FIFE WHISKY BOTTLER NAMED RISING STAR IN TAIWAN

Saltire Rare Malt celebrates international recognition in one of the world’s most influential Scotch whisky markets

Falkland, Fife;  October 2026 – Fife-based independent Scotch whisky bottler Saltire Rare Malt is celebrating another international success after being named a Rising Star Brand at Taiwan’s Golden Whisky Awards, as the Scottish business continues to make its mark on the global whisky stage.

Organised by Want Want China Times Media Group, one of Taiwan’s leading media organisations, the awards are now in their fourth year, recognising brands and businesses across the country’s thriving drinks industry.

The accolade marks another exciting milestone for Saltire Rare Malt, which is building its presence in the Taiwanese market alongside its official importer and distributor, FeelGood Inc.

Adding to the brand’s growing profile in the region, Saltire Rare Malt was recently showcased at a dedicated whisky tasting in Taipei, hosted by Steven Lin, one of Taiwan’s most prominent and influential whisky authorities, in partnership with FeelGood Inc.

A Master of the Quaich, one of Scotch whisky’s highest honours, Steven is a respected whisky educator and author, with the tasting providing a valuable opportunity to introduce Saltire Rare Malt to new audiences in Taiwan.

Founded in 2024 by friends and whisky enthusiasts Nigel Heywood and Keith Rennie, Saltire Rare Malt work to curate an exceptional collection of rare single cask and limited-edition Scotch whiskies.

From its home in the historic Fife village of Falkland, the independent bottler has rapidly expanded its international reach, with its whiskies now enjoyed by enthusiasts across Europe, North America, Asia and South Africa.

Keith Rennie, Co-Founder of Saltire Rare Malt, said: “It’s fantastic to see Saltire recognised in Taiwan, an important market for Scotch whisky and one where we’re continuing to build some brilliant relationships.

“We’re a small independent business from Fife with big international ambitions, so to see our whiskies gaining recognition and reaching new audiences on the other side of the world is incredibly exciting. It’s a brilliant moment for everyone involved in Saltire.”

The award adds to a growing list of achievements for Saltire Rare Malt, which was crowned Newcomer of the Year at the 2025 Scottish Whisky Awards and has since secured six finalist spots across four categories at the 2026 awards, including Independent Bottler of the Year and Excellence in Branding.

The Saltire Rare Malt Collection is available to buy online on their website at www.saltireraremalt.com

About Saltire Rare Malt Whisky

Saltire Rare Malt are bottlers of a unique range of limited-run single malt whiskies. The independent bottling company was born from a longstanding partnership between friends & Founders Nigel Heywood and Keith Rennie. The pair have worked together for three decades, before moving into the whisky world to collect fine and rare single malts. A shared passion for the ‘water of life’ led to the creation of Saltire Rare Malt – a global vehicle to share their outstanding collection of Single Malt Whiskies.

The founders felt that 2024 would be a good year to launch the very first bottlings of Saltire Rare Malt, 530 years after the birth of Scotch Whisky – in the beautiful, historic town of Falkland. Among Saltire Rare Malt’s meticulously curated collection are ‘well-known labels’, ‘rare gems’ and casks from ‘lost distilleries’ with Single Malt Scotch Whisky releases that are ‘never rushed or hurried — they’re bottled when the right time arrives’.

W: www.saltireraremalt.com
I: www.instagram.com/saltireraremaltwhisky
F: www.facebook.com/people/Saltire-Rare-Malt-Whisky

About Falkland, Fife; The Birthplace of Scotch Whisky

Falkland is a beautiful Scottish market town in the Kingdom of Fife, built around the 12th century Falkland Palace. 1494 saw the first record of Scotch Whisky. King James IV, staying at the Palace, issuing the famous order: “8 bolls of malt to Friar John Cor, werewith to make the ‘water of life”. This can be considered the birth certificate of Scotch Whisky. Saltire Rare Malt is now situated in the market square opposite Falkland Palace. Over 530 years after the birth of Scotch whisky, its story has now come full circle.

