Bourbon maker accused of secretly filming guests having sex, including at Kentucky Castle
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- A sealed lawsuit accuses Wes Henderson of invasion of privacy and voyeurism.
- The filing says Connor found hidden cameras in Wes's home near Melbourne, Fla.
- The complaint says footage included sex at Kentucky Castle and other homes.
Kentucky bourbon maker Wes Henderson has been accused by family members of secretly filming them, as well as others in multiple places, including at the Kentucky Castle, according to a lawsuit filed in Kentucky.
Henderson is a Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame member best known as the founder of Angel’s Envy, which was sold for a reported $150 million to Bacardi in 2015. Representatives of Angel’s Envy had no immediate response to a request for comment.
Later, Henderson purchased The Kentucky Castle in Versailles in Woodford County, a wedding and tourist destination with a hotel and restaurant, and launched a new whiskey brand, True Story, with plans to build a $92 million distillery nearby. Those plans are on hold.
What the lawsuit against Wes Henderson alleges
In a lawsuit filed in June in Oldham County, family members accuse Henderson of invasion of privacy, voyeurism, and possession or viewing of matter portraying a sexual performance by a minor. A court filing says some underage family members were captured on the cameras nude.
Family members did not respond to requests for comment; the Herald-Leader is not naming them due to the nature of the allegations. The lawsuit has been sealed. The lawyers who filed it have not responded to repeated requests for comment about the filing.
Henderson denies the allegations
On Friday afternoon, an attorney for Henderson issued this statement: “Wes unequivocally denies the allegations in the lawsuit. It is our understanding that the complaint will be voluntarily dismissed. If that does not happen, he is prepared to vigorously defend himself.”
According to the filing, the family members were vacationing in Henderson’s home near Melbourne, Florida, in June 2025 when they discovered multiple hidden cameras, including some capable of live-streaming. They subsequently turned over the cameras and recorded footage to law enforcement, according to the lawsuit.
Because the case file has been sealed, any response that has been filed by Henderson was not immediately available.
No criminal charges have been filed, apparently.
Cameras with Wi-Fi, recording devices found
According to the filing, the family members removed approximately 15 hidden cameras and their SD cards and returned home, where they reviewed some of the footage, which captured intimate acts as well as images of themselves in various stages of undress and using the restroom.
“The cameras also captured the defendant, Wes Henderson, having sex with other women (not his wife). Upon information and belief, the cameras captured other adults having sex, as well as footage of what appeared to be a homeless individual, potentially a minor, who happened to be carrying a portable medical device, using the restroom,” according to the filing.
In a footnote, the filing noted, “Some of the videos were from SD cards that captured sex at the Kentucky Castle which is connected to a business interest of the Defendant Wes Henderson.”
Henderson has owned the Kentucky Castle since 2023. He is facing multiple lawsuits for debts related to his distilling and hospitality businesses.
The cameras in the Florida home were disguised as fire alarms, behind a mirror, in a fan, in a clock, in a speaker, in a bathroom air vent directly above the toilet, in charging blocks and plug outlet extenders, according to the filing.
According to the filing, “there are a total of 40 people identified as being captured without their knowledge.”
Some of the footage included Henderson placing the cameras and deliberately placing them to capture views of a bed, according to the filing.
More cameras found
In the filing, the family members allege they notified other relatives and Henderson’s wife, who “gave (them) permission to sweep their Oldham County, Kentucky home for similar hidden recording devices.” Allegedly, another 15 similar cameras were found there.
The filing also alleges that footage “showed Wes placing cameras in various third parties’ homes.”
Henderson is a deputy coroner in Oldham County and a former firefighter. According to the filing, the footage also showed him wearing a firefighter’s shirt while installing a hidden camera.
According to the filing, the family members contacted local authorities and turned over the cameras and SD cards from the Oldham County home and the Florida vacation home.
“At present, law enforcement continues to maintain possession of the evidence,” according to the filing. It is unclear which law enforcement agency has the cameras and footage.
Versailles Police Chief Rob Young said he was not aware of the filing. Oldham County Police Chief Greg Smith also said his department is not involved in the case.
“After being confronted, and throughout the last 11 months, Wes Henderson has frequently apologized for his actions and requested forgiveness through several text messages to multiple members of his family,” according to the filing.
The lawsuit seeks punitive damages for pain and suffering, medical expenses, and a jury trial.
Unrelated lawsuits were filed earlier this year in Jefferson Circuit Court against TKC Distilling and related companies that produce True Story. Architects Luckett & Farley, which designed the now-shelved distillery, alleged they are owed more than $936,000.
And Bourbon Hall of Famer Peggy Noe Stevens alleges her consulting company is owed more than $510,000 for work done.
A third lawsuit, filed in June by GMR Marketing, alleges TKC Distilling owes them more than $120,000.
All of those lawsuits are still pending.
This story was originally published October 2, 2026 at 12:04 PM.
Google News（Whisky 綜合）｜原題：Bad Chattanoogan Combines Tennessee Whiskey And Music — Literally - chattanoogapulse.com
Chattanooga Whiskey推出首款正式的田納西威士忌Bad Chattanoogan，創新之處在於用可真正播放的楓木唱片陳釀。該酒分為Side A（Bad Chattanoogan）與Side B（City I Love）兩款，各用15片楓木唱片陳釀1個月，唱片上刻有原創歌曲。威士忌採用三種麥芽比例配方，經超過4年陳釀，酒精濃度100 proof。購酒者將獲得4吋可播放的迷你黑膠唱片。10月23日在實驗蒸餾廠首發。
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Bad Chattanoogan is not only Chattanooga Whiskey Distilleries first Tennessee Whiskey, it’s probably the world's first Tennessee Whiskey (or any whiskey for that matter) finished with playable toasted maple wood records.
Yes, the records really do play.
Bad Chattanoogan is being released as two vinyl-inspired blends: Side A and Side B. Each blend was finished with 15 maple wood records, engraved with a unique song inspired by Chattanooga.
The Whiskey
They began with 3 high malt Tennessee Whiskey mash bills, all built from primarily Tennessee-grown corn, wheat malt, and barley malt.
But to give their distillers more options, these three mash bills varied in their makeup, as well as distillation method: two were pot distilled, one was column distilled, two were wheated, and one even contained 15% Tennessee-grown maple-wood-smoked wheat malt — putting maple into the whiskey before it was ever distilled.
After distillation, every drop was mellowed through sugar maple charcoal for more than 24 hours, known as the Lincoln County Process. From there the whiskey aged more than four years in a combination of charred and toasted and charred oak barrels, much of it Tennessee-grown oak!
Mash Bill #1: Pot Distilled combines 68% TN Yellow Corn, 15% TN Pilsner Malt, 13% Munich Rye Malt, and 4% Honey Malt. Mash Bill #2: Pot Distilled combines 65% TN Yellow Corn, 20% TN Pilsner Malt, and 15% TN Maple Wood Smoked Wheat Malt. Mash Bill #3: Column Distilled combines 64% TN Yellow Corn, 21% TN Wheat Malt, and 15% TN Pilsner Malt.
