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Douglas Laing & Co. Continues Strathearn’s Evolution with the Launch of Batch 03 – Scotch Whisky News

Douglas Laing & Co. Continues Strathearn’s Evolution with the Launch of Batch 03

Independent Scotch Whisky specialist Douglas Laing & Co. proudly unveils Strathearn Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky Batch 03, the latest small batch release from one of Scotland’s smallest traditional distilleries.

Continuing the distillery’s journey of refining its distinctive Highland Single Malt, Batch 03 builds upon the foundations laid by its predecessors while introducing a richer, more indulgent interpretation of Strathearn’s evolving house style. Remaining faithful to the distillery’s signature cask recipe of ex-Bourbon, Virgin Oak and ex-Sherry Oak casks, this latest release places a greater emphasis on Sherry Oak maturation, adding further depth and richness to Strathearn’s naturally characterful spirit.

Comprising a vatting of 31 carefully selected casks, Batch 03 draws upon both inherited stocks and spirit distilled under Douglas Laing’s ownership, demonstrating the continued development of the team’s understanding of Strathearn’s unique spirit character.

On the nose, rich aromas of toasted malt and barley sugar are complemented by dark honey and warming spices. The palate delivers layers of buttery biscuit sweetness, chocolate and toffee before a long finish of oak, cocoa and soft leather leaves a lasting impression. Bottled at 50% ABV, with no colouring and no chill-filtration, Batch 03 continues Douglas Laing’s commitment to presenting whisky as the distiller intended.

Every production shift at Strathearn Distillery continues to produce just a single cask of whisky, reflecting the meticulous small-batch approach that has become synonymous with the Perthshire distillery. Crafted by a dedicated team of three distillers using Maris Otter Malt, Strathearn remains focused on producing a rich, creamy Highland Single Malt that balances tradition with innovation, while never compromising on quality.

Presented in Strathearn’s distinctive bespoke acorn bottle and premium packaging, Batch 03 proudly continues the distillery’s philosophy that “From small acorns, great oaks grow.”

Angela Brown, Lead Distiller at Strathearn, comments:

“Every batch is an opportunity to better understand and refine Strathearn’s unique spirit. With Batch 03, we’ve carefully increased the influence of our Sherry casks to add further richness and complexity, while ensuring the distillery’s signature creamy character remains at the forefront. It’s a whisky that balances tradition with progression, showcasing the quality of our spirit and the thoughtful approach we take to every stage of the maturation process.”

Strathearn Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky Batch 03 is now available at select retailers, whisky specialists and online at a suggested RSP of £65.00.

Scotch Malt Whisky Society of Canada August 2026 OUtturn – Scotch Whisky News

 

If you cast your mind back to the most basic parts of whisky-making you’ll know that Scotch whisky can only be matured in oak casks. Ergo, no oak, no whisky. But if you’ve ever looked at the cask types in our Outturns, you’ll notice there are quite a few to choose from.

This month sees SMWS Canada’s first appearance of a Cabernet Sauvignon cask, and the Society’s first ever whisky to have spent time in ex-Mezcal casks. It’s time to get into the wood stuff.

We’re continuing with the roll out of the Society’s new flavour profiles. The original twelve flavour profiles have evolved into eight mouthwatering categories – each with a new name, colour and character. This is a refinement and a refocus on flavour based on our historical archive of Tasting Notes and member feedback. Discover more here.

More of the new profiles will be introduced over time as we slowly retire the old profiles.

PEACHY KEEN

CASK NO. 113.86

AGE:  15 years

PROFILE:  Sweet & zesty

CASK:  2nd fill Cabernet Sauvignon hogshead

BREAKFAST, BUT MOSTLY DESSERT

CASK NO. 9.278

AGE:  19 years

PROFILE:  Juicy, oak & vanilla

CASK:  1st fill ex-bourbon barrel

BRIGHT AND CHEERFUL

CASK NO. 122.83

AGE:  11 years

PROFILE:  Ripe, fruits & honey

CASK:  2nd fill ex-bourbon barrel

CHERRY MAKE MERRY

CASK NO. 24.184

AGE:  16 years

PROFILE:  Deep, rich & dried fruits

CASK:  2nd fill Pedro Ximenez hogshead

SMOULDERING MOJO

DETAILS

AGE:  10 years

PROFILE:  Peated blended malt

CASKS:  Mezcal, bourbon & oloroso barriques, barrels & quarter casks

IN THE STEAM TRAIN DRIVER’S CAB

CASK NO. 16.99

AGE:  12 years

PROFILE:  Smoky & fruity

CASK:  2nd fill oloroso hogshead

BROWSE AUGUST OUTTURN HERE

RE-VISIT JULY OUTTURN HERE

VIEW ALL BOTTLINGS

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society Canada
Suite 160
104 – 1240 Kensington Road NW
Calgary, AB T2N 3P7
403-969-8225
curious@smws.ca
www.smws.ca

