Luxury Scottish Retreat, Linn House, Welcomes Seafood Master, Jack Stein, For The Spring Edition Of Its Supper Series

Linn House, the picturesque and undiscovered ‘home of whisky’ in Speyside, will reopen its doors for the second edition of its unforgettable food and whisky experience, The Supper Series, coinciding with the renowned Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival from Wednesday 30th April to Sunday 4th May 2025.

This Spring, Linn House welcomes celebrated chef Jack Stein, Chef Director at Rick Stein Restaurants, who will tempt guests with a seafood-forward menu, highlighting the fresh flavours from his Cornish home and the local Moray Coast, paired with a selection of world-renowned Scotch whiskies. This one-of-a-kind dining experience will celebrate the natural harmony between fresh seafood and expertly crafted whisky, offering guests a journey through taste and tradition.

The intimate dining series will take place amongst the stunning surroundings of Linn House, the luxury guest retreat owned by Scotch producer Chivas Brothers, makers of globally recognised whiskies including The Glenlivet and Aberlour. It will offer guests not only a remarkable culinary journey but also a true taste of the region, immersed in the natural beauty of Speyside, promising an extraordinary experience that goes beyond the plate.

Jacques-Henri Brive, Head of Luxury at Chivas Brothers, said: “Jack Stein’s seafood mastery is a perfect counterpoint to our expertly crafted whiskies, celebrating craftsmanship and flavour in new and unexpected ways. Amidst the atmosphere of the Spirit of Speyside Festival, these events create moments to indulge in the best of both worlds.”

Jack Stein, Chef Director at Rick Stein Restaurants, said: “I’m incredibly excited to swap the Cornish coast for the rolling hills of Speyside as part of my festival residency at Linn House. My approach to cooking respects and elevates seafood in all forms – and I see whisky as being just as complex of a spirit as it is an ingredient. It’s going to be a truly special event and I can’t wait to share it with our guests.”

Starting at £95 per person, the “From Cornwall to Moray Coast” Linn House Supper Series will be available for dinner from Wednesday 30th April to Sunday 4th May 2025 inclusive. Each event can be booked individually for dinner, or for those seeking a full Scottish escape, double rooms at Linn House are available for an additional £279. This rate includes bed and breakfast for guests wishing to extend their stay overnight and fully immerse themselves in an extraordinary Speyside experience.

To secure your spot at the dinner or purchase an overnight stay at Linn House, please visit this link.

Linn House Supper Series will continue seasonally with events designed to bring flavours of the world to Scotland through innovative food and whisky experiences in partnership with renowned Chefs. More details on future events will be released in due course.

Killowen wins Best in the World

 After some very tough domestic competition, Killowen went on to represent Ireland at the World Whiskey Awards. We were delighted to accept Craft Producer of the year and can only thank you, our wonderful support base, for tasting, sharing and talking about our products. Your consistent support allows us to keep going and keep punching well above our weight.

Sláinte

The Killowen Distillery Team

Killowen Distillery Ltd
29 Kilfeaghan Road
Rostrevor
Newry, County Down BT34 3AW
United Kingdom

Here at Laphroaig, craft is at the core of everything we do. Every bottle we produce throughout the year is a product of passion, mastery, and determination.

Those of you who have visited our distillery, or any Friends with a special interest in the process of making Scotch whisky, will be aware of all the important equipment being used here on Islay. From mash tun to spirit still, our machinery works around the clock, helping our staff produce and perfect each of our unforgettable whiskies.

As you can imagine, with such a consistent production schedule, the upkeep of this equipment is crucial. That’s why we at Laphroaig have what we call “Silent Season”.

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What is Silent Season?

Silent Season – our term for a period of maintenance shutdown – typically occurs in July. And as all Friends may know, it is not currently July.

However, in 2025 we will be taking the rare step of observing two Silent Seasons. Prior to our typical three-week hiatus in July, which is based around a traditional period of water shortages on Islay, we will also be halting production from April 7th to May 3rd to conduct additional engineering work.

While this scheduled maintenance may mean some areas are off limits, our Friends and visitors are always most welcome at our distillery for a tour. In fact, Silent Season provides its own unique aspects on our tours – with typically sealed equipment temporarily opened up to look inside.

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Celebrating The Glenturret’s Success in Delivering the Certificate in Scotch Whisky

In 2024, The Glenturret sent four of their staff to complete our flagship Diploma in Single Malt Whisky course. This achievement opened the door for them to become Approved Course Providers for our Certificate in Scotch Whisky course, an attractive and cost-effective option for that boosts team morale and saves valuable time and resources.📖 Read the Post

ralfy review 1072 Extras – Keeping focus when we buy whisky.

Welcome one and all to our now live 166th auction!  We have some really interesting drams this month from just about every whisky producing nation on earth, not to mention a wide selection of other spirits and tipples to whet your appetite.  We also have some good news for our US customers this month as we can now ship to an additional 17 states, for a full list of available states check here.  So, without further ado, here are a few of the highlights from this month’s offerings.

Shirakawa 1958

This is the earliest-known single vintage Japanese whisky ever bottled, and as such is a tremendous rarity, this is the Shirakawa 1958.  Shirakawa Distillery was built in Fukushima in 1939 and was demolished in 2003. It became one of the first distilleries in Japan to produce malt whisky in 1951 and it continued to do so until 1969. In 2019, single malt whisky from the distillery was discovered after being sat in one of its parent company’s warehouses for decades, and this fine bottling is the result.  One of only 1500 bottles released this is a must-have for any collectors of Japanese whisky.

Old Fitzgerald Prime 1971 Rip Van Winkle Porcelain Decanter 4/5 Quart

Next up we have a bottle which is the very definition of quirky, this fantastic little oddball is the Old Fitzgerald Prime 1971 Rip Van Winkle Porcelain Decanter.  As any bourbon aficionado will attest, Old Fitzgerald is a supremely well-balanced bourbon and as such is held in high regard for the