SIX NEW WHISKIES INTRODUCED

BY CLYDEBUILT BRAND 

Boutique Scotch whisky label Clydebuilt expands its offering

with new six new Single Cask expressions

Leading independent bottling house Clydebuilt today unveils six new Single Cask Scotch Whiskies, strengthening its extensive product portfolio.

Ardgowan Distillery Company (ADC) – the home of the boutique brand – was established in 2017 and reached a major milestone in June 2025 with the completion of its distillery and commencement of its Single Malt production.

Situated on the Firth of Clyde, Ardgowan named the range in honour of the river’s world renowned shipbuilding heritage, where the term ‘Clydebuilt’ became synonymous with precision, pride and craftsmanship.

Despite challenging conditions across the wider industry, Ardgowan reaffirmed its commitment to the Clydebuilt brand with a £5m investment in mature malt whisky stocks in 2025, with a further £4m to be injected this year.

The firm’s Distillery Manager and Expert Whisky Maker Laura Davies oversaw the maturation of each cask and personally selected the six new expressions from an enviable inventory.

The new Single Cask releases, comprising five Single Malts and one Single Grain, include:

• 2013 Bourbon Barrel, Aberlour Distillery (RRSP £120.00): a Speyside Single Malt matured in a single Bourbon barrel (#300080). Limited to 192 bottles, the nose brings hints of buttery fudge, while the palate offers whipped cream and boiled sweets.
• 2015 Sherry Hogshead, Aultmore Distillery (RRSP £65.00): yielding 305 bottles, cask number 303634 previously held Spanish Sherry before hosting spirit distilled at Speyside’s Aultmore Distillery. The result is a warming Single Malt with flavours of fruit scones topped with jam and cream.
• 2012 Bourbon Hogshead, Benriach Distillery (RRSP £95.00): previously used to mature Bourbon, cask number 750335 subsequently aged Speyside Single Malt from Benriach Distillery. The resulting 226 bottles boast moreish flavours buttercream icing, retro boiled sweets and fruit salad.
• 2005 Bourbon Hogshead, Cameronbridge Distillery (RRSP £79.00): a vintage Single Grain expression matured for 20 long years in a Bourbon hogshead. The bronze liquid brims with buttered popcorn, heather honey and peach cobbler drizzled with cream.
• 2012 Bourbon Barrel, Glen Garioch Distillery (RRSP £85.00): distilled in the Highlands, cask number 4587 was matured on site at Ardgowan Distillery. The cask’s Bourbon history has imparted notes of marzipan, vanilla fudge and hazelnut praline on the resulting 237 bottles produced.
• 2015 Sherry Hogshead, Linkwood Distillery (RRSP £59.00): a Speyside Single Malt matured in a single Spanish Sherry cask (#312013). Limited to 332 bottles, the nose reveals grassy aromas, while the palate offers creamy toffee and gooseberry jam qualities.

As with all Clydebuilt Single Cask bottlings, each whisky was bottled at its natural cask strength, with no added colouring or chill filtration, preserving its character and integrity.

Commenting on the new releases, Davies shares:

“Working with spirit from different distilleries is a great reminder of how diverse Scotch whisky can be. There’s a joy in discovering a whisky where the distillery character shines through. Every cask behaves differently, but these six stood out for their balance between distillery DNA and cask influence. They’re honest whiskies, bottled as if you were sampling straight from the cask: at their natural strength and colour, and without undergoing chill filtration.”

Last September, ADC announced a series of new distribution partnerships for Clydebuilt across key markets in Europe, North America and Asia, significantly expanding its global availability.

The new Clydebuilt Single Cask bottlings will begin rolling out through the specialist retail channel from today. A list of UK stockists and international distributors can be found here.

ABOUT CLYDEBUILT SCOTCH WHISKY:

Some of the greatest ships in the world were built on the River Clyde and so, over time, the word ‘Clydebuilt’ came to stand for craftsmanship, integrity and pride. The Clydebuilt brand was inspired by that exceptional legacy: a fitting tribute as Ardgowan Distillery, the home of the brand, is situated on the Firth of Clyde near Inverkip.