Introducing The Macallan Harmony Collection – Scotch Whisky News

THE MACALLAN HARMONY COLLECTION

We are delighted to introduce the sixth and final release in The Macallan Harmony Collection, Inspired by Fresh Coconut and Inspired by Toasted Coconut. These single malts are inspired by coconut; a note rarely present in The Macallan, brought forward through precise cask selection and maturation expertise. By drawing out these unique flavour notes, the Whisky Mastery Team has created two distinct whiskies defined by balance, complexity and natural character.

DISCOVER THE COLLECTION

THE MACALLAN COCONUT DREAMS

Spend time with us at The Macallan Coconut Dreams at The Macallan Estate, as we celebrate the final release in The Macallan Harmony Collection. This unique beach-inspired outdoor space invites guests to discover a series of tropical serves and sweet pairings, crafted by one of the world’s most innovative pastry chefs, Jordi Roca, served in collaboration with TimeSpirit. Open from 6 August – 27 September 2026 on select dates and times, subject to availability and weather conditions.

BOOK

Scotch Malt Whisky Society ‘Sneak peek: Elgin Marvels: Icons from Speyside’ – Scotch Whisky News

Our newest Creators Collection, Elgin Marvels: Icons from Speyside presents two whiskies from the same town with two very different creation stories.

At 33 years of age, Cask No. 7.286: Fruit bomb frieze has been matured in a refill bourbon hogshead for the entirety of its creation. By contrast, Cask No. 35.405: Statuesque elegance has had a more complex journey – long before it ever arrived with the Tasting Panel.

The result is two whiskies that are united not only by their lengthy maturation but also by their intense fruitiness. Together they emphasise the diversity that can come from one small corner of Speyside.

Get into the Elgin Marvels tomorrow, Wednesday, 19 August at 9am UK time.

DISCOVER THE COLLECTION

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, The Vaults, 87 Giles Street, Leith EH6 6BZ

Contact: sales@smws.com or call 0131 555 2929 (Mon-Fri 9am-4.45pm). Visit the Society at here for membership information

This is your chance to join and to take advantage of their great offers!

Spot the SMWS bottles in this amusing You Tube video

SMWS LOGO 2017 NEW

Whisky Wednesday Reviews the final ever Talisker from G&M – Scotch Whisky News

The final ever Talisker from G&M

THE VIDEO

The last Talisker to ever be bottled by Gordon & MacPhail…what a sentence.

G&M have announced the winding down of their independent bottling ventures, although we’re lucky enough to have plenty of stocks to see us out for the future. This 1987 39 year old Talisker was from a single refill sherry cask, producing 451 bottles and showing off how radically different old Talisker can really be when compared to the younger releases.

Older doesn’t mean better, but this whisky is quite the remarkable release. The nose opens with some excellent old fruit notes, chocolate and hazelnut, along with some excellent notes of botanicals and orange oil. The taste is classic Talisker, but dialled upto 11. The age, the cask influence and the balance of the sherry in this liquid is truly special. What a way to see out the last of the G&M Taliskers.

Glenfarclas marks 190th anniversary with limited-edition release – Scotch Whisky News

Glenfarclas marks 190th anniversary with limited-edition release

Tuesday 28 July: Glenfarclas Distillery today marks its 190th anniversary with the release of a limited-edition bottling featuring five decades of whisky laid down by the family-owned distillery.

Glenfarclas 190, the final release in the Anniversary Trilogy, marks 190 years of distilling, taking consumers on a flavour journey spanning five decades. Reflecting the true full-bodied and robust character of Glenfarclas Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky, the release is bottled at 51.4% ABV – formerly 90 British proof by the system used to indicate alcohol content for the first 154 years of production at the distillery.

