The Whisky Bothy – THREE Best Value Scotch Whiskies for 2025

HOUSE OF HAZELWOOD & HEDONISM WINES UNVEIL
THE ULTIMATE WHISKY FOR HEDONISTIC PALATES

The Pursuit of Pleasure, 52 Year Old Blended Scotch Whisky, available exclusively
to pre-order from Hedonism Wines now

Bottle shot of The Pursuit of Pleasure, 52 Year Old Blended Scotch Whisky, available exclusively from Hedonism Wines

House of Hazelwood and the purveyors of fine spirits, Hedonism Wines, have come together to create whisky’s answer to the definition of Hedonism: The Pursuit of Pleasure, a 52 Year Old Blended Scotch Whisky.

In a literal ‘pursuit of pleasure’ the Hedonism team travelled to House of Hazelwood’s Speyside home in search of the perfect blend. Drawing on whisky from deep within the Gordon family’s private collection,

a panel of Hedonism’s finest experts spent days with House of Hazelwood whisky makers sampling hundreds of parcels of whisky in search of finding the components to create the ultimate blend.  The result is The Pursuit of Pleasure, a 52-Year-Old Blended Scotch Whisky, matured in a combination of American White Oak and European Sherry Casks. ​

For almost one hundred years, generations of the Gordon family have carefully laid down stocks of whisky for special occasions and consumption. The result is they have accumulated the greatest inventory of rare Scotch Whisky in the World, which is today is known as House of Hazelwood.

Eilidh Muir, whisky blender for House of Hazelwood, at a blending session with the Hedonism team at their London store in Mayfair. (credit: John Paul Photography)

The Hedonism team spent time working hand-in-hand with Eilidh Muir, Blender and the House of Hazelwood team to perfect the blend. From visiting the private dunnage warehouses to sample directly from the cask to holding blending sessions allowing the team to directly input into the final recipe.  The result is a truly hand-selected limited edition bottle that is not only a delicious addition to any spirits cabinet but also a true collectors’ items, never to be repeated.

“To be invited to sample whisky from the family’s private collection is every whisky connoisseur’s dream”, said Tom Olive, Assistant Spirit Buyer from Hedonism. “Our aim was simple: to produce a blend of pure indulgence. The result is a whisky that can be described as “decadence decanted”. This whisky is dense on the nose, with sticky jam sweetness, offset against leathery tannins and orange zest. The smoking charcoal balances the sweetness, with a barley sugar character making its way through.” 

To celebrate the launch, House of Hazelwood and Hedonism Wines, held a bespoke six-course tasting dinner at the Michelin-starred HIDE restaurant, part of the Hedonism Group. The menu, which was created by chef Ollie Dabbous, paired each course with a House of Hazelwood whisky to reflect the flavours presented within this hedonistic blend. The dinner marks the start of an exciting partnership with HIDE to host House of Hazelwood consumer events within the coming months.

Commenting on the partnership with Hedonism, House of Hazelwood Director Jonathan Gibson, said:

“Making a truly exceptional whisky takes decades of patience but thanks to our extensive aged stocks the journey from cask to bottle can be navigated within a matter of months. Given the breadth and depth of our stocks which spans every corner of Scotland, our bespoke blend offering allows us to work closely with partners and private individuals to uncover whisky stocks and flavours to create something truly special that match their creative vision.”

With just 72 bottles of The Pursuit of Pleasure available exclusively from Hedonism, this limited edition is on pre-order from 21^st October. 

House of Hazelwood – The Pursuit of Pleasure – Tasting Notes and Product Details 

The Pursuit of Pleasure, 52-Year-Old Blended Scotch Whisky, xx% ABV, 72 bottles worldwide, UK RRSP £4,000 

Presenting The Pursuit of Pleasure, a collaborative endeavour in the alchemy of blending with Hedonism Wines, a 52-Year-Old Blended Scotch Whisky, matured in a combination of American White Oak and European Sherry Casks. ​​

Nose: The nose is dense, the sticky jam sweetness almost palpable. Saddlery workshops cut through the sweetness, with hints of furniture polish and leather apparent, before a zingy zest of burnt orange takes the floor. ​​

Palate: The palate is lively, with more sweetness echoed in an effervescent barley sugar character. Light oak and vanilla make wonderful bedfellows, setting the scene for a long, lingering finish of gently smoking charcoal embers upon a barbecue. ​

About House of Hazelwood

For almost one hundred years, generations of the Gordon family have carefully laid down stocks of whisky for special occasions and personal consumption. This rare collection has become known as House of Hazelwood, after the family’s Dufftown home – Hazelwood House.