Side A Blend - "Bad Chattanoogan"
- Blend: Mash Bill #1: 50%, Mash Bill #2: 6%, Mash Bill #3: 44%
- Age: Greater than 4 Years
- Proof: 100 (50% Alc/Vol)
- Cooperage: Toasted & Charred Oak Barrels, 44% TN Oak
- Batch Size: 9 Barrels
- Finishing: 1 month with 15 maple wood records engraved with the song "Bad Chattanoogan"
Tasting Notes: Sweet tea, banana bread, chocolate covered dried cherry, and toasted maple granola
Side B Blend - "City I Love"
- Blend: Mash Bill #1: 0%, Mash Bill #2: 56%, Mash Bill #3: 44%
- Age: Greater than 4 Years
- Proof: 100 (50% Alc/Vol)
- Cooperage: Toasted & Charred Oak Barrels, 89% TN Oak
- Batch Size: 9 Barrels
- Finishing: 1 month with 15 maple wood records engraved with the song "City I Love"
Tasting Notes: Smoked apple crisp, crème brûlée, dark brown sugar, toasted walnut, and mulling spices
Experimental Distillery Release Date: Friday, October 23. Limited quantities will also be available on Seelbachs.com in the coming weeks after the Experimental Distillery release.
The Music
The maple records were engraved with two original tribute songs about Chattanooga, written in-house by Chattanooga Whiskey Creative Director, Rich Abercrombie, and his rock & roll band Dollars Family.
Unlike most music-themed whiskeys, the music didn't just inspire this release, it literally flavored it.
Along with the music-infused whiskey, every bottle carries a four-inch Tiny Vinyl hangtag — a genuinely playable record of both songs, made to spin at 33 rpm on most manual turntables.
Drop the needle and you'll hear "Bad Chattanoogan" and "City I Love" the same way the whiskey did.
Bad Chattanoogan Listening Party
Be one of the first to taste Side A and Side B, and hear stories from Rich, Grant (Founding Distilller), and Tim (Founder & CEO) about the creation of Bad Chattanoogan.
You'll also enjoy live performances from Dollars Family and Bad Chattanoogan-themed cocktails & light bites.
- Thursday, October 22
- 6:30–8:30 PM (Doors at 6:15 PM)
- Chattanooga Whiskey Experimental Distillery
- $100 | 21+ Only
- Tickets available at exploretock.com
What Is Tennessee Whiskey?
Let's clear the air: all of Chattanooga Whiskey’s whiskey has been made in Tennessee since they released Chattanooga Whiskey 91 and Cask 111 in 2019 (with the exception of the 1816 bourbon in their Founder's Anniversary Blend).
So while Bad Chattanoogan is their first Tennessee Whiskey, it is not their first whiskey made in Tennessee.
Tennessee Whiskey is a legally defined style of whiskey. It follows the same rules as bourbon plus it must be produced exclusively in Tennessee and it must undergo the Lincoln County Process, where new make whiskey is filtered through a sugar maple charcoal prior to entering the barrel.
And if you're not familiar with their history, 1816, and how they changed Prohibition-era laws to bring distillation back to Tennessee, you can learn more here.
Diageo Slashes Scotch Whisky Production to Avert Oversupply as Global Demand Cools
Diageo is cutting its Scotch whisky distillation by more than 50 percent to manage an $8.5 billion inventory amid slowing demand in the US and Latin America.
Diageo has announced a dramatic reduction in its Scotch whisky production, cutting distillation by more than half over the next three years to prevent a damaging supply glut following a sharp post-pandemic decline in global spirits consumption.
Ewan Andrew, Diageo's president of global supply chain and procurement, confirmed the severe pullback during a recent Capital Markets Day presentation. The company, which currently holds approximately $8.5 billion in maturing inventory, is recalibrating its operations after consumers in key markets, including the United States and Latin America, curtailed their premium spending. The production cuts echo historical industry corrections and have already triggered facility pauses and labour disputes across Scotland.
Navigating the Post-Pandemic Hangover
The global Scotch whisky industry operates on extended timelines, with distillers constantly forced to predict consumer demand seven to ten years in advance. During the Covid-19 pandemic, the sector experienced a "super-cycle" of surging retail sales as home-bound consumers traded up to premium spirits. Anticipating continued growth, distillers ramped up production and flooded wholesale channels with stock.
That sustained boom never materialised. As global inflation rose and economies slowed, consumer spending on discretionary luxury goods contracted sharply. Diageo's flagship brands bore the brunt of the correction; Johnnie Walker suffered a 10 percent fall in the United States, while sales of Buchanan's were down by 12 percent during the latter half of 2022 and into 2023. A similar 23 percent decline in Latin American sales further compounded the global surplus. The company found itself with extensive wholesale networks heavily saturated with inventory that consumers were no longer pulling off the shelves at the expected rate.
Addressing investors, Andrew acknowledged that the company's vast inventory in Scottish warehouses was designed to be a competitive advantage, but admitted the stockpile had grown too large. "Every drop of liquid we distil, every barrel we choose to fill, every palate that we make and move around the world has to work harder for returns on our capital," he stated.
Deep Cuts Across the Supply Chain
To rebalance its books and protect its free cash flow metrics, Diageo has initiated sweeping interventions across its manufacturing base. The company is scaling back distillation across its Scotch, North American whiskey, and Tequila portfolios, reducing its barrel output by more than 50 percent in the forward three-year cycle compared to the previous three years.
The operational impact in Scotland is already highly visible. Diageo has paused production at Teaninich, its third-largest malt distillery, which typically boasts a capacity of 10 million litres per year. Similar extensive pauses were enforced at the company's Roseisle maltings facility in November. Furthermore, production has been severely curtailed at Cameronbridge, a massive grain distillery in Fife that serves as a cornerstone of the company's blending operations. The sudden reduction in output there led directly to eight immediate job cuts, provoking the facility's workforce to launch formal strike action in protest against the retrenchment.
The cuts are not isolated to Diageo. The broader industry is taking defensive measures to avoid a repeat of the notorious "whisky loch" of the 1970s and 1980s, an era of vast overproduction that decimated profit margins, forced historic distilleries to close, and took decades to correct. Ian Macleod Distillers has lowered production at its Glengoyne and Rosebank facilities by 30 percent this year, while independent reports indicate intermittent operational pauses at LVMH's Glenmorangie and Brown-Forman's Glenglassaugh and Benriach distilleries.
Financial Prudence or Strategic Risk?
While the aggressive curtailment appeases City investors seeking disciplined capital deployment and improved short-term cash flow, critics within the industry warn that the strategy carries long-term risks. Distilling is inherently cyclical, and decisions made today dictate the market position a decade from now.
Paddy Fletcher, co-founder of the independent Port of Leith distillery, has publicly criticised the scale of the established distillers' retrenchment, arguing it is driven by financial metrics rather than long-term consumer forecasting. The concern is that by aggressively cutting production now to satisfy immediate investor demands, companies risk being caught short-handed when global economic conditions improve and the demand for aged single malts inevitably rises again.
Despite the immediate contraction, Diageo executives maintain that the industry is better equipped to manage these supply chain dynamics than it was during the boom-and-bust cycles of the late twentieth century. By acting decisively to stem the flow of new spirit into its warehouses, the company aims to stabilise its existing $8.5 billion stockpile and position itself for sustainable, value-driven growth once international markets recover. The ultimate test of the strategy will emerge at the end of the decade, when today's missing barrels would have finally reached maturity.
