DEWAR’S SCOTCH WHISKY Celebrates the Start of the 126th U.S. Open with the Sixth Edition of the Champions Edition 19 Year Old Whisky

Finished in Cabernet Franc casks from Southampton’s Wölffer Estate, the limited-edition release honors Shinnecock Hills Golf Club and the enduring connection between Scotch whisky and golf.

HAMILTON, Bermuda, June 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — DEWAR’S® Blended Scotch Whisky, the Official Scotch Whisky of the U.S. Open, proudly celebrates the start of the 126th U.S. Open Championship at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club with the release of the sixth iteration of DEWAR’S 19 Year Old The Champions Edition. Crafted to commemorate one of golf’s most prestigious championships, this year’s limited-edition expression is finished in Cabernet Franc red wine casks from Long Island’s renowned Wölffer Estate, showcasing DEWAR’S pioneering craftsmanship through a whisky that pays tribute to both the host venue and the region that surrounds it.

Building upon a partnership that began in 2021, DEWAR’S 19 Year Old The Champions Edition continues the brand’s celebration of the shared heritage of golf and Scotch whisky through innovative cask finishes inspired by each year’s championship. For 2026, six-time Master Blender of the Year Stephanie Macleod collaborated with Southampton-based Wölffer Estate, bringing a distinct sense of place to the whisky while honoring Shinnecock Hills, one of the USGA’s five founding clubs and one of the most revered courses in American golf. The result is a release Dewar’s spirit of innovation and its pursuit of distinctive flavors inspired by people and place.

Crafted from up to 40 of Scotland’s finest single malt and grain whiskies, the expression is matured for 19 years in ex-bourbon and sherry casks before being harmonized in refill oak casks and finished in Cabernet Franc barrels from Wölffer Estate. This exceptional finish creates an exhilarating trans-Atlantic partnership between Scotland and Long Island, resulting in a rich and complex whisky where elegant floral notes of violets and golden honey open to a medley of red berries and blackcurrant, while layers of cinnamon and dried orange peel add depth and complexity before giving way to a long, balanced finish accented by toasted oak and refined sweetness.

“There is a natural synergy between whisky and wine; both are shaped by time, place and oak cask,” said Stephanie Macleod, Master Blender for DEWAR’S. “For this year’s Champions Edition, we used Cabernet Franc casks sourced from a renowned Southhampton, NY winery to finish Dewar’s 19. We have created an expression that not only showcases the complexity of our Dewar’s Double-aged Scotch but also reflects the terroir of the wine region hosting this year’s Championship. The Cabernet Franc casks bring beautiful layers of red fruit, floral character and gentle spice, resulting in a whisky that feels both distinctive and unmistakably DEWAR’S – reflecting our ongoing pursuit of enriching discoveries through flavour.”

In addition to The Champions Edition, DEWAR’S once again returns as the Official Cocktail of the U.S. Open with the Lemon Wedge, the championship’s signature serve. Crafted with award-winning DEWAR’S 12 Year Old, lemonade, and club soda, the refreshing cocktail offers a contemporary and approachable way to enjoy Scotch whisky, bringing a vibrant spirit to the tournament experience.

“At DEWAR’S, we believe life’s defining moments deserve to be celebrated, from Father’s Day gatherings with family to championship weekends at the U.S. Open,” said Brian Cox, Global Vice President of Scotch Whisky at Bacardi. “Rooted in the shared Scottish heritage of whisky and golf, The Champions Edition is our annual toast to the 19th hole and the stories that bring people together. We’re proud to continue that tradition with a release inspired by Shinnecock Hills and the vibrant character of Long Island.”

The 2026 DEWAR’S 19 Year Old The Champions Edition is available in limited quantities at select fine wine and spirits retailers nationwide and online while supplies last, offering consumers the opportunity to experience the premium quality and craftsmanship that have defined DEWAR’S since 1846.

For more information on DEWAR’S whisky products, please visit www.dewars.com or on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

ENJOY RESPONSIBLY
©2026. DEWAR’S AND ITS TRADE DRESS ARE TRADEMARKS.

