Spring sees Tomintoul Distillery reopen with rare visitor-only releases

Tomintoul Distillery has reopened its doors for the 2026 season, inviting visitors back to the heart of the Cairngorms National Park to experience the craft, heritage and warm hospitality behind its award-winning single malt.

Closed to the public over the winter months, the Speyside distillery now resumes its programme of guided tours, offering whisky lovers the chance to step behind the scenes and experience production in one of Scotland’s most quietly distinctive distilleries.

Set against the rugged landscape of the Cairngorms, Tomintoul has been producing single malt whisky since 1965, drawing on traditional methods that have remained largely unchanged for generations.

Guests can now return to explore behind the scenes of the production areas, meet the team and enjoy guided tastings that bring Tomintoul’s story to life – with the reopening arriving just ahead of the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival, when the region welcomes whisky enthusiasts from around the world.

To mark the reopening, Tomintoul has also unveiled two new limited-edition expressions, available exclusively to those visiting the distillery.

Tomintoul 11 Year Old, limited to just 1,009 bottles and priced at £79, showcases the carefully balanced marriage of Oloroso sherry and American oak casks, carefully selected for its depth and gentle complexity.

Alongside it, the Sauternes Barrique Single Cask – a rare release of only 318 individually numbered bottles priced at £225 – brings a rich, fruit-led profile, shaped by its distinctive cask influence while retaining Tomintoul’s signature smooth character.

Robert Fleming, Master Distiller at Tomintoul, said: “There’s something special about welcoming people back into the distillery each spring. It’s a chance to share not just the whisky, but the place, the process and the people behind it.

“These exclusive bottlings are a natural extension of that experience, something visitors can only discover and take away with them from our brand home in the heart of the Cairngorms.”

The 90-minute guided experience takes visitors through the full whisky-making journey, from raw ingredients to spirit, led by the distillery’s team. Tours conclude with a tutored tasting of three Tomintoul single malts, offering a deeper understanding of the smooth, approachable house style that defines the brand.

Robert Fleming added: “With the Spirit of Speyside Festival just around the corner, it’s an especially exciting time to visit the region, and we’re looking forward to welcoming both new and returning visitors through our doors.”

Tours run from 30th March to 1st November 2026, with advance booking essential. For more information or to book, visit www.TomintoulWhisky.com.

Tomintoul Distillery

Tomintoul Distillery is nestled in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park, within the whisky producing region of Speyside. The distillery, established in 1965, is named after the nearby village of Tomintoul, the highest village in the Highlands of Scotland.

Tomintoul’s signature range includes the popular 10-Year-Old, 14-Year-Old and 16-Year-Old, as well as the multi-award-winning Cigar Malt and premium 21-Year-Old and 25-Year-Old.

Old Forester “Barrel Strength” K&L Exclusive (Warehouse K, Floor 1) Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky

(750ml)

$69.99

View

Another cracking barrel of Old Forester Cask Strength has arrived. For those who love the bold, spicy style these impressive barrels deliver, this special selection offers something truly distinctive. Unlike many bourbon producers where we chase high floors for their intense environmental swings, the Old Forester warehouses outside Louisville are built from thick brick and concrete. Each floor is fully enclosed, allowing heat to build within the structure during the summer while winter air keeps the masonry walls cold for months. To keep the whiskey moving through the wood, Old Forester pumps steam heat into the warehouses at the first sign of cold and maintains the heat cycling until spring arrives. The result is a barrel that, even in a relatively short period of time, experiences temperature fluctuations four to five times greater than a typical warehouse. This particular barrel was filled on July 6th, 2021 and matured on the first floor of the venerable Warehouse K, built in 1953 and home to some of the finest stocks in Old Forester’s inventory. Barrels from this building often show a beautiful balance between dense fruit and the distillery’s signature spicy rye character. Bottled exclusively for K&L Wine Merchants in early 2026 at a full cask strength of 129.7 proof, this barrel was offered without chill filtration or additives of any kind. A brilliant example of just how compelling Old Forester can be when the right barrel is chosen from their remarkable warehouses.

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
San Francisco, Redwood City, Hollywood CA

The Society’s new Creators Collection, The New Wave: A taste of our next generation gems is now live. Here’s more about the five-bottle collection from our head of whisky creation, Euan Campbell…

“Scotland’s distilling tradition dates back centuries, with some of the oldest distilleries still producing excellent whisky to this day. The last couple of decades have seen a flurry of activity, with new distilleries founded, each looking to continue that legacy. Our New Wave Creators Collection explores and celebrates some of these modern pioneers and provides members with a taste of what’s to come. We’ve worked with many of these newer distilleries from day one, filling our own casks in anticipation. Here were present some cracking drams for all to enjoy. The future looks bright!”