While Ardgowan Single Malt continues to slumber for many years, Whisky Maker Laura Davies applies the same meticulous approach to Clydebuilt. This is a boutique range of thoughtfully selected and matured Scotch whiskies that honour the spirit of the Clyde, emulating and upholding the attention to detail and the pride in quality of those that came before. Discover more.

Further information on Ardgowan Distillery Company can be found at ardgowandistillery.com

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TASTING NOTES:

Clydebuilt 2013 Bourbon Barrel Single Cask, Aberlour Distillery – 58.1% ABV

• Colour: Rich golden.
• Nose: Clean and inviting, with a buttery fudge aroma.
• Taste: Vanilla whipped cream and ‘sherbet fruits’ boiled sweets.  

Clydebuilt 2015 Sherry Hogshead Single Cask, Aultmore Distillery – 56.6% ABV

• Colour: Auburn.
• Nose: Ripe figs and cinnamon sticks.
• Taste: Fruit scones with raspberry jam and clotted cream.  

Clydebuilt 2012 Bourbon Hogshead Single Cask, Benriach Distillery – 56.0% ABV

• Colour: Bright gold.
• Nose: Tropical fruit pavlova.
• Taste: Buttercream icing, retro boiled sweets and fruit salad. 

Clydebuilt 2005 Bourbon Hogshead Single Cask, Cameronbridge Distillery (Single Grain) – 54.3% ABV

• Colour: Bronze.
• Nose: Aromas of buttered popcorn.
• Taste: A thick mouthfeel, with heather honey and peach cobbler drizzled with cream.  

Clydebuilt 2012 Bourbon Barrel Single Cask, Glen Garioch Distillery – 57.2% ABV

• Colour: Amber.
• Nose: Marzipan and brown sugar to the fore.
• Taste: Inviting flavours of hazelnut praline, vanilla fudge and chewy raisins. 

Clydebuilt 2015 Sherry Hogshead Single Cask, Linkwood Distillery – 56.3% ABV

• Colour: Bronze.
• Nose: Grassy aromas, alongside light peat.
• Taste: Tones of creamy toffee and gooseberry jam.

This is a first for the Small Batch Series. Not just another whisky release, the first one that can tell you exactly how long it took to make. Ten years in first-fill ruby port pipes, sourced in 2016 from a vineyard deep in Portugal’s Douro Valley, one of the world’s oldest protected wine regions. Our first age-stated expression in the series, and a whisky that makes the case for itself the moment it hits the glass.

Nose Port aromas drift alongside a delicate whisper of sea salt. Dried fruits slowly emerge – raisins, dark cherries and sultanas, in a deeply vinous embrace that hints at the extraordinary casks at work.

Palate Luscious caramel and smooth vanilla arrive first, underpinned by beautiful wine-soaked flavours. Darker notes follow, gentle oak smoke and the rich sweetness of dates and figs with a supple, full-bodied texture and outstanding depth of flavour.

Finish Long and warming. Caramel and dried fruits linger with quiet confidence, while those signature ruby port notes weave through to the very end.

Bowmore 21 YEAR OLD

Sherry Oak Cask

70cl · 46.8% ABV

Awarded world’s best single malt, this confident and eclectic 21-year old offers a remarkable breadth to its character, gathering notes as diverse as tobacco, heather, and beeswax. Its epilogue in first fill Pedro Ximenez Sherry casks is testament to Bowmore’s Master Blender’s intuitive genius.

This rich, captivating single malt was matured in carefully selected ex-bourbon and Oloroso sherry casks, and finished in first-fill Pedro Ximénez sherry casks.