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Sources & evidence
The documents, data and reporting consulted for this article. Links open the original material so readers can inspect the evidence directly.
Includes 1 primary source
- 01CityAMAwash With Whisk(e)yNews reportBy Tom Bruce-Gardyne Published 2 Oct 2026Accessed 2 Oct 2026Evidence used - • Reports the 50 percent barrel reduction across the next three years
- • Details pauses at Teaninich and Roseisle
- • Quotes Ewan Andrew regarding capital deployment
- 02Diageo2026 Capital Markets DayPrimary documentPrimaryBy Ewan Andrew Published 6 Aug 2026Accessed 2 Oct 2026Evidence used - • Provides the official confirmation of the supply chain cuts and the $8.5 billion maturing stock valuation
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The Dalmore has unveiled Cigar Malt Signature Reserve Aged 18 Years, a new permanent expression within its Principal Collection. The Scotch single malt whisky will be available globally, including from the brand’s website, from 19 October 2026, priced at £299 ($387).
The release extends the distillery’s Cigar Malt range, which launched more than two decades ago with Cigar Malt Reserve.
Like its predecessor, the new 18-year-old features Cabernet Sauvignon barriques as part of a five-cask assemblage.
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The whisky is matured for an initial 16 years in American white oak ex-Bourbon barrels. It is then finished in Matusalem Sherry casks, French oak Marsala casks, French oak Cabernet Franc barriques, and French oak Cabernet Sauvignon barriques.
Each cask plays a distinct role in the final whisky. The ex-Bourbon barrels provide sweetness and lift, while the Matusalem Sherry casks contribute depth, dried fruits, and nutty richness.
The Marsala casks introduce ginger warmth and spice, and the Cabernet Franc adds aromatic nuance and savory complexity. Cabernet Sauvignon raises tannin and structure.
Every Kirkland Bourbon Ranked, From Worst to Best
READ THE STORYAccording to the official notes from the brand, the whisky offers aromas of chocolate orange, dried fig, and dark fruit, balanced with hints of aromatic oud and sandalwood. The palate reveals forest berries, sticky dates, orange marmalade, dark chocolate, and cinnamon spice, leading to a long finish layered with dark fruit, nutmeg, and cinnamon.
Bottled at 46% ABV, the whisky is of natural color and non-chill filtered.
The brand said the expression was designed for a richer, more complex cigar experience. “For those who seek the perfect pairing between their finest cigars and an exceptional single malt, Cigar Malt Signature Reserve Aged 18 Years delivers depth, richness and the confidence required to elevate cigar pairing moments, into an enriched experience,” the distillery stated.
The whisky is presented in a scarlet gift carton that unfolds via a pull tab.
Members of The Dalmore Guild will receive early access to purchase from 15 October.
The Dalmore, based in Alness in the Scottish Highlands, is owned by Whyte & Mackay. The distillery is known for its multi-cask maturation and its luxury expressions.
- Want to find out more about the trends, challenges and opportunities shaping the drinks market? Book your ticket to Drink Tank here now – the new meeting place for the UK drinks industry on 10 November.
According to Unite, industrial disruption began on Monday 28 September with certain groups of workers taking industrial action up to 15 October and all members of the union will take strike action on four different days this month – 12, 15, 19 and 22 October.
Unite said the “significant industrial escalation” is in response to Diageo management reaffirming its threat to push through compulsory redundancies during the course of meetings during the past week.
However, Diageo stated the dispute relates to the removal of 10 roles, which will impact eight people because two jobs are vacancies, and is limited to just the Cameronbridge distillery.
A spokesperson for Diageo said: “We are disappointed with the decision to strike. We do not expect any disruption to the availability of our products resulting from this action.
“The proposal to remove up to 10 roles at Cameronbridge distillery is a difficult but necessary step as we maintain reduced production volumes. This approach protects the long-term competitiveness of our business. We remain open to constructive dialogue with our employees and their representatives throughout this process.”
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Diageo’s behaviour toward its loyal and skilled workforce at Cameronbridge is disgraceful.
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Completely unacceptable
“It is making hundreds of millions [of pounds] of profit on the back of our members’ hard work. Its sole objective appears to be squeezing even more out of them, which is completely unacceptable. Our members will fight these unnecessary jobs cuts every step of the way.”
The dispute is claimed to be based on Diageo’s plans to slash hundreds of jobs across its operations in Scotland with dozens of roles under review at Cameronbridge, as part of global restructuring proposals. The Cameronbridge distillery, which is in Windygates, near Leven, Fife, Scotland, is Europe’s largest grain distillery.
Unite said it believes Diageo has failed to properly consult on the job cuts at Cameronbridge – which is in Windygates, near Leven, Fife, Scotland – and the company has provided no explanation and minimal detail on the proposed redundancies.
The union has raised further concerns over worker safety and wellbeing due to roles being cut with no proposed reduction in production at the distillery.
Arrogance and greed
Unite said Diageo has about 3,000 employees based in distilleries and bottling plants across Scotland. In its latest registered accounts, Diageo Scotland recorded after tax profit of £595m for 2025 and £736m in 2024.
Unite industrial officer Dougie Orchardson said: “Unite members will significantly escalate their industrial action in response to Diageo’s arrogance and greed. The company has refused to properly engage with us. It has instead reaffirmed its disgraceful plan to push ahead with its job cuts.
“Diageo has brought further strike action on itself due to its actions. This will inevitably result in more disruption, which is already having a really significant impact on Diageo’s operations.”
Among Diageo’s high-profile brands are Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, J&B, Buchanan’s and Windsor whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Don Julio, Tanqueray and Guinness.
Moon Moonshine is now available to purchase online across the US, following its on and off-premise launch in Florida. The Louisville, Kentucky-based brand, co-founded by Penny Peavler and Amit Singla, offers low-sugar Berry, Citrus and Tropical expressions bottled at 35% ABV.
The pair distill traditional unaged corn whiskey, commonly known as moonshine, into a smoother, flavored profile.
They start with 100% premium white and yellow corn grown within 100 miles of the distillery, combined with shale-filtered limestone spring water.
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The gluten-free mash bill is double-distilled in small batches in a copper pot still. All-natural fruit extracts are then added to complete the range.
“By starting with perfect ingredients, we engineered the infamous burn out of the spirit,” said Peavler. “The result is moonshine reimagined.”
As a startup without a traditional distributor, the company relied on a hands-on sales approach in Florida. Singla personally knocked on doors and hand-sold the brand, running on-site “liquid to lips” taste tests with bartenders, bar managers and retailers.
Every Kirkland Bourbon Ranked, From Worst to Best
READ THE STORYThat effort signed up more than 100 Florida accounts over the past 12 months.
“Our Florida launch strategy worked two-fold by introducing the brand to the trade and consumers at high traffic bar events while knowing that a certain percentage of bar patrons were just visiting and will help spread the word back in their hometown,” said Singla.
