AJ BOND DISTILLERY UNVEILS ITS FLAGSHIP TENNESSEE WHISKEY, SAZERAC’S FIRST IN THE CATEGORY

Crafted by Master Distillers Allisa Henley and the late John Lunn, the inaugural release celebrates a decades-long bond and a shared commitment to innovation and Tennessee heritage

LA VERGNE, TN (June 1, 2026) – AJ Bond Distillery is proud to announce the debut of its flagship brand, AJ Bond Tennessee Whiskey, marking Sazerac’s first entry into the Tennessee Whiskey category. Crafted by Master Distillers Allisa Henley and the late John Lunn, the inaugural release reflects a shared vision to evolve Tennessee whiskey higher through a balance of tradition and innovation.

Named for the bond between its creators, AJ Bond Tennessee Whiskey embodies a partnership that shaped both its origin and its process. In 2016, the two set out to create a new standard, drawing on decades of expertise to develop the Distillery’s flagship expression. Crafted from a singular mashbill and produced through a distinctive dual-distillation process featuring both pot and column stills, each distillate is charcoal mellowed, aged independently and thoughtfully bonded together to deliver a balanced, elevated Tennessee Whiskey.

“We wanted to raise expectations for what Tennessee Whiskey can be,” said Allisa Henley. “Every decision behind this whiskey was driven by a commitment to quality and a belief that innovation and tradition can work hand in hand. By combining pot and column still distillation and bonding those components after aging, we have created a whiskey that sets a new standard for the category.”

AJ Bond Tennessee Whiskey is crafted in full accordance with the standards that define the category, underscoring a commitment to quality and authenticity at every stage. Charcoal mellowed using sugar maple charcoal created by the AJ Bond Distillery team, the process honors a tradition passed down to Allisa and John through generations of Tennessee whiskey makers. Its Tennessee provenance is further reinforced through locally-sourced ingredients, including corn from Batey Farms, a two-century-old family-owned farm in Murfreesboro, and barrels made from Tennessee oak.

Bottled at 95 proof, AJ Bond Tennessee Whiskey delivers rich, layered flavors. On the nose, it opens with sweet notes of wedding cake and caramel corn, complemented by butterscotch and a subtle redwood undertone. The palate is complex, unfolding with baked apple and charred fruit, followed by marzipan, powdered cinnamon and brandied cherry, with hints of cream soda and baking chocolate. The finish is long and evolving, marked by a savory peppercorn and lingering notes of chestnut honey.

“AJ Bond Tennessee Whiskey is deeply personal,” said Henley. “John and I built this together over years of shared experience, and this whiskey carries forward his legacy. It’s a reflection of the respect we have for the process, the people who taught us, and the bond we will forever share.”

Honoring its roots, AJ Bond Tennessee Whiskey will first be released in Tennessee in June 2026 via Sazerac’s distributor network at a suggested retail price of $39.99 (750ml; local taxes and fees will vary), with broader U.S. distribution to select states to follow in late 2026. This release signals the beginning of the AJ Bond Distillery portfolio, which will introduce additional whiskeys in the years to come.

For more information, please visit sazerac.com/our-distilleries.

About AJ Bond Distillery

AJ Bond Distillery, located in La Vergne, Tennessee, is dedicated to crafting Tennessee Whiskey that bonds tradition and innovation. Named for the bond between Master Distillers Allisa Henley and the late John Lunn, the Distillery reflects decades of shared experience and a commitment to quality at every step. Its flagship product, AJ Bond Tennessee Whiskey, is crafted using a distinctive dual-distillation process featuring both pot and column stills. The Distillery celebrates its Tennessee roots by sourcing key ingredients from within the state, including corn from Batey Farms, a two-century-old family-owned farm in Murfreesboro, and barrels made from Tennessee oak grown in the state. For more information about AJ Bond Distillery, please visit sazerac.com/our-distilleries.

HOLE IN ONE AT THIS ST ANDREWS DISTILLERY GETS YOU A £5,000 WHISKY CASK

Visitors to the ‘home of golf’ have the chance to win their very own whisky cask

St Andrews-based independent distiller, Eden Mill, has launched ‘Pin It To Win It’ – a golf simulator challenge combining Scotland’s national drink with the home of golf.

