White Peak Distillery celebrates 10 Year anniversary with

limited-edition Caduro X 

 Award-winning White Peak Distillery is marking its 10th anniversary this month with the launch of Wire Works Caduro X: a limited-edition single malt English whisky that reflects a decade of Derbyshire craftsmanship and dedication to flavour.

Founded in 2016 and based at the former Johnson & Nephew Wire Works in Ambergate, the distillery has built its reputation on a commitment to provenance, heritage and flavour. Caduro X has been created to mark this decade milestone, capturing both the distillery’s identity and the journey that has shaped it.

Inspired by Caduro from the Wire Works Provenance Core range, Caduro X is a vatting of first-fill ex-bourbon barrels and signature STR (shaved, toasted and re-charred) ex-red wine casks. This anniversary expression also incorporates both “regular-cuts” and “alt-cuts” single malts, with alternate distillation cut-points used to enhance the spirit’s brighter more tropical fruit-forward profile, alongside a subtle increase in peat influence.

To further deepen its complexity, the whisky has been proofed down to a bottling strength of 46.8% ABV using “special waters” – a technique involving the maturation of low-strength spirit in oak casks to extract additional water-soluble flavours and textures.

Only 1,000 bottles of Caduro X have been produced and will be released this month. The whisky is presented at natural colour and is non-chill filtered.

Claire Vaughan, co-founder of White Peak, says:

“Over the past ten years, we’ve taken a hands-on approach to learn more about how whisky develops its character – exploring every step from mashing & fermentation through distillation,  maturation and vatting. Caduro X marks a milestone, but moreover is the evolution of these ideas. We are a small team of whisky enthusiasts, constantly exploring, testing and refining in pursuit of flavour. This mindset is at the heart of The Wire Works – a place with a 150+ year history of making, where innovation and craft go hand in hand. What’s made the journey truly special, though, is the community around us. From the very beginning, we’ve been supported by an incredible group of people who’ve believed in what we’re building. We hope the next ten years continue in that same spirit – bringing people together, sharing what we make, and always striving to do it better.”

Wire Works Caduro X Single Malt English Whisky will be available from 25^th April at the Distillery and online (and from select UK retail partners including The Whisky Exchange and The Whisky Shop) RRP: £75. 

Caduro X Tasting Notes:
Caduro X delivers a rich, sweet and spicy character, layered with orchard and tropical fruits, toffee, chocolate, and a gentle thread of smoke.

• Nose: Banoffee pie, egg custard tarts, Murray mints, wine gums, baked apple, strawberry laces, orange zest, and a hint of peat
• Palate: Cinnamon rolls, butter icing, pineapple cubes, milk chocolate, yoghurt-coated cranberries, marmalade, nutmeg, and gentle tannins
• Finish: Cinder toffee, candied ginger, cinnamon balls, honey, apple sours, and soft wood smoke

Product Details:

Product: Wire Works Caduro X Single Malt English Whisky

Style: Lightly peated

Cask Type: STR / First-fill ex-bourbon

ABV: 46.8%

Volume: 70cl

Availability: Limited release of 1,000 bottles

Natural colour and non-chill filtered 

About White Peak Distillery – The Home Of Wire Works Whisky:

White Peak Distillery, makers of Wire Works Single Malt English Whisky is located within the restored 19th century Johnson and Nephew wire Works. A beautiful riverside and woodland location, it is now part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Derbyshire.

The distillery is built on a legacy of innovation and craftsmanship. This rich heritage inspires its dedication to making spirits the proper way, with patience, passion, and an unwavering focus on exceptional flavour. A flavour-first approach is taken to whisky making and every stage, from mashing and fermentation to distillation and maturation, takes place onsite ensuring a full lifecycle of provenance and authenticity in every bottle.

The house style lightly-peated single malt whisky is created with a combination of English un-peated and peated malt barley. A flavour-focused 7-day fermentation (which varies across seasons) uses a unique yeast blend incorporating spent yeast sourced from a local Peak District brewery.

White Peak Distillery has won over 25 prestigious awards to date including:

• Whisky of The Year 2026 (Whisky Exchange)
• Best World Whisky 2025 (Online Scotch Whisky Awards)
• IWSC Gold 2023 Wire Works Caduro
• IWSC Gold 2025 Wire Works Bourbon Barrel

Visitors are welcome to experience the distillery through a range of guided tours and tastings,

For further details please visit: www.whitepeakdistillery.co.uk

£69.95 GBP

Laphroaig 10 Year Old 2015 is a bold and characterful Islay single malt Scotch whisky, bottled by James Eadie as part of their heritage-led collection inspired by W. Y. Crowe’s seminal work The Distilleries of Great Britain & Ireland (1922–1929). Distilled in 2015 and matured in refill barrels, this expressive release is bottled at 52.3% ABV, delivering a pure and spirit-driven Islay dram.

Maturation in refill casks allows Laphroaig’s unmistakable character to shine—intense peat smoke, medicinal notes, and maritime influence—without heavy oak interference. Bottled at natural strength and without chill-filtration, this whisky offers an authentic and uncompromising expression of one of Islay’s most iconic distilleries.