More than 20% of large accounts have reordered, with almost half of those ordering one to two cases a month. New York, North Carolina and Ohio currently lead online ordering, driven by consumers who first sampled the brand while visiting Florida.
Industry judges have also recognized the range. Moon Moonshine’s Berry, Citrus and Tropical expressions each won silver medals at the 2026 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, earning three of the five top awards in the moonshine category.
The brand positions itself as lighter than traditional moonshine, with a smoother finish than tequila or aged whiskey.
Moon Moonshine is available at retailers and bars in Florida, Illinois and Kentucky, and online across 40 markets through moonmoonshine.com.
Indiana’s Starlight Distillery has released its Estate Collection 7-Year Cask Strength Bourbon, an annual expression produced in collaboration with the Estate Whiskey Alliance. The limited bottling arrives on shelves at the distillery in Borden, Indiana, and online from Saturday 3 October 2026.
The bourbon is made entirely grain-to-glass on the Huber family estate, with 80% of its grain grown and harvested on estate land.
As an Estate Whiskey Certified product, every step of production takes place on site, from milling and cooking to fermentation, distillation, barreling, aging and bottling.
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The blend features the distillery’s signature three-grain mash bill, built on rare heirloom corn and Indiana rye.
Each barrel was sweet mash fermented, double pot distilled on the distillery’s Vendome copper stills, entered at low proof and aged for seven years.
The casks matured in the distillery’s original red warehouses. The whiskey is bottled at cask strength at 110.8 proof.
Every Kirkland Bourbon Ranked, From Worst to Best
READ THE STORYOfficial tasting notes from the brand list a nose of caramelized sugar, toasted oak, dried fruit, vanilla and baking spice. The palate offers brown sugar and French caramel with subtle notes of coconut and plums, while the finish is described as long and warming with lingering oak, spice and confectionary sweetness.
The barrels were hand-selected by the Huber family – Ted, Blake and Christian.
“Estate whiskey is how whiskey was always meant to be made: grown, distilled, aged and bottled on the same land,” said Christian Huber, seventh-generation distiller. “Our family has farmed this ground for seven generations, and our products carry that place in every glass. This is a whiskey that couldn’t be made anywhere else, by anyone else.”
The release retails at $59.99 (£45) in limited quantities.
To earn Estate Whiskey Certified status, all production must take place at the estate distillery, and at least two-thirds of all mash bill grains must be grown on estate-owned or controlled land.
The Estate Whiskey Alliance was established by the University of Kentucky. The Alliance was founded on 22 August 2024 with seven members, composed of whiskey producers, farmers, suppliers, academic institutions and related entities to promote estate whiskey.
Star Hill Farm Wheat Whiskey, made by Maker’s Mark Distillery, was the first whiskey to bear the Estate Whiskey Certified logo.
Starlight Distillery traces its roots to 1843. It is the youngest branch of a seven-generation enterprise, and it is a genuine farm-to-bottle operation: grain grown on the estate, fermented, distilled, aged, and bottled without ever leaving the family’s hands.
To mark the launch, Starlight will host a public event on Saturday 3 October from 10am, where visitors can meet the makers and taste the expression.
Google News（Whisky 綜合）｜原題：Whiskey startup lawyer loses bid built on unsigned contract - hcamag.com
一名律師受聘為新創威士忌品牌公司 Hava Nation Corp. 的法務長，自行草擬僱傭合約後從未獲得創辦投資人簽署就開始工作。投資人口頭同意升任其為執行長並增發股份後旋即欲解僱他。律師隨後自行在合約上兩處簽名欄位打上「/s/」聲稱簽署，並宣稱多數股東身份企圖罷免創辦人。特拉華州衡平法院認定，合約明確要求正式簽署才能成立，律師自己打上的符號不構成投資人簽名，數月的實際工作也不足以改變此結論。法院駁回11項訴求中的9項，僅保留基於實際服務報酬的兩項請求。
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He typed both signatures himself and declared himself majority shareholder
An unsigned employment agreement torpedoed a whiskey startup lawyer's bid to claim control of the company.
Delaware's Court of Chancery recommended dismissing nine of eleven counts on October 1 in a dispute over Hava Nation Corp., formed to develop a whiskey brand. The attorney had been recruited as general counsel after a seed investor put $1.2 million into the venture in March 2025.
He drafted his own employment agreement - $100,000 annual salary, 5,000 immediately vesting shares, 5,000 stock options, a signing bonus, and severance rights. The seed investor reviewed it and emailed: "Thanks. Works for me, including 4a. I suggest dating the PDF Monday, May 19 and I'll sign on that date."
He never signed.
The attorney started working anyway. By early June, the seed investor had verbally offered him the CEO role and 9,700 additional shares. He was formally introduced as CEO at a recorded company meeting on June 9.
Two days later, the seed investor tried to fire him. The attorney alleged retaliation. By June 24, approximately $960,000 had been transferred out of company accounts. The attorney issued demand letters, declared equitable liens on shares held by other parties, and - claiming majority-shareholder status - purported to terminate the co-founder, strip him from the board, and rewrite the capitalization tables.
The co-founder disputed all of it and kept holding himself out as CEO.
The court cut through it. Applying Texas law per the agreement's choice-of-law clause, the Magistrate found the document's own language - signature blocks, a signing bonus triggered by signing, and a clause requiring "actual or facsimile signature" - all pointed to formal execution as the condition of being bound. The attorney had typed "/s/" on both signature lines himself; that did not constitute the seed investor's signature.
Months of accepted work did not save it. Accepting someone's services, the court held, does not amount to agreeing to specific contract terms when parties contemplated signing as the condition of assent.
No agreement meant no shares. No shares meant no standing for derivative claims. The self-declared liens fared no better - Delaware law requires a court-ordered process to attach shares, not a unilateral declaration.
Two counts survived: promissory estoppel and quantum meruit, seeking pay for work actually performed.
For HR teams, the case puts a fine point on onboarding: verbal offers, email approvals, and months of accepted work do not bind an employer when the contract contemplates a signature that never comes.
Google News（Whisky 綜合）｜原題：Cazcanes’s Excellent New Reposado Tequilas Show Single Barrels Aren’t Just for Whiskey - Robb Report
龍舌蘭品牌 Cazcanes 推出「Experimental Single Barrel Series」系列，包含兩款雷波薩多（Reposado）單桶表現：Mirabelle Eau de Vie 單桶（在蜜露梅果酒桶中熟成 3 個月）和 Apricot Brandy 單桶（在杏香白蘭地桶中熟成）。這些罕見的桶型選擇展現了龍舌蘭熟成的創新可能性。兩款酒均定價 $100 美元，目前品牌官網已售罄，預計未來數月會在零售商與酒吧供應。該品牌未來預計推出更多單桶表現，持續探索各種非傳統桶型。
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Single-barrel expressions are not unheard of when it comes to tequila, but they are far less common in the world of agave spirits than they are in whiskey. Cazcanes, a fantastic tequila brand that has been getting a lot of attention recently, is not just releasing single-barrel picks, however; it’s choosing types of casks that are pretty unusual for any spirits category. The new Experimental Single Barrel series kicks things off with a pair of reposados that is worth checking out.
