Loch Lomond Whiskies Raises £14,230 for The R&A Foundation Through Golden Ticket Campaign

Loch Lomond Whiskies, The Spirit of The Open, has raised £14,230 for The R&A Foundation through its Golden Ticket campaign, following a hugely successful activation across The 154th Open and the AIG Women’s Open.

A total of 1,423 Golden Tickets were purchased by golf fans across the two championships, with 100% of the £10 ticket price donated to The R&A Foundation, helping to support its work to deliver positive impact for golf and through golf.

The funds raised will contribute to The R&A Foundation’s work to improve lives and strengthen communities through the game, supporting initiatives that make golf more accessible, improve wellbeing and create opportunities for aspiring talent around the world.

The Golden Ticket activation launched at The 154th Open at Royal Birkdale before continuing at the AIG Women’s Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes, giving spectators the opportunity to support The R&A Foundation while entering a draw to win one of Loch Lomond Whiskies’ rarest releases. Tickets were available exclusively to spectators at the two championships, with all proceeds donated to The R&A Foundation.

Following the conclusion of the campaign, Andrew from Liverpool was selected as the lucky winner, taking home one of only 100 bottles worldwide of Loch Lomond 50-Year-Old single malt whisky, valued at £25,000. With both

championships staged in the North West, it was a fitting end to the campaign to see the prize won by someone from the local region.

The Loch Lomond 50-Year-Old was distilled using Loch Lomond Distillery’s distinctive Straight Neck Stills and matured for half a century. One of just 100 individually numbered bottles released worldwide, it was matured in first-fill Bourbon and Oloroso Sherry casks.

Andrew Jack, Group Marketing Director at Loch Lomond Group, said: “We have been delighted by the response to The Golden Ticket and the generosity shown by golf fans across both The Open and AIG Women’s Open. Selling 1,423 tickets and raising £14,230 for The R&A Foundation is a fantastic result and demonstrates what can be achieved when we bring together our passion for whisky with our long-standing commitment to golf.

“As The Spirit of The Open, we wanted The Golden Ticket to add something special to the spectator experience while making a positive contribution to the future of the game. We’re incredibly proud that the funds raised will support The R&A Foundation’s important work, helping to create opportunities and make a lasting difference through golf.”

The Golden Ticket campaign builds on Loch Lomond Whiskies’ long-standing relationship with golf and its partnership with The R&A, bringing together its whisky-making heritage with its commitment to supporting the game and its communities.

Following the conclusion of the campaign, all entries were uploaded to an independent third-party random draw platform using unique order reference numbers. One winner and five reserve winners were selected using a computer-generated random draw, ensuring the process was fair, transparent and based entirely on chance, with all eligible entries having an equal opportunity to be selected. The selected order reference numbers were then matched to customer records to identify the winner and reserve winners.  

About Loch Lomond Whiskies

Loch Lomond Whiskies is an award-winning, independent Scotch whisky distiller which has been producing the finest single malt whiskies since 1814.  As a Highland malt, it is part of the largest and most diverse whisky-making region in Scotland.

The original site of the Loch Lomond Distillery was established near Tarbert, towards the northwest end of Loch Lomond. In the 1960s, under the leadership of American entrepreneur and chemist, Duncan Scott (who was instrumental in the ongoing success of Scotland’s oldest licensed distillery, Littlemill), a new site was created in Alexandria, which began a move to a more innovative philosophy and style of whisky-making that is still used today.

Located only a few miles from the famous loch, the distillery has a whisky-making capability like no other, using a combination of traditional swan-neck and its signature straight-neck-stills, which are unique to Loch Lomond Whiskies.

The straight-neck stills give Master Blender Michael Henry greater control over the distillation process, allowing him to carefully manipulate the flavour profile of each whisky, and providing a signature fruit, honey and soft smoke flavour profile.

Loch Lomond Whiskies is one of only four distillers in Scotland to have its own onsite cooperage, ensuring that barrel repairs and charring are carried out to an exacting standard, so every cask is perfect for maturing whisky.