For £10, players get three attempts to land closest to the pin on the simulator, with anyone landing a hole in one winning their very own Eden Mill Whisky Cask, filled on site at the distillery. Everyone’s a winner though and there’s a prize to be had wherever your ball lands. The distillery will also award the closest person to the pin each calendar month with a bottle of its single malt whisky.

Hamish Maclean, Senior Brand Manager at Eden Mill, said: “We wanted to create something spontaneous and genuinely exciting, the kind of thing you walk past and think ‘oh go on then’ and end up talking about for weeks. Owning a whisky cask is a dream for many, so we thought why not give our guests the chance to win one for a tenner!”

The only distillery experience of its kind in Scotland, the activation brings together whisky tourism and golf culture – giving visitors the chance to test their swing just minutes from the Old Course while enjoying one of Scotland’s newest premium whisky destinations.

Players landing safely on the green win an Eden Mill tote bag. Those finding the bunker receive a golf ball, while out-of-bounds efforts are rewarded with a golf tee – the challenge’s “wooden spoon”!

Pin It To Win It is available to all visitors to Eden Mill’s distillery visitor centre in Guardbridge, alongside the distillery’s whisky tours, cocktail bar, and blending experiences. For more information, visit edenmill.com.

• Pin It To Win It is priced at £10 for three shots, or £15 as part of the Dram and Drive package, which includes an Eden Mill single malt.
• On the green wins an Eden Mill tote bag. Bunker wins a golf ball. Out of bounds wins a golf tee.
• The hole in one prize is an Eden Mill Bourbon Whisky Cask, filled on site at the distillery, worth £5,000.
• The monthly prize is a bottle of Eden Mill whisky, awarded to the closest shot to the pin at the end of each calendar month.

Win XOP Port Dundas & Cameronbridge

45 Year Old Whiskies – Worth £3,600

For just £10, you could win two of the rarest Grain Whiskies Douglas Laing has ever bottled – a matched pair from our XOP series. Both spent 45 years in a Single Cask, and just 98 Cameronbridge and 106 Port Dundas bottles exist anywhere in the world, each numbered and signed by Cara Laing and Fred Laing. e’re putting both in the hands of one winner.

XOP Cameronbridge 45 Years Old

A refined, elegant grain whisky from one of Scotland’s most respected Grain distilleries.

Distillery: Cameronbridge

Age: 45 Years

ABV: 54.6% · 70cl

Cask: Single Refill Barrel

Only 98 bottles produced.

XOP Port Dundas 45 Years Old

Deep, characterful and beautifully aged from the now-silent Port Dundas distillery.

Distillery: Port Dundas

Age: 45 Years

ABV: 49.9% · 70cl

Cask: Single Refill Hogshead

Only 106 bottles produced.

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Benromach is a small, family owned Speyside distillery celebrated for reviving the region’s traditional whisky style; rich, handcrafted single malts with a gentle thread of peat smoke. Founded in 1898 and later restored by Gordon & MacPhail, the distillery combines time honoured production methods with careful cask maturation, creating whiskies that balance orchard fruit sweetness and delicate smokiness.

VIEW BENROMACH WHISKY

Mark’s Whisky Ramblings 606: Old Perth Pedro Ximénez

Mark Dermul, Belgian whisky blogger, tries an interesting blend. Since 2010, the Old Perth brand has been owned by Morrison Distillers and is named after a blend that was extremely popular in 1908. The whisky is also named after Perth, the homeland of blending. In the glass is their Old Perth Pedro Ximénez which, as the name suggests, matured in a sherry cask.

https://youtu.be/ghqvnyCtMMU

Scottish spirits company announces move to Glasgow city centre

CBRE concludes deal on behalf of Legal & General following significant refurbishment of Kintyre House on West George Street

Glasgow – Premium Scottish spirits business, CVH Spirits, has relocated to Kintyre House in Glasgow city centre, marking a significant move for the premium spirits business, which is custodian for Bunnahabhain, Deanston and Tobermory distilleries.

Global real estate adviser CBRE acted on behalf of landlord Legal and General (L&G), securing a five-year, 3,024 sq ft lease, which will see CVH relocate its corporate operations from East Kilbride.

The move will see around 30 staff across marketing, finance, HR, IT and commercial functions establish a new central hub in the city centre, while production, bottling, blending and warehousing operations will remain at the company’s East Kilbride site.

