Glen Moray extends ‘Official Whisky’ partnership with ISPS Handa Senior Open
Speyside single malt signs for three more years and toasts success of 2026 Championship at Gleneagles
Champion Jerry Kelly with Glen Moray’s Iain Allan and the winner’s bottle
Picture credit: Getty
After four days of sunshine, whisky sampling and a thrilling display of world class golf at Gleneagles last month, Glen Moray has today (17th August) announced a three year extension of its partnership with the ISPS Handa Senior Open as the Championship’s ’s ‘Official Whisky’.
Celebrating the global appeal and shared Scottish roots of golf and whisky, the extended contract will take Glen Moray to Royal Porthcawl in 2027 and beyond, with plans to share the Speyside distillery’s beloved single malts with even more golf fans in the years ahead.
The ISPS Handa Senior Open is Europe’s only senior major, hosted each July at an iconic UK golf course. One of the sport’s most sought after senior titles, it attracts over 20,000 fans each year, offering a unique chance to see 144 of golf’s legendary players in action.
Since signing an initial three year deal starting at Carnoustie in 2024, Glen Moray’s on-site tasting room, bottle shop and sampling programme have grown to become one of the Championship’s most popular attractions amongst spectators.
This year’s introduction of a deeper tasting and masterclass experience, led by the Elgin-based distiller’s Global Brand Ambassador Iain Allan and his team, proved a hit – with nearly 600 guests exploring Glen Moray’s smooth, fruity Speyside spirit in one of four complimentary whisky flights across the brand’s Explorer, Heritage, Xperience and Warehouse 1 ranges.
The Glen Moray Chipping Challenge was also back and busier than ever: three barrels, six balls and six shots at glory, attempted by a phenomenal1500 participants this year, all keen to take on the ultimate ‘golf meets whisky’ test!
All players at this year’s Championship were gifted a bottle of one of Glen Moray’s most recently launched expressions from the Xperience Range, Forbidden Fruit. In addition, there were drams and cocktails on offer in hospitality at Gleneagles Hotel and at the pre-event’s Pro-Am tournament.
After a brilliant four days of golfing action on King’s Course Gleneagles and an exhilarating final day of play, Iain Allan had the privilege of presenting a unique bottle of Glen Moray – a single cask #5286, distilled in 1994 and bottled in 2026 exclusively for the Championship – to this year’s popular winner, Jerry Kelly.
Stephen Watt, Commercial and Marketing Director at Glen Moray commented: ‘After three successful years of partnership with the ISPS Handa Senior Open, we are more convinced than ever that world class golf and whisky go hand in hand. Being part of this incredible Championship is a huge source of pride, and an opportunity for us to bring thousands of golf fans into the world of Glen Moray to explore our award-winning range of Speyside single malts. The enthusiasm and feedback we receive every year is overwhelmingly positive. And now, with three more years ahead of us, we look forward to planning more exciting activations and to playing our part in the ongoing success of the Championship.’
Edward Kitson, Championship Director of the ISPS Handa Senior Open, added: “We are delighted to extend our partnership with Glen Moray for another three years. The ISPS HANDA Senior Open is where legends of the game test their skills on some of the finest courses in the UK and It’s only fitting that a legendary Scottish whisky continues to be there.
“We look forward to working together to showcase their products to the thousands of fans at Royal Porthcawl next year and beyond.”
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Glen Moray – Cask Explorer since 1897
Crafted in the heart of Speyside since 1897, Glen Moray’s smooth, fruity single malt whisky embodies the classic Speyside style. It has been made on the banks of the River Lossie in Elgin for over 125 years using skills passed down through the generations and a process that includes double distillation in copper stills and careful ageing in traditional warehouses. The distillery’s craftsmen are experts in maturing and marrying many different types of casks, creating the array of flavours which inspire Glen Moray’s extensive range. Inclusive and inviting, Glen Moray is perfect for enjoying on its own and in cocktails, by whisky aficionados and new whisky fans alike.
About the ISPS HANDA Senior Open
Jerry Kelly held his nerve brilliantly down the stretch at The Gleneagles Hotel to claim a two-shot win at the 2026 ISPS HANDA Senior Open.
Kelly was a three-time winner on the PGA TOUR and Presidents Cup player in 2003 before entering the senior game, where he has 14 wins on the PGA TOUR Champions, including two Senior Players Championships and the Senior Open trophy.
Bernhard Langer became the first golfer in history to win The Senior Open four times with his victory in 2019 at Royal Lytham & St Annes – moving ahead of Gary Player and Tom Watson with whom he previously shared three wins. The German also broke his own record of Senior Major Championship victories – securing his 11th at Royal Lytham & St Annes and since adding a 12th at the 2023 US Senior Open.
The Senior Open was introduced in 1987 at Turnberry in Ayrshire when Neil Coles, the former Chairman of the Board of Directors of the European Tour group, won the inaugural title. This led, two years later, to the formal inception of what is now the Legends Tour. It has since been held at some of the United Kingdom’s most historic and renowned venues, including the Old Course at St Andrews, Royal County Down, Carnoustie, Royal Birkdale, Royal Portrush and Royal Lytham & St Annes.