DEWAR’S 19 YEAR OLD “THE CHAMPIONS” EDITION
Limited edition bottles on shelves nationwide HERE
MSRP $79.99 (750ML)
ABV: 43%

DEWAR’S LEMON WEDGE COCKTAIL
Ingredients:

1½ oz. DEWAR’s 12 Year Old
3 oz. Club Soda
2 oz. Lemonade
Method: Combine ingredients over ice and stir for desired dilution. Garnish with lemon. Cheers!

About DEWAR’S

DEWAR’S is the World’s Most Awarded Blended Scotch Whisky, celebrated for its exceptional quality and taste. Founded in 1846, DEWAR’S grew from a small wine and spirits merchant shop in Scotland, to one of the largest Scotch whisky brands in the world. DEWAR’S core range includes the iconic DEWAR’S White Label and DEWAR’S Cask Series. The Premium range comprises DEWAR’S 12 Year Old, DEWAR’S 15 Year Old and DEWAR’S 18 Year Old; these expressions are crafted using DEWAR’S Double Ageing technique, which involves a two-stage maturation process for a smoother mouthfeel and silkier texture. The Luxury and Prestige collections include older rarities such as DEWAR’S 21 Year Old and DEWAR’S 38 Year Old and are crafted using a meticulous four-stage ageing process for ultimate smoothness. DEWAR’S spirit of discovery and approach to the art of blending results in a taste that continues to win applause and capture the curiosity of today’s whisky drinkers. The DEWAR’S brand is part of the portfolio of Bacardi Limited, headquartered in Hamilton, Bermuda. Bacardi Limited refers to the Bacardi group of companies, including Bacardi International Limited.

About Bacardi Limited
Bacardi Limited, the world’s largest privately held international spirits company, produces, markets, and distributes spirits and wines. The Bacardi Limited portfolio comprises more than 200 brands and labels, including BACARDÍ rum, PATRÓN tequila, GREY GOOSE vodka, DEWAR’S Blended Scotch whisky, BOMBAY SAPPHIRE gin, MARTINI vermouth and sparkling wines, CAZADORES 100% blue agave tequila, and other leading and emerging brands including WILLIAM LAWSON’S Scotch whisky, D’USSÉ Cognac, ANGEL’S ENVY American straight whiskey, and ST-GERMAIN elderflower liqueur. Founded more than 162 years ago in Santiago de Cuba, family-owned Bacardi Limited currently employs approximately 9,000, operates production facilities in 11 countries and territories, and sells its brands in more than 160 markets. Bacardi Limited refers to the Bacardi group of companies, including Bacardi International Limited. Visit http://www.bacardilimited.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram or Twitter.

About the USGA
The USGA is a nonprofit organization that celebrates, serves, and advances the game of golf. Founded in 1894, we conduct many of golf’s premier professional and amateur championships, including the U.S. Open and U.S. Women’s Open. With The R&A, we govern the sport via a global set of playing, equipment, handicapping and amateur status rules. The USGA campus in Liberty Corner, New Jersey, is home to the Association’s Research and Test Center, where science and innovation are fueling a healthy and sustainable game for the future. The campus is also home to the USGA Golf Museum, where we honor the game by curating the world’s most comprehensive archive of golf artifacts. To learn more, visit usga.org.

Our June 2026 Auction is now LIVE!

Place your bids until 7pm (GMT) Sunday 28th June

www.whiskyhammer.com

Every month, we present an incredible selection of whiskies and other fine spirits to our members right across the globe. You will find everything here from limited edition releases and vintage bottles to whole casks of rare whisky. There is certainly something for everyone – whether you are looking to collect, invest or enjoy!

Glenfarclas – 1954 (Family Cask #1259) Summer 2014

Glen Grant – 72 Year Old (1948) Gordon & MacPhail

Springbank – 21 Year Old (1990s)

Clynelish – 17 Year Old (Manager’s Dram)

Selling whisky? Why not arrange the pick-up of your bottles using our global courier service? If you’re based in Scotland, you might want to arrange the personal collection of your bottles. Wherever you’re based in the world, we will make getting your bottles into our monthly auction as simple as possible. Get in touch with the Whisky Hammer team now by dropping them a message at sales@whiskyhammer.com.

