end of Princes Street in Edinburgh, has opened its private whisky barrel to guests. The new Balmoral whisky bottling experience invites visitors to SCOTCH, the hotel’s whisky bar, to draw the spirit themselves, sign the bottle and carry it home.
Announced on 16 September 2026, the experience is built around a 21-year-old Highland single malt matured in Palo Cortado sherry casks, the oldest release Deanston has ever produced. It cannot be bought anywhere beyond that room, which makes it one of the few bottles a traveller cannot simply order online once the trip is over.
What the Balmoral whisky bottling experience involves
Guests draw the spirit straight from the bar’s private barrel, fill and sign their own bottle, and take it with them. The whisky was selected by SCOTCH Manager Ross Barr and his team of Whisky Ambassadors, and the bar describes the liquid as rich and full-bodied, shaped by its long rest in sherry wood.
The appeal is partly in the ceremony. Distillery hand-filling stations are common enough in Speyside and the Highlands, but they usually require a day out of the diary and a car. Doing the same thing in a city-centre bar a two minute walk from Waverley station puts it within reach of an evening between meetings.
Inside SCOTCH at The Balmoral
The bar holds a collection of more than 500 bottles, and the hand-filling ritual has been put together with the same care the team applies to that list. SCOTCH already runs tastings and whisky journeys guided by its Ambassadors, so the bottling sits alongside an existing programme rather than standing on its own.
For the hotel, which sits in the Rocco Forte group and has been busy building out its Scottish offer, the launch reinforces its standing as one of the city’s more serious whisky rooms. Rocco Forte has also been adding cultural extras to the London to Edinburgh rail route, which is the way a growing number of UK travellers now reach the city.
Why it matters for business travel in Edinburgh
Edinburgh remains one of the busiest corporate destinations in the UK outside London, and client entertaining there increasingly means whisky. A bottle the recipient watched being filled, with a signature on the label, does a job that a duty free purchase does not. It also answers a familiar problem on the last evening of a trip, when there is an hour to fill and a client or colleague to thank.
Two practical points are worth flagging. The announcement does not give a price for the bottling, so anyone planning to put it through expenses should check the cost at the bar before committing, particularly where a travel policy caps gifting. And the Deanston 21-year-old single malt is a full-strength bottle, so travellers flying home need it in hold luggage or bought after security, not carried through in a briefcase.
Firms that buy whisky for clients in volume have other routes in the city, including specialists building bespoke corporate whisky gifts from the cask up. What the Balmoral whisky bottling experience offers instead is scarcity and a story, for one bottle at a time.
Costs of visiting the city have been moving in one direction, with the visitor levy now adding to Edinburgh hotel bills, so employers are watching discretionary spend on Scottish trips more closely than they were. Even so, an experience that produces something physical and unrepeatable is an easier line to defend than another round of drams, and it uses time that would otherwise be spent in the hotel lobby.
Google News（Scotch/Distillery）｜原題：THE GLASGOW DISTILLERY UNVEILS FIRST 10 YEAR OLD PEATED SINGLE MALT - Bar Magazine
格拉斯哥蒸餾廠（The Glasgow Distillery）推出首款 Glasgow 1770 10 Year Old Peated Single Malt，慶祝該廠10年泥煤威士忌生產里程碑。本款威士忌限量550瓶，採用波本桶熟成（兩個refill桶、一個first-fill桶），酒精度54% ABV，自然色澤且未冷凝過濾。泥煤威士忌生產始於2016年，本款為首次達到完整10年熟成的產品。風味描述為烤鳳梨、溫和煙燻、香草、蠟質檸檬與乾橙皮。建議售價£69（約台幣2,500元），9月18日起於蒸餾廠官網及英國精選零售商開售，稍後將在德國與芬蘭上市。
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The Glasgow Distillery has announced the release of its first Glasgow 1770 10 Year Old Peated Single Malt Scotch Whisky, celebrating ten years of peated whisky production at the city distillery.
Limited to just 550 bottles, the milestone release is a marriage of three ex-Bourbon casks – two refill ex-Bourbon barrels and one first-fill ex-Bourbon barrel – bottled at 54% ABV, natural in colour and non-chill filtered.
This release marks a decade of peated whisky production at The Glasgow Distillery. Peated single malt production began in 2016, a year after the distillery’s core single malt programme, which marked its own tenth anniversary in 2025 and has since grown into a significant part of the whisky-making operation, now accounting for five months of production each year. The 10 Year Old is the first release to reach a full decade of maturation from those original 2016 peated runs.
