Glen Scotia unveils penultimate expression in Icons of Campbeltown series

Multi-award winning Campbeltown distillery, Glen Scotia, has revealed the fourth expression in its Icons of Campbeltown series, a five-part annual collection inspired by folklore tales of Scotland’s smallest whisky making region.

Glen Scotia Icons of Campbeltown Release No.4 is a limited-edition 12-year-old, unpeated single malt that pays homage to the Griffin, a legendary creature said to have been a guardian of Campbeltown’s harbour, whisky and bold character.

Campbeltown, once known as the whisky capital of the world in the Victorian era, is a town with mythical history carved into its streets. The Icons of Campbeltown series is inspired by the carvings of saints and beasts on Campbeltown’s 14th century market cross, which is shrouded in myth and lore.

Among the markings is a depiction of the Griffin – a half eagle, half lion. As the legend goes, the Griffin was a creature of strength, vigilance and protection which kept watch high above the harbour, guarding what Campbeltown valued most, its whisky.

Icons of Campbeltown Release No.4 was finished in the finest Vin Santo wine casks, bringing a rich honeyed sweetness layered with notes of dried apricot and sultana. Toasted almond and hazelnut add depth and warmth, while a gentle hint of cinnamon spice lingers on the palate. Underneath it all, Glen Scotia’s unmistakable coastal character soars through with the same quiet confidence the series has traced through each release so far.

Ashley Smith, master blender at Glen Scotia, said: “Our small town has so many exceptional stories to tell, and The Icons of Campbeltown series brings this incredible folklore to life.

“The Griffin stood watch over Campbeltown for hundreds of years, and that’s exactly how I think of our distillery team, as the guardians of Glen Scotia’s whisky. Every cask that leaves here has been shaped by people protecting a character that has come to be loved all over the world, through skill built up over generations.

“For this release, I wanted a cask that would truly complement that character, so we finished the whisky in Vin Santo casks. They’ve brought a honeyed sweetness and dried fruit, with toasted almond and warming cinnamon on the finish, with our distinctive coastal salt character anchoring it all.”

To mark the launch, Glen Scotia is offering the chance to win a trip to Campbeltown when purchasing Icons of Campbeltown Release No. 4 through its website*. During this once in a lifetime experience, the winner will meet the team, the guardians of Glen Scotia, explore the distillery, taste the whisky in the place that shaped it, and discover the people, craftsmanship and community spirit behind the town’s big Campbeltown character where it was born.

Icons of Campbeltown Release No.4 is bottled at batch strength, 53.8% ABV, non-chill filtered and natural in colour. It retails at £80 and is available now from Glen Scotia’s website and specialist retailers in the UK and globally.

Glen Scotia has continued to work with artist Joel Holtzman on the series’ artwork. Holtzman’s previous work includes projects for Disney, Marvel and Lucasfilm.

For more information on Icons of Campbeltown Release No.4 and the Meet the Guardians of Glen Scotia competition, visit www.glenscotia.com.

*Terms and conditions apply

Tasting notes:

Nose: Rich caramel, dried apricots in syrup, candied red apple.

Taste: Layers of baking spices – nutmeg and cinnamon, toasted hazelnut, dried apple skin, dark cocoa nib.

Finish: Orange bitters, zesty citrus peels, carmelised oak sugars, crème brûlée.

About Glen Scotia

Glen Scotia has been crafting single malt whisky in Campbeltown since 1832. The town is the smallest of Scotland’s five whisky-producing regions with a big reputation for once being the Victorian whisky capital of the world when it was home to over 30 distilleries.

Today, Glen Scotia is one of only three surviving distilleries in the coastal town, which has seen a resurgence in recent years. Producing peated and non-peated whiskies, the distillery still maintains much of its original design, including the stillroom and the dunnage warehouse dating from the 1830s. The distillery’s small team is on a mission to put Campbeltown back on the map for its distinctive character, found not only in its fruity, maritime and oily-textured single malts, but also in its traditional whisky-making methods using small stills to create big Campbeltown flavours.

Recognition of Glen Scotia’s style and craftsmanship continues to be acknowledged globally.

• In 2023, a single cask bottling, distilled in 2009 and aged for 13 years in a first-fill bourbon barrel, won Best Single Cask Single Malt at the World Whiskies Awards.
• Later that year, Glen Scotia 25 Year Old earned a Platinum award at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, given only to entries that have won Double Gold for three consecutive years.
• In 2024, Glen Scotia 25 Year Old and Glen Scotia Victoriana both won Platinum at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
• In 2025, Glen Scotia Double Cask Rum Finish was named the best Campbeltown no-age-statement whisky, Glen Scotia 15 Year Old and Glen Scotia 25 Year Old won Platinum at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, and Glen Scotia Victoriana took gold at the same event.
• That same year, Glen Scotia 15 Year Old also won gold at the International World Spirits Competition.
• In 2026, the brand’s hero expression Glen Scotia 12 Year Old won Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and Gold at the International Spirits Challenge.
• Also in 2026, the limited-edition Glen Scotia Campbeltown Malts Festival Release 2026 was named Taste Master in its category at the Spirits Business Scotch Whisky Masters.
• Glen Scotia 25 Year Old also added a further Platinum at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2026, its eighth consecutive year of recognition at the event.

