Edinburgh Whisky Academy Announces International Autumn 2026 Diploma Roadshow Across New York, Kentucky & London

Early Bird booking now open with a guaranteed £200 saving until 19 June 2026

Edinburgh Whisky Academy has announced an ambitious international series of in-person Diploma in Single Malt Whisky classes for Autumn 2026, with back-to-back courses taking place in New York, Kentucky and London.

The roadshow represents a major step forward for the Academy’s flagship QS-Certified qualification and reflects Edinburgh Whisky Academy’s growing international network of respected educational and industry partnerships.

The three-course series will take place at:

• 26 & 27 October 2026
  7 World Trade Center, New York, hosted in partnership with Moët Hennessy USA
• 29 & 30 October 2026
  Moonshine University, Kentucky, USA
• 3 & 4 November 2026 
  WSET School, London, UK

Early Bird places are available until 19 June 2026, offering candidates a guaranteed £200 saving on the standard course price of £1,015.

Designed for enthusiasts and trade professionals alike, the Diploma in Single Malt Whisky is Edinburgh Whisky Academy’s globally recognised flagship qualification.

The course combines essential online pre-study with an intensive two-day classroom experience led by EWA teacher and whisky expert Vic Cameron. Candidates complete two online modules before joining immersive in-person sessions featuring advanced whisky education, discussion and guided tastings.  Rigorous yet engaging, the curriculum gives candidates a deep understanding of the single malt whisky production process, building the knowledge and confidence to better appreciate, evaluate and enjoy Scotch whisky in both professional and everyday settings.

The New York course builds on Edinburgh Whisky Academy’s long-standing relationship with Moët Hennessy USA. Together, the organisations previously developed “MH Whisky School”, a bespoke educational platform featuring a brand-focused version of the Certificate in Scotch Whisky, used internally for staff, trade partners and distributors.

Edinburgh Whisky Academy is also proud to announce that Dan Crowell, Glenmorangie Ambassador, US, has recently been approved by Qualifications Scotland to teach the Diploma in Single Malt Whisky. Crowell completed the EWA Advanced Diploma in 2025 and will support Vic Cameron during the New York delivery.

The Kentucky course marks the continuation of a relationship years in the making between Edinburgh Whisky Academy and Moonshine University. Located in the heart of Bourbon country, Moonshine University has become one of America’s most respected centres for distilling education and community-building.

Meanwhile, the London class at WSET School represents a significant milestone for the Academy. Long regarded as global leaders in wine and spirits education, WSET’s invitation to host the Diploma at its flagship London school reflects the growing recognition of Edinburgh Whisky Academy’s specialist approach to whisky education over the past decade.

The announcement follows a series of recent international partnerships and developments for the Academy, including collaboration with Napa Valley Wine Academy to offer the Certificate in Scotch Whisky, and a partnership with The Scotch Malt Whisky Society America, which now provides EWA candidates with a complimentary year’s membership to SMWS USA.

Edinburgh Whisky Academy has also continued to evolve the Diploma programme itself, most recently with the addition of whisky writer and expert Dave Broom’s new World Whiskies module, launched earlier this year within the Online Diploma in Single Malt Whisky.

The Academy has previously delivered successful Diploma programmes across the United States, including online courses in partnership with Lush Life Productions and Moët Hennessy USA for bartenders and hospitality professionals, alongside in-person classes at Kings County Distillery, the New Hampshire Highland Games, and Wizard Academy.

Kirsty McKerrow, Founder & Managing Director of Edinburgh Whisky Academy, said: “Over the last ten years, we’ve worked incredibly hard to build meaningful relationships across the whisky world and wider drinks industry, so announcing these three courses feels genuinely special for us.

“To teach at Moët Hennessy USA, Moonshine University and WSET School London in such quick succession is not only exciting, but also a real reflection of the trust, respect and shared passion that exists within the global whisky community.

“What matters most to us is creating whisky education that is engaging, credible and accessible, whether you’re discovering Scotch for the first time or working in the industry every day. Whisky is constantly changing and we believe whisky education should evolve alongside it.”

Places for all three Diploma in Single Malt Whisky dates are now available to book online.

COURSE DATES & VENUES

26 & 27 October 2026 [7 WTC, New York]
7 World Trade Center, 250 Greenwich St, New York, NY 10007, United States

29 & 30 October 2026 [Moonshine University, Kentucky]

801 S 8th St, Louisville, KY 40203, United States

3 & 4 November [WSET School, London]

39-45 Bermondsey St, London SE1 3XF

BOOKING INFORMATION

Early Bird booking is available until 19 June 2026, offering a guaranteed £200 saving on the standard course fee of £1,015.