Brave New Spirits

Islay/Speyside Blended Malt 19 Years Old

ABV: 54.4% 70 cL

Certificate in Scotch Whisky

Our bestselling online course continues to introduce thousands of whisky lovers around the world to the history, production, flavours and culture of Scotch whisky – all in an accessible, flexible format.

“The modules were set out very well and easy to understand. I was glad I was able to do the tastings here in Australia. I enjoyed all six very much. Being able to download the information at the end was great, as I can refresh my knowledge going forward.”
Leigh, Australia

Immediate start / self-paced

Book Now

Canada’s Own Whisky Sanctuary

Join Adam (and a nearby black bear) in the woods for a sneak preview of a very special Red & White Edition of Sanctuary whisky from Phillip’s Fermentorium.

THE VIDEO

Heaven Hill Distillery Announces 2026 “Year of Wheat” Grain to Glass®  Releases
These limited releases spotlight Heaven Hill’s wheated craftsmanship, seed-to-sip transparency, and continued support for family farms through Farm Rescue

BARDSTOWN, Ky. — Heaven Hill Distillery, America’s largest family-owned and led distillery, today announced its 2026 Heaven Hill Grain to Glass® lineup, a focused collection of three limited-release Wheated Bourbons, including an all-new extra-aged release marking the brand’s official “Year of Wheat.” This year’s collection brings a sharper focus to wheat’s role in shaping flavor, texture and character, elevating a grain that has long been part of the distillery’s foundation.

Across its portfolio, Heaven Hill has worked with wheat for generations, not as a one-off experiment, but as a core part of its distilling tradition. That legacy includes the introduction of Bernheim Original Wheat Whiskey, which helped define the modern American wheat whiskey category. This consistency and scale have allowed the distillery to understand how wheat behaves at every stage, from fermentation through long-term aging.

From planting to harvesting and then distilling, Heaven Hill Grain to Glass® represents both patience and precision — qualities mirrored in every barrel. Each release in the 2026 collection captures a different expression of that journey, from vibrant and grain-forward to deeply aged and complex. Each corn seed varietal is hand-selected by Heaven Hill’s Master Distiller Conor O’Driscoll in collaboration with Beck’s Hybrids and grown locally by Peterson Farms in Nelson County, Kentucky. With the “Year of Wheat,” the distillery builds on that experience, deepening the emphasis on wheat as a defining force behind some of Heaven Hill’s most nuanced and expressive bourbons.

The 2026 “Year of Wheat” lineup includes:

• Heaven Hill Grain to Glass® Kentucky Straight Wheated Bourbon (3^rd Edition)
• Heaven Hill Grain to Glass® Kentucky Straight Wheated Bourbon Specialty Release – Aged in French Oak Barrels
• Heaven Hill Grain to Glass® Extra Aged 9-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Wheated Bourbon

“In 2026, Heaven Hill Grain to Glass takes a more focused approach by centering exclusively on unique wheated mashbill offerings,” said Molly Vincent, Associate Director of Luxury Whiskey at Heaven Hill. “We’ve worked with wheat for a long time across our whiskeys, but this allows us to explore it more intentionally, how it softens, how it builds complexity over time, and how it ultimately shapes the character in the glass. The ‘Year of Wheat’ is about bringing that deeper understanding forward.”

Heaven Hill Grain to Glass® Kentucky Straight Wheated Bourbon (3^rd Edition)
The third edition of the Traditional Series Wheated Bourbon features the same wheated mashbill as previous releases with a new corn seed varietal. Distilled in 2019 and aged six years in #3 char barrels, the 2026 release is composed of 170 barrels from the third, fourth and fifth floors of Warehouses W5 and W6. It is bottled non-chill filtered at barrel proof, 107.8 proof, and carries an SRP of $99.99 for a 700ml bottle. The release will begin shipping in May 2026 and is expected to arrive in market by June.

