12 January 2026: The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) has announced the appointment of Rita Greenwood, Chief Investment Officer at William Grant & Sons, as the new Chair of the SWA Council.

The Chair, appointed for a two-year term, leads the Association’s Council of 16 representatives from member companies, which plays a central role in shaping the strategic direction and policy priorities of the Scotch whisky industry.

Rita has been a member of the William Grant & Sons Executive Board since 2017, with 23 years’ experience within the Scotch whisky industry.

William Grant & Sons succeeds Chivas Brothers as Chair of the SWA Council. Rita becomes the 24th Chair, and first female Chair in the Association’s 114-year history.

Her appointment comes at a pivotal time for the Scotch whisky sector, as the industry navigates global trade pressures, tariff uncertainty, regulatory change, and the accelerating transition to a more sustainable operating model.

Mark Kent, Chief Executive of the SWA, welcomed the appointment, saying: “Rita’s expertise in commercial excellence and strategy will be crucial as we navigate a challenging period for the Scotch whisky industry.

“Scotch whisky is being significantly impacted by multiple headwinds both here at home and in our global markets, but the industry is focused on overcoming these challenges and delivering long-term sustainable growth.

“The work of the SWA Council is vitally important to ensure Scotch whisky is best placed to make the most of future opportunities. Rita’s experience, passion, and deep understanding of the Scotch whisky sector will help to drive forward the important work before us, ensuring the industry reaches 2030 in a position of strength. We very much look forward to working with her.”

Rita Greenwood said: “I am proud to take on the role of Chair at such an important moment for the Scotch whisky industry. The SWA is vital in representing our collective interests, in championing the sector as we face immediate challenges and unlocking long-term growth opportunities.

“Scotch whisky has a remarkable global reputation and makes a significant economic contribution, but members face a challenging global market at present, so, it is more important than ever that we continue to raise its profile.

“I am committed to ensuring a sustainable future for Scotch whisky and am looking forward to working with Council colleagues and the SWA team to help ensure the industry continues to thrive in the years ahead.”

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THE BORDERS DISTILLERY APPOINTS GIANCARLO BIANCHI AS MANAGING DIRECTOR

Hawick distillery strengthens leadership team to drive next phase of growth and international expansion

The Borders Distillery has announced the appointment of Giancarlo Bianchi as its new Managing Director,  marking an important new chapter for the Scotch whisky producer, as it continues to scale its domestic and international presence.

Giancarlo brings more than 15 years of commercial and strategic leadership experience within premium spirits SMEs. Most recently at Penderyn Distillery in Wales, he progressed from operational and technical management into senior commercial leadership, developed international growth strategies, opened new export markets, and delivered sustained revenue expansion.

Giancarlo will take up his position with effect from 1 st April 2026.

Commenting on his appointment, Giancarlo said:

“It’s a privilege to be joining The Borders Distillery at such an exciting time in its journey. The business already has strong foundations, from production capability to brand authenticity, and there’s significant potential for growth both in the UK and internationally. I’m looking forward to working with the team to build on that platform, strengthen our presence in key markets and drive the brand in a sustainable way, ensuring that whisky production becomes a landmark industry in this ancient and historic region.”

His appointment comes at a pivotal moment for The Borders Distillery; established in Hawick in 2018, the distillery has brought the craft of Scotch whisky making back to the Scottish Borders for the first time since 1837 and is currently gearing up to launch its first single malt Scotch.

Harvinder Hungin, Chairman at The Borders Distillery, added:

“Giancarlo’s combination of operational and commercial understanding together with international distribution makes him ideally placed to lead the next phase of our development. His proven ability to transform production led operations and grow branded sales aligns perfectly with our ambitions.” 

For more information on The Borders Distillery, visit www.thebordersdistillery.com

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About The Borders Distillery:

Located in Hawick in the Scottish Borders and opened in March 2018, The Borders Distillery revived Scotch Whisky distilling in an ancient and historic region, where Scotch Whisky was last made in 1837. Hawick is renowned for its world class tweed and cashmere industries. Using locally grown barley, mineral rich water and a dedicated team of young, local talent, The Borders Distillery has been quietly laying down stocks with a view to launching its Single Malt Scotch Whisky.