For the 10 Year Old release, the team deliberately chose ex-Bourbon cask maturation to allow the character of the spirit and its decade of maturation to take centre stage, creating what the distillery describes as an “honest spirit-forward profile”.
Sebastian Bunford-Jones, Head of Sales & Marketing, commented: “Reaching ten years with our peated single malt feels like a really significant moment for us. Peated production has become an important part of what we do at The Glasgow Distillery, so for this release we wanted to keep things deliberately simple and let the spirit speak for itself.
“Ex-Bourbon cask maturation have given us a whisky that really shows how our peated spirit has developed over a decade, while retaining the character we’ve been building since those first runs in 2016. Expect notes of roasted pineapple, soft smoke, gentle vanilla, waxy lemon and dried orange peel.
“With only 550 bottles, it’s a small release, but an important one for the distillery.”
The resulting whisky brings together delicate bonfire smoke with honeyed sweetness, tropical fruit and citrus, alongside a gentle waxy texture and lingering oak spice, creating a refined and elegant dram with notable maturity. Other distilleries have recently ventured into peated expressions too, such as Lochlea Distillery’s first peated whisky.
The Glasgow 1770 10 Year Old Peated Single Malt Scotch Whisky is presented in a gift carton and will be available for £69 from 10am on Friday the 18th of September from the distillery’s website and from a handful of select UK retailers. The release will also be available in Germany and Finland later this year.
- 54% ABV | 550 bottles | 70cl
- Marriage of two refill ex-Bourbon casks and one first-fill ex-Bourbon cask
- Natural colour | Non-chill filtered | Presented in gift carton.
Google News（Scotch/Distillery）｜原題：The Glasgow Distillery launches its first 10 Year Old peated whisky - The Whisky Wire
Glasgow Distillery宣布推出首款10年份泥煤單一麥芽威士忌 Glasgow 1770 10 Year Old Peated Single Malt Scotch Whisky，標誌著該酒廠自2016年開始泥煤威士忌生產滿十年。限量550瓶，54% ABV，使用三桶ex-Bourbon桶陳年（兩個refill桶、一個first-fill桶）。酒廠刻意選擇Bourbon桶陳讓酒體風味突出，具有篝火煙燻、蜂蜜甜感、熱帶水果與柑橘調性，伴隨柔和蠟質口感與橡木香料。泥煤威士忌已成為酒廠核心業務，每年占生產時間五個月。建議售價£69.00（約台幣2,500元）。
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The Glasgow Distillery has announced the launch of its inaugural Glasgow 1770 10 Year Old Peated Single Malt Scotch Whisky, marking a decade of peated whisky production at the distillery.
Limited to just 550 bottles, the Glasgow 1770 10 Year Old Peated Single Malt Scotch Whisky (54% ABV) is comprised of three ex-Bourbon casks: two refill barrels and one first-fill barrel.
This latest release marks ten years since peated single malt production began in 2016, following the launch of the distillery’s core single malt programme a year earlier. Peated whisky has since grown into a vital part of operations, now accounting for five months of production each year. This expression is the first release from those original 2016 runs to reach a full decade of maturation.
The distilling team specifically chose ex-Bourbon maturation to allow the character of the spirit to take centre stage, creating what the distillery describes as an “honest, spirit-forward profile”. The resulting whisky balances delicate bonfire smoke with honeyed sweetness, tropical fruit, and citrus, alongside a gentle waxy texture and lingering oak spice.
Commenting on the launch, Sebastian Bunford-Jones, Head of Sales & Marketing, said: “Reaching ten years with our peated single malt is a significant milestone for us. Peated production is now integral to what we do at The Glasgow Distillery, so for this release, we wanted to keep things simple and let the spirit speak for itself.”
“Ex-Bourbon cask maturation shows how our peated spirit has developed over a decade while retaining the character we’ve been building since those first runs in 2016. Expect notes of roasted pineapple, soft smoke, gentle vanilla, waxy lemon, and dried orange peel. With only 550 bottles available, it’s a small release, but a momentous one for the distillery.”
The Glasgow 1770 10 Year Old Peated Single Malt Scotch Whisky, is now available via the distillery website and selected retailers, for a RRP of £69.00.