BOOKING LINK

ABOUT EDINBURGH WHISKY ACADEMY

Edinburgh Whisky Academy is a leading provider of structured whisky education, delivering globally recognised and QS-certified qualifications to enthusiasts and drinks professionals around the world.

Founded in Edinburgh in 2015, the Academy specialises in accessible, engaging and academically robust whisky education, with courses covering Scotch whisky, Irish whiskey, American Single Malt, gin and sensory appreciation.

Edinburgh Whisky Academy works with Approved Course Providers and industry partners internationally, supporting whisky education across hospitality, retail, distribution and enthusiast communities.

Celebrating 10 years of Inverurie Whisky Shop

Burnside 15 Year Old

BUY NOW

We spent 10 years as a business in our old address of Burnside, Inverurie. It seems a fitting tribute, therefore, to have bottled this exciting new release as an homage to our former home.

Burnside, as we all might know, comes from one of Speysides finest whisky distilleries. This release is officially a Blended Malt, ‘teaspooned’ at birth in warehouses just outside Dufftown.

What is Teaspooning, I hear you ask.

Teaspooning is a fond term for adding a teaspoonful of one malt into the cask of another malt, effectively turning a single malt into a blended malt. It’s a method used for brand protection, meaning we can’t call this a bottle of Balvenie (or whatever…..)

We have just 70 bottles of this exceptional whisky, finished for three years in a Cognac Cask and bottled for us by one of our local Independent Bottlers, Skene Whisky.

The iconic Charles Maclean got his hands on our bottle and produced these tasting notes…

On the nose, notes of honeycomb, cinder toffee and soft chocolate emerge. The palate is creamy and warming, developing into a gently spiced, elegant finish – reflecting both the richness of the cask and the quiet influence of long maturation.

Our Skene Reserve release was distilled in 2011 and bottled for us this year, 2026 from cask #90017.

Harmony Collection V

Cherrywood Lapsang Tea
Single Malt Scotch Whisky

70cl · 44.9% ABV

£199.95

The Macallan Harmony #5 is a refined single malt inspired by the rich, smoky character of JING Tea’s organic cherrywood-smoked Lapsang tea. Matured in a combination of sherry seasoned European and American oak casks, the whisky delivers layers of dark fruit, creamy toffee, warming spice, and delicate oak smoke.

This whisky reflects the deeply complex flavours of the tea, providing an aroma reminiscent of incense for a deeply rewarding sensorial experience.

European Oak delivers a bold and deep rounded character, providing a rich dark fruitiness, toffee and warming tannins on the palate, with a smooth malty sweetness. With sweet oak notes that come from our sherry seasoned American oak casks, this whisky is exquisitely rounded off with a whisp of smoke delivered from hand selected casks to reflect the innovative addition of cherrywood smoke to the tea leaves that inspires this single malt.

Aber Falls 3 Year Old “Distinctive Spirits – The Fantasty Series II” Single Cask New American Oak Cask Strength Welsh Rye Whiskey

(750ml)

$99.99

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Email: wine@klwines.com
Phone: (877) KL-WINES (Toll Free 877.559.4637)
K&L Wine Merchants 3005 El Camino Real Redwood City, CA 94061 USA
San Francisco, Redwood City, Hollywood CA

Lochlea unveils second Red Wine Cask Release for summer 2026

Ayrshire, Scotland – Launching 28^th May 2026

Family-owned Lochlea Distillery in Ayrshire is proud to announce the launch of its second annual Red Wine Cask release, arriving on 28^th May. Building on the success of the inaugural edition launched last year, this latest expression marks the second instalment in a vibrant and evolving wine cask series, showcasing the farm-to-cask distillery’s innovative approach to cask management. It sits alongside Lochlea’s core Single Estate range, a permanent collection of single malts launched in summer 2025.

The Red Wine Cask series is an annual limited-edition release inspired by the art of finishing mature spirit in carefully selected red wine casks from different wine-making regions. Each year introduces a distinct expression, shaped by the character of the wine casks chosen to complement Lochlea’s signature house style, with just a limited number of bottles being available.