WATCH THE VIDEO

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

Complex, elegant, and full of character, our inaugural expression is a delicious dram which unfolds in your glass, revealing itself over time, just like the island itself.

Made to our carefully refined blender’s recipe, we combine spirits which have been matured by the coastal village of Ardhasaig in selected first fill Ex-Bourbon casks, first fill Ex-Oloroso and Fino sherry butts.

We then marry these spirits in batches for a minimum of 12 weeks to bring additional harmony to the final dram.

The result is an Outer Hebridean single malt of distinction we’re proud to bottle and bear our elemental island’s name.

Enjoy neat, with a small drop of water, or simply any way you like it…

GET HOLD OF THE HEARACH

The Good Dram Show – Episode 631 ‘American Whisky’

Welcome to this week’s episode of the show which was inspired by the Christmas gift of Beyonce’s Ameerikcan Whiskey. The question is, who does it stacj up againts it’s peers and does it make me crazy in love with it? All will be revealed|! The Good Dram Show with Chris Goodrum Episode 631 – Am I Crazy In Love..? That Is The Question…! Filmed in The Study Nottingham

 Featuring

Sir Davis American Whisky 44% https://www.sirdavis.com

Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 47%

Elijah Craig Single Barrel 18 year old 45% https://elijahcraig.com

Four Roses Small Batch Select 52% https://www.fourrosesbourbon.com

Eagle Rare 12 year old 47.5%

Sazerac ‘Col. E. H. Taylor, Jr Small Batch Bourbon’ 50% https://www.buffalotrace.com

The Hebridean Whisky Trail Welcomes Tobermory Distillery as its Newest Member

ISLE OF MULL, SCOTLAND – The Hebridean Whisky Trail is proud to announce that the historic Tobermory Distillery on the Isle of Mull has officially joined the trail, marking a significant milestone in the route’s expansion. As one of the oldest commercial distilleries in Scotland, Tobermory brings its world-renowned artisanal craftsmanship and dual-brand heritage—featuring both its namesake unpeated malt and the robust, peated Ledaig—to this premier island-hopping adventure.

Since its inception in August 2018, the Hebridean Whisky Trail has grown from a visionary collaboration of four founding distilleries into a sprawling odyssey across the Atlantic coast. Launched by Karen Betts, then CEO of the Scotch Whisky Association, the trail was designed to showcase the rugged beauty, unique Gaelic culture, and diverse spirits of Scotland’s western isles.

With the addition of Tobermory, the trail now stretches across a spectacular 360-mile route by land and sea, connecting eight remarkable distilleries:

• Torabhaig Distillery (Isle of Skye)
• Talisker Distillery (Isle of Skye)
• Isle of Raasay Distillery (Isle of Raasay)
• Isle of Harris Distillery (Isle of Harris)
• Benbecula Distillery (Isle of Benbecula)
• North Uist Distillery (Isle of North Uist)
• Isle of Tiree Distillery (Isle of Tiree)
• Tobermory Distillery (Isle of Mull)

“We are thrilled to welcome Tobermory Distillery into our fold,” said Bill Dobbie, Chairman of the Hebridean Whisky Trail. “Tobermory’s rich history and colourful presence on Mull embody the very spirit of the Hebrides. Their inclusion not only extends the physical reach of the trail but also enriches the story we tell—one of resilience, community, and the incomparable character of island whisky. The trail has doubled in size since its inception in 2018, and adding such an iconic destination is a testament to the growing global passion for Hebridean spirits.”

The Hebridean Whisky Trail offers an unparalleled whisky adventure for enthusiasts and intrepid travellers alike. The trail is a journey through some of the world’s most iconic scenery—from the white sandy beaches of Harris to the volcanic peaks of Skye and the vibrant harbour of Tobermory.

For more information or to plan your journey, please visit www.hebrideanwhisky.com. 

About the Hebridean Whisky Trail:

The Hebridean Whisky Trail is a collaborative tourism initiative dedicated to promoting the distilleries of the Scottish Hebrides. Established in 2018, it highlights the heritage, people, and provenance of Hebridean spirits through a curated travel route and annual festival events.

Knob Creek® Debuts Blender’s Edition, a Limited Series Celebrating the Art of Blending

Knob Creek® Blender’s Edition 01 is the result of intentional blending craftsmanship, unlocking a sweeter side of the Knob Creek flavor profile

CLERMONT, KY., March 31, 2026 – The James B. Beam Distilling Co., home of The Small Batch Bourbon Collection™, introduces Knob Creek® Blender’s Edition, a new series of limited-edition whiskeys celebrating one of the most skilled and nuanced crafts in whiskey making: blending. Born from the passion, precision and devoted pursuit of bold flavor that define Knob Creek®, the Blender’s Edition series showcases the artistry and deliberate decisions that shape the unique flavor experience in each release.