The Borders Distillery Limited, Commercial Rd, Hawick, Scotland. TD9 7AQ

A Classic Returns

This Father’s Day, we’re bringing back something special. For a limited time, Glengoyne 10 Year Old returns exclusively to Glengoyne.com, available with a personalised label to create a gift as thoughtful as the man receiving it. In fact, for Father’s Day, all personalisation is on us, including both engraving and personalised labels. Add a name, a date, or a message that means something, turning a beautifully crafted whisky into a gift he’ll keep long after it’s opened.

*Offer available until 21 June 2026

Full terms and conditions

Whether your dad is new to whisky, or a seasoned expert – you can be sure he’ll love the taste of our award-winning single malts.

For something light and sweet, you can’t go wrong with our signature expression –  Doocot.

For a little added richness check out Balcomie, which is 100% matured in ex-oloroso sherry casks.

Or, for something with a hint of light smoke and peat, Coaltown is the one to go for.

Discover Our Core Range

On Sunday 14 June, at nine o’clock in the evening BST, Scotland will walk out at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough and play a FIFA World Cup match for the first time since 1998. Twenty-eight years is a long time to wait for the match we have finally allowed ourselves to write at the top of a newsletter without a footnote. We have written it. We are moving on.

What we have done about it sits on the bench in front of us. Three 35cl limited-edition bottles of single malt Scotch whiskies, hand-bottled here in Thurso, released together as a single Wolfburn set to mark Scotland’s three group-stage fixtures at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. We are calling the set Drams for the Tartan Army.

A certain football tournament is capturing the imagination of a nation. To commemorate this event we have bottled a 10 year old Teaninich finished in a first fill ex-Pedro Ximénez octave. Spending just shy of year in the ex PX cask, please note this will have sediment due to being a natural product and being non chill filtered. Expect layers of rich dried fruit, ginger, figs, orange peal zest and sweetness from the first fill PX.

In collaboration with local artist and designer MARINELLO STUDIO the label features his design inspired by an iconic moment from qualifying for said unnamed tournament, the McTominay overhead kick. If you would like McTominay immortalised as a t-shirt while you enjoy your dram please see the Marinello Studio webshop here.

Price includes UK delivery.

Buy Now £65.00

EDINBURGH WHISKY ENTREPRENEURS TAKE ON 54-MILE HIGHLAND CHALLENGE FOR CHARITY

Edinburgh, May 2026; Edinburgh whisky entrepreneurs are swapping drams for hiking boots this summer as they prepare to take on the legendary Cateran Yomp in support of the Army Benevolent Fund.

Adam Harding and Tom Costello – the team behind award-winning Leith whisky business Tailored Spirits Co. – have spent recent months training across Edinburgh and beyond ahead of the gruelling 54-mile endurance challenge through the Perthshire Highlands.

Widely regarded as one of the UK’s toughest endurance events, on 6-7th June 2026 the Cateran Yomp sees challengers cover 54 miles in under 24 hours, climbing more than 2,000 metres across rugged Scottish terrain while raising vital funds for soldiers, veterans and military families.

The challenge comes just weeks after Tailored Spirits Co. celebrated national success at the Stelios Foundation UK Young Entrepreneur Awards, where Co-Founders Adam Harding and Carl Johnstone secured a £50,000 prize in recognition of the company’s rapid growth, innovation and international success.

As training continues, the Tailored Spirits team will be sharing regular updates across Instagram, documenting everything from preparation walks and fundraising efforts to the challenge itself. Supporters will also be able to follow live updates throughout the 24-hour Cateran Yomp as the team takes on one of Scotland’s toughest endurance events.

Founded in Edinburgh in 2024, Tailored Spirits Co. has quickly established itself as one of Scotland’s most exciting whisky businesses, working with private clients, luxury brands and hospitality groups around the world to create bespoke single cask Scotch whiskies.

Rather than operating as a traditional independent bottler, Tailored Spirits positions itself as an experience-led whisky partner, guiding clients through the full journey – from cask selection and liquid style to brand design and final bottling.

Now, the team is turning their attention from whisky tastings and luxury client events to endurance training.