The distillery’s multi-award-winning range includes Loch Lomond Original; Loch Lomond 12 Year Old; Loch Lomond 12 Year Old; Loch Lomond Inchmoan 12 Year Old; Loch Lomond Inchmurrin 12 Year Old; Loch Lomond 18 Year Old; Loch Lomond 21 Year Old and Loch Lomond 30 Year Old, as well as Loch Lomond Single Grain (peated and unpeated) and the deluxe blend Loch Lomond Signature.

In 2023, it was recognised as the ‘Most Awarded Distillery’ at the globally renowned San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2023, achieving multiple Double Gold and Gold Awards for its collection of malt whisky brands.

Last year, Loch Lomond 18 Year Old was revealed as The Whisky Exchange’s coveted ‘Whisky of the Year 2024’, achieving superior scores from the judging panel for its full-bodied and fruity character.

Loch Lomond Whiskies was also named among Drinks International’s ‘The World’s Most Admired Whiskies 2025’, where it was noted as one of the most capable distilleries in Scotland.

A Place in Our Story

Laggan Bay is more than a new Islay distillery. It’s the beginning of a legacy. A limited number of cask ownership opportunities remain, giving you the chance to become one of the founding supporters of Laggan Bay from the very beginning.

Hear from fellow cask owners who have already begun their journey and share in the excitement of seeing their cask filled for the very first time, the moment their own Laggan Bay story began.

What You’ll Receive as a Founder

As a cask owner, you’ll have the rare opportunity to follow your whisky’s journey from new make spirit to mature Islay whisky, while enjoying exclusive experiences and privileges unavailable to the public.

Your Name on Our Founders Board

Become a permanent part of Laggan Bay’s history with your name proudly displayed on the distillery’s Founders Board.

Privileges Across Our Family of Brands

Enjoy special offers and exclusive opportunities on releases from Glengoyne, Tamdhu, Rosebank and Edinburgh Gin, alongside access to selected distillery visits and experiences.

Witness Your Cask’s Beginning

Join us at Laggan Bay and experience the filling of your cask first-hand. Taste the new make spirit, see the moment your cask is filled, and be there from the very start of its story.

Exclusive Distillery Access

Enjoy access to Laggan Bay before the distillery opens to the public, giving you a behind-the-scenes look at Islay’s newest whisky distillery.

Invitations to Exclusive Founder Events

Receive invitations to a calendar of exclusive cask owner experiences at Laggan Bay and across the Ian Macleod Distillers family, including special events, unique tastings and behind-the-scenes access at iconic destinations such as Rosebank Distillery.

A Rare Opportunity

There will only ever be one group of founders. By securing a cask today, you’ll be part of the story from the very beginning, joining a community of whisky enthusiasts helping shape the future of Laggan Bay.We look forward to welcoming you to Islay and sharing this journey together.

SECURE YOUR CASK

Glenegedale, Isle of Islay, PA42 7AS

After more than a decade of distilling, the Isle of Harris Distillery has launched a new core expression encapsulating the Island’s Hebridean spirit. The Isle of Harris single malt, priced at £50, is made to be enjoyed by both seasoned whisky drinkers, and those who are entirely new to the whisky world. The malt offers an intentionally approachable flavour profile, encouraging owners to extend some of that island hospitality with your nearest and dearest through sharing a dram, or cocktail*.

Tasting notes from Shona Macleod, distillery blender at Isle of Harris: “On the nose, there is an immediate warmth: butterscotch and iced cherry Bakewell tart, like a pastry shop on a cold morning. As it opens, brighter fruit and delicate floral notes appear, with a gentle hint of spice. The palate brings rich, buttery caramels and sweet cloves and ginger balanced by the dry, flinty character that’s so typical of Isle of Harris spirit. The finish is light and creamy, with a soft echo of Outer Hebridean peat smoke.”