Today, the House of Hazelwood collection has grown to become the greatest inventory of aged Scotch whisky held anywhere in the world. Spanning seven decades and every corner of Scotland, the diverse whiskies held in cask tell stories of remarkable places, lost ways of working, first casks, last casks, the ambitions and achievements of several lifetimes – none of which will be repeated.

The House of Hazelwood inventory is held in several carefully selected warehouses across Scotland, with fresh stocks laid down each year. Prior to bottling, a small proportion of the stocks are held in traditional dunnage warehousing near Dufftown in Speyside, from where they are carefully monitored and sampled ahead of release.

Website: www.houseofhazelwood.com

Facebook & Instagram: @HouseofHazelwoodScotch

 About The Hedonism Group

The Hedonism Group is a unique collection of Mayfair dining and drinking establishments which encompasses Hedonism, the original namesake wine & spirits store on Davies Street; the Michelin-starred HIDE restaurant on Piccadilly; renowned cocktail bar, The Bar Below; Hideaway, an all-day boutique café at 100 Mount St; and finally, The White Horse, a London wine bar, tucked just off Shepherd Market.

Hedonism Wines was founded in 2012 as an emporium of fine wines and spirits. The dedicated team of passionate enthusiasts work tirelessly with customers to find sought after bottles, including some of the rarest in the world.

In April 2018, in partnership with renowned chef Ollie Dabbous, HIDE and The Bar Below opened on Piccadilly. In just 6 months, the restaurant went on to achieve 1 Michelin Star; an accolade it has retained for the last 6 years. Serving breakfast, lunch & dinner, seven days a week, HIDE showcases the best of seasonal ingredients with much of the menu made in-house, from charcuterie, bread, jams, juices & pickles. In addition, the extensive wine list reflects the cellars of Hedonism, with well over 5,000 bottles on offer.

Website: https://hedonism.co.uk/

Facebook & Instagram: @Hedonism Wines / @hedonism_wines

Chivas Regal 18 unveils sleek new look: 25% lighter glass bottle, same award winning taste

Blended Scotch whisky, Chivas Regal, has unveiled a sleek new look for its award-winning Chivas Regal 18. Featuring a 25% glass weight reduction on its flagship 70cl bottle and fully recyclable outer packaging[1], the elevated, redesigned bottle – housing the same award-winning Scotch – reaffirms not only Chivas Regal’s dedication to luxury, but also its wider commitment to reducing its environmental impact.

From this month, whisky enthusiasts around the world will experience Chivas Regal’s award-winning blend in its elevated new look. The updated bottle features a taller, prouder silhouette with rounded shoulders, and a jewel-like, layered, and multi-faceted label. The iconic Luckenbooth, a traditional Scottish symbol that embodies Chivas Regal’s heritage and values, is now positioned at the heart of the label, and embossed into the glass base. The classic Chivas Regal shield and crossed spears – now embossed into the glass for a more refined and luxurious look – signify protection and loyalty, reflecting the brotherhood of James and John Chivas, whose entrepreneurial spirit set the groundwork for the world’s first luxury whisky.

In addition to the lighter bottle, the updated – and now fully recyclable – carton features opulent gold detailing and a gold-coloured tin lid, finished with Chivas Regal Master Blender Sandy Hyslop’s signature in gold lettering. The flagship 70cl bottle’s reduction in glass weight will result in significant environmental benefits, estimated to save over 500 tonnes of glass annually based on FY24 volume sales[2]. The new design brings Chivas Regal 18 in line with Chivas Regal 12, which unveiled a contemporary new look in 2021, and follows the transformations of Chivas Regal Extra and Chivas Regal XV.