Why We Think You’ll Love It

• 10 year old Islay single malt Scotch whisky from Laphroaig
• Matured in refill barrels for a spirit-led profile
• Distilled 2015, bottled at 52.3% ABV
• Bottled by James Eadie as part of their heritage-inspired range
• Inspired by W. Y. Crowe’s The Distilleries of Great Britain & Ireland (1922–1929)
• A classic, uncompromising Islay whisky showcasing peat and coastal character

The Laphroaig 10 Year Old 2015 James Eadie is a powerful and authentic Islay single malt, delivering everything fans expect—intense peat, coastal influence, and bold flavour. Raw, expressive, and full of personality, it’s a superb choice for lovers of smoky Scotch whisky.

Midleton Very Rare 2026 Edition Irish Whiskey

The latest expression marks the 43rd annual release from Midleton Very Rare and the 6th Vintage under the careful watch of Master Distiller Kevin O’Gorman.

This year’s Vintage is a true reflection of Midleton Very Rare’s artistry, honouring the brand’s traditionally elegant flavour profile with a wonderful balance of distillate and wood-derived flavours. Five distillate styles (three single pot-still and two single grain styles) were carefully selected to create this year’s expression, including a select batch grain whiskey with a barley and malted barley mash bill that featured in last year’s Vintage. The inclusion of this style gives an enhanced sweetness to this remarkable whiskey.

£219.95

Maltstock program announcements

Relaxedly but surely our program for 2026 is taking shape! We travelled to Leith and Groningen and spoke to many potential exhibitors. The first few we can now announce! Watch this space as we will start announcing our program in the next couple of weeks! Go on and read all about it.

Annette, Bob, Klaas, Stan and Teun

Buy your Maltstock ticket NOW!

ralfy review 1126 – Mortlach 15yo @46%vol: (G.O.T.)

The GlenAllachie adds to Sherry Series with rare Palo Cortado matured single malt

Building on the success of a trio of initial releases, The GlenAllachie has today, April 21, unveiled the fourth chapter in its celebrated Sherry Series: the new 11-year-old Palo Cortado Sherry Cask Matured Single Malt Scotch Whisky.

First launched in April 2024, the Sherry Series explores the influence different secondary Sherry cask maturations can have on whisky of the same cask history, with this latest expression finished in one of rarest and most intriguing styles of sherry – Palo Cortado – showcasing the distillery’s commitment to exceptional wood management.

This new 11-year-old expression enjoyed a period of secondary maturation in Palo Cortado sherry casks and delivers a beautifully layered flavour experience with notes of ripe plums, dark mocha and warming cinnamon spice, balanced with refined dryness and depth.

Originally born of a happy accident in the mid 19th Century and now revered by connoisseurs, Palo Cortado is the rarest and most enigmatic sherry style. It begins as a young Fino (the driest and palest sherry style) before being refortified to 17.5-18% ABV, which causes the protective flor yeast to dissipate and triggers oxidative aging.

This unique process gives it a signature balance – the flavour profile sits between Amontillado and  Oloroso, combining the aromatic finesse of the former with the structure, body and richness of the latter.

Master Distiller at The GlenAllachie, Billy Walker, commented:

“With the Sherry Series, we set out to create expressions that spark curiosity and invite deeper conversation. The extended secondary maturation allows the spectacular nuances and variations of each sherry style to reveal themselves completely, taking centre stage in a way that’s both bold and refined.

In this bottling, we have combined The GlenAllachie’s signature heather honey character with Palo Cortado’s deeply complex, sweet and nutty aromas – creating a whisky with a remarkable spectrum of flavour that has surpassed our expectations.”

Each cask in The Sherry Series begins its journey in the renowned sherry-producing region of Cádiz, where premium casks are sourced from the distillery’s trusted bodega partners before being transported to Speyside. Each expression is initially matured in American oak ex-Bourbon barrels before undergoing secondary maturation in a single, expertly selected sherry cask type, allowing the distinct characteristics of the wood to shine through.

Bottled at a robust 48% ABV, this latest expression is presented at natural colour and without chill filtration, ensuring the whisky retains its full character and complexity.

With this latest release, The GlenAllachie continues to push the boundaries of cask maturation, offering whisky enthusiasts a rare opportunity to experience the nuanced influence of Palo Cortado sherry on Speyside single malt.

The GlenAllachie 11-year-old Palo Cortado Sherry Cask Matured Single Malt Scotch Whisky release is available now from The GlenAllachie Distillery and online at  www.glenallachie.com with a UK RRP of £62.99. It will become available globally in the coming weeks.

For more information, visit www.theglenallachie.com.

ABV: 48%
RRP £62.99
Natural colour and non-chill filtered

Tasting notes:
COLOUR: Polished Mahogany.

NOSE: Cinnamon spice, butterscotch and damson plum, with notes of heather honey, raisin butter and crystalised ginger.

TASTE: Toasted honeycomb, fresh brambles and baking spices, followed by maraschino cherries, mocha and plum jam, with treacle and chocolate.