For this second release – Red Wine Cask 2026 – Lochlea has taken whisky initially matured in first-fill Bourbon barrels and finished it in carefully chosen Sangiovese wine casks from Tuscany, Italy. The result is a rich and velvety dram, offering layers of sweetness and complexity. On the nose, expect red berries, baked apples, and notes of honey with gentle spice. The palate delivers a creamy texture with abundant red berry and nutty flavours, leading to a finish defined by soft spice and a pleasant oakiness.

Notably, Lochlea is one of only two Scotch distilleries to grow its own barley on-site. Every stage of production – from field to cask – is carried out at the distillery in Ayrshire. This end-to-end control ensures exceptional quality, provenance and a distinctive house character across all releases.

Darren McCormick, Lochlea’s distillery manager said: “Our latest Red Wine Cask expression deepens our signature style with this type of cask, building on the 2025 release that was finished in Grenache casks from the south of France. We want to set the tone for our future releases in the series, whilst reinforcing our commitment to flavour exploration and creating limited edition whiskies that perfectly complement our core range.”

Lochlea Red Wine Cask #2 Product Details:

• Matured in first-fill Bourbon barrels, finished in Sangiovese wine casks
• 46% ABV
• Natural colour
• Non-chill filtered

With its balance of sweetness, spice and fruit-forward richness, the second Red Wine Cask release is a compelling addition to Lochlea’s growing portfolio and a must-try for whisky enthusiasts seeking something both distinctive and approachable.

Lochlea Red Wine Cask 2026 will be available from specialist retailers from 28^th May onwards, RRP: £55. Visit www.lochleadistillery.com or ITG @lochleadistillery for more details.

A closer look at The Lochlea Single Estate Range core range:

RRP for each bottle: £50 per 70cl. Stockists include whisky specialists and independent retailers across the UK and in over 30 international markets. 

Orchard & Oak: A bright, fruit-driven single malt with a grassy freshness and layered sweetness.

Cask Types: matured in a combination of first-fill Bourbon, Virgin American Oak, and Calvados casks.

Tasting Notes:
Nose – Fresh green apple, cut grass, light floral notes
Palate – Apple cake, buttery caramel, grassy and oaky spice
Finish – Sweet oak, cereal, soft citrus lift

ABV: 46% and non-chill filtered 

Dark Briar: A bold and indulgent expression, matured in rich fortified wine casks for depth and complexity.

Cask Types:  matured in a combination of Pedro Ximénez, Oloroso sherry butts, and Port casks.

Tasting Notes:
Nose – Juicy red berries, vanilla caramel, baking spices
Palate – Cherries, stewed plums, ginger cake, warming tannins
Finish – Long, rich, with velvety spice and lingering red fruit

ABV: 46% and non-chill filtered 

Smoke Without Fire: A delicately peated whisky that balances subtle smoke with fruit and floral elegance.

Cask Types: matured in a combination of ex-peated refill Bourbon barrels and red wine casks.

Tasting Notes:
Nose – Red berries, cherry blossom, soft bonfire smoke
Palate – Light citrus, salted smoke, bonfire char, floral sweetness
Finish – Soft phenols, toasted oak, subtle sherbet

ABV: 46% and non-chill filtered

The range also includes the existing Our Barley single malt. 

Our Barley:

Tasting Notes:

 Nose – Pear syrup, fruit bon bons, warm cut grass, marmalade

Palate – Golden syrup, pepper, rye bread, macadamia nuts, cream soda

Finish – Long finish with a lasting orange beeswax note

ABV: 46% and non-chill filtered. 

About Lochlea: 

Lochlea was originally a 222 acre livestock farm before being purchased by Neil and Jen McGeoch in 2006. After much consideration of the future of the farm and a successful trial to grow its own barley in 2015, the couple transformed the land and existing farm buildings into a fully-operational distillery in 2017 and started distilling the following year. The farming side has remained a unique part of Lochlea, with the move into barley production – paving the way for Lochlea to be one of the very few fully grain-to-cask distilleries in Scotland. It also has a rich Scottish heritage with strong links to Robbie Burns, with the bard having worked and lived on the farm for several years.

After years of planning, dreaming, and building, the moment is nearly here. Construction at Witchburn Distillery is entering its final phase — the stills have arrived, the building work is underway, and distillation is set to begin within the next few months.

We’re proud to share that Witchburn is the first new distillery to be built in Campbeltown for many decades — a region with a whisky heritage that runs deep. Situated on the former NATO & US Navy SEALs base at RAF Machrihanish, Witchburn is designed to honour that heritage while looking firmly to the future.