Cazcanes has been around for about a decade, but the brand has been making a bigger impact here in the U.S. over the past couple of years. In fact, the No. 7 Rosa Añejo expression, a tequila aged in ex-Four Roses and French oak wine barrels, made our Best of the Best spirits list this year. The new Experimental Single Barrel Series consists of two releases: Cazcanes Reposado No. 9 Mirabelle Eau de Vie Single Barrel and Cazcanes Reposado No. 9 Apricot Brandy Single Barrel. “Establishing our experimental offering marks an important moment in Cazcanes’ evolution,” said Edwin Dolgopyat, CEO of Cazcanes, in a statement. “These two barrels show what is possible when the same respect for agriculture, patience, intentionality, and precision is brought to tequila and its maturation. This platform gives us the freedom to explore while keeping agave at the center of every bottle, as it reinforces our reputation as an innovator that honors what nature reveals.”
Each tequila spent a total of three months maturing in a specific barrel before being bottled at 100 proof. Mirabelle Eau de Vie Single Barrel was aged in casks used to mature liqueur made from small, yellow Mirabelle plums, and has notes of plum, vanilla, agave, fig, and butterscotch on the palate; the Apricot Brandy Single Barrel was aged in casks that previously held that spirit to give it notes of apricot, citrus, banana, chocolate, grass, and roasted agave. According to the brand, there will be more single-barrel releases in the future, and you can expect them to be aged in new and unconventional barrels as the team is currently trialing tequila in various types of casks.
Each of the new Cazcanes Experimental Single Barrel Series tequilas is priced at $100. While they are currently sold out on the brand’s website, you will likely be able to find them at secondary retailers, bars, and restaurants over the coming months.
Google News（Scotch/Distillery）｜原題：Scotch Whisky Prices Fall Up to 26% in India as UK Trade Deal Kicks In - ascendants.in
英印自由貿易協議於7月15日生效，將英國威士忌進口關稅從150%降至75%，未來10年進一步降至40%。Diageo和Pernod Ricard已開始調整旗下品牌價格，其中Johnnie Walker Black Label在馬哈拉施特拉邦等州下跌約10.6%至印度盧比3,800元，J&B跌幅最大達26%至1,700盧比。這波降價對印度國產單一麥芽威士忌品牌（如Amrut、Paul John、Rampur）構成競爭壓力，價格差距縮小可能改變市場動態。
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Scotch whisky drinkers in India are beginning to see lower prices, with major brands including Johnnie Walker Black Label and J&B becoming cheaper by up to 26% in some states following the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
Diageo and Pernod Ricard, two of the largest Scotch whisky producers operating in India, have started adjusting prices after the trade agreement reduced import duties on British whisky. The first round of price cuts has already taken effect in Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Goa and Uttar Pradesh, with more states expected to follow.
The reductions range between 10% and 15% for several products, although individual brands have seen different levels of price changes depending on the state.
Johnnie Walker Black Label, J&B Get New Prices
The revised prices have already made a noticeable difference to the cost of some popular imported Scotch brands.
Diageo’s 750-ml Johnnie Walker Black Label is now selling for approximately Rs 3,800, down from its earlier price of Rs 4,250. This represents a reduction of around 10.6%.
J&B has recorded a bigger price change, falling to approximately Rs 1,700 from Rs 2,300 previously. That translates into a reduction of nearly 26%.
These changes mark the first major consumer price adjustments by the two leading Scotch producers since the India-UK trade agreement came into force on July 15.
Pernod Ricard has also approached state governments for approval to reduce prices across brands such as Chivas, Ballantine’s and The Glenlivet.
India-UK FTA Cuts Scotch Import Duty to 75%
The price reductions follow a major change in India’s import duty structure for British whisky.
Under the India-UK FTA, the import tariff on British whisky has been reduced from 150% to 75%. The duty is scheduled to fall further to 40% over the next 10 years.
However, the reduction in import duty does not translate into an equivalent drop in the retail price. The final cost of imported whisky also includes state excise duties, other taxes, distribution expenses and commercial margins.
Companies also need to follow state-level approval procedures before introducing revised prices. These include submitting pricing proposals to excise authorities and providing documents confirming that the whisky originates in the UK.
Some states have already cleared the proposed changes, allowing consumers to access the lower prices.
Indian Single Malts Face Fresh Competition
The arrival of cheaper imported Scotch could bring changes to India’s premium whisky market, particularly for domestic single malt producers.
Brands such as Amrut, Paul John and Rampur could face increased competition as the price difference between imported Scotch and Indian single malts becomes narrower.
Sandeep Arora, founder of Spiritual Luxury Living, said the UK trade agreement could influence the pricing of bottled-in-origin brands and change competitive dynamics for other whiskies, including Indian single malts.
He also pointed to price differences, the arrival of new whisky brands and product availability as important factors that could shape the Indian market.
Rakshit Jagdale, company chief at Amrut Distilleries, said the company had considered repricing its products to compete with imported brands. However, it plans to wait until after the festive season to get a clearer understanding of market conditions.
Why Scotch Prices Differ Across States
Although the import duty reduction applies under the trade agreement, consumers will not necessarily see identical price cuts across India.
Diageo had earlier estimated that prices across its bottled-in-origin Scotch portfolio could decline by around 7-9% on a nationally weighted average basis.
The larger reductions seen in certain states reflect differences in local pricing structures and individual commercial decisions. They should not be interpreted as a direct or uniform outcome of the 50% reduction in import duty.
Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh are among India’s biggest whisky-consuming states, making them important markets for the initial rollout of revised prices.
Pernod Ricard CEO Alexandre Ricard had also indicated in August that the company intended to use the trade agreement to make its brands more affordable and relevant to Indian consumers. He also outlined plans to introduce new Scotch offerings and accelerate innovation from Britain.
With the first round of price reductions now reaching consumers, the impact of the India-UK FTA is beginning to extend beyond import duties. The coming months will offer a clearer picture of how much of the tariff savings companies are willing to pass on and how Indian premium whisky brands respond to the changing price gap.
Also Read: iPhone Air 2 May Get Dual 48MP Cameras as Apple Targets Spring 2027 Launch
Google News（Scotch/Distillery）｜原題：Alcobrew Distilleries Launches Gamber Valley Indian Single Malt Whisky in India - Aabkari Times
Alcobrew Distilleries India Limited推出Gamber Valley印度單一麥芽威士忌，進軍印度高端威士忌市場。新系列分為Private Collection 1（₹13,000-16,000）和The Vault Series（₹7,000-10,000）兩個價位帶，在喜馬偕爾邦Solan廠區生產。首先在哈里亞納邦、北方邦和錢迪加爾販售，計畫擴展至拉賈斯坦邦等地。印度威士忌市場規模達₹1,610億（FY2024），印度單一麥芽威士忌預估將從₹52億（FY2025）成長至₹130億（FY2030），年複合增長率約20%。
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Alcobrew Distilleries India Limited has entered India’s luxury whisky segment with the launch of Gamber Valley Indian Single Malt Whisky, expanding its presence in the premium alcoholic beverages market. The new whisky portfolio comprises two ranges, Gamber Valley Private Collection 1, priced between ₹13,000 and ₹16,000, and Gamber Valley The Vault Series, priced between ₹7,000 and ₹10,000. The launch marks the company’s latest move to capitalise on growing consumer interest in premium spirits and Indian single malt whiskies.