£268.95

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Gold Medal

World’s Best Single Malt 2026

World Whiskies Awards

SENSATIONAL ISLAY SINGLE MALT

Distilled on the island’s shoreline, Bowmore’s single malts are often considered the epitome of Islay whisky. There’s peat smoke, but it’s exactingly balanced. There’s elegant maritime brine, but it never overpowers. Then there’s the signature orchard fruit sweetness. Everything about Bowmore conveys a sense of harmony. And this 20-year-old Chorlton bottling (£146.40) is a masterpiece.

Independent bottler Chorlton has selected and released this exemplary ex-bourbon cask that’s been resting for over two decades. It lets all that character shine through, unhindered by bold finishing. And with just 231 bottles available, it’s a rare treat. Secure yours now.

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Discover The Hearach Oloroso

Fire shapes the cask long before it shapes the whisky.

In the heat of Andalusia, oak is charred and brought to life by the coopers of José y Miguel Martín, flames licking at raw wood as the sherry butts are built.

These broad-chested Oloroso casks begin their life in the hot climate of Jerez before eventually making the long journey to Harris.

From sun-scorched Spain to the cool Atlantic climate and warehouses of Ardhasaig just a few short miles from the distillery door…

Years later, that same craft reveals itself again in the deep, rich notes of The Hearach Oloroso Cask Matured single malt, available online and from spirits stockists far and wide.

DISCOVER THE HEARACH OLOROSO

Boom, Bust & Early Branding

This post summarises another of the video discussions between Dave Broom and Iain Russell, now available in the History module of the Diploma in Single Malt Whisky (online and in-person). Read if you want to understand how Scotch survived collapse, war, Prohibition and cultural change. Get the full story in the Diploma.

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Loch Lomond Whiskies Unveils Duo of Limited Edition Single Malts Inspired by  The Spirit of The Open

 The striking new releases celebrate the spirit within, with new packaging designed to reflect the timeless character of golf’s original championship.

The Spirit of The Open, Loch Lomond Whiskies, has unveiled two new limited-edition single malts to mark The 154th Open  at Royal Birkdale.

Presented in striking new illustrative packaging, the releases capture the joy, anticipation and shared celebration of fans coming together around one of golf’s most iconic links courses.

The Open Course Collection 2026 (£195, 46.9 ABV) and The Open Course Special Edition 2026 (RRP £45; 46% ABV) celebrate Loch Lomond Whiskies’ longstanding partnership with golf’s original championship, now entering its ninth year. For 2026, both expressions are presented in a newly enhanced pack design inspired by vintage travel posters, bringing to life the true meaning of the ‘spirit of The Open’ and reflecting the timeless character of links golf on England’s north-west coast.

Both whiskies have been distilled exclusively using Loch Lomond Whiskies’ unique Straight Neck Stills. As the only Scotch distillery to use this innovative distillation technique, Master Blender Michael Henry is able to exert greater control over flavour creation, delivering a distinctive house style defined by notes of fruit, honey and soft smoke found only in the distillery’s single malts.

With just 3,000 bottles available worldwide, The Open Course Collection 2026 is a highly limited release. Patiently matured for 19 years, the whisky began its journey in American Oak before being finished for six months in Tawny Port casks. The finishing brings layers of rich red berries, dried fruits and sweet spice, complementing Loch Lomond’s signature character.

In a fitting tribute to those who have shaped the Championship, the pack also features the date, venue and winner of every Open, from the inaugural tournament at Prestwick in 1860 through to Royal Birkdale in 2026.

The Open Special Edition 2026 was created in collaboration with renowned Scottish golfer Colin Montgomerie, raising a glass to the people, places and moments that make The Open extraordinary. Matured initially in American oak to establish Loch Lomond’s signature style, the whisky has been finished for six months in Argentinian Malbec casks, adding notes of richer dark berries, vibrant red fruits and gentle spice.

Michael Henry, Master Blender at Loch Lomond Whiskies, said: “Royal Birkdale holds a special place in the history of The Open. As one of the purest tests of links golf, it has provided the stage for some of the Championship’s greatest moments. Through these new expressions, we have sought to explore the spirit of the course, the players and the craft that defines this historic venue.