One of our proudest achievements is what Witchburn won’t rely on: fossil fuels. We’ve installed an innovative electric-steam boiler that makes Witchburn one of the most sustainable distilleries in the world — and the first of its kind in the UK. With an annual production capacity of 2.7 million litres of pure alcohol, this isn’t a boutique experiment. It’s a serious, forward-thinking operation.

We’ve also designed Witchburn to give our whisky-makers real creative freedom. The distillery supports multiple distilling styles — including the recreation of traditional high-temperature distillation associated with direct-fire stills — and will produce unpeated, lightly peated, and heavily peated spirit from day one.

As we enter this final stretch before production begins, we’re inviting up to 20 individuals to join us as Founding Partners — people who don’t just want to invest in whisky, but want to be woven into the fabric of this distillery from the very start.

In return for a £300,000 commitment, each partner will receive:

• A 1% equity stake in Witchburn Distillery, officially registered in the UK
• An annual allocation of casks
• Multiple cases of exclusive Founders bottlings — available only to shareholders
• Invitations to private distillery events throughout the year
• A permanent place on the Founders’ Wall at Witchburn

The option to sell your stake back to the distillery after five years for £400,000 — or remain a partner for the long term

“This is not simply an investment opportunity. It is a unique chance to become part of a distillery at the very moment it comes to life — to help shape its future, to share in its success, and to carry a piece of Campbeltown’s legacy forward.”

 Alex Springensguth, Co-Founder, Witchburn Distillery

Interested in becoming a Founding Partner?
We’d love to have a conversation.
Get in touch with Alex directly to find out more.

Email

EDEN MILL DEBUTS NEW SINGLE CASK RANGE HAND-SELECTED BY HEAD DISTILLER

Distiller’s Cask Release #1 is an 8 year old peated Amarone single malt, bottled at batch strength 53.2% ABV and limited to just 311 bottles

Eden Mill has released Distiller’s Cask Release #1, the first in a series of single cask single malts chosen by Scott Ferguson, the head distiller who has filled and laid down every single cask at the distillery.

Release #1 is an 8 year old lightly peated single malt matured in an ex-Amarone red wine cask from Northern Italy. The spirit was made from 100% peated malted barley, with peat sourced from St Fergus in Aberdeenshire at a phenol level of 20 to 30 PPM.

Of the casks filled at the original distillery, only around 5% (roughly 40) held peated spirit. Of that, just two were filled into Amarone wine casks, making this release a truly rare and unique whisky.

The cask brings great depth, layering black cherry and dark chocolate on top of the floral peat. Full bodied and rich, the flavour keeps unravelling through a long, lingering finish. It has been bottled at batch strength of 53.1% ABV, where Ferguson feels the liquid is showing its best.

Scott Ferguson, Head Distiller at Eden Mill, said: “Peated whisky is a style close to my heart and was probably my first love when it comes to whisky. I understand it is not for everyone, which is why I have aimed to create a spirit that feels more accessible, balanced by a cask type that complements the whisky beautifully. The light smoke is reminiscent of summer evening beach bonfires in St Andrews.”

Distiller’s Cask Release #1 is available now at edenmill.com and from the distillery shop in Guardbridge, St Andrews.

Tasting notes

Velvety fig, maritime brine, leather and cigar tobacco, with black cherry and dark chocolate layered over floral peat

The detail

Cask: Single cask, ex-Amarone red wine, Northern Italy

Spirit: 100% peated malted barley, 20 to 30 PPM, peat from St Fergus, Aberdeenshire

Strength: 53.2% ABV, batch strength

Outturn: 311 bottles

Price: £115

Free Next Day Delivery for 12 Months For just £14.95 you can enjoy free next day delivery on all your orders for a whole year! Geographic restrictions apply, see full T&Cs. Find out more ❯

The Good Dram Show – Eurovision Episode 634 ‘Belgian Owl’

Welcome to this week’s Eurovisin episode of the show, in which I’ll be taking a look at a selection of bottlings from the Belgium Owl distillery. Will it be douze points or nil points from the UK jury?! The Good Dram Show with Chris Goodrum Episode 634 – Will It Be Douze Or Nil Points For Belgium?! Filmed in The Study Nottingham

Featuring

The Belgian Owl Passion 46%
The Belgian Owl Intense 73.1%
The Belgian Owl Fifty Edition 50%
The Belgian Owl 5 year old 46%
The Belgian Owl 10 year old 46%

https://belgianwhisky.com/en