The Gamber Valley Indian Single Malt Whisky range is distilled, matured and bottled at Alcobrew’s manufacturing facility in Solan, Himachal Pradesh. According to the company, the distillery follows an integrated production model, with all three processes carried out at the same location. The region’s Himalayan climate also forms part of the whisky-making process, while the integrated facility enables the company to oversee production at every stage, from distillation to bottling.
The new whisky range will initially be available in Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Chandigarh, with Alcobrew planning to expand distribution to Rajasthan, Odisha, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Delhi NCT. The phased expansion is expected to extend the brand’s presence across additional markets and strengthen its position in India’s premium whisky category.
The launch comes amid continued growth in India’s premium whisky and single malt segments. According to company data, India’s whisky market was valued at ₹1,610 billion in FY2024, accounting for approximately 70% of the country’s total Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) market by value. The Indian single malt whisky market is projected to grow from an estimated ₹52 billion in FY2025 to ₹130 billion by FY2030, representing a compound annual growth rate of around 20%.
→ Diageo Upgrades McDowell’s No.1 Whisky Blend with 30% More Scotch Malt in India→ DWAAR Indian Craft Whisky Launches ‘SIPAHI’, Blending Indian Single Malt with Scotch Whisky
Indian single malts also strengthened their position in 2024, accounting for approximately 53% of total single malt case sales and surpassing imported Scotch whisky in volume terms for the first time, according to the figures provided. Rising disposable incomes, evolving consumer preferences and increasing interest in premium alcoholic beverages are contributing to the category’s expansion across metropolitan and non-metropolitan markets.
With the launch of Gamber Valley, Alcobrew is entering a competitive segment where domestic producers are expanding their premium portfolios and highlighting Indian production capabilities. The company’s focus on integrated manufacturing in Himachal Pradesh and a phased multi-state distribution strategy positions the new range within India’s broader premiumisation trend in the spirits industry.
DWAAR Indian Craft Whisky has introduced SIPAHI, the first expression in its new Indian Craft Whisky portfolio, marking a fresh step in the evolution of India’s premium whisky segment. Drawing inspiration from the grand DWAAR, the imposing gateways that have stood as symbols of strength and heritage throughout Indian history, SIPAHI brings together traditional Indian influences and contemporary whisky craftsmanship.
At the core of DWAAR SIPAHI is a carefully considered blend of aged Indian Single Malts and Scotch Whisky. The whisky is crafted using Indian Six Row barley sourced from Rajasthan, adding a distinct regional identity to the spirit. Its character is further developed through a finishing process in PX Sherry Casks, sourced from the renowned Sherry Triangle in Andalusia, Spain. This combination brings together Indian whisky-making expertise with international cask maturation influences.
The resulting expression is positioned as a contemporary Indian craft whisky that reflects a balance of provenance, craftsmanship and global whisky techniques. The use of Rajasthan-grown Six Row barley provides an Indian foundation, while the inclusion of aged Indian Single Malts and Scotch Whisky contributes to the blend’s depth and complexity. The PX Sherry Cask finish adds another layer to the whisky’s overall character, connecting Indian whisky craftsmanship with a well-established European cask tradition.
With SIPAHI, DWAAR aims to explore new possibilities within the Indian craft whisky category by combining local ingredients, international influences and modern production techniques. The brand’s approach is rooted in India’s cultural heritage while focusing on creating a contemporary premium spirits experience.
→ Alcobrew Distilleries Launches Gamber Valley Indian Single Malt Whisky in India→ Diageo Upgrades McDowell’s No.1 Whisky Blend with 30% More Scotch Malt in India
DWAAR Indian Craft Whisky – SIPAHI represents the opening expression of the portfolio and introduces a new interpretation of Indian whisky, bringing together Indian provenance, aged spirits and international cask influence in a single expression.
Scotch whisky prices have fallen in parts of India, including Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Goa and Uttar Pradesh, after the India-UK trade agreement cut import duty on British whisky to 75% from 150%. The prices have dropped by around 10-15%, according to reports. The import duty on British whisky is scheduled to fall further to 40% over the next decade.
The Fife-based Kingsbarns Distiller,y has announced the launch of the inaugural release in a new annual limited-edition series, inspired by and exploring a different facet of the Cambo Estate and farm steading on which the distillery sits.
Kingsbarns The Cambo Collection: First Edition (46% ABV) is a 10 Year Old single malt Scotch whisky matured in STR (shaved, toasted and re-charred) casks. Created to reflect the character of Cambo as the estate moves into autumn, the release marks the beginning of a new series exploring the place, provenance and heritage that shape Kingsbarns.
Set within the historic Cambo Estate in Fife, Kingsbarns Distillery is rooted in the agricultural heritage of the surrounding land, from its farmland and historic buildings to the locally sourced ingredients used in its whisky. Rather than attempting to capture that sense of place in a single bottle, the distillery is using the new collection to explore the many facets of the estate and the influences that shape its whisky.
Kingsbarns The Cambo Collection: First Edition is said to deliver notes of baked apple, cinnamon, bramble jam and blackcurrant on the nose, leading to flavours of warm cinnamon rolls, vanilla icing, plummy dark fruit and baking spice on the palate.
Commenting on the launch, Peter Holroyd, Distillery Manager at Kingsbarns Distillery, said: “Cambo is more than just the place where we make our whisky – it is part of its character. The fields, the farming heritage, the buildings and the landscape that surrounds us all contribute to the story we’re telling at Kingsbarns.”
“For The Cambo Collection: First Edition, we wanted to give ourselves the space to explore that story properly, rather than trying to capture everything in a single release. Each year will reveal a different side of our home, while remaining unmistakably Kingsbarns.”
“For our first bottling, we wanted to capture Cambo as it moves into autumn. The STR casks bring richness, warmth and spice to our naturally light and fruity house style, creating a whisky that feels incredibly connected to the season and the place that inspired it.”
Kingsbarns The Cambo Collection: First Edition, will be available from October 8th through selected specialist retailers, for a RRP of £65.00.
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Google News（Scotch/Distillery）｜原題：After 20 years, Bruichladdich resurfaces one of its quirkiest whiskies - whiskymonkeys.com
Bruichladdich 推出Yellow Submarine III [Reclassified]，14年單一麥芽威士忌，限量570瓶供應Benelux地區，建議價115歐元（約台幣3,800元）。該酒款紀念酒廠2001年重新開業25週年。Yellow Submarine的故事源於2005年推出的原版，名稱來自一艘在艾雷島外海被發現的潛艇，搭配當年美國情報單位誤會酒廠的趣味插曲。新版由Master Blender Adam Hannett以蘇格蘭Appaloosa大麥釀造，75%使用首次使用的波本桶、25%使用法國紅酒桶熟成，54.2% ABV，非冷凝過濾。
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More than 20 years ago,
Bruichladdich released a whisky with a rather extraordinary backstory. The Yellow Submarine was inspired by a submarine found off the coast of Islay, and by a remarkable mix-up with American intelligence services. Now, the Scottish distillery is reviving the name once again.