Founded in 2023, CVH Spirits was previously part of the Distell Group and earlier operated as Burn Stewart Distillers. Today, the business is an independent premium spirits company and custodian of some of Scotland’s most recognised distilleries and whisky brands, with the company employing around 300 people across the UK, EU and Asia.

The relocation marks a significant investment by CVH Spirits’, underlining its commitment to its Scottish operations and the company’s continued commercial focus following the appointment of Chief Executive Officer Ronan O’Rahilly last year. Establishing a high quality, central headquarters reflects the company’s confidence in its brand portfolio and future opportunity as it continues to build momentum domestically and internationally.

Kintyre House has been recently refurbished to provide modern, efficient workspace with an EPC A energy rating, and offering L&G’s ‘Capsule’ brand of fully fitted office space, including meeting rooms, breakout areas, workstations and pre-installed IT infrastructure. Home to established occupiers including Hiscox and Maven Capital Partners UK LLP, the building sits on West George Street, one of Glasgow’s most recognised business addresses, surrounded by a vibrant mix of restaurants and amenities, and just minutes on foot from both Glasgow Central and Queen Street stations.

Martin Speirs, Director at CBRE Scotland, said: “CVH Spirits’ move to Kintyre House is a clear statement of intent and the latest positive signal for Glasgow city centre. In a competitive market, businesses are being more selective about where and how they occupy space, and Kintyre House offers the quality, efficiency and profile that forward-looking companies are seeking. We were pleased to advise L&G in securing a strong occupier in CVH Spirits for the building.”

Will Kelly, Senior Asset Manager at L&G, said: “We are pleased to welcome CVH Spirits to Kintyre House. Their decision to relocate to the building reflects the strength of the recent refurbishment and the continued appeal of high-quality, well-located office space in the heart of Glasgow.

“Securing a business of this calibre reinforces our confidence in the asset and in the city centre market. We remain committed to investing in our portfolio to ensure it meets the expectations of modern occupiers and supports long term performance.”

Ronan O’Rahilly, Chief Executive Officer at CVH Spirits, said: “Our move into the heart of Glasgow marks an important milestone for CVH Spirits and for the continued development of our world-renowned brands.

“There have been well-documented challenges across the whisky industry over the last 12 months, but we are taking a long-term view and continuing to invest with confidence. This new, refurbished city centre space gives our teams an environment that reflects our forward-thinking, commercially focused approach, commitment to the trade and our ambitions for growth.”

Kintyre House currently has two remaining high-quality, fully-fitted suites available ranging from 2,012 – 5,298 sq ft, providing ready to occupy space for incoming tenants. CBRE and Savills act as joint letting agents for the property.

About CBRE Group, Inc.

CBRE Group, Inc. (NYSE: CBRE), a Fortune 500 and S&P 500 company headquartered in Dallas, is the world’s largest commercial real estate services and investment firm (based on 2025 revenue). The company has more than 155,000 employees (including Turner & Townsend employees) serving clients in more than 100 countries. CBRE serves clients through four business segments: Advisory (leasing, sales, debt origination, mortgage servicing, valuations); Building Operations & Experience (facilities management, property management, flex space & experience, data center solutions); Project Management (program management, project management, cost consulting); Real Estate Investments (investment management, development). Please visit our website at www.cbre.com.

SPIRIT OF SPEYSIDE RETURNS WITH DISTILLED EVENT 

After a record-breaking year at the Spirit of Speyside Festival, the celebrations continue as tickets go on sale for the 10^th anniversary of Distilled, the popular two-day spirits and craft beer event.

Following a one-year hiatus while Elgin Town Hall undergoes major refurbishment, Distilled returns on Friday 11^th and Saturday 12^th September 2026 at the Alexander Graham Bell Centre at UHI Moray in Elgin, bringing together more than 20 drink producers from across Speyside.

While whisky remains a major attraction in the area, Distilled is about much more than Scotland’s national drink.  The event shines a spotlight on Speyside’s vibrant community of craft producers, allowing visitors to discover everything from whisky and gin to beer and other premium spirits, all under one roof.

Three sessions are available, starting on Friday evening at 6pm, followed by two sessions on the Saturday at 11am and 4pm.  Attendance is limited to just 150 visitors per session, and organisers expect tickets to sell out quickly.