Mashbill: 52% corn, 35% wheat, 13% malt
Corn seed varietal: Beck’s 6269
Barrel entry proof: 107

Heaven Hill Grain to Glass® Specialty Barrel Kentucky Straight Wheated Bourbon – Aged in French Oak Barrels
The 2026 Specialty release features the same wheated mashbill and corn seed varietal as the Traditional release, but is fully aged in #3 char French Oak barrels for a minimum of six years. Rather than a secondary finish, this whiskey is matured entirely in French oak, bringing refined spice notes, dried fruit character and layered complexity. Distilled in 2019, the release is composed of 170 barrels from the fourth floor of Warehouse W9. It is bottled at a barrel proof strength of 109.2 proof and has an SRP of $129.99 for a 700ml bottle. The release will begin shipping in September 2026 and is expected to arrive in market by October.

Mashbill: 52% corn, 35% wheat, 13% malt
Corn seed varietal: Beck’s 6269
Barrel entry proof: 107

Heaven Hill Grain to Glass® Extra Aged 9-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Wheated Bourbon
The ultra-limited, one time offering of the 2026 Extra Aged release builds on the Grain to Glass wheated story with a whiskey distilled in 2017 and aged nine years in #3 char barrels. Barreled at 125 proof, this expression showcases added maturity, depth and concentration. The release is composed of 150 barrels from the third, fourth and fifth floors of Warehouse W3 and will be bottled non-chill filtered at barrel proof, with final proof to be announced soon. It carries an SRP of $149.99 for a 700ml bottle. The release will begin shipping in November 2026 and is expected to arrive in market by December.

Mashbill: 52% corn, 35% wheat, 13% malt
Corn seed varietal: Beck’s 6158
Barrel entry proof: 125

As part of its Family Farms First™ initiative, Heaven Hill Grain to Glass continues its partnership with Farm Rescue, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping farmers and ranchers overcome major hardships, injuries and natural disasters. Since 2005, Farm Rescue has provided critical assistance to more than 1,000 farm families across eight states. Through this initiative, Heaven Hill Grain to Glass has committed up to $300,000 through 2028, with a portion of every sale—up to $100,000 annually—supporting the organization’s efforts to keep family farms operating during times of crisis.

Each bottle in the Heaven Hill Grain to Glass collection features bespoke custom glass embossed with “Family Owned Since 1935,” along with packaging details that reflect the line’s deep connection to agriculture, innovation and whiskey-making transparency. All three releases are allocated and will be available nationally in limited quantities. Across the lineup, Grain to Glass continues to honor the farming tradition and distilling expertise behind every bottle. Together, these releases reflect not just a focus for the year, but a deeper commitment to understanding and advancing wheat’s role in American Whiskey.

ABOUT HEAVEN HILL DISTILLERY: Founded in Kentucky by the Shapira family in 1935, Heaven Hill Distillery continues its legacy as one of the foremost American Whiskey producers. Heaven Hill has cultivated the traditions and history of America’s Native Spirit with its fierce independence, passionate family ownership, dedication to quality, and thoughtful innovation. Today, Heaven Hill Distillery maintains over 2 million barrels aging in more than 70 warehouses throughout Nelson and Jefferson Counties. It is home to an award-winning collection of American Whiskeys including Elijah Craig Bourbon, Evan Williams Bourbon, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond, Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond, Henry McKenna, Parker’s Heritage Collection along with its extensive and diverse collection of unique and innovative products. In the past five years alone, Heaven Hill Distillery has been named Distiller of the Year nine times, including 2024 and 2023 Whisky Magazine Distillery of the Year. Other recent honors include 2024 and 2025 San Francisco World Spirits Competition’s Most Awarded Distillery and the 2023 Icons of Whisky World’s Best Small Batch Bourbon. For more information, please visit www.heavenhilldistillery.com.

JUNE 2026 AUCTION ENDS SUNDAY!