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Google News（Scotch/Distillery）｜原題：The Glenlivet 12-year-old Provence Edition marries its single-malt Scotch with the elegance of Provençal winemaking - themanual.com｜僅標題
Google News（Scotch/Distillery）｜原題：The Best Single Malt Scotch Whisky From The New York International Spirits Competition 2026 - The Whiskey Wash
2026年紐約國際烈酒大賽公布結果，八款單一麥芽蘇格蘭威士忌獲得雙金獎（96分），由業內買家盲評，評選標準為「以購買業務的角度考量」。得獎酒款涵蓋多個價位，從Glen Moray Chardonnay Cask Finish的40美元以下級距，到The Glen Grant 18 Years Old的101美元以上級距。其他得獎者包括Glenmorangie The Original 12 Years Old、Ardbeg Ten Years Old、新推出的Lagavulin 11 Years Old Sweet Peat、Glenfiddich 14 Year Old Bourbon Barrel Reserve、Nc'nean Huntress Malted Teacake等。對台灣消費者來說，這份名單提供了不同價位和風味的參考選項。
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The New York International Spirits Competition has announced its 2026 results, and today we are looking at single malt Scotch. The competition is judged entirely by trade buyers, who taste every entry blind and assess it “by its category and actual price as if buying it for their business.” A Double Gold is only awarded when the panel’s decision is unanimous.
Eight single malts took Double Gold this year, all with a score of 96. They range from a Speyside malt in the $40-or-less price band to a 25 year old Highland whisky in the $101-plus band.
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So, here are the best single malt Scotch whiskies according to the New York International Spirits Competition 2026.
Glen Moray Chardonnay Cask Finish
Award: Double Gold, 96 points
Category: Distillers’ Single Malt Scotch, Speyside, Up to 10 years ($40-Less)
Tasting Notes: Spicy apple and pear, key lime pie, cinnamon sugar, caramelised tropical fruits, ground pepper, sweet vanilla, tropical fruit
Every Kirkland Bourbon Ranked, From Worst to Best
READ THE STORYFind Your Next Bottle: £30 / $31
Glen Moray is the only winner from the $40-or-less price band. The distillery began life as the Elgin West Brewery, and its first spirit ran from the stills on September 13, 1897. Macdonald & Muir (now The Glenmorangie Company Ltd), the firm behind Glenmorangie, bought it in the 1920s, and it stayed within the Glenmorangie business until its sale to La Martiniquaise in 2008.
Launched in January 2016, the Chardonnay Cask Finish is matured in American oak before spending several months in Chardonnay casks, and is bottled at 40% ABV.
Glen Moray has, despite having a long history, operated somewhat under the radar of everyday Scotch drinkers. It is on the shelves in many supermarkets, yet often overlooked. Part of this is thanks to its low-ABV core range and “cheap” perception. However, Glen Moray quietly delivers great-quality, no-frills Scotch at a low price.
Glenmorangie The Original 12 Years Old
Award: Double Gold, 96 points
Category: Distillers’ Single Malt Scotch, Highlands, 11–20 years ($41–70)
Tasting Notes: Citrus, ripening peaches, vanilla softness, flowery fruitiness, almond, coconut, maple syrup
Find Your Next Bottle: £34 / $43
Glenmorangie raised The Original’s age statement from 10 to 12 years in July 2024. Speaking to us at the time of the relaunch, Dr. Bill Lumsden said he tried different ratios of first-fill to second-fill bourbon barrels during development. He also said most of his sensory panel preferred the 12 when they tasted it blind against the 10. No deliberate changes were made to fermentation or distillation for the new version, and the whisky is still bottled at 40% ABV. Thankfully for drinkers, the price has also remained much the same.
William Matheson founded the distillery in Tain in 1843, fitting a converted brewery with two second-hand gin stills. Its stills are Scotland’s tallest, and LVMH has owned it since 2004.
Ardbeg Ten Years Old
Award: Double Gold, 96 points
Category: Distillers’ Single Malt Scotch, Islay, Up to 10 years ($41–70)
Tasting Notes: Smoky fruit, zesty lemon and lime, menthol, tarry rope, oceanic minerality, brine, buttermilk, ripe bananas, espresso, peat oils
Find Your Next Bottle: £35 / $41 / ₹9,238
John MacDougall founded Ardbeg on Islay’s south coast in 1815. The distillery closed in 1981 and ran only part-time in the years after. In 1997, Glenmorangie bought it, along with its whisky stock, for £7 million.