Our September 2026 Auction is now LIVE!

Place your bids until 7pm (GMT) Sunday 27th September.

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!

Ardbeg – 1974 (Single Cask #2742)

Glenmorangie – 1963 Vintage (75cl)

Singleton of Glen Ord – 40 Year Old (Epicurean Odyssey Series)

Bladnoch – 12 Year Old (1970s)

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.

The new Isle of Harris Single Malt Whisky now sits proudly alongside The Hearach and our Oloroso cask-matured drams in our family of island-made spirits. It brings together a different balance of sherry and bourbon-matured spirit, with Oloroso sherry casks more to the fore. The whiskies used in the recipe are also slightly older, at around seven to eight years of age.

Expect rich notes of butterscotch, cherry, caramel and gentle spice, balanced by our signature dry, flinty character and a subtle hint of peat smoke. Non-chill filtered and with no artificial colouring, this is a dram designed to be poured, shared and enjoyed rather than simply kept and collected.

Our international customers can now also order for delivery to selected destinations in the United States, Europe and the rest of the world. Available countries, delivery charges and any product restrictions will be shown at checkout once you enter your delivery address.

Available online, at the distillery and in stores now, priced at £50.00.

ORDER OUR NEW DRAM

£165.00

Scottish oak presents particular challenges for whisky maturation due to its porous character, encouraging greater interaction between the spirit and the wood. For this limited edition, Glengoyne’s 17-year-old whisky receives its final stage of maturation in virgin Scottish oak casks, with each cask assessed individually and the finishing period carefully tailored.

The virgin Scottish oak is sustainably sourced from woodland surrounding Killearn, just a few miles from Glengoyne Distillery. The finish brings greater structure, warming spice and subtle oak character while retaining Glengoyne’s naturally fruity style, with notes of heather honey, orchard fruit, toasted oak and vanilla leading to a long, gently spiced finish.

Part of the Oak Masters’ Series, this release explores the influence of rare native Scottish oak while connecting the whisky closely to the landscape surrounding the distillery. The packaging illustration takes inspiration from the Scottish Colourists and the Scottish landscape from which the oak was sourced.

Nose Heather honey and lime open into stewed pear, raspberries and almond, complemented by layers of tropical fruit.

Palate Toasted oak and fresh fruit are joined by oat and raisin cookies, smooth vanilla, warming ginger and a hint of nutmeg.

TyndrumWhisky.com
The Green Welly Stop
Tyndrumwhisky, Tyndrum
Crianlarich, Perthshire FK20 8RY
United Kingdom

SPRINGBANK 18

46% ABV

NOSE On the nose, there are notes of trail mix, coconut shavings, dried pineapple, honey, marmalade and white chocolate.

PALATE There is a richness on the palate with notes of maple syrup, bramble jam, ashy smoke, and a slight touch of salinity.

FINISH The ashy smoke continues into the finish along with gooseberries, peaches, salted pretzels and cayenne pepper.

UK RRP £120

Basil Hayden® Introduces New Cognac Cask Reserve, Expanding the Boundaries of Bourbon

This limited edition creatively finishes Basil Hayden’s signature bourbon in French Cognac casks, creating a unique bourbon experience with a worldly finish.

CLERMONT, KY – September, 2026 – Today, Basil Hayden, the Bourbon Born to Surprise, announced the introduction of a new limited-edition release: Basil Hayden® Cognac Cask Reserve.

What is Basil Hayden Cognac Cask Reserve?

• Basil Hayden Cognac Cask Reserve is a new, limited-edition bourbon that retains the brand’s signature high-rye mashbill and 80-proof bottling, while combining Kentucky bourbon craftsmanship with French cognac character, creating a beautifully balanced bourbon.
• Embodying the concept of “something familiar made new,” the spirit is finished in specially selected French oak casks that previously held Cognac exclusively for 20–25 years, bringing decades of Cognac character to Basil Hayden’s signature light, bright and approachable flavor profile while imparting layers of elegant complexity.
• The first expression in the Basil Hayden portfolio to reimagine the brand’s approachable high-rye profile as a passport to flavors from around the world.

What does Cognac Cask Reserve taste like, and how should it be enjoyed?

• The Cognac Cask finish reveals tasting notes of warm caramel sweetness and dried fruit, enriched by Basil Hayden’s signature subtle spice, vanilla and oak, adding depth and complexity to this limited release
• Best enjoyed neat, over ice or in sparkling bourbon cocktails like the signature Basil Hayden 75 or the Sparkling Bourbon Sidecar

“Basil Hayden Cognac Cask reflects our commitment to honoring the brand’s original bourbon while continuing to explore what’s possible within the category,” says Freddie Noe, eighth generation master distiller at the James B. Beam Distilling Co. “This expression was thoughtfully crafted to deliver a distinctive yet approachable experience. French Cognac casks let us take our Basil Hayden signature profile that people know and love and put a twist on it, and we’re incredibly proud to share it with bourbon and cognac drinkers alike.”