Nick Blacknell, Chivas Regal Global Marketing Director at Chivas Brothers, commented:

“At Chivas Regal, we are committed to continuing to premiumise our brand while making meaningful strides in sustainability. The new Chivas Regal 18 bottle not only showcases our dedication to luxury with its refined design but also highlights our ongoing efforts to reduce our environmental impact. By reducing our glass weight and transitioning to fully recyclable outer packaging, we are taking significant steps towards a more sustainable future. We are thrilled to present this elevated look to whisky enthusiasts around the world, reflecting both our heritage and our commitment to long-lasting positive change.”

The new look Chivas Regal 18 will be rolling out globally from this month. For more information, visit www.Chivas.com or follow us on Instagram @ChivasRegal.

[1] Fully recyclable in markets capable of recycling carton & metal

[2] Total 70cl glass saving based on FY24 volume sales – 513.6t

A NIGHT ON EARTH IN JEREZ DE LA FRONTERA

Our third release in the series, A Night on Earth in Jerez de la Frontera celebrates the night that marks the end of the year, to reflect on what has passed and to toast what is to come. The final release celebrating our 200 year anniversary focusses on Jerez de la Frontera in Spain, where our Exceptional Oak Casks are seasoned with sherry wine.

This single malt is a perfectly balanced combination of exceptional European and American oak sherry seasoned casks, inspired by the year end traditions in the home of sherry wine.

A Night on Earth in Jerez de la Frontera is now available for purchase from The Macallan Online Boutique.

DISCOVER THE WHISKY

A NIGHT ON EARTH IN JEREZ

Matured in exceptional sherry seasoned oak casks with notes of pastry, grape and anise. This single malt is inspired by the year end traditions deep in the heart of Andalusia, Jerez, in southern Spain.

EXPLORE THE WHISKY

“Jerez plays a crucial role in The Macallan’s past, but also present and future. As a whisky maker, having been able to tell part of that story through a whisky has been wonderfully rewarding.”

STEVEN BREMMER
The Macallan Whisky Maker

SPANISH CELEBRATIONS

We collaborated with Maria Melero, born in Jerez, who has used her memories of the festive period in her home city as inspiration to create the designs that can be enjoyed during the unique unboxing experience of A Night on Earth.

READ MORE

The Hearach “Single Cask” No. 1050 K&L Exclusive First Fill Bourbon Barrel Cask Strength Isle of Harris Single Malt Whisky

(750ml)

$109.99

View

The very first Hearach Single Cask ever to be released in the US and one of the first-ever bottled worldwide. If you haven’t been paying attention, the little distillery on the Isle of Harris is producing some of the finest whisky in Scotland. Produced in extremely small batches in and with a focus on quality and character overall. This single cask was filled into an extremely high-quality single bourbon barrel. Lightly peated, its ocean aging environment gives this whisky an incredibly depth, but its main focus is balance. The wispy smoke and rich toasty maltiness pair perfectly with the sweet vanilla and baked orchard fruit from the ex-bourbon barrels. Only 127 bottles were produced and bottled at a cask strength of 57.8% abv without coloring or chillfiltration whatsoever. This barrel, No. 1050, is sold exclusively at K&L Wine Merchants, but surely won’t be around for much longer as the little distillery’s reputation has grown steadily since their first release in 2023.

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 Whisky Shop is delighted to present the third Recollection Series from Gordon & MacPhail.  For more than 125 years, Gordon & MacPhail have produced quality releases, gathering the most exceptional liquids from distilleries around Scotland and matching them to their own bespoke casks.

A snapshot into whisky history, the latest addition to their portfolio is this collection; Forgotten Masterpieces. Comprising the rarest single mat whiskies from the Rosebank, Glenlochy Convalmore, Imperial, North Port, and Port Ellen distilleries, these liquids have been maturing for between 32 and 44 years.

EXPLORE THE RECOLLECTION SERIES >

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 ❯

Kentucky Distillers’ Association Welcomes

Chicken Cock Whiskey as Newest Member

168-Year-Old Brand Resurrected in Bardstown

FRANKFORT, KY.— The Kentucky Distillers’ Association today announced Bardstown’s Chicken Cock Whiskey as the newest member of the non-profit trade group that unites and leads Kentucky’s signature Bourbon and distilled spirits industry.