The Ten launched in 2000 and became the base of Ardbeg’s modern core range. It is matured in first-fill and refill bourbon casks, using malt peated to 50 ppm, and bottled at 46% ABV without chill filtration.
That same year, Ardbeg set up the Committee, a fan club formed to ensure “the doors of the Distillery never close again.” Membership has grown from 3,500 in 2000 to more than 200,000 worldwide.
Ardbeg Ten Years Old remains the icon of Ardbeg’s core range. It is an affordable way to access Ardbeg’s signature sweet peat smoke.
Lagavulin 11 Years Old Sweet Peat
Award: Double Gold, 96 points
Category: Distillers’ Single Malt Scotch, Islay, Up to 10 years ($41–70)
Tasting Notes: Tropical fruit, bonfire smoke, green banana, pink peppercorn, salted caramel, honey toast, dark chocolate, smoke, vanilla
Find Your Next Bottle: $70
The NYISC entered Sweet Peat in its Up to 10 years category, even though it carries an 11 year age statement. Lagavulin released it in the US in February 2026 as its first permanent addition in nine years. The whisky spends all 11 years in first-fill American oak ex-bourbon casks and is bottled at 43% ABV.
Diageo’s Jesse Damashek said, “Sweet Peat presents peat in a way that tastes more approachable, while still delivering the depth and complexity long associated with Lagavulin.”
Founded in 1816, Lagavulin ferments heavily peated malt in wooden washbacks and distills it in four pear-shaped copper pot stills.
Lagavulin has seen an increase in popularity in the United States, thanks in part to Parks & Recreation character Ron Swanson’s love for the spirit.
Glenfiddich 14 Year Old Bourbon Barrel Reserve
Award: Double Gold, 96 points
Category: Distillers’ Single Malt Scotch, Speyside, 11–20 years ($41–70)
Tasting Notes: Vanilla, citrus, caramelised brown sugar, baked apple, summe fruits, toasted oak
Find Your Next Bottle: £41 / £60
Glenfiddich launched this whisky in October 2015 as a permanent addition to its range, made exclusively for the US, though it is now available in other markets. The release was a tribute to American whiskey and to the ex-bourbon barrels used throughout the Scotch industry. Brian Kinsman, Glenfiddich’s Malt Master, said, “American Oak casks have had a significant influence on single malt Scotch whisky maturation and the flavor profiles we find today.”
The whisky spends 14 years in ex-bourbon casks, then is finished in charred new American oak barrels from The Kelvin Cooperage in Louisville, Kentucky, and bottled at 43% ABV.
William Grant built the distillery in Dufftown with his nine children, and his descendants still run the business, making Glenfiddich one of the few remaining family-owned and run distilleries in Scotland.
Nc’nean Huntress Malted Teacake
Award: Double Gold, 96 points
Category: Distillers’ Single Malt Scotch, Highlands, Up to 10 years ($71–100)
Tasting Notes: Figs, pastries, sultana, apricot, fresh baked cake, dried fruits, crème caramel, malt
Find Your Next Bottle: £85.95 / $115
Annabel Thomas left management consulting in 2013 to build Nc’nean on her family’s farm at Drimnin, on the Morvern peninsula, and the distillery began distilling in 2017. It uses organic Scottish barley and renewable energy.
Malted Teacake is the fifth release in Nc’nean’s limited Huntress series. This edition focuses on fermentation. It was made with two of Nc’nean’s house yeast strains and a third more commonly used in Belgian Trappist-style ales. The whisky was matured in STR red wine, ex-bourbon, and oloroso sherry casks. In total, 4,391 bottles were filled at 48.5% ABV, without chill filtration or added color.
The Glen Grant 18 Years Old
Award: Double Gold, 96 points
Category: Distillers’ Single Malt Scotch, United Kingdom, 11–20 years ($101+)
Tasting Notes: Rich, floral, oaky overtones, baking spices, malty caramel, dried raisins, vanilla, nuts
Find Your Next Bottle: £100 / $145
Brothers John and James Grant founded Glen Grant in 1840, and it was the first legal d
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Collecting all the Marvel's Wolverine whiskey bottles is key of you want to up Adaptation Level and get all the suits in the game. You'll stumble across a several as you play Marvel's Wolverine, with a few being almost impossible to miss, but many of them are tucked away and can't be sniffed out without some thorough searching. So, I've laid out the locations of every Wolverine whiskey bottle below to help you swiftly add them to your collection.