Caol Ila 16 Year Old 2010 Unicorn for TWB

£75.00

Our latest Unicorn Series exclusive takes us to the shores of Islay with a magnificent 16 Year Old Caol Ila, distilled in 2010 and matured in a first-fill Oloroso sherry hogshead. Bottled at natural cask strength of 54.2% ABV, this exceptional single cask combines Caol Ila’s signature coastal peat smoke with rich layers of dried fruit, dark chocolate and warming sherry spice. The bespoke Unicorn label plays on the iconic view from the Caol Ila stillhouse across the Sound of Islay towards the Paps of Jura. Just 275 bottles, exclusively for The Whisky Barrel.

Nose Soft peat smoke, raisins and orange peel with sea spray, dark chocolate, roasted nuts and rich Oloroso sherry. Palate Full and layered, with smoked citrus, dried figs and cocoa alongside honeyed malt, salted caramel, walnut and warming spice. Finish Long and smoky, with lingering dried fruit, sea salt, dark chocolate, orange zest and rich sherry oak.

Caol Ila 16 Year Old 2010 Unicorn is a single cask Islay single malt Scotch whisky, bottled exclusively for The Whisky Barrel as part of the acclaimed Unicorn Series. Distilled in 2010 and bottled in October 2026, this 16 year old Caol Ila was matured in a single first-fill Oloroso sherry hogshead #TWB155, yielding just 275 bottles at natural cask strength of 54.2% ABV. Presented at natural colour and without chill filtration, it is a rich and distinctive expression of one of Islay’s most recognisable distilleries. Caol Ila is renowned for its elegant coastal peat, citrus freshness and maritime character, and the influence of first-fill Oloroso sherry oak adds impressive depth without losing that unmistakable distillery style. Expect layers of raisins, orange peel, dark chocolate and roasted nuts wrapped around soft peat smoke, sea spray and sweet malt. At 16 years old, the whisky shows excellent maturity and balance, with the sherry cask enriching rather than overwhelming the spirit. The bespoke label continues the storytelling at the heart of The Whisky Barrel Unicorn Series, depicting the unicorn looking out across the Sound of Islay towards the Paps of Jura from inside the famous Caol Ila stillhouse. It is a scene that connects the whisky directly to one of the most iconic views in Scotch whisky, capturing both the distillery’s setting and the maritime character of the spirit itself.

• 6 year old single cask Caol Ila Islay single malt Scotch whisky
• Distilled in 2010 and bottled in October 2026
• Matured in single first-fill Oloroso sherry hogshead #TWB155
• Bottled at natural cask strength of 54.2% ABV
• Exceptionally limited release of just 275 bottles
• Natural colour and non-chill filtered
• Bottled exclusively for The Whisky Barrel
• Part of The Whisky Barrel’s acclaimed Unicorn Series
• Combines Caol Ila’s elegant maritime peat with rich Oloroso sherry influence
• Bespoke label artwork inspired by the view from the Caol Ila stillhouse across the Sound of Islay to the Paps of Jura

The Caol Ila 16 Year Old 2010 Unicorn for TWB is a beautifully balanced single cask Islay malt, pairing Caol Ila’s coastal peat and citrus-led spirit with the richness of first-fill Oloroso sherry hogshead #TWB155. Limited to just 275 bottles at 54.2% ABV, it is an excellent choice for enthusiasts and collectors of Caol Ila whisky, Oloroso sherry cask Islay malt, cask strength Scotch whisky, single cask independent bottlings, and The Whisky Barrel Unicorn Series.

Caol Ila Distillery, founded in 1846 by Hector Henderson on a sheltered yet rocky northeastern stretch of the Isle of Islay, is celebrated not only for its breathtaking views across the Sound of Islay—where everything from naval battleships to whales has been spotted—but also for its status as the largest malt whisky distillery on Islay. Renowned for crafting both peated and unpeated expressions, Caol Ila offers iconic releases like the 12 Year Old and the Distiller’s Edition. Each year, the distillery plays a prominent role in Feis Ile, the Islay Festival of Malt and Music, delighting enthusiasts worldwide with its Islay single malt heritage and coastal charm.