Distillery Manager Callum Fraser said of the new whisky: “Glenfarclas 190 perfectly embodies the flavour of Glenfarclas – from the smooth, rich, velvety feel on the mouth to the flavours of green apples, sherry sweetness, spicy Christmas cake and long finish with a touch of dark chocolate and fresh tobacco. By drawing on spirit across five decades, we were able to pull out the fruitier notes from the 70s, rich sherried flavours from the 80s and 90s, and the toffee caramel notes from casks laid down in the 2000s.”

The release of Glenfarclas 190 follows the Speyside distillery’s anniversary expressions, Glenfarclas 175 and Glenfarclas 185. Presented in bespoke packaging inspired by labels through the decades, the release celebrates the distillery’s rich heritage and tells the story of its long and distinguished history. The liquid was hand-selected by Distillery Manager Callum Fraser, who was named Scotland’s Master Distiller of the Year at the 2026 Icons of Whisky Awards, alongside Managing Director Douglas Belford, who was recognised as a Master of the Quaich in 2025. Together, they selected the casks that make up this release, creating a whisky that reflects both the exceptional quality and traditional character of Glenfarclas.

Fraser continued: “In creating Glenfarclas 190, Douglas and I reviewed the incredible volume of casks in our warehouses and selected 78 casks to marry together to create this finished whisky. Testament to the traditional methods we use at Glenfarclas, including our direct fired stills, we hand selected each spirit and created a composition based on over 60 years’ industry experience. Balancing the creation of a whisky that’s 90 British proof with getting the flavour profile we wanted was intricate work, all done by hand and without the technology many modern distilleries rely on. It’s this ability to start with a blank canvas and uncover different flavours across our casks, experiment with volumes and marrying, and produce something uniquely Glenfarclas, that makes my job so fulfilling.”

Since it was first licensed in 1836, Glenfarclas Distillery has laid down its spirit in the finest sherry casks, sourced in recent decades from a family-run bodega in Jerez, Spain. Remaining true to its traditional direct-fired distillation methods, Glenfarclas continues to produce a spirit that is a testament to the time-honoured craftsmanship and expertise passed down through six generations of the Grant family.

John Grant OBE, chairman of Glenfarclas Distillery, added: “Celebrating 190 years of distilling at Glenfarclas is a proud moment. As custodians for six generations, our commitment to producing the finest single malt whiskies using traditional methods remains steadfast.”

A limited release, 15,000 bottles of Glenfarclas 190 will be released globally and will be available to purchase in the UK and international markets from August 2026 with a UK RRP of £95. Non chill filtered, and with no added colourings, Glenfarclas 190 offers a journey through 190 years of whisky production at Glenfarclas.

For more information on Glenfarclas Distillery visit www.glenfarclas.com.

About Glenfarclas

Glenfarclas Distillery was first licensed in 1836, and the Grant family has been producing the finest Highland single malt Scotch whisky, renowned across the world, at Glenfarclas Distillery since 1865. Located in the heart of Speyside, the independent family-owned and managed distillery creates handcrafted single malts using traditional distillation and maturation methods. Glenfarclas has two core ranges that can be purchased globally: the Aged Range and the Family Cask Range along with special limited-edition whiskies. The oldest family-owned distillery in Speyside, family members are, and always will be, fully involved in each and every element of the business.

Dumbarton Cask #50 Dumbarton 60 Year Old 1964 Murray McDavid ULTRA – Scotch Whisky News

Dumbarton Cask #50 Dumbarton 60 Year Old 1964 Murray McDavid ULTRA

£1,930.96

Dumbarton 60 Year Old 1964 is a truly historic single grain Scotch whisky, bottled by Murray McDavid for the prestigious ULTRA series. Distilled on 25th December 1964 and matured for an astonishing six decades in single cask #50, this extraordinarily rare release yielded just 200 bottles at a refined 42.3% ABV. Distilled during a bygone era of Scotch whisky production, it stands as a remarkable testament to the transformative power of time. Part of Murray McDavid’s most exclusive collection of long-aged vintage whiskies, this exceptional Dumbarton has developed an extraordinary depth of character through decades of patient maturation. Rich floral honey, orchard fruits, creamy sweetness, and mature oak complexity combine seamlessly in a whisky that reflects both the elegance of aged grain spirit and the rarity of surviving casks from the 1960s. Bottled with minimal intervention, it offers an unforgettable glimpse into Scotland’s whisky heritage.