A historic brand dating back to 1856, CEO and Founder of Grain & Barrel Spirits, Matti Anttila, rediscovered the brand in 2012. It was fully revived in 2017 through a collaboration with Bardstown Bourbon Company.

The distillery opened in 2024 and is located at 103 East Stephen Foster Avenue just off the town square. Chicken Cock Whiskey proudly boasts a diverse portfolio of offerings, a brand home and micro-distillery named Circa 1856 in Bardstown, Ky., and a production operation. Circa 1856 showcases the brand’s portfolio through tastings, cocktails, and single pours.

Antilla said that joining the KDA is a milestone to celebrate.

“As we join the KDA, we join a network of distillers that have cherished and refined the traditions of Bourbon-making, just as we have with Chicken Cock Whiskey founder James A. Miller’s vision,” he said. “We look forward to building on our brand’s long history as we build up Kentucky Bourbon.”

A Class B licensed distiller, Circa 1856 can produce 2,000 gallons annually using a 30-gallon still. Its brands include a Kentucky straight rye, a small batch Bourbon, and a double oak whiskey, alongside annual and exclusive releases.

Learn more about Chicken Cock Whiskey at chickencockwhiskey.com.

KDA President, Eric Gregory expressed his excitement as the KDA community grows.

 “As Chicken Cock Whiskey enters the fold, we are thrilled to see our membership expanding as excitement around Kentucky Bourbon flourishes. Bourbon continues to build Kentucky and add additional flavors, experiences, and opportunities.

“We are honored to welcome Chicken Cock to our family of Kentucky’s finest distillers.”

Nelson County boasts eight distilleries that create more than 4,600 Bourbon careers with $273 million in payroll. Each year, distilling in Bardstown generates about $2.8 billion in economic impact and more than $36 million in local and state taxes.

From a regional standpoint, Nelson and its surrounding counties have 13 distilleries responsible for nearly 8,000 jobs and a $470 million payroll. Bourbon brings to the area an annual economic impact of $5.2 billion and nearly $65 million in local and state tax revenue.

The Bourbon Capital region also welcomes more than 700,000 visitors to the KDA’s famous Kentucky Bourbon Trail® tour each year, pouring even more money into local hotels, restaurants, shops, and government coffers.

Bardstown is one of four official Gateway sponsors of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail®. There are six KBT® distilleries in Nelson County. As a KDA member, Chicken Cock Whiskey will be eligible to join the Bourbon Trail™.

Gregory said, “With more distilleries and new opportunities for tourism, Bourbon is creating more reasons for visitors from around the world to spend time and money in our state and our local communities.

“Kentucky Bourbon has a powerful and growing global impact, and the KDA is proud to be respected as the worldwide voice for Bourbon.”

Chicken Cock Whiskey joins the KDA as a “Craft” level member, aging between 1 and 1,000 barrels per year. Visit the KDA and its Kentucky Bourbon Trail® adventure at www.kybourbon.com and www.kybourbontrail.com.

Founded in 1880, the Kentucky Distillers’ Association is the Worldwide Voice of Bourbon™.

About the Kentucky Distillers’ Association:

Founded in 1880, the Kentucky Distillers’ Association is the Worldwide Voice of Bourbon™. Its diverse and growing membership produces the overwhelming majority of the world’s Bourbon, from historic, global brands to emerging micro distilleries that are fostering the next generation of the Commonwealth’s timeless craft. Kentucky Bourbon is a $9 billion economic engine generating more than 23,500 jobs and attracting over 2 million visits annually through the KDA’s Kentucky Bourbon Trail® experience. A 501(c)(6) nonprofit organization, the KDA maintains an open membership policy, champions a strong commitment to the responsible and moderate consumption of spirits, and fights to curb underage drinking and drunk driving. Learn more at www.kybourbon.com and www.kybourbontrail.com.

NOVEMBER 2024 AUCTION ENDS TONIGHT!

Not long now! There is still time to bid on your favourite bottles at Click Whisky Auctions, including this stunning bottle of Whyte & Mackay. Released in 2019 to mark the 175th anniversary of the company as part of a promotional competition with only 1,500 bottles of the 50 year old blend produced. The whisky itself was blended using a combination of different Casks that included an ex-30 year old Sherry Butt, a first fill and second fill Sherry Butt, a Bourbon Cask and Port pipes to make this an extraordinary blend.