ANOTHER RECORD FOR JAPANESE WHISKY AT SOTHEBY’S

The Collection of Patron, Collector & Friend to Artists, Pauline Karpidas

HONG KONG, 29 OCTOBER 2026 – Records continue to fall for Japanese whisky at Sotheby’s. Just last month, an ultra-rare prototype from Karuizawa’s oldest cask, the 1960 vintage Cask #5627, sparked applause in the New York saleroom when it sold for US$625,000, becoming the most valuable bottle of Japanese whisky ever sold at Sotheby’s.

Yesterday at Sotheby’s Hong Kong, that benchmark was surpassed as The Yamazaki 50 Year Old 2005 First Release 54.0 abv achieved US$765,000 / HK$6 million at Sotheby’s Finest & Rarest Spirits: Premium Japanese Whisky Collection. The landmark auction also brought together all three editions of the Yamazaki 50 Year Old in a single sale for the first time, celebrating the extraordinary rarity and collectability of Japanese

* Estimates do not include buyer’s premium or overhead premium. Prices achieved include the hammer price plus buyer’s premium and overhead premium and are net of any fees paid to the purchaser where the purchaser provided an irrevocable bid.

Stream live auctions and place bids in real time, discover the value of a work of art, browse sale catalogues, view original content and more at sothebys.com, and by downloading Sotheby’s app for iOS and Android.

Our Brewer’s Coalition Old Rasputin Stout Cask Finish has returned for a limited time—and his next disappearance could be permanent. Created in partnership with North Coast Brewing Co., this American Single Malt spent over five years in ex-bourbon barrels before finishing in Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout casks. Get yours before he vanishes again.

Making The Best Blended Scotch Whisky

Crowning The Official Whisky Folk Blended Scotch

Proof of filly’s excellence with every bottle

Ky Senator Bourbon’s Thoroughbred Legacy Series pays tribute to champion Nitrogen in its first release

LEXINGTON, Ky. (October 2026) — When Kentucky Senator Bourbon sought to create a private-barrel Thoroughbred Legacy Series, the award-winning small-batch bourbon reached for the stars for the inaugural subject: D.J. Stable’s champion filly Nitrogen.

The 113-proof bourbon — selected and bottled by Potter Jane Distilling Company of Springfield, Ky., for Kentucky Senator Spirits — commemorates the multiple champion favored for the $2 million Longines Breeders’ Cup Distaff on Oct. 31 at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington.

“Nitrogen’s name says it all,” said Andre Regard, the prominent equine attorney who co-founded Kentucky Senator Spirits with then-Kentucky Senate Majority Floor Leader Damon Thayer. “Even in her early training, Hall of Famer Mark Casse said that the filly ‘breathes different air,’ hence her name. She’s the perfect horse to kick off our Thoroughbred Legacy Series, which toasts Kentucky’s two iconic industries: horses and bourbon. As we say on the label of Nitrogen bourbon, ‘This private single-barrel bourbon pays tribute to Nitrogen’s fearless spirit, exceptional balance and championship heart. Like the filly herself, it is bold, refined and unforgettable.’”

Off her Sept. 25 triumph in the Grade 2 Beldame at New York’s recreated Belmont Park, the 4-year-old Nitrogen has nine victories over seven tracks in 18 career starts, along with six seconds and three thirds for earnings exceeding $3 million while excelling on dirt, turf and in the mud.

Nitrogen’s victories include a stunning 12 3/4-length romp in the Grade 1 Ogden Phipps Stakes and last year’s dominant Alabama (G1) over Kentucky Oaks winner Good Cheer at Saratoga in her first start on dirt. Her runner-up performance in the prestigious Whitney Stakes (G1) only enhanced her reputation when second to reigning Horse of the Year Sovereignty while defeating winners of a Breeders’ Cup Classic, Dubai World Cup, the Jockey Club Gold Cup and two other millionaire older males.