Since this guide includes some light descriptions of most of the levels in the game, be aware of some very minor spoilers.
Wolverine whiskey bottle locations
There are 21 whiskey bottles to collect in Marvel's Wolverine, with most levels having one bottle to find and a couple having two bottles. All whiskey bottles have a scent trail that leads directly to them, but they can be quite easy to miss as they're either not that obvious or blend in with other objectives.
Each bottle you find provides two Adaptation Points which help you unlock and equip more of the best Wolverine Adaptations – while there is a Whiskey Finder Adaptation, I recommend sticking with this guide! Find all 21 bottles and you'll also unlock the Midnight suit for your Wolverine suits collection.
Here are the locations of all the whiskey bottles in Wolverine in each level in order:
Homecoming whiskey bottle
This Wolverine whiskey bottle is impossible to miss as finding it is part of the mission. Follow the scent trail into Logan's store cupboard bedroom and the Uncanny Whiskey bottle will be right in front of you.
The name of each whiskey is also a reference to something Wolverine-y - for example this one riffs on the first X-Men comic series, Uncanny X-Men - and we've got more Wolverine Easter eggs and reference here.
The One That Got Away whiskey bottle
Near the beginning of the mission, once you start properly tracking Jean Grey, you'll reach a point where you jump off a building and then sniff a patch of ground affected by her purple telekinetic power. Follow the scent trail ahead of this but bear right and go towards the boarded-up garage. Smash the wooden cover and grab the Incredible 181 Whiskey Bottle from the tool trolley. This references Wolverine's first ever appearance, which was in the comic Incredible Hulk 181.
Raise Some Hell whiskey bottle
In the courtyard area with the yellow crane and the Nightmare Door, follow the scent path towards the grey brick wall. Once you pass the containers, turn left and you should spot a yellow door on the far wall. Crash through it to reach a rec room where you'll find the Cold Lake whiskey bottle. Cold Lake in Alberta, Cananda, is where Logan is from.
Strays whiskey bottle
Head inside Walter's lab and go towards the far-right corner of the room. The Blood Debt whiskey bottle is on the metal bench next to the table. 'Blood Debt' is the name of a Wolverine comic book storyline.
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Something Much Stronger whiskey bottle
Follow the river upstream and into a cave. Climb the rocks on the left and you'll spot the Not Dead Yet whiskey bottle on a wooden crate. This is another reference to a Wolverine comic book storyline.
Knock Knock whiskey bottle
After you destroy the signal relay and get out from the rubble, immediately follow the scent trail to the damaged building on your right. There's a slab marked with white paint you can climb to get inside the building. Once you're in, the Tenth Man whiskey bottle can be found on the long counter.
"Tenth Man" is a play on Wolverine being an X-Man because X is 10 in roman numerals. In the same sense, it could also link to being a test subject for the Weapon X program, the tenth Weapon Plus program.
Mutant Detected whiskey bottle
After surviving the propulsion tunnel near the end of the level, start following the objective markers through the facility. You'll soon pass through a doorway that leads into a more open section with several forklifts and large containers lying about. In this area, immediately head left to find a locked door with a nearby keypad (there's a wooden crate in the way that you can smash).
Interact with the keypad and enter the code 5413 to get into a small lab. Follow the scent trail to the floor grate, interact with it to dive into a vent, then walk through and climb out the other end. The Fist of Legend whiskey bottle will be right in front of you on the lab counter – Fist of Legend is one of Wolverine's many aliases.
One Last Mission whiskey bottle
Speak to Sabretooth on the balcony of the Princess bar as the mission objectives direct. During the arm wrestle argument cinematic, Logan will put Sabretooth's whiskey bottle on the balcony railing. When the cinematic ends, make sure you pick up the 'The Old Man' whiskey bottle afterwards to add it to your collection. This seems to just be a reference to Old Man Logan, the old and weathered version of Wolverine from a universe where supervillains rule Earth.
Get Angry whiskey bottle
After going inside the Japanese bar from Jean's vision, go to the far end, take the stairs down to the basement, then follow the corridor and scent trail around to the right. Head inside the bathroom then press Triangle to get the creepy kissy head to move out (this gets you a trophy!). When it moves back, grab the Patch whiskey bottle from the shelf.
Patch is the name of Wolverine's alias in Madripoor that helps him remain anonymous in the criminal haven. This disguise is also one of Wolverine's many suits you can wear in the game.