For the first in the series, eighth generation master distiller Freddie Noe and his trusted team of expert blenders carefully hand-selected barrels to highlight the sweeter side of the Knob Creek flavor profile. The result is a bourbon that opens with rich confectionery sweetness and a full mouthfeel, with notes of vanilla bean, finishing long and soft — all crafted with the same intentionality and care that goes into every expression of Knob Creek®. Knob Creek® Blender’s Edition 01 is aged a minimum of 10 years and bottled at 106 proof, now available nationwide at a suggested retail price of $44.99 for a 750mL bottle.

“The Blender’s Edition series is about slowing down and discovering the story each blend tells —with a unique and new experience in each edition of the series,” said Freddie Noe, eighth generation master distiller. “It is thanks to the passion and precision of our blending team who have uncovered the nuanced flavors you taste in Knob Creek® Blender’s Edition 01.”

Every detail of Knob Creek® Blender’s Edition is by design. Blending is where precision meets creativity, and this series shines a spotlight on the masters behind the craft so with each release, Knob Creek® celebrates the blenders who boldly explore new depths of flavor and redefine what’s possible.

For more information about Knob Creek® Blender’s Edition and Knob Creek® award-winning bourbon and rye portfolios, visit knobcreek.com or follow along on Instagram and Facebook @KnobCreek.

About Knob Creek® Bourbon

Knob Creek® has set the standard for super-premium whiskey for three decades by crafting extraordinary full-flavored bourbon with a rich taste. Knob Creek® bourbons and ryes are patiently aged to perfection in new, maximum charred American Oak barrels to impart the biggest and fullest flavor on their whiskey. No matter the expression, Knob Creek® is crafted without shortcuts and embodies the pre-Prohibition style that founding distiller Booker Noe created in 1992. Since then, Knob Creek® has lived up to such standards with the introduction of Knob Creek® Straight Rye Whiskey in 2012, and later on, Knob Creek® Single Barrel Select Rye Whiskey. In recent years, Knob Creek® announced the permanent addition of Knob Creek® 12 Year Old Bourbon and launched four limited releases, Knob Creek® 15 Year Old Bourbon, Knob Creek® 18 Year Old Bourbon, Knob Creek® Bourbon x Rye and Knob Creek® 21 Year Old. Knob Creek® has continued to build out its rye portfolio; the brand announced the addition of an age statement to its flagship rye whiskey, Knob Creek® 7 Year Old Rye Whiskey, and released Knob Creek® 10 Year Old Rye Whiskey.

The results of the World Whiskies Awards America are always one of my highlights of the awards season, not least of all because they put a spotlight on some of the most unique, innovative brands producing our favourite spirit today.

It’s also extremely exciting because of the announcement of the World’s Best Bourbon, a spectacular honour. Despite what have no doubt been turbulent conditions for many distilleries stateside, there’s been a real perseverance and industry-wide camaraderie that deserves celebrating. The result is incredible work that should be enough to get whisky enthusiasts worldwide excited.

These results take us one step closer to the much-anticipated announcement of the World’s Best whiskies next month. As chair of judges, I can’t wait to see where we’re headed as the awards cycle continues.

Bradley Weir,
Whisky Magazine editor

Welcome to Whisky Show Favourites

Our Welcome to Whisky Show has come and gone, and as always, there were a fair few bottles that stood out from the crowd – classics like Loch Lomond 12 and Jura 14, newcomers on the scene like Torabhaig Taigh, and approachable, easy-drinking drams like Compass Box Orchard House. And that’s barely scratching the surface.

We’ve narrowed down the wide array of fantastic bottles at the show, picking out some of our favourites – trusted old companions as well as exciting fresh releases – that may just become your new whisky loves.

SHOP NOW

Torabhaig Taigh

THE VIDEO

Torabhaig Taigh. What a stunning work of beauty, and that’s before we even talk about the liquid. Aileen Grant has worked absolute magic with this design. I’m yet to venture to Skye, but these images are so warming and comfortable in their style. The whisky is all about ‘smoke with taste’. A combination of first fill bourbon, refil bourbon, and some ex-Madeira. It starts off so biscuity and salty! Then the smoke starts to seep through the vatting. Welcomingly west coast with Torabhaig’s citrus and malty twists. This is a delightful bottle that is now their new house style! For the price of £45, this is an absolute steal! 46% ABV, natural colour and unfiltered, it’s so nice to see Torabhaig making new milestones.

Whisky Reviews every Wednesday
Facebook.com/whiskytube
Twitter.com/whiskytube
Youtube.com/whiskywednesday