“We may never have another horse like Nitrogen,” said Jon Green, D.J. Stable’s general manager who owns the high-end breeding and racing operation with his father, Len. “Having a Nitrogen Legacy Series bourbon is one way to continue to celebrate and toast her for years to come. When trying to breed a champion, pedigree match-ups are so important. The same is true with business relationships, and it’s been great working with Kentucky Senator Bourbon. We’re honored to have Nitrogen as the first Legacy release, and our family looks forward to sharing Nitrogen Bourbon and the spectacular bottles with friends, clients, industry charities and for life’s unexpected special occasions.”

Nitrogen is the overwhelming favorite to again be crowned a champion after her third season of racing, following Canada’s Sovereign Award for 2-year-old filly and North America’s Eclipse Award for last year’s top 3-year-old filly. She’ll have every opportunity to further grow her legacy as D.J. Stable, which also bred the daughter of Medaglia d’Oro, has announced she’ll race next year.

The Thoroughbred Legacy Series, whose individual bottles are not for sale to the public, provides a distinctive way for industry connections to honor their favorite horses, farms or any equine image of their choosing. The Legacy bourbons will be aged for a minimum of six years while distilled, aged and bottled in the Bluegrass State. Each Legacy release will be customized to make the bottles as unique as its honoree and Kentucky Senator Bourbon, including the subject’s bio on the back label. In the case of Nitrogen, the 113 proof is a shout-out to her highest career Beyer speed figure when the release was produced. Nitrogen’s picture is prominently displayed on the front of the bottle, with the D.J. Stable’s maroon silks with white diamonds included on the back.

“The Legacy Series is ideal for promoting a cherished horse or equine operation, creating one-of-a-kind gifts for family, friends, partners or clients, as well as a fun and effective way to promote the bottle subject,” said Thayer, now a horse-racing adviser and advocate who spearheaded transformative legislation for both the bourbon and horse industries during his 22 years in the Kentucky Legislature. “We guarantee that every private barrel will be distilled, aged and bottled with care and passion as we create a fitting tribute for a beloved horse or property.”

The Nitrogen Legacy Series features Kentucky Senator Bourbon selected and bottled by Potter Jane from one of the best aged barrels of Kentucky Senator Bourbon stock stored at the Springfield distillery. The Nitrogen release has been aged nine years, regarded as a sweet spot for maturity and oak influence.

Since its first release in 2021, Kentucky Senator Bourbon quickly earned the reputation for serving up great bourbon with a side of Kentucky history. Each Kentucky Senator release is named for a U.S. Senator from the Commonwealth, with the 2026 edition commemorating the late Jim Bunning, the only person elected to both baseball’s Hall of Fame and the U.S. Senate. Bottled at the classic 107 proof, Kentucky Senator Bourbon is at least six years old, the length of a U.S. Senate term, with many releases clocking in with higher aging statements.

The 2025 release honoring Kentucky’s U.S. Senator John Brown (elected 1792) was awarded a Double Gold Medal at the 2025 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, one of the most prestigious and influential spirits competitions in the world. The accolade solidified Kentucky Senator Bourbon’s reputation for crafting exceptional small-batch whiskey that stands out in today’s competitive spirits landscape.

The Kentucky Senator brand was originally distilled and bottled by Crigler & Crigler in Covington, Ky., then by Double Springs Distillers Inc. in Bardstown. The brand revival of the vintage Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is led by Regard and Thayer, who bring their unique backgrounds in bourbon to the management team. Regard is a descendant of bourbon legend Basil Hayden, and Thayer is a member of the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame.

More information on Kentucky Senator Bourbon and its principals Regard and Thayer at KySenatorBourbon.com.