Bad Blood whiskey bottle
When you're climbing up the under-construction building to reach Shiro's Penthouse, there's a point where you climb into the building and then destroy a pair of yellow grate doors to proceed. From here, carry on straight ahead and drop down – there will be a material crate right here – then follow the scent trail around to the right. Climb up to the next ledge and you'll spot the Fatal Attractions whiskey bottle on a blue tarp crate. The name of this bottle is the same as a famous X-Men comic series from the 1990s.
In the Shadows whiskey bottle 1
After destroying the second mutant detector, go back out onto the building rooftop to spot the final cluster of detectors. Facing the detector, drop down onto the lower rooftop ahead, then turn right and jump towards the rooftop balcony area with some electronic billboards in the corner – it's attached to the tall, blue building. You'll find the Best There Is whiskey bottle on a small table on this balcony.
The name of this whiskey bottle comes from a famous line of Wolverine's: "I'm the best there is at what I do, but what I do best isn't very nice..."
In the Shadows whiskey bottle 2
This Marvel's Wolverine whiskey bottle is pretty much impossible to miss. When you meet up with Jean and infiltrate the Hand's secret party together, you can grab the Berserker Brew whiskey bottle from one of the tables in the first room. This just seems to be a reference to Wolverine's berserker rage.
Death Comes to Death whiskey bottle
This bottle is also difficult to miss. Just follow the mission normally from the start and you'll eventually follow a scent trail that leads upwards into a sort of maintenance corridor. You'll find the Hand of God whiskey bottle on a tool trolley along the scent trail in this upper area.
'Hand of God' is a reference to a Wolverine comic storyline in which he is implied to be the Hand of God, sent down to punish the Ba'al-worshipping peop
Google News（Whisky 綜合）｜原題：Bourbon, Breakups, and Bad Decisions: 4 Great Country Songs About Whiskey - American Songwriter
美國歌曲媒體盤點鄉村音樂中的威士忌主題歌曲。與啤酒歌曲常見的歡樂聚會主題不同，威士忌歌曲往往探討困頓時刻與療癒失戀。介紹 Hank Williams Jr. 的《Whiskey Bent and Hell Bound》(1979)、Jason Boland & the Stragglers 的《Bourbon Legend》(2005)、Whitey Morgan & the 78s 的《Me and the Whiskey》(2010)，以及加拿大創作人 Corb Lund 的《Rye Whiskey/Time to Switch to Whiskey》(2009) 等四首經典曲目，展現威士忌在鄉村文化中的深層象徵意義。
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Country songs are full of drinking one kind of alcohol or the other. Usually, beer songs are about having a good time with friends or potential hookups. Country songs about whiskey are different, though. Sure, some whiskey-soaked songs are about good times. More often than not, though, the whiskey comes out when times get hard.
“Whiskey Bent and Hell Bound” by Hank Williams Jr.
Hank Williams Jr. released this as the title track and lead single from the 1979 album of the same name. More than an absolute classic, this illustrates the difference between country songs about beer and those about whiskey. When he’s drinking beer, everything is fine. Then, he switches to whiskey to escape the memory of losing his dad. This leads to cheating on his partner and drinking to dull the guilt. The latter will likely reset the cycle of hurting, drinking, cheating, and regret.
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“Bourbon Legend” by Jason Boland & the Stragglers
Jason Boland & the Stragglers originally released “Bourbon Legend” as the title track of their 2005 album. However, the live version from their 2010 release, High in the Rockies, is available on streaming services and may be a better rendition. This one lives somewhere between a fun country song about whiskey and a song about a legendary hard-living barfly. No matter how you look at it, “Bourbon Legend” is the kind of song that makes alcohol go down smoothly.
“Me and the Whiskey” by Whitey Morgan & the 78s
White Morgan & the 78s included “Me and the Whiskey” on their 2010 album Sonic Ranch. It’s a more realistic example of something that countless country songs have romanticized over the years: using whiskey to heal a heartache. The narrator loses his lover, his religion, and his mother before the song is over. On the bright side, he gave up the devil’s dandruff. So, it’s not all bad.
“Rye Whiskey/Time to Switch to Whiskey” by Corb Lund
This medley from Canadian country great Corb Lund packs two whiskey songs into one track. It was the perfect way to close his 2009 album Losin’ Lately Gambler. The first half is an ode to the drink. The second half is a toe-tapping barnburner full of booze, good times, and bad decisions.
Featured Image by Jim Shea/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images