Explore the new single malt
£50

In 2015, the distillery was founded with the overarching aim of providing multi-generational local employment and creating a catalyst for positive change for the island community. Since then, the distillery has produced arguably one of the most recognisable Scottish gins over the last decade, and their more recent Hearach single malt, which has earned over 25 rewards since its initial release.

Every aspect of the distillery’s products are deliberate – from the iconic bottle design inspired by the cross-hatched lines of the island’s famous handwoven Harris Tweed, to the copper flecks in the bottle’s label, a nod to the copper stills used at the distillery. We can guarantee you’ll feel connected to the Outer Hebrides through every drop poured.

North British 33 Year Old

1991 Vintage · 70cl · 41% ABV

This remarkable expression from the North British Distillery was distilled in 1991 and matured for over three decades bourbon oak. Soft yet complex in character, this Scotch is a prime example of what a long aged single grain can achieve; notes of pear and golden apple weave through a smooth, pastry-sweet centre.

£79.95

VIEW MORE

Fragrant Drops is a range of independently bottled Scotch Whiskies and other ambrosial libations, brought to you by George & Rachel of Keeble Cask Company Ltd.​ Based in Leith, Fragrant Drops source casks from across Scotland and beyond, sometimes finish them and eventually bottle them when they’re ready for you to enjoy.

Why Does This Whisky Taste Like That?

Peat is responsible for some of Scotch whisky’s most distinctive flavours. But if two whiskies are both heavily peated (Ardbeg 🤝 Laphroaig), how come they can taste completely different? This post explores how peat influences flavour and why peaty whiskies can have remarkably different personalities.

📖 Read the Post

Image courtesy of Kilchoman

Study whisky: explore your passion, kickstart your career. We are the leading provider of certified Scotch whisky education. 14,000+ candidates globally enjoy our QS-Approved courses. Learn directly from the experts when you study online or in-person.

Springbank 12 Cask Strength 56.6% 2026

The REVIEW

There isn’t much else to say, is there. Somehow I was able to get hold of this bottle for the first time in my life. I felt so honoured to have it that it only felt right to share it with other people at a tasting I ran in Manchester, and as you’d expect, it went down a storm. As a believer in the ‘bourbon casks are best’ policy when it comes to ageing spirits, I was so happy that this release was also 100% ex-bourbon cask matured. I wanted to taste that oily, funky, unusual thing that has made Springbank so famous all over the world, whilst getting the nuances of the style, too. No heavy fortified wines or sweet rums clouding that possibility. I love all casks, but this was a special experience. A marvellous whisky with a lot of potent presence and an almost cleansing level of spiciness.

Whisky Reviews every Wednesday
Facebook.com/whiskytube
Twitter.com/whiskytube
Youtube.com/whiskywednesday

ARBIKIE UNVEILS FIRST-EVER SINGLE ESTATE SINGLE MALT SCOTCH WHISKY

The Signature becomes the inaugural release in Arbikie’s much-anticipated single malt programme, marking a defining milestone for the independent Scottish farm distillery.

ANGUS, SCOTLAND – September 2026: Arbikie Highland Estate Distillery, the independent Scottish farm distillery, has launched The Signature, its first-ever Single Estate Single Malt Scotch Whisky.

The release marks a defining moment for the family-owned business and for the small team behind it, bringing together more than a decade of whisky making and four centuries of family farming. Launching on the 7^th September 2026, the anniversary of Arbikie’s first ever cask being filled, The Signature lays the foundation for the distillery’s next chapter as the inaugural expression in its long-term single malt programme.

Produced from Odyssey barley grown on the Arbikie Estate in Angus, The Signature was grown, distilled, matured and bottled entirely on the family-owned farm. Matured for ten years in six bourbon casks and bottled at 48% ABV, only 1,000 bottles have been released worldwide, priced at £250 each.