Over the past several months, the team have completed countless training walks across Scotland, clocked up miles around Edinburgh and made repeated climbs of Arthur’s Seat as they prepare for what is likely to be the most physically demanding challenge they have ever undertaken.

The Cateran Yomp will see participants set off on 6th June before walking through the night and into the following morning in a test of endurance, resilience and determination.

Adam Harding, Co-Founder & Director of Tailored Spirits Co. said: “The Cateran Yomp is an incredible event with a brilliant cause behind it, so we’re really proud to be taking part this year. We’ve spent months training, putting miles in the legs and trying to get ourselves into shape for what’s likely to be the toughest 24 hours we’ve ever faced. There’s been plenty of Scottish wind, rain and early starts along the way.

“As a business proudly based in Edinburgh and passionate about Scotland, community and bringing people together through whisky, it felt like a really meaningful event for us to get involved with. We’re delighted to be supporting the Army Benevolent Fund and would be hugely grateful for any support.”

The Army Benevolent Fund is the British Army’s national charity, supporting soldiers, former soldiers and their families for life. The charity provides financial assistance, independent living support and wellbeing services to thousands of people across the UK each year.

Supporters can follow the team’s progress and donate HERE 

Find out everything about Scotland’s most exciting bespoke whisky bottler here 

About Tailored Spirits Co.

Experts in spirits, specialising in whisky supply, creating exceptional brands and bottlings. Tailored Spirits Co. is an Edinburgh-based, global-serving company who guide clients through the complexities of spirits bottling projects and ensure their dreams are achieved.

W: https://www.tailoredspirits.co.uk/
I: @tailoredspiritsco
F: @tailoredspiritsco
L: @tailoredspiritsco

Texas Whiskey Festival Announces The Must-Have 2026 Texas Whiskeys

 An annual blind tasting event tied to the festival and conducted by judges reveals the bottles that are the cream of the crop of the Texas whiskey scene.

AUSTIN, Texas — When you think Texas, think Texas whiskey. Once again the Texas Whiskey Festival, the signature brown spirits event in the Lone Star State, brought together the best of the best, highlighting through its coveted awards program the must-try Texas whiskeys of the moment.

One thing that quickly emerged in 2026 is a snapshot of Texas whiskey in motion. The evolution of flavor, working with the grains, climate, and individual styles, creates remarkable whiskey that is a reflection of the state and the people who make it.

“Texas whiskey reflects where it’s made and who’s making it—the heat, the grain, the independence,” said Jake Clements, founder of the Texas Whiskey Festival. “What we’re seeing now is a category coming into its own, with distillers writing their own playbook. That’s what makes it so compelling.”

The whiskey type Texas is best known for is bourbon. The high-quality Texan grains, hot Texan summers, and fierce Texan pride all combine to bring to the world stage bourbons easily rivaling those coming out of Kentucky. For the 2026 Texas Whiskey Festival Best Bourbon, the must-try bottle is Garrison Brothers Cowboy Bourbon. A monster of an expression aged at least six years and bottled at a staggering 146.4 proof, it is a testament to the pioneering Texan bourbon distillery behind it in crafting such a high ABV offering that is so loved by so many and highly sought after each year it is released.

This exceptional bourbon also got the coveted nod as the overall must-try of all the whiskeys submitted for judging.

Another well-known whiskey category out of Texas is rye. The top 2026 Texas Whiskey Festival choice here, Koopers Family Barrel Reserve Rye, is a masterfully crafted blend of straight rye whiskeys, each aged between four and seven years from a mix of first and second fill barrels. As if this wasn’t enough, the team at Koopers Family then finishes the blend with toasted oak staves before bottling this at barrel proof.

Malt whiskeys, particularly American single malts, are another whiskey category that’s put Texas on the map. For 2026, the Festival must-try bottle is the Andalusia Whiskey Co. Cigar Malt. A joint venture between master blender Irene Tan and one of the best of the “grain-to-glass” distilleries in all of Texas, this very limited edition American single malt release is a peated, wine cask finished bottling meant to pair with the finest in cigars. Delivering rich notes of dark fruit and tobacco, it is a perfect whiskey for any time of the year.