  • 60 year old single grain Scotch whisky from the legendary Dumbarton distillery
  • Distilled 25 December 1964
  • Matured in single cask #50
  • Limited to just 200 bottles worldwide
  • Bottled at 42.3% ABV
  • Part of the prestigious Murray McDavid ULTRA collection

The Dumbarton 60 Year Old 1964 Murray McDavid ULTRA is an extraordinary whisky of immense rarity and historical significance. Combining six decades of maturation with remarkable elegance, complexity, and refinement, it offers a unique opportunity to experience a piece of Scotch whisky history. Rich, graceful, and profoundly rewarding, this is a collector’s whisky of the highest calibre.

Nose Wild floral honey, baked lemon, and spring orchard fruits with hints of salted butter, mellow cloves, and polished oak.

Palate Silky and luxurious, revealing flavours of nutmeg, rustic marmalade, creamy chocolate, honeyed cereals, and delicate spice.

Finish Exceptionally long and elegant, with lingering apple pastry, ripe pear, gentle oak, and soft sweetness.

Dumbarton Distillery, a lost Lowland grain distillery established by Hiram Walker in 1938 on the site of the former McMillan shipyard, once dominated the banks of the River Leven and River Clyde in Dumbarton. Equipped with a Cincinnati-made continuous still, it grew to become one of Scotland’s largest grain distilleries, primarily using maize and water sourced from Loch Lomond to produce spirit destined for Ballantine’s blended whiskies. Despite its prominence, Dumbarton closed in 2002, with most of its structures demolished by 2008, sealing its fate as a significant yet lost chapter in Scotland’s Lowland whisky heritage. While the site no longer stands, the distillery’s legacy endures through single cask bottlings released by Hunter Laing & Co., preserving Dumbarton’s unique contribution to Scottish grain whisky history.

Murray McDavid ‘What is a Hauf n Hauf?’ – Scotch Whisky News

Whisky and beer. A pairing that’s stood the test of time.

In Scotland, asking for a Hauf n Hauf has long been a rite of passage in pubs across the country — a dram of Scotch whisky served alongside a half pint of beer.

It’s simple, sociable and wonderfully Scottish.

But where did this tradition come from, and why does it work so well?

In our latest blog, we explore the history of the Hauf n Hauf, why whisky and beer are such natural companions, and how this iconic pairing inspired one of our most distinctive whiskies: Our Half ‘N’ Half Crafted Blend.

From Speyside single malts and Highland grain whisky to stout-seasoned casks from our friends at Spey Valley Brewery, discover how we’ve reimagined a Scottish classic through the Art of Maturation.

READ MORE

 

Brora, a legend of Scotch whisky -The Whisky Exchange News

The ‘lost’ distillery that never faded away

Brora is one of the great ‘lost’ distilleries and its reputation has only grown since shuttering in 1983. Situated between Inverness and Wick on the Scottish Highlands’ east coast, this remote site created some of the most revered single malts of the 1970s and early 1980s.

Learn more

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The Good Dram Show – Episode 644 ‘James Eadie’ – Scotch Whisky News

The Good Dram Show – Episode 644 ‘James Eadie’

Welcome to this week’s episode of the show in which I’ll be taking a look at some of the Spring 2026 release from James Eadie in their ‘The Distilleries of Great Britain & Ireland’ range. The Good Dram Show with Chris Goodrum Episode 643 – Spring Brings Forth A Bountiful Selection …! Filmed in The Study Nottingham.

Featuring

James Eadie The Distilleries of Great Britian & Ireland Cardhu 2016 (9 year old) 52.4%
James Eadie The Distilleries of Great Britian & Ireland Dalmore 2016 (10 year old) 52.7%
James Eadie The Distilleries of Great Britian & Ireland Dufftown 2012 (13 year old) 52.3%
James Eadie The Distilleries of Great Britian & Ireland Cameronbridge 1998 (26 year old) 52.7%
James Eadie The Distilleries of Great Britian & Ireland Aberlour 2014 (11 year old) 52.3%
James Eadie The Distilleries of Great Britian & Ireland Laphroaig 2016 (10 year old) 52.3%

www.jameseadie.co.uk


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