Every stage of production took place on the Arbikie Estate, from barley grown in the family’s coastal fields to cask maturation in the estate’s former dairy warehouses. The result is a single malt shaped entirely by one place and by the people who know it best. The Signature opens with aromas of ripe peach, banana bread and lemon sherbet, leading to notes of brioche, apricot marmalade and citrus, before a finish of creamy vanilla, orange blossom and lingering spice.

“The Signature represents everything our team has been working towards since we filled our first casks ten years ago,” said Iain Stirling, Co-Founder of Arbikie Highland Estate Distillery. “It is our first Single Estate Single Malt Scotch Whisky, but more importantly it demonstrates what can be achieved when every decision, from the barley we grow to the casks we fill, happens on the same estate.

“We have never been interested in releasing a single malt simply because the market expected it. We wanted our first whisky to reflect our farm, our family, our philosophy and the dedication of everyone who has helped nurture it from field to bottle. After ten years of patience, we believe The Signature does exactly that.”

The launch builds on Arbikie’s growing international reputation for premium spirits, sustainability and single-estate distilling. The family-owned distillery is a certified B Corp and was named global Sustainable Distillery of the Year at the Icons of Whisky 2026.

The Signature marks the beginning of Arbikie’s Single Estate Single Malt collection, with future releases planned to explore the whisky’s evolution through age, cask character and the distillery’s field-to-bottle approach. Further details on forthcoming limited releases will be announced separately.

The Signature is available from the 7^th September 2026 at www.thearbikie.com and through Arbikie’s worldwide trade partners.

About Arbikie Distillery:

Arbikie Distillery is an independent, family-owned farm distillery on the Angus coast. Built around a field-to-bottle approach, Arbikie grows key ingredients on the estate and distils, matures and bottles its spirits on site. The distillery is a certified B Corp and was named global Sustainable Distillery of the Year at the Icons of Whisky 2026. Its customers include many of the world’s best resorts, hotels, bars, restaurants and retailers including Aman Resorts, Noma, Jean Georges, Fat Duck, Roka, Hilton, Marriott, Four Seasons, Wholefoods, Harrods, Atlas and the Connaught.www.thearbikie.com

About The Signature:

The Signature is Arbikie Highland Estate Distillery’s inaugural Single Estate Single Malt Scotch Whisky, crafted entirely from Odyssey barley grown on the family’s Angus estate. Distilled in 2016 and matured for ten years in first-fill bourbon casks, it is bottled at 48% ABV.

Nose: Ripe peach, banana bread and lemon sherbet.
Palate: Brioche, apricot marmalade and citrus.
Finish: Creamy vanilla, orange blossom and lingering spice.
RRP: £250
ABV: 48%
Availability: Limited to 1,000 bottles worldwide. Available from 7 September 2026.

Scottish oak and Glengoyne is the perfect match, let us tell you why

Known for their rounded, balanced and naturally fruity character – Glengoyne whisky provides a perfect canvas for Scottish oak which enhances and refines the spirit bringing a drier edge to the signature fruity liquid.  This 17 year old from Glengoyne is the fourth in their acclaimed Oak Masters’ Series, where they explore the world for outstanding virgin oak casks, and for this expression they haven’t had to look very far! The Scottish oak used in the maturation process was sustainably grown and harvested in Killearn, only 5 miles from the distillery – the rare wood is rich in natural tannin and provides structure to the whisky.

Any avid whisky drinkers will be used to seeing whisky matured in American or European wood casks, but maturing in Scottish oak is rare! Our trees grow slowly and with lots of twists, making them tough to turn into casks – but Glengoyne have persevered. Harnessing the natural resources Scotland has to offer, making this release all the more special. On the nose, you’ll find aromas of heather honey, stewed pear and oaty porridge. This opens into a full and beautifully balanced palate, with notes of toasted oak and fresh fruit, followed by a warming spice of ginger and nutmeg. The finish is long, gentle and nutty, with delicate tannins coming through alongside a lingering sweetness and subtle spice.