Light whiskey and cask finished whiskeys are also big must-haves in Texas. Judges from the Texas Whiskey Festival sampled a number of well-produced offerings in these categories. For light whiskey, a type of whiskey developed in the late 1960s to help brands at that time compete against white spirits in a changing market, the must-have is from light whiskey specialists Austin Craft Spirits. Their Austin 121 is a bottled at cask strength release that varies in high proof barrel by barrel.

Cask finished whiskeys in Texas build upon the already high-quality spirits put forth by local distilleries. A range of cask finishing types showcase the diversity of possibilities in this category — for the must-have choice from the 2026 Festival, Andalusia Whiskey Co. is again on the list with its Madeira Cask Stryker. This bold American single malt, distilled from grains smoked with oak, mesquite, and apple woods, is finished for six months in ex-Madeira casks, resulting in flavors of BBQ, campfire, leather, and dark chocolate.

In addition to the judge awards, the night of the Festival revealed the People’s Choice Award Winner.  Milam & Green Whiskey was this year’s winner. An error during the event resulted in an incorrect initial announcement of the People’s Choice Award. Final results have since been verified, and we apologize for any confusion.

“This tasting is about what people actually enjoy drinking, not just what checks technical boxes,” noted Clements. “Each of these bottles earned its place in the glass and reflects where Texas whiskey is today—bold, diverse, and continuing to evolve.”

Judging for the Texas Whiskey Festival occurs annually, with all entries being put through a blind tasting process, grouped by style. Judges focus on tasting criteria that prioritizes what people actually want to drink.

About Texas Whiskey Festival 

The purpose of the annual Texas Whiskey Festival is to promote and enhance the brands of the many great distilleries throughout Texas. Along with promotion, we’re focused on educating whiskey enthusiasts on the many fantastic whiskeys produced in our great state, while having fun, drinking great whiskey, and building memorable experiences. We believe that Texas has some of the best distilleries and whiskeys in the world, and the Texas Whiskey Festival is an opportunity to expand the reach and status of Texas Whiskey through public and private events.

A warm welcome everyone to our now live 180th auction!  As ever we have a tremendous selection of bottles to choose from, with just about every flavour profile on the planet represented.  To get your watchlist moving we’ve picked out a few special bottlings you might want to keep your eye on.

A fantastic bottle this one from a now-defunct Italian independent bottler, this is the Ardbeg 1966 ‘The Birds’ Moon Import 75cl.  Until their untimely demise in 2015 Moon were well known for the quality of their releases and this gem is no exception.  A real old-school Ardbeg single cask from the 1966 vintage, this one is surely to get Islay collectors enthused.

Next up, and a bit of a departure from Islay, we have a rather magnificent bourbon from one of the States oldest and most respected brands, this is the Michter’s 20 Year Old Limited Release.  Aged for two whole decades this deliciously decadent dram represents for some the pinnacle of bourbon production, and that is saying something given the vast range of high-quality bourbons on the American market.

Back to something a bit closer to home, but by no means less interesting, this understated belter is the Springbank 35 Year Old Millennium Collection.  This venerable whisky is from Springbank’s famed Millennium Collection and is an incredible 35 years old while still retaining a respectable 46% ABV.  Ever popular in the secondary market Springbank shows no signs of letting up yet.

And last but by no means least we have an outstanding bottling from a distillery which is REALLY close to home for us here at SWA, this is the Auchentoshan 1957 50 Year Old Single Cask #480.  As the title suggests this remarkable whisky was distilled way back in 1957 and has spent five whole decades ageing to perfection in a single sherry butt.  One of only 144 bottles released this whisky has a darkly inviting hue to add to its already impressive pedigree.As always we have an enormous selection of drams to suit every budget on offer this month, so now is the time to delve into this month’s offerings and start building that watchlist.

Best of luck to everyone in the auction, and as always………..don’t lose your bottle.

Certificate in Scotch Whisky

Most whisky drinkers can recognise a couple of key flavours. Not many understand where all those delicious flavours might actually come from. Our bestselling Certificate in Scotch Whisky course explores the history, production, maturation and culture behind Scotland’s national drink, helping every dram make a little more sense. Accessible, self-paced and fun. Have you completed it yet?

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