“Each whisky is unmistakably Loch Lomond in character, showcasing our ability to create depth, balance and complexity while remaining true to our house style.”

Henry Keeling, Director – Commercial Partnerships at The R&A, said: “We are delighted to build on our long-standing partnership with Loch Lomond Group across both The Open and the AIG Women’s Open. Working with partners who share our ambition for these championships – and for the continued development of golf – is central to what we do.”

Loch Lomond Whiskies commissioned Bucket List Prints to curate the striking new art-work for its latest golf-inspired expressions.  Known for its vintage-inspired travel posters celebrating iconic destinations, landscapes, and experiences around the world, Bucket List Prints is a UK creative design agency, with global reach. Through its unique artwork it captures a strong sense of place, atmosphere, and story while building the composition to work seamlessly across the different pack formats.

Jack Franks, Bucket List Prints, added: “Courses like Royal Birkdale carry decades of history and character, which lends itself perfectly to a travel poster aesthetic.”

The Open Course Collection 2026 and The Open Course Special Edition 2026 are available from www.lochlomondwhiskies.com as well as key whisky retailers Master of Malt, The Whisky Shop, The Whisky Exchange and Royal Mile Whiskies.

Tasting notes 

Loch Lomond The Open Course Collection 2026

• Nose: Toasted oak, apple, ginger and vanilla.

• Taste: Toffee, pineapple, lemon, cinnamon spice, with red berries and dried fruits from the Tawny Port casks.

• Finish: Long with warming oak spice, dried fruit sweetness and soft smoke.

Loch Lomond The Open Special Edition 2026

• Nose: Dark berries, redcurrant and citrus zest with vanilla, honey and soft malt.

• Taste: Blackberry, raspberry and peach syrup, layered with crisp apple, toffee sweetness and gentle spice. A subtle threadof smoke runs through the palate.

• Finish: Medium length with lingering berry sweetness, soft oak spice and light, smoky warmth.

About Loch Lomond Whiskies

Loch Lomond Whiskies is an award-winning, independent Scotch whisky distiller which has been producing the finest single malt whiskies since 1814.  As a Highland malt, it is part of the largest and most diverse whisky-making region in Scotland.

The original site of the Loch Lomond Distillery was established near Tarbert, towards the northwest end of Loch Lomond. In the 1960s, under the leadership of American entrepreneur and chemist, Duncan Scott (who was instrumental in the ongoing success of Scotland’s oldest licensed distillery, Littlemill), a new site was created in Alexandria, which began a move to a more innovative philosophy and style of whisky-making that is still used today.

Located only a few miles from the famous loch, the distillery has a whisky-making capability like no other, using a combination of traditional swan-neck and its signature straight-neck-stills, which are unique to Loch Lomond Whiskies.

The straight neck stills give Master Blender Michael Henry greater control over the distillation process, allowing him to carefully manipulate the flavour profile of each whisky, and providing a signature fruit, honey and soft smoke flavour profile.

Loch Lomond Whiskies is one of only four distillers in Scotland to have its own onsite cooperage, ensuring that barrel repairs and charring are carried out to an exacting standard, so every cask is perfect for maturing whisky.

The distillery’s multi-award-winning range includes Loch Lomond Original; Loch Lomond 12 Year Old; Loch Lomond 12 Year Old; Loch Lomond Inchmoan 12 Year Old; Loch Lomond Inchmurrin 12 Year Old; Loch Lomond 18 Year Old; Loch Lomond 21 Year Old and Loch Lomond 30 Year Old, as well as Loch Lomond Single Grain (peated and unpeated) and the deluxe blend Loch Lomond Signature.

In 2023, it was recognised as the ‘Most Awarded Distillery’ at the globally renowned San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2023, achieving multiple Double Gold and Gold Awards for its collection of malt whisky brands.