Our June Auction ends on Sunday but there’s still time to bid on some cracking lots. A standout lot in this month’s auction is Balvenie’s highly collectible The Craftsman’s Reserve No.1, a bottling with a unique place in the distillery’s history. Released in 2011 exclusively to members of Balvenie’s Warehouse 24 club, this expression remains the first and only Warehouse 24 exclusive ever produced, named in honour of the six coopers responsible for maintaining the distillery’s casks. With an outrun of just 515 bottles, this rare release presents an exceptional opportunity for collectors to secure one of Balvenie’s most sought-after limited editions.

Another remarkable highlight in this month’s auction is this exceptional single grain release from Invergordon, offering collectors the opportunity to acquire a truly rare long-aged whisky. Distilled at Invergordon Distillery in 1974 and matured for an extraordinary 47 years in a single cask (#14), this whisky was bottled at natural cask strength in 2021 by independent bottler Cask 88. Showcasing the depth, complexity, and character that only decades of maturation can deliver, this is a superb example of the quality and collectability of well-aged single grain Scotch.

Few whisky releases command the reverence of a Manager’s Dram, and this Glendullan bottling is a superb example of why these employee-exclusive releases remain so highly sought after. Distilled at Glendullan and matured for 18 years in sherry casks, this expression was bottled at natural cask strength in 1989. Combining impressive age, rich sherry influence and the exclusivity synonymous with the Manager’s Dram series, this is a serious contender for any wishlist.

Aberlour enthusiasts will find plenty to capture their attention in this month’s auction, with a strong selection of bottlings from one of Speyside’s most respected distilleries. The range on offer showcases the rich sherried character and enduring appeal that have made Aberlour a favourite among collectors and drinkers alike. Whether pursuing a hard-to-find bottling or expanding an established collection, this month’s selection offers several delightful opportunities.

These are only a few of the old, limited and collectable bottles featured in our June auction, to view more wee gems visit clickwhiskyauctions.com. Register to bid. Remember, you’ve got to be in it to win it! Auction ends Sunday 21^st June from 8pm BST.

We’re excited to announce that tickets for Newcastle Festival 2027 are now on sale! Details are below, along with reminders about The Gaderung at Ad Gefrin, TWL bottlings, and our 2026 festivals. Before we dive in, there are a couple of things to note about Newcastle 2027 (and future festivals):

The Date ~ Newcastle Festival 2027 will take place on 3rd April 2027. We would normally hold the festival on the last weekend in March, but next year that falls over the Easter weekend, so we’ve moved things back slightly.

Ticket Pricing ~ We’ve worked hard to keep our ticket prices as accessible as possible and have effectively frozen prices since before the pandemic. However, rising costs mean we can no longer sustain this indefinitely. We still believe our festivals offer exceptional value, and we’re committed to maintaining that balance while ensuring these events can continue to thrive for many years to come. The good news is that there are still some great-value ticket options available — although there are fewer discounted tickets than before, so you’ll need to be quick to snap them up!

Now then, on to the exciting part…

Saturday 3rd April 2027

Civic Centre
Newcastle Upon Tyne

12pm-3.30pm or 5pm-8.30pm

This event really needs no introduction, having been running for 19 years! Set in the impressive and iconic Banqueting Hall in the Civic Centre, right in the middle of Newcastle. Come and celebrate whisky and friendship once again, or even for the first time. Please see the website for more details.

DETAILS & BOOK NOW

WhiskyFest New York Is Back!

Join Whisky Advocate for an exciting, expanded program on Friday, November 20, 2026! Enjoy an exclusive seated afternoon seminar program hosted by Whisky Advocate editors, featuring master distillers and blenders from across the industry, along with hot, hard-to-find whiskies. Then, top off your evening with WhiskyFest’s famous Grand Tasting, featuring hundreds of exceptional whiskies. Tickets are on sale now—secure yours today!

GET YOUR TICKETS NOW

Father’s Day gifts for taste

Find the right bottle for Father’s Day, with releases to suit every preference and please any palate. We are here to help you find a present as individual as they are. Whether you want to give their gin & tonic an extra dimension with the exquisite Isle of Harris Gin, or present the Hibiki Harmony to the dad-to-be that loves their Japanese whisky, The Whisky Exchange has you covered.

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