Bruichladdich has unveiled Yellow Submarine III [Reclassified], a 14-year-old single malt released to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the distillery’s reopening. Only 570 bottles are available for the Benelux.
| New whiskies at Whisky Exchange | |
| Highland Park 17 Year Old Between You and I | 116 pounds |
| The Glenturret Remanence | 88,95 pounds |
| Compass Box This is a 20-year old whisky | 63,95 pounds |
The bizarre story behind Bruichladdich Yellow Submarine
To understand the whisky’s name, we need to go back to the early years after Bruichladdich’s revival. Founded in 1881, the distillery had been closed for years until Mark Reynier and Simon Coughlin, together with master distiller Jim McEwan, began a new chapter in 2001.
Around that time, a submarine belonging to the UK Ministry of Defence was discovered off the coast of Islay. At the same time,
Bruichladdich found itself entangled with American intelligence agencies.
Due to an administrative error, they reportedly mistook the distillery for a potential storage site for weapons of mass destruction.
Bruichladdich decided to turn the episode into a series of whiskies under the banner ‘Whisky of Mass Distinction’. Yellow Submarine was part of that lineup in 2005.
Now, more than two decades later, that whisky gets a worthy sequel.
Bruichladdich Yellow Submarine III is 14 years old
Master Blender Adam Hannett set out to recreate the original release’s flavor profile for Yellow Submarine III.
He used a 14-year-old unpeated single malt made from 100% Scottish Appaloosa barley. The whisky was distilled, matured, and bottled on Islay.
For maturation, 75% of Yellow Submarine III comes from first-fill bourbon casks. The remaining 25% was drawn from first- and second-fill French red wine casks.
The combination is designed to complement Bruichladdich’s signature floral character with layers of vanilla, fruit, and spice.
Yellow Submarine III is non-chill filtered, contains no added color, and is bottled at 54.2% ABV.
Tasting notes for Bruichladdich Yellow Submarine III
According to
Bruichladdich, Yellow Submarine III offers a rich, creamy profile where sweet and fruity notes meet a delicate maritime touch.
- Nose: Sugared grains, caramelized nuts, dried fruits, soft syrup, and refined spice.
- Palate: Bright citrus, white blossom, and ripe fruit with a creamy texture and a subtle coastal salinity.
- Finish: Long and gentle with honey, spice, and toasted dried fruits.
FAQ
- What is Bruichladdich Yellow Submarine III?
Yellow Submarine III [Reclassified] is a 14-year-old, unpeated single malt from Bruichladdich. It was released to mark the 25th anniversary of the distillery’s reopening.
- Why is the whisky called Yellow Submarine?
The name refers to a submarine that was discovered off the coast of Islay years ago.
- How much does Bruichladdich Yellow Submarine III cost, and how many bottles are available?
Yellow Submarine III has a recommended price of 115 euros. The whisky is limited but it differs per region how many bottles are available.
BENGALURU: For India’s whisky drinkers, the next label up is moving a little closer. Cheaper Scotch is narrowing the price gaps between familiar bottles, giving some shoppers a reason to reconsider their usual purchase and Indian whisky makers fresh competition on the shelf.
At Tonique in Bengaluru, operations head Nandish says some customers who usually buy Black & White are choosing Johnnie Walker Red Label or Black Label. All three are blended Scotches owned by Diageo.
Diageo confirmed that
Karnataka prices for 750ml bottles fell from Rs 2,810 to Rs 2,620 for Red Label and from Rs 4,005 to Rs 3,645 for Black Label since September. Nandish puts Black & White at Rs 2,365, leaving a Rs 255 step up to Red Label.
The India-UK trade agreement halves whisky import tariffs from 150% to 75%. Retail prices also reflect state taxes and where spirits are bottled. Diageo, the first to start discounting prices, said that price revisions had reached seven states and were underway in four other markets. Delhi and Haryana had yet to see changes.
Nandish said J&B had dropped from Rs 2,835 to Rs 1,375 per 750ml bottle, attributing the reduction to local bottling.
Diageo has not confirmed that explanation. Tonique’s Blenders Pride Premium Collection shelf price was Rs 1,430 for the same volume.
The overlap extends to Indian whiskies: 750ml Woodburns was tagged Rs 2,500, while Paul John Nirvana, an Indian single malt, was Rs 2,360.
Competition is also sharpening among single malts. At Tonique, Glenfiddich 12 was priced at Rs 5,275 for 700ml, down from Rs 5,610.
“Scotch has decades of familiarity, strong equity and cultural associations,” said John Distilleries, which makes Paul John. Nirvana’s appeal rested on Indian provenance, craftsmanship and flavour, it said.
“Greater accessibility of established Scotch single malts certainly increases competitive intensity,” the company added. It would assess price dynamics while continuing to introduce more consumers to Indian single malt.
Amrut Amalgam was tagged Rs 2,000 for 500ml at Tonique. Amrut Fusion’s Karnataka MRP of Rs 3,500 for 750ml sits just Rs 145 below Black Label, a blended Scotch. Amrut says the growing price overlap has not significantly disturbed its business.
“At this point, we are not seeing any indication of Amrut aficionados switching to Scotch purely based on pricing,” said Thrivikram G. Nikam, Amrut Distilleries’ joint managing director. He said there were no specific repricing plans.
Radico Khaitan similarly said it was focusing on premium positioning for Royal Ranthambore and Rampur.
“Rather than responding and adjusting to short-term price movements, we remain focused on strengthening the premium positioning and value proposition of our brands,” its spokesperson said.
Radico said Karnataka’s tax overhaul, effective in May, had already lowered Rampur Indian Single Malt’s price from Rs 7,240 to Rs 6,380 per 750ml bottle. It reported continued double-digit growth in the state.
Holyrood Distillery has paused production amid "challenging times" facing the Scotch sector.
Earlier this week, The Guardian published a report that said the Edinburgh-based distiller had paused production of its whisky.
Holyrood's managing director Rob Carpenter told Just Drinks: "The Scotch whisky industry is facing challenging times at the moment, with many distilleries reducing or pausing production.
"At Holyrood we have also taken the decision to pause production of our whisky for the time being, but this does not mean the business is closing."
Carpenter said the company had just launched a whisky called Smoulder, and that it planned on releasing more products, "with the stock currently maturing in our warehouses".
"Our Brand Home remains open for visitors, and whilst we are not in production, they can still join us for distillery tours and tastings," Carpenter said.
Holyrood declined to answer other questions from Just Drinks on the move, including how long ago the company will pause production and when it expects it to start up again.
Gin, rum and vodka are also sold by the business. It is unclear if production of those spirits has also been paused.
In July, the US removed its tariffs on UK whiskies, including Scotch and those from Northern Ireland.
The Scotch industry had seen its exports hit by US tariffs.
Data from trade body The Scotch Whisky Association in February showed the value of exports dropped 0.6% but declined 4.3% in volume in 2025.
Volumes in the year to the US decreased more than 9%, affected by Trump tariffs on UK exports. The value of sales to the US were down 4% in the period at £933m ($1.1bn).
Production pauses have been brought in across multiple large-scale Scotch, Irish and Bourbon whisk(e)y distilleries over the past 18 months.