In 2024, Loch Lomond 18 Year Old was revealed as The Whisky Exchange’s coveted ‘Whisky of the Year 2024’, achieving superior scores from the judging panel for its full-bodied and fruity character.

Front and back of the Bunning Bottle Release

KENTUCKY SENATOR BOURBON UNVEILS SEVENTH SMALL BATCH RELEASE

HONORING BASEBALL HALL OF FAMER AND U.S. SENATOR JIM BUNNING

This marks the second limited edition in vertical series with the John Edwards Release

LEXINGTON, KY — Kentucky Senator Bourbon today announced the release of its seventh small batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey: The Jim Bunning Release. The limited edition, vintage bourbon, hitting shelves into April, is the second in a vertical series with the John Edwards Release, featuring the same bourbon aged one additional year. The release is named for Jim Bunning (1931-2017), the only Major League Baseball player elected to both the Baseball Hall of Fame and the United States Senate.

The Jim Bunning Release is aged eight and a half years and bottled at 107 proof. The mash bill consists of 75% corn, 21% rye, and 4% malted barley. Approximately 4,000 bottles will be available at a suggested retail price of $119.99, the same price as last year’s award-winning John Edwards release. The bourbon is distilled and aged in Kentucky and bottled at Bardstown Bourbon Company. Distribution is handled by Kentucky Eagle Wine & Spirits.

Bunning served two terms in the U.S. Senate from 1999 to 2012. On August 2, 2007, he introduced Senate Resolution 294, which designated September as National Bourbon Heritage Month and established the phrase “America’s Native Spirit” as bourbon’s official designation. Visit https://kysenatorbourbon.com/ for more information.

The Jim Bunning Release will be available at select Kentucky retailers, bars, and restaurants, as well as online at www.BourbonOutfitter.com and www.KySenatorBourbon.com. A limited quantity will be featured at Jack Rose Dining Saloon in Washington, D.C., and the Premier Drams Bottle Shop.

“Jim Bunning gave bourbon its official recognition as America’s Native Spirit, and we’re proud to honor that contribution,” said co-founder Andre Regard, a direct descendant of bourbon pioneer Basil Hayden. “This vertical series allows collectors to experience how this bourbon develops with an additional year of aging.”

“Bunning’s Senate Resolution 294 was a landmark moment for the bourbon industry,” said co-founder Damon Thayer, a 2025 inductee into the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame for his legislative advocacy work. “This release, and the continuation of our vertical series, reflects our commitment to both quality and Kentucky’s bourbon heritage.”

For more information about Jim Bunning and the Kentucky Senator Bourbon portfolio, visit https://kysenatorbourbon.com/

Damon Thayer (left) and Andre Regard (right)

About Jim Bunning: 

Jim Bunning (1931-2017) was born in Southgate, Kentucky. He played 17 seasons in Major League Baseball, earning nine All-Star selections. On June 21, 1964, he pitched a perfect game for the Philadelphia Phillies against the New York Mets, the first perfect game in the National League since 1880. He retired with 224 wins and 2,855 strikeouts and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1996. Bunning served on the Southgate City Council, in the Kentucky State Senate, and in the U.S. House of Representatives before being elected to the U.S. Senate, where he served from 1999 to 2012.

Jim Bunning

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

JIM BUNNING COMPLETE BIOGRAPHY
1931-2017

Hall of Famer. U.S. Senator. Champion of Kentucky’s Native Spirit.

The Jim Bunning Release marks the seventh small-batch Bourbon in the Kentucky Senator portfolio. Aged eight and a half years, the Jim Bunning Release honors a true Kentucky original who never shied away from a challenge…whether on the pitcher’s mound, in the halls of Congress, or standing up for Bourbon itself.

Jim Bunning grew up in Southgate, Kentucky, just across the river from Cincinnati. His father ran a ladder-manufacturing business, and his mother kept the household grounded in Catholic faith and sturdy values. Competition ran in his blood. Jim lettered in three sports in high school, earned an economics degree from Xavier University, and in 1952 married his childhood sweetheart, Mary Catherine Theis. They were married from more than 60 years and raised nine children together; the Bunnings have 35 grandchildren today.