About The GlenAllachie Distillery

One of Scotland’s few independently owned and managed distilleries, The GlenAllachie is led by industry veteran, Billy Walker, who boasts over a half-century’s tenure in whisky. With 16 on-site warehouses holding over 50,000 casks, The GlenAllachie Distillery have complete control of the end-to-end maturation process.

Since re-emerging under independent ownership in 2017, The GlenAllachie has made bold, strategic choices rooted in flavour integrity over volume. By fine-tuning fermentation practices, streamlining production, and investing heavily in cask management, the distillery has cultivated a house style renowned for depth, complexity, and individuality.

Beyond the stillhouse, The GlenAllachie’s influence continues to grow, with high-profile and innovative releases such as The Sinteis Series, and age-stated limited editions earning global acclaim. The distillery’s commitment to transparency – bottling at natural colour, non-chill filtered, and often at cask strength – underscores its dedication to the discerning whisky drinker.

Prioritising the production of quality spirit, the GlenAllachie Distillery chose to reduce its production capacity from four million to around one million litres of alcohol and increase its fermentation period to 160 hours – almost three times the industry standard – for an ester-rich, fruity spirit.

The GlenAllachie also maintains a strong focus on sustainability and provenance, with local sourcing and traditional methods guiding much of its ethos. Supported by the Scottish Industrial Energy Transformation Fund (SIETF), a state-of-the-art Mechanical Vapour Recompression (MVR) system was installed at the distillery to capture and recycle waste heat from distillation, using it to reheat the stills. The result is a distillery that not only honours Scotch whisky heritage but actively shapes its future.

About Billy Walker

With a career spanning over 50 years, Billy Walker is a legendary figure in the Scotch whisky industry, renowned for his transformative leadership of distilleries like Benriach, Glendronach, and Glenglassaugh. Celebrated for his innovative use of casks and unwavering commitment to quality, he is now the owner and Master Distiller at The GlenAllachie.

Under his stewardship, the company has achieved widespread acclaim. Among its many accolades, the GlenAllachie 12-year-old was named World’s Best Single Malt at the 2025 World Whiskies Awards.

It’s from this incredible record of success that Billy has cemented his reputation as one of the most prominent whisky figures of his generation.

Our first outrun of 2026 is here! 

Our Quarter 1 outrun is now live, and we’re delighted to present a truly flavoursome and diverse selection of casks. This release explores a range of long ex-sherry finishes, each bringing its own distinct character. From the rich, dark sweetness of oloroso, synonymous with classic Scotch maturation, to the drier, more delicate influence of manzanilla, and the deeper, slightly sweeter tones of amontillado. Alongside these, we’ve included a refill barrel and hogshead, allowing the original distillate to shine through with clarity and elegance most notably in our Port Charlotte and Tamnavulin releases. We’re also excited to present one of the oldest Dalmunach bottlings we’re aware of, a remarkable 10-year-old matured in oloroso. We have a special Robert Burns edition of St Bridget’s Kirk celebrating John Barleycorn. With artwork done by local artist, Steven Shand.  This delicious blended malt whisky is a marriage of Glen Spey from a port cask, Caol Ila from a port cask and Glen Moray from an ex-bourbon barrel blended and married together in an ex-oloroso quarter cask. Bottled at 48.5%

Ardmore 12 Year Old – Refill Ex-Oloroso Finish | Auchroisk 11 Year Old – Ex-Manzanilla Finish | Blair Athol 11 Year Old – Ex-Amontillado Finish | Dalmunach 10 Year Old – Ex-Oloroso Barrel | Mortlach 13 Year Old – Ex-Oloroso Finish |Port Charlotte  20 Year Old – Refill Barrel | Tamnavulin 10 Year Old – Refill Hogshead  |St Bridget’s Kirk John Barleycorn Edition

Please note that in order to better support our retail partners this outrun and future outruns is not being sold through our website. Links to stockists can be found via the tab on our homepage. All releases were bottled at our site in Dalgety Bay by hand.

Tasting the Distillery Team Single Cask

A dram with the team in Warehouse 1-1

The countdown to festival season is officially on, but if you can’t wait until First Friday tomorrow, our Festivals Bundle 2026 offers a taste of all five of Scotland’s regions. These five bottles have been specially selected by our Whisky Team to celebrate the launch of festival season.

The Festivals Bundle 2026:

Cask No. 1.304:Sanlúcar sunset

Cask No. 53.521:Smoky umami heaven

Cask No. 93.230:Caribbean dreams in Campbeltown

Cask No. 149.24: A farmer in hospital by the sea

Cask No. 156.7: No mean confection

LEARN MORE

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

Mark’s Whisky Ramblings 600: Arran 10 Year Old Arran Barley

Mark Dermul, Belgian whisky blogger, tries a new Arran. In 2025, Arran announced a new ten-year-old malt: the Arran Barley. As the name suggests, this malt was distilled using barley grown on the island. Mark first tasted it in November 2025 at the excellent Spirits in the Sky festival in Brussels and not long afterwards he received a bottle as a gift from a few colleagues, so it’s high time to sample it again, he feels.

https://youtu.be/a-RfmL9kBPs