Speyside brands confirmed include The Glenlivet, Aberlour, Gordon & MacPhail, Strathisla, Benriach, The GlenAllachie and Cardhu.

Visitors will be able to choose from 3 passes for each session with the line-up still being finalised.  A Discovery Pass gives access to the event where you can sample from each stand at your own pace.

The Masterclass Pass includes two exclusive 45-minute Masterclasses.  Confirmed brands so far include Glen Moray, Elixir Distillers and Speyburn.  If you prefer a more laid-back experience guests can opt for the Premium Pass with access to a chill-out area and two exclusive pours from Speyside brands.

Henry Angus, Chairman of the festivals, said: “It’s wonderful to be back with Distilled after a break last year.  While the venue has changed, the enthusiasm from Speyside producers remains as strong as ever.

“Distilled creates a fantastic opportunity for visitors to have the chance to meet the people behind the brands, sample fantastic products and experience the incredible diversity of drinks production across the region.”

TICKET INFORMATION –

Tickets for Distilled 2026 go on sale from 12pm on Friday 26th June with an Early Bird special discounted price for Friday evening of £35 for the Discovery Pass until 24^th July.  After that, tickets will go on sale at £40.  All tickets include a Glencairn Crystal glass with a lanyard.

There will only be 25 Premium Passes available at £60, which gives access to the Premium Lounge where there will be exclusive pours during each session.  A limited number of Early Bird tickets will be available on Friday evening at £55, subject to availability.

Again, to make it very exclusive, there will only be 25 Masterclass Passes at £70 and includes a deeper insight into the drams and heritage behind the brands.  Again, a limited number of Early Bird tickets will be available at £65, subject to availability.

https://www.spiritofspeyside.com/festival/distilled

Distilled26

#spiritofspeyside

#sos26

Spirit of Speyside: Distilled

The team behind the annual Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival brings another fantastic event to the sampling table – Spirit of Speyside: Distilled. Where the world’s best whisky distillers unite under one roof on their own doorstep. At the festival, Speyside’s whisky distillers are accompanied by award-winning brewers, gin crafters and there will be lots of local food on offer.

Spirit of Speyside

Spirit of Speyside organises some of the world’s premier whisky events, welcoming visitors to the beauty of Speyside from across the globe each year. The organisation is responsible for the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival each year with hundreds of events incorporating the Whisky School and Whisky Awards. The same team also hosts Spirit of Speyside: Distilled, exclusively for whisky distillers.

Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival

First launched in 1999, the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival’s annual celebration of Scotland’s national drink has developed into one of the largest events of its kind anywhere in the world. This year it will celebrate its 27^th anniversary with a programme of around 500+ whisky-inspired events over 6 days.  The Festival is a true mecca for the curious beginner and the whisky connoisseur alike. Festival events take place throughout Speyside, the biggest whisky-producing region in Scotland, located in the Moray area in the north-east of the country between Aberdeen and Inverness. Over the years, the Festival has developed close links with many Speyside businesses and communities who help to fund the festival. It is a true team effort to deliver an ever-improving range of events and services to make the six days of the festival a truly unforgettable experience.

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
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SPECIAL EDITION

CASK ISLAY 10 YEAR OLDSHERRY MATURED | CASK STRENGTH

Introducing the new A. D. Rattray Cask Islay 10 Year Old – Special Edition.

Building on the success of our acclaimed 2019 Cask Islay Sherry Edition, this new release elevates the experience with a 10-year age statement and a richer, more pronounced sherry influence. This exceptional expression takes everything you love about our Classic Cask Islay and turns up the depth, richness and intensity. Matured in a combination of 1st fill Oloroso sherry butts and 1st fill Oloroso sherry barriques, it delivers a powerful marriage of bold smoky Islay character and sweet sherry influence. Enjoy flavours of: Coastal smoke, Orange, Raisin Praline. Bottled at cask strength of 57.3%, non-chill filtered and natural colour.

TASTING NOTES

Colour: Deep Amber

Nose: Blood orange, blackberry and rich coastal smoke.

Palate: Dark cherry, tangy marmalade and caramelised nut praline.

Finish: Long and warming, with spiced bramble jam over gentle ash.

£50.00