Brown-Forman announced a pause in production at Ireland's Slane whiskey distillery in June, while Suntory halted production at its Jim Beam distillery towards the end of last year.
Last November, Diageo also halted production at its Roseisle Maltings site in north-east Scotland as part of its efforts "to balance capacity against current demand".
"Scotch distiller Holyrood pauses production" was originally created and published by Just Drinks, a GlobalData owned brand.
There are few things more frustrating for a whisky lover than watching a distillery quietly dismantle the very expressions that made it worth championing. That is exactly the situation I find myself in with AnCnoc.
This 2024 release of the 18-year-old is one of the last before the brand decided to axe both the 18 and the 24-year-old, replacing them with a lineup bottled at either 40 or 43% ABV. That is, frankly, very disappointing. So the real question is this: at 46 percent and available not so long ago for around $100, is this dram still worth hunting down?
Let me be honest right off the hop. I preferred the previous versions of this whisky. The older releases leaned more heavily on bourbon casks, and you could see it in the lighter colour and taste it in the balance. This 2024 edition, judging by its noticeably darker hue, appears to lean far more on the Spanish oak, and that shift has changed the character. Where the old AnCnoc 18 had a real dynamism that I genuinely fell in love with, this one trades a little of that complexity for a richer, fruitier profile.
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That said, do not mistake my critique for a poor verdict. On the nose, this is beautiful, absolutely loaded with orchard fruit: red apple, ripe peach, plum, and red fruit throughout. It benefited enormously from time in the glass, having improved considerably since I first opened it months ago.
The palate follows through nicely. It drinks older than its years, exactly as an 18-year-old should, with plum, peach, and apple leading the way. There is nothing here to complain about. It simply lacks the last bit of magic its predecessor had.
All of this feeds a bigger reflection. We have spent the last few years able to buy the AnCnoc 18, the Aultmore 18, and the Speyburn 18 for around $120-$130, and I suspect we will look back and regret not stocking up by the case. If I were retiring to an island somewhere and choosing daily sippers to keep in bulk, this would make the list. For the record, I would still give the edge to the Aultmore 18 for sheer dynamism, but this remains excellent value.
Every Kirkland Bourbon Ranked, From Worst to Best
READ THE STORYMy final mark is an 87, possibly an 88, and I may be a touch harsh only because I know how good the old one was. Well done, great price, but a sad sign of where the line is heading. Which discontinued whisky do you wish you had stocked up on?
To see my full tasting and hear my thoughts, check out my YouTube video.
Hot on the heels of their inaugural RAER single malt Scotch whisky release, we’re thrilled to announce that on November 4th, we’ll be teaming up with Jackton Distillery, for the latest in our series of industry leading Tastings (formerly Tweet Tastings), which are now hosted across X, Bluesky and now also available to follow on Threads.
The family-run Jackton Distillery, which laid down its first casks in February 2020, is located just outside Glasgow on its South Lanarkshire farm, and is led by Jaynie Kean, one of Scotland’s youngest female distillery founders and managing directors.
In addition to its inaugural single malt release, Jackton Distillery has bottled a range of award-winning blended whiskies, gin and vodka as part of its RAER range, which blends Scottish heritage with a fresh and daring approach to craft spirits.
If you fancy taking part in a sensory introduction to all things RAER click here to register by emailing your name, address, mobile number, date of birth and your X or Bluesky handle. Remember to include #RAERWhisky in the subject line of your email.
The closing date for registration is October 16th. If you’re registering, please ensure you’ll definitely be free on the evening of November 4th to take part!
Even if you’re not selected as one of the tasters, we’d love you to join us by pouring a dram and following all the dramfotainment, over on X, Bluesky and Threads on November 4th, from 19:00 GMT via #RAERWhisky
UK participants only. Registration open to over-21s only!
For more information on RAER Whisky and Jackton Distillery, visit: raer.co.uk
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Whisky Advocate / Whisky Magazine（經 Google News）｜原題：Whisky Live & Fine Spirits London to return for 2027 - whiskymag.com
Whisky Live & Fine Spirits London 將於2027年7月2-3日在倫敦中心場地The HAC舉辦第27屆活動。本屆新增與威士忌零售商Master of Malt的合作夥伴關係，參展者可試飲後直接購買帶回家。活動並首次設置World Drinks Awards得獎酒展區，涵蓋琴酒、龍舌蘭、蘭姆酒等國際得獎烈酒。門票分為Taster與Signature兩種，Signature票附贈World Whiskies Awards品酒券，額外購買的品酒券收益將捐予慈善機構。
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Whisky Live & Fine Spirits London has announced its return for 2027. The whisky tasting show is launching ticket sales for its 27th edition, with a refreshed programme and exciting new partnerships.
Instead of its typical spring schedule, the next edition of Whisky Live & Fine Spirits will be held on Friday 2 and Saturday 3 July 2027. The event will take place at central London venue The HAC — a place familiar to longstanding Whisky Live fans as a former (and much-loved!) location of the event.
Also new for 2027, Whisky Live & Fine Spirits has announced a partnership with whisky and spirits retailer Master of Malt, who join as the official event retailer. Attendees will have the opportunity not just to try whiskies and other spirits, but to buy the bottle to take home.
Founded in 2000, Whisky Live London is one of the world's premier whisky tasting events. With more than 20 global editions around the world (from Paris to Singapore to Sydney to Dublin), Whisky Live is an international event with a key purpose at its heart: to connect people through their interest in spirits.
Attendees can expect to sample an eclectic range of whiskies and fine spirits from a wide selection of exhibitors, including limited-edition and rare releases. As well as the chance to taste whiskies and meet the people behind the brands, Whisky Live & Fine Spirits London will offer masterclasses that demystify the story inside the bottle.
At the World Whiskies Awards stand, attendees will fine a selection of award-winning whiskies from the 2027 awards series — an opportunity for whisky fans to try winning bottlings for themselves. Those with Signature tickets will have two World Whiskies Awards tasting tokens included in their tickets with additional tokens available to purchase on the day. Proceeds from additional tasting tokens will be donated to The Distillers’ Charity, whose mission is to transform the lives of disadvantaged young people.
New for 2027, the World Drinks Awards winners stand will brings together newly crowned award-winning spirits from around the world. The World Drinks Awards encapsulates gin, Tequila, rum, sake, liqueurs and more – and the winners will have been announced just days before Whisky Live opens its doors.
Tickets are available to purchase now via this link. There are two ticket types available — Taster and Signature — with three different sessions across the two days, to allow attendees to choose the experience that best suits them.
For more information about Whisky Live & Fine Spirits London, visit whiskylive.com.
Whisky Advocate / Whisky Magazine（經 Google News）｜原題：Taketsuru Pure Malt Essentials: A New Collection From Nikka That Goes Back to Where It All Began - Whisky Advocate｜僅標題
（僅標題資訊）Nikka 威士忌推出全新 Taketsuru Pure Malt Essentials 系列產品。該系列以品牌創辦人竹鶴政孝的名字命名，聚焦純麥威士忌的本質，回溯 Nikka 製造威士忌的根本理念。此系列預計為日本威士忌愛好者提供更貼近品牌核心的品酒體驗。
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