GET YOURS, WHILE STOCKS LAST >

Glen Scotia Cask #8 Glen Scotia 33 Year Old 1991 Murray McDavid ULTRA

£2,488.96

Glen Scotia 33 Year Old 1991 is an exceptionally rare and charismatic Campbeltown single malt Scotch whisky, bottled by Murray McDavid for the prestigious ULTRA series. Distilled on 22nd May 1991 and bottled on 17th June 2024, this remarkable whisky spent more than three decades maturing in single cask #8, yielding just 167 bottles at a beautifully balanced 48.7% ABV. Part of Murray McDavid’s celebrated ULTRA collection, this whisky showcases the extraordinary complexity that only time can create. Decades of slow maturation have allowed Glen Scotia’s distinctive maritime spirit to evolve into a richly layered and elegant dram, combining dark fruit richness, coastal influence, spice, and mature oak. This is a rare opportunity to experience a mature Campbeltown whisky from one of Scotland’s smallest and most historic whisky-producing regions.

• 33 year old Campbeltown single malt Scotch whisky from Glen Scotia Distillery
• Distilled 22 May 1991, bottled 17 June 2024
• Matured in single cask #8
• Limited to just 167 bottles worldwide
• Bottled at 48.7% ABV
• Part of the prestigious Murray McDavid ULTRA series

The Glen Scotia 33 Year Old 1991 Murray McDavid ULTRA is a spectacular example of mature Campbeltown whisky, combining rich dark fruit character, maritime complexity, and decades of graceful oak maturation. Deep, sophisticated, and immensely rewarding, it is a rare collector’s whisky and a remarkable expression of one of Scotland’s most distinctive whisky regions.

Nose Baked plum, tamarind spice, dark cherries, and rich chocolate with hints of polished oak and freshly cut cigar.

Palate Robust and complex, revealing flavours of wild berries, juicy raisins, salted caramel, dark fruits, and warming spice.

Finish Long and satisfying, with lingering ripe berries, nutmeg, brown sugar, dried stone fruits, and elegant oak complexity.

Glen Scotia Distillery, founded in 1832, is a historic gem located in Campbeltown, nestled at the foot of the Kintyre Peninsula on Scotland’s stunning west coast. Strategically situated on the south side of Campbeltown’s High Street, it stands beside the former Lochrin and Dalintober Distilleries, with its rear walls gracefully meeting the tides of Campbeltown Loch. As one of only three remaining whisky distilleries in Campbeltown—a region once home to over thirty distilleries—Glen Scotia plays a pivotal role in preserving the area’s rich whisky heritage. The distillery masterfully produces both peated and un-peated single malt whiskies, catering to diverse palates with its expanding range that includes acclaimed expressions like Glen Scotia Double Cask and the Glen Scotia 15 Year Old. Renowned for its commitment to quality and tradition, Glen Scotia Distillery continues to attract whisky enthusiasts and collectors worldwide, solidifying its status as a cornerstone of Campbeltown’s renowned whisky industry.

In-person Diploma in Single Malt Whisky

Demand for our flagship Diploma continues to grow, with immersive whisky education returning to prestigious venues across the United States and London this autumn, alongside our home at Scotland’s beautiful Arniston House. As the appetite for credible whisky expertise reaches new heights, these exclusive in-person Diplomas, taught by Vic Cameron, are the benchmark for enthusiasts and industry professionals looking to advance their knowledge.

Upcoming dates:

14 & 15 September 2026 – Arniston House
26 & 27 October 2026 – 7 WTC, New York
29 & 30 October 2026 – Moonshine University, Kentucky
3 & 4 November 2026 – WSET School London
18 & 19 February 2027 – Arniston House
6 & 7 May 2027 – Arniston House
23 & 24 September 2027 – Arniston House

📖 Learn More

Study whisky: explore your passion, kickstart your career. We are the leading provider of certified Scotch whisky education. 14,000+ candidates globally enjoy our QS-Approved courses. Learn directly from the experts when you study online or in-person.