Bunning signed with the Detroit Tigers in 1950, but honored his parents’ wishes and finished college first. When he finally arrived in the majors, he made it count. By 1957, he led the American League in wins. A year later, he threw a no-hitter. Over 17 seasons, he earned nine All-Star selections and built a reputation as one of the most durable and fierce competitors in the game.

But his defining moment came on Father’s Day, 1964.

Bunning was a Philadelphia Phillie by then, with something to prove and seven kids waiting back home. On June 21, at Shea Stadium, he took the mound against the Mets. Twenty-seven batters came to the plate. Twenty-seven sat back down. A perfect game. The first in the National League in 84 years.

In the ninth inning, catcher Gus Triandos walked out to calm him. Bunning asked if Triandos could tell him a joke. Triandos just laughed and walked back behind the plate. Bunning struck out the final two batters to seal history.

“It couldn’t have come at a more appropriate time,” he said.

When he retired in 1971, Bunning had 224 wins and 2,855 strikeouts. The Phillies retired his number 14. Cooperstown followed in 1996. But Bunning wasn’t done making history.

After baseball, Bunning carried his competitive fire into politics, rising from city council to the state senate to the U.S. House before winning two terms in the U.S. Senate, where he served from 1999 to 2012. To this day, he remains the only Major League player ever elected to both the Baseball Hall of Fame and the United States Senate. Bold, plainspoken, and fiercely independent, he never backed down on budgets, principle, or the Commonwealth.

It was during those Senate years that Bunning made his most lasting mark on Bourbon.

On August 2, 2007, he introduced Senate Resolution 294, officially designating September as National Bourbon Heritage Month. But the calendar was just the beginning. Bunning’s resolution gave Bourbon an enduring title: “America’s Native Spirit.” That phrase now lives on distillery walls, in tasting rooms, and in the hearts of Bourbon lovers everywhere.

Jim Bunning passed away in 2017 at 85. He left behind a legacy that, like a fine Bourbon, only deepened with time.

Aged eight and a half years in charred oak barrels, the Jim Bunning Release is 107 proof with a mash bill of 75 percent corn, 21 percent rye, and 4 percent malted barley. Bold, uncompromising, and distinctly Kentucky.

It is the second in a three-bottle vertical series, following last year’s John Edwards release. The Bunning release will be available at Kentucky bars, restaurants and liquor outlets by late March and early April, and for the first time can be purchased online at www.kysenatorbourbon.com and availability in most states.

Raise a glass to Jim Bunning, number 14 on the mound and number 1 in our hearts. Hall of Famer. Senator. And a true champion of America’s Native Spirit!

Invergordon 50 Years Old

50cl

Invergordon Single Grain Scotch Whisky, distilled in November 1974 and aged 50 years in the Scottish Highlands. Matured exclusively in first fill bourbon barrels, this rare expression delivers rich vanilla, oak, and subtle fruit notes with a smooth, complex finish.

Bottled in November 2025 by Ardent Spirits at natural colour and no chill filtration.

£182.00

Invergordon Distillery, located in the Scottish Highlands, was established in 1960 and is primarily known for producing grain whisky. Unlike malt whisky distilleries, Invergordon uses continuous column stills to create smooth, light grain whisky that often serves as a key component in blended Scotch whiskies. Owned by Whyte & Mackay, the distillery focuses on high-volume production and has played an important role in Scotland’s whisky industry for decades.

Signatory Vintage Scotch is one of the most discerning independent bottlers of Scotch in the world. They bottle one cask at a time, capitalizing on the unique colour and flavour characteristics of each individual cask. By sourcing all-natural malts from the best distilleries in Scotland, selecting the best single batches and bottling only the finest casks within those batches. The resulting “single, single, single malt” this is about as exclusive it gets.

SHOP SIGNATORY VINTAGE