Where can I purchase it?

Basil Hayden Cognac Cask Reserve is now available for purchase at exclusive retailers with an SRP of $49.99. To discover more about the release and news from Basil Hayden, visit basilhaydenbourbon.com and @BasilHayden on Instagram.

About Basil Hayden  

Created in 1992 by Booker Noe as part of the original Small Batch collection, Basil Hayden was crafted to showcase a different side of bourbon. Booker set out to open people’s minds to what bourbon could be, using a high-rye mash bill to create a brighter, more approachable bourbon that challenged the category’s traditionally bold and intimidating expectations.

The Basil Hayden whiskey portfolio spans three distinct tiers – Versatility, Creativity and Rarity – designed to offer distinct whiskey experiences across a range of occasions and preferences. Across the portfolio, Basil Hayden continues to push the boundaries of American whiskey through distinctive mash bills, finishes, blends and age statements, inviting consumers to experience whiskey in new ways and occasions beyond the traditional bourbon moment. Core expressions include Basil Hayden Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Basil Hayden Golden Rye Whiskey, Basil Hayden Toast, Basil Hayden Dark Rye and Basil Hayden 10-Year-Old Bourbon, alongside limited-edition releases that showcase the brand’s ongoing creativity and whiskey-making expertise.

About Suntory Global Spirits

As a world leader in premium spirits, Suntory Global Spirits inspires the brilliance of life, by creating rich experiences for people, in harmony with nature. Known for its craftsmanship of premium American whiskeys, including Jim Beam® and Maker’s Mark®; Japanese whiskies, including Yamazaki® and Hibiki®; and leading Scotch brands including Laphroaig®, Suntory Global Spirits also produces leading brands such as El Tesoro® and Hornitos® tequilas and Roku® gin, and is a world leader in Ready-To-Drink cocktails, with brands like -196™ (minus one-nine-six) and On The Rocks™ Bartender Created Cocktails.

A global company with approximately 6,000 employees in nearly 30 countries, Suntory Global Spirits is driven by its core values of Growing for Good, Yatte Minahare and Giving Back to Society, and aims to have a positive impact on the planet, consumers and communities. Headquartered in New York City, Suntory Global Spirits is a subsidiary of Suntory Holdings Limited of Japan. For more information, visit www.suntoryglobalspirits.com

Any lover of Single Malt Scotches is undoubtedly familiar with The Macallan, a Speyside stalwart that has been wielding its craft for over two centuries. Founded in 1824 by Alexander Reid, a barley farmer and school teacher, it was one of the first legally licensed distillers in Scotland and since then, has built an unassailable reputation for the consistently outstanding quality and distinctive character of their products which they define as “Mastery of Wood and Spirit”.

Among the key points of distinction in their operations is their use of “curiously small stills”, among the smallest in the region, which give their new make spirit maximum contact with the copper which, in turn, serves to concentrate it and provide the rich, fruity, full-bodied flavors characteristic of their offerings. They also maintain a long-standing tradition of maturing whisky in oak casks which are seasoned with sherry wine in Jerez De La Frontera, Spain. Those proprietary casks themselves are exceptional in that it takes over five years of craftmanship to create them.

Over generations and decades, the Macallan has built a portfolio of Classic Offerings and Limited Releases that their loyal fan base enthusiastically embrace, even with what can be lofty pricing. More recently, in 2021, they launched an innovative set of offerings branded the “Harmony Collection” in which they experiment with new and interesting flavor profiles not typically associated with their famous sherried malt. These intriguing creations not only expand taste horizons for Scotch lovers but also provide a relatively affordable on-ramp to The Macallan’s craftsmanship. We have selected three of our favorites from that collection and invite you to explore these innovative releases, along with other offerings from their portfolio highlighted below.

Cheers!

OUR CLUB PROGRAMS~ Here at D&M we are passionate about American Whiskey and  Single Malt Scotch, . To help make our passions a little easier on your (and our) pocketbook, we have come up with a number of different buying clubs. The purpose of these clubs is to explore these wonderful beverages, trying new things, and to save money. Click HERE to learn more about our club options.

THE MACALLAN HARMONY COLLECTION

Inspired by our deep-rooted connection to the natural world, The Macallan Harmony Collection is a limited series that embraces the use of organic materials in its packaging.

Over the years, The Macallan Whisky Mastery Team have taken inspiration from our collaborations with world-renowned chefs, connoisseurs and artistic creators to create innovative whiskies which unveil unique flavour notes.

We have explored flavours including cacao, coffee and tea – now complemented by coconut in this Collection.

DISCOVER THE COLLECTION

Why Does This Whisky Taste Like That?

Distillation is more than concentrating alcohol. Still design, copper contact and spirit cuts all influence the character of the new make spirit and help define a distillery’s house style. This post explores how the shape of a still can help develop flavour, with tasting recommendations for Glenmorangie, The Macallan and The Dalmore.

📖 Read the Post

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ralfy review 1145 – Tormore single cask 15yo @54.8%vol: