The Islands Come to Shore: Hebridean Whisky Trail Announces Inaugural Oban Takeover

OBAN, SCOTLAND – The Hebridean Whisky Trail is set to make waves on the mainland this spring with the launch of its first-ever Hebridean Whisky Show. On Saturday, 25 April 2026, the trail journeys to Oban for a one-day takeover of the iconic MacGregor’s at the Whisky Vaults.

This inaugural showcase offers whisky enthusiasts a rare opportunity to experience the collective character of the Hebrides in a single location. Attendees can expect to experience exclusive tastings and expert-led masterclasses, enhanced with the much-loved live traditional music of MacGregor’s.

“We are thrilled to bring the spirits of the Hebrides to Oban,” said Cindy Campbell, Development Manager of the Hebridean Whisky Trail. “This show is designed to be a sensory bridge between the mainland and the islands, offering a preview of the wild and beautiful whisky adventure that awaits those who travel the trail itself.”

The April event serves as a prelude to the annual Hebridean Whisky Festival, which returns from 5–12 September 2026. Throughout the festival week, member distilleries will host a series of exclusive tours, warehouse tastings, and cultural events on their home soil. The celebrations will reach a crescendo on Saturday, 12 September, with the Festival Finale at the Isle of Raasay Distillery. The finale will unite all trail members for a grand celebration featuring a Q&A panel with the makers, rare drams, and live music.

Whether you are a seasoned connoisseur or a curious newcomer, the Hebridean Whisky Trail invites you to join them in 2026 for a journey through the landscapes, people, and spirits that define Scottish island life.

Tickets for the Hebridean Whisky Show in Oban are available now. For more information and to book your place, visit https://hebrideanwhiskytrail.com/show

• The Hebridean Whisky Trail is a collaboration between seven single malt Scotch whisky distilleries across the islands of Skye, Raasay, Harris, North Uist, Benbecula, and Tiree.
• Event Date (Oban): 12:00-17:00 Saturday, 25 April 2026, at MacGregor’s at the Whisky Vaults.
• Festival Dates: 5–12 September 2026, across the Hebrides.

Festival Finale: Saturday, 12 September 2026 at Isle of Raasay Distillery

Skene Scotch Whisky LTD

Linkwood 14 Years Old “Skene Dhu”

ABV: 48% 70 cL

Our whiskies may be made in Harris, but part of their story always begins in Kentucky. Much of the new-make spirit for our single malts spend time maturing in ex-bourbon casks sourced from distilleries in the USA.

By law, American bourbon must be aged in brand new, charred oak barrels. Once used, those casks can’t be used again for bourbon, so they travel across the Atlantic for a second life here in our warehouses. At the distillery, our casks come from some of Kentucky’s best-known producers, namely Buffalo Trace, Heaven Hill and Woodford Reserve.

These American oak barrels play a huge role in shaping the character of our dram, whether enjoyed in its purest form in our limited single cask releases or as part of the recipes used in The Hearach range. There are historic connections between our islands and the Bluegrass state too, as many islanders emigrated there over a century ago, so the connections of people and place also stay alive in this special way.

DISCOVER OUR WHISKIES

The Good Dram Show – Episode 627 ‘Whisky Craft & Glaschu Spirits’

Welcome to this week’s episode of the show in which I’ll be taking a look at some new releases from two relatively new Independent Bottling companies, Whisky Craft and Glaschu Spirits. The Good Dram Show with Chris Goodrum Episode 627 – On The Balance Of Things, Does It Have Balance..? Filmed in The Study Nottingham

Featuring

Whisky Craft Aultmore 13 year old 57.6%
Whisky Craft Loch Lomond 13 year old 58.9%
Whisky Craft Auchroisk 17 year old 51.4%

whiskycraft.co.uk

Glaschu Spirits Tormore 15 year old 50%
Glaschu Spirits Peallach (Ledaig) 10 year old 50%
Glaschu Spirits Ardnamurchan 5 year old 55%

damgooddrams.com

Evan Williams ® Single Barrel Debuts Bourbon Nation Collegiate Editions for Five Universities
Limited -Edition Bottles Begin Shipping to Key Markets Amidst March Madness and Spring Graduation Season

BARDSTOWN, Ky. — [March 24, 2026] — Evan Williams, the #1 American-Owned Bourbon, is announcing its release of five highly limited Evan Williams Single Barrel Bourbon Nation Collegiate Edition bottles celebrating The University of Alabama, University of Florida, Syracuse University, TCU, and the University of South Carolina. Every bottle features the respective university logo and is hand-selected from an individual barrel.

These Bourbon Nation Collegiate Edition bottles will be in their respective markets by early April, just in time for the excitement of March Madness and the celebrations of spring graduation season. Each bottle features a distinctive wax-dipped top in the coordinating color of the featured university, along with a custom hang tag showcasing the school’s official logo. The design creates a keepsake that allows fans and alumni to celebrate their school spirit while enjoying a uniquely selected single barrel bourbon.

The releases will be exclusively distributed within each school’s home state, creating a highly localized, limited-availability opportunity. These Bourbon Nation bottles are designed as collectible bottlings that celebrate each school’s tradition, heritage, and pride.

Evan Williams Single Barrel reflects the time-honored methods first established when the brand’s namesake opened Kentucky’s first distillery on the banks of the Ohio River in 1783. Today, each barrel is chosen for its distinctive character and bottled individually at 43.3% ABV (86.6 proof), creating a unique expression that pairs perfectly with moments worth celebrating—on campus and beyond.

“As a bourbon brand rooted in tradition, we love being part of the moments that bring people together,” said Max Stefka, Associate Vice President of Global Whiskey Brands, Heaven Hill. “These Bourbon Nation Collegiate Editions give fans and alumni a meaningful way to celebrate their schools, whether they’re cheering during tournament season, marking graduation, or simply sharing a glass with fellow fans.”

The Bourbon Nation Collegiate Edition bottles are part of Evan Williams Bourbon Nation, the brand’s platform celebrating the traditions and community of college sports fandom. Through partnerships with leading universities across the country, Bourbon Nation brings fans together around the energy of game day – from tailgates and watch parties to post-win celebrations, while enjoying America’s second-largest selling Bourbon responsibly.

In addition to these five editions, the brand is planning a second wave of Bourbon Nation Collegiate Edition releases timed for the fall football season with an expanded lineup of universities to be announced later this year. The Evan Williams Single Barrel Bourbon Nation Collegiate Editions will be available while supplies last within each university’s home state at an SRP of $34.99.

ABOUT EVAN WILLIAMS:  Evan Williams is among the leaders in the American Whiskey segment as the #1 American-owned Bourbon and the world’s second largest-selling Bourbon. In 1783, the brand’s namesake opened Kentucky’s First Distillery on the banks of the Ohio River. Many years and barrels later, Evan Williams Bourbon is still produced the right way, using the same time-honored methods. Since 2015, Evan Williams has proudly supported Veteran-focused organizations nationwide, contributing more than $750,000 to initiatives that honor and empower those who have served our country. In 2024, the brand debuted ‘Evan Williams Bourbon Nation’ to celebrate college athletics through a partnership with Learfield, making Kentucky’s 1st Distiller Game Day’s #1 Pour. The multi-year deal currently includes powerhouse universities across the country. The Evan Williams Bourbon Experience (www.EvanWilliamsBourbonExperience.com) celebrates the legacy of Evan Williams through an immersive visitor’s center experience that brings to life the history and tradition of Kentucky’s native spirit as an official stop on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Learn more at www.EvanWilliams.com.

Heaven Hill reminds everyone to think wisely, drink wisely®.

At 18 glorious years of age, this Scallywag Speyside malt reaches it’s crowning moment – it’s final years spent in the finest Pedro Ximénez sherry casks from Jerez in Southern Spain. With only 2,610 bottles globally, this release is understated in presentation, yet assured in quality, inviting you to savour life’s more considered moments. Bottled by Douglas Laing, at natural colour and no chill filtration.

SUPER SINGLE POT STILL IRISH WHISKEY

Irish Whiskey Month continues this March and today we take a deep dive into Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey…

So, what is Single Pot Still Whiskey? Pot Still Whiskey is characterised by the use of unmalted barley, and other grains, in the mash bill; all of which are then distilled via a Pot Still. The result of this ‘mixed-mashbill’ and pot still distillation is a much more creamy and spicy spirit than you might find from your typical single malt.

At the Whisky Shop, we have some of the finest Single Pot Still Whiskey from Old Comber to Green Spot and Redbreast!

Sláinte!

SINGLE POT STILL IRISH WHISKEY >

Free Next Day Delivery for 12 Months For just £14.95 you can enjoy free next day delivery on all your orders for a whole year! Geographic restrictions apply, see full T&Cs. Find out more ❯