Or how about this lovely bottle of Manager’s Dram, distilled at Lagavulin Distillery, then aged for 11 years before being bottled at natural Cask strength in 2013.

Released in 1995, the Rare Malts range consisted of high quality malts of good age including closed distilleries. Bottled at varying Cask strengths, the range was hugely popular with whisky drinkers and collectors alike. Many of the bottlings are highly regarded amongst experts, hence the reason that these bottlings are now becoming harder to find. Distilled at Glendullan Distillery in 1978, then bottled in 2005 at natural Cask strength, we think this is a cracking bottling from a highly regarded range.

Released very recently to mark the 200th anniversary of the Macallan Distillery, this beautifully presented bottle is in a circular shape, representing life’s enduring cycle and paying homage to the history and story of the distillery, as well as its age-old whisky making processes.

These are only a few of the lots in our November auction, to view more, visit clickwhiskyauctions.com. Register to bid. Remember, you’ve got to be in it to win it! Auction ends Sunday 17^th November from 8pm GMT.

DOUGLAS LAING’S BIG PEAT RELEASES CASK AGED BOULEVARDIER COCKTAIL

Douglas Laing – independent Scotch Whisky Blenders, Bottlers and Distillers – is excited to announce their latest creation: a premium hand crafted, small batch cask aged cocktail, the ‘Big Peat Boulevardier’.

Building on the success of the renowned Big Peat Islay Blended Malt brand, the Big Peat Boulevardier promises to delight fans of both classic cocktails and Islay whiskies. This exceptional small batch creation bursts with smoky, sweet, and bitter notes, offering a unique twist take on the classic Boulevardier.

The Big Peat Boulevardier has been aged in a single ex-Big Peat Islay cask before being bottled at 29.5% ABV, with only 450 bottles available. This limited release showcases the classic Islay peat smoke and sweet Malt notes, perfectly balanced with rich spices, oak, and a touch of bitterness.

Created with providing an easy serve in mind, all that is required is to simply pour over ice, stir, garnish with an orange peel and enjoy our take on this iconic cocktail.

Commenting on the Big Peat Boulevardier, Chloe Wood, Big Peat’s Brand Manager, said:

“Working on the creation of the Big Peat Boulevardier has been a fantastic experience. Staying true to the brand roots of Big Peat – highlighting his connection to Islay and the Malts that make up the Islay Blended Malt Scotch Whisky – while bringing this to life in cocktail form was incredibly enjoyable.

The Boulevardier is well respected within the cocktail community, and using top-tier components in its creation was always a priority. The specific recipe highlights the elements that make Big Peat so special – Islay smoke, fruitiness, and an overall depth of flavour. When combined with the classic bitter style of a Boulevardier, these qualities are showcased beautifully.

We hope this small-batch cocktail will be a hit with fans of the Big Peat brand, as well as those looking to try something unique in the lead-up to the festive season.”

Big Peat’s Cask Aged Boulevardier will be available online on douglaslaing.com from 1^st November 2024, carrying an RRP of £28.00.

ABOUT DOUGLAS LAING & CO.

www.douglaslaing.com

Douglas Laing & Co. is a leading independent Scotch Whisky distillery, blender and bottler specialising in the selection and release of Single Cask Single and Small Batch Malt Scotch Whiskies.

The company was founded by Fred Douglas Laing in 1948 and is still owned and run by the Laing family – Fred Laing Jr and his daughter Cara Laing.

The company philosophy is to bottle the way the distiller intended – at a high strength and without chill filtration to preserve the robust and unique character of the Whisky. Douglas Laing’s industry reputation and many awards are a testament to this ethos.

Douglas Laing’s Remarkable Regional Malts, the Ultimate Distillation of Scotland’s Malt Whisky Regions, encompasses The Epicurean Lowland Malt Scotch Whisky, Timorous Beastie (Highlands), Scallywag (Speyside), The Gauldrons (Campbeltown), Rock Island (Islands) and Big Peat (Islay).