About Kentucky Senator Bourbon

Kentucky Senator Bourbon is an award-winning small-batch Bourbon brand committed to crafting exceptional spirits with a side of American history. Each limited-edition release is named after a U.S. Senator and represents a blend of tradition, character and U.S. heritage; it is distilled and aged in Kentucky for at least six years (the same length as a U.S. senate term), but often longer.Founded by Andre Regard and Damon Thayer, Kentucky Senator Bourbon revives a historic brand once produced by Crigler and Crigler in Covington and later Double Springs Distillers in Bardstown. The brand launched its first revival release in 2021 and has since become known for producing richly aged, 107-proof Bourbon expressions that connect past and present.Awards & Recognition

• Kentucky Senator Bourbon’s inaugural release, the Alben W. Barkley Release, was highlighted in Forbes’ Online Magazine 
• Fred Minnick, a noted Bourbon author, ranked Kentucky Senator Bourbon in his Top 100 Whiskeys of 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2025
• Kentucky Senator Bourbon has won multiple Gold ASCOT Awards for taste and a Double Platinum ASCOT Award for marketing and brand design
• Kentucky Senator Bourbon recently won its first Double Gold medal from the San Francisco World Spirits Competition for its 2024 John Brown release
• The Jim Bunning Release earned a Double Gold Medal and 96 points at the 2026 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, the highest distinction the competition confers, awarded only when every judge on the panel votes Gold
• The John Edwards Release earned a Silver Medal at the 2026 San Francisco World Spirits Competition and a Double Platinum Award at the 2026 ASCOT Awards, reserved for spirits scoring between 95 and 100 points on a blind 100-point scale

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Greetings from a storm-wracked Chorlton Towers, and welcome to an autumnal celebration of the bourbon cask!

There are four examples for you below, but have no fear if you’re after something sherried. Christmas isn’t too far away you know…

With that unsubtle hint out of the way, let me introduce you to these dapper chaps:

So, from left to right then.

First up we have a 16-year-old Ben Nevis. This is the sister cask of the 14yo from a couple of years back, now a little more aged, at a really perfect ABV and (in a modest attempt to address the cost of living crisis) at the same price.

On the nose it’s clean, maritime and gently fruity, with lime juice, blueberry muffins*, candlewax and rose petals. I also get banana milk, clay and touches of something saline and green-peppery in the background.

The palate has a lovely arrival, with lemon, white peach, bilberry and mint leaves, developing in a salty direction (it really is quite a coastal feeling BN this), with tropical fruit, honeysuckle, lime and salted liquorice.

(* – I really thought I might have gone off-piste with the blueberry muffin thing, but Matt at Hopscotch independently put “blackberry cheesecake” in his tasting notes, so I reckon we’re on the same track.)

I’m always delighted to receive another cask from Hector McDram, and you can’t go too far wrong with these batches of Nevis. Tons of distillery character and perfectly quaffable.

This 2nd-fill barrel produced 277 bottles at a cask strength of 52.8%, and they are available for £85 each.

Second in our line-up we have a 12-year-old Inchmurrin. This is (so the story goes) Loch Lomond’s attempt to clone the lost Littlemill distillery in the Lowlands, and – just to complicate matters further – this is the lightly-peated version of the make.

On the nose – almond brittle, fruit salad, old tins of emulsion, piña colada, funky esters and mango lassi. Super fun! I also get hibiscus tea, blackcurrant leaves and a tiny bit of background peat.

On the palate – pure fruit juice, guava, lime, waxed paper, warm oranges and coal tar. You don’t really taste the peat, but it just adds a bit of grit and backbone to proceedings. With a bit of water a floral side comes out – orange blossom, spring meadows – clean, easy and fruity.

I don’t know about Littlemill, but this does ring a lot of Irish whiskey bells. It’s charming and fruity whisky, with an enjoyable mischievous edge as befits the distillery.

This 1st-fill barrel produced just 201 bottles at a cask strength of 56.3%, and they are available for £65 each.