Beyond its Blended Malts expertise, the award-winning Douglas Laing portfolio also includes Provenance, Premier Barrel, Old, Xtra Old Particular, and XOP Black, collectively known as the firm’s “Exceptional Single Casks”.

Heaven Hill Takes Home Most Awarded U.S. Distillery, Top Honors at 2024 San Francisco World Spirits Competition

More than 90 medals were presented to Heaven Hill including multiple Best in Show wins across the portfolio of brands

BARDSTOWN, Ky. (October 15, 2024) – Heaven Hill is proud to have been the named the Most Awarded U.S. Distillery by the prestigious San Francisco World Spirits Competition, as well as the recipient of multiple Best in Show wins in the Bourbon and Spirits categories. Category wins include Best Single Barrel Bourbon – 11 Years & Older to Elijah Craig 18-Year-Old Single Barrel, Best Straight Bourbon to Elijah Craig Barrel Proof C923, Best Wheated Bourbon to Larceny Barrel Proof A124, Best in Show Unaged White Spirit and Best Mezcal going to Mezcal Vago, and Best Hard Tea to Deep Eddy Vodka.

“We’re honored to be recognized on a global stage by the San Francisco World Spirits Competition,” said Kate Latts, Co-President and third generation family member of Heaven Hill Brands. “Building beloved brands has always been a hallmark of Heaven Hill’s portfolio and we’re very grateful for these awards recognizing our commitment to authentic, high-quality products in the craft that we do.”

The two most awarded Bourbons from the Heaven Hill Distillery portfolio were Evan Williams and Elijah Craig. Each brand took home 7 and 6 medals, respectively, with the highest distinctions of Best Straight Bourbon going to Elijah Craig Barrel Proof C923, Best Single Barrel Bourbon – 11 Years & Older to Elijah Craig 18-Year-Old Single Barrel, and Double Gold going to Evan Williams Bottled-In-Bond. Larceny Barrel Proof A124 was also honored as the Best Wheated Bourbon. Other big wins came from FEW and Widow Jane who collectively took home an additional 12 medals.

The leadership of master distiller Conor O’Driscoll contributes greatly to the multitudes of praise for Heaven Hill. Under his guidance, Heaven Hill continues its nearly nine decades of unwavering commitment to quality whiskey production and aging. This high standard has been a hallmark of Heaven Hill since it was founded by the Shapira family in 1935 and continues to apply today to a stock that includes more than two million barrels.

Honored with Best in Show Unaged White Spirit along with Best Mezcal, Mezcal Vago is a collection of fine, traditional mezcals from deep within the southern mountains of Oaxaca, made by multi-generational producers – artists in their own right. Vago provides one of the most diverse assortments of mezcal available, representative of four producer styles and a multitude of agave varietals, both cultivated and wild. The brand was also recently named Best of Category and received Double Gold as well as an award for Packaging Excellence at this year’s New Orleans Spirits Competition.

The San Francisco World Spirits Competition was founded in 2000 and has become a premiere tasting competition judging more than 6000 spirits this year. All spirits were tasted over four days through a controlled blind tasting by expert panelists. No information on brand, producer, or price point is given out prior to tastings to ensure each is judged fairly and without bias. For more information on the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, check out the website at www.thetastingalliance.com.

ABOUT HEAVEN HILL BRANDS: Founded in 1935, Bardstown, KY -based Heaven Hill Brands (www.heavenhill.com) is the nation’s largest independent, family-owned and led spirits producer and marketer, the world’s second-largest holder of Kentucky Bourbon, and a 2024 Best Managed Company as appointed by Deloitte Private and the Wall Street Journal. Heaven Hill’s diversified portfolio of brands includes Heaven Hill, Evan Williams, Elijah Craig, Larceny, Old Fitzgerald, and Henry McKenna Bourbons; Rittenhouse Rye Whisky; Deep Eddy Vodka; Admiral Nelson’s Rum; Black Velvet Canadian Whisky; Lunazul Tequila; HPNOTIQ Liqueur; Carolans Irish Cream Liqueur, plus the Samson & Surrey portfolio.

Heaven Hill reminds you to “Think Wisely.  Drink Wisely.”