Number three! This is an 18-year-old Glen Grant. A distillery I’ve always wanted to bottle, and tough to find at a sensible price!

On the nose – this has that classy Speyside feeling of fruit and waxed banisters. I get red apple juice, apricot, butter, orange and obscure resins. In the background, touches of chalk, Juicy Fruit gum and coal tar.

On the palate – a big, orangey and peachy arrival. More Juicy Fruit, cider, wax and pink peppercorns – all against a decidedly phenolic background. The finish is really pure – barley by the truckload, apple rings, tar and menthol.

The stone fruits that run through this (and only grow as you let the glass breathe) are delightful, and the unexpected edge of smoke/phenols works a treat.

This refill barrel produced just 122 bottles at a cask strength of 54.0%, and they are available for £85 each. Most of them have been kept back for the site, to give you lovely newsletter subscribers the best possible chance of getting hold of one despite the very low cask yield.

And, last but not least, another distillery debut for Chorlton – this is an 18-year-old Craigellachie. They’re (somewhat) famous for using worm tub condensers, producing a chunky, fatty distillate with an often industrial edge. The quest has been to find a cask that balances the distillery character with drinkability – you’ll have to let me know how I’ve done.

So, on the nose – baled hay, orange, olive oil, and apples stored for the winter in a garden shed – with maybe a few old tins of creosote nearby. I also get barley, sweet woodruff, and touches of brioche, cinnamon sugar and anise.

The palate is fat and oily, with apples baked in salted butter, liquorice, waxy citrus, and a smidge of peanut butter. The worm tubbiness manifests in the form of burnt sugar, herbal bitters and a bit of greasy soot. The finish has citrus, oil, barley and liquorice – elemental and kind of perfect.

I love this – it’s really textural and old-fashioned feeling. There’s a directness to the spirit, and connection to the barley and the process that made it, that’s really compelling. It’s also just very tasty!

This refill hogshead produced 273 bottles at 57.3%, and they are available for £85 each.

And…

…that’s it for now. As alluded to above, this year’s Christmas bottlings are underway and should be ready with plenty of time to spare – stay tuned for details.

In the meantime I’ll be at the HopScotch Whisky Festival on the 28th November. I think there are a handful of tickets left.

Thanks, as ever, for your support, and I’m always available via the usual channels if I can be of any assistance.

Cheers!

David

Knob Creek Is Bringing Back Its Oldest Release: 21 Year Old

Knob Creek is bringing back its oldest expression in James B. Beam Distilling Co.’s history: Knob Creek 21 Year Old. First released last year in 2025, this extra aged bourbon spent more than two decades in the barrel, bottled at 100 proof. It delivers layers of caramel and char, subtle fruit, seasoned oak and caramelized sugar, with hints of smoke and a long, satisfying finish of toffee and charred oak. Each barrel was individually selected by our master distillers for its remarkable balance and depth, showcasing the complexity that only decades of aging can achieve.

Knob Creek 21 Year Old will be available for a limited time at retailers nationwide, with an SRP of $249.99 for a 750mL bottle.

www.knobcreek.com

Old Particular

The Speyside Collection

The Speyside Collection is a celebration of the region’s rich landscapes, seasonal warmth and timeless Whisky making tradition.

Each bottling is inspired by a different Speyside influence – burnt orange for the warmth of autumn woodlands, moss green for the forests and glens that shape the landscape, and autumnal red for the changing leaves that define the region’s seasonal beauty – brought to life through distinctive secondary cask finishes.

Together, they create a unified set with unmistakable identities, designed to stand out individually and become even more compelling as a collection.

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Whisky Tastings

Fancy a Whisky Tasting ?

Running all week by our Whisky experts :

– Introduction to Whisky Tasting
– Whisky & Cheese Tasting
– Whisky & Chocolate Tasting

Taste your way through four delicious drams and have fun at the same time – no experience needed.

Spaces are limited, so be sure to book your place soon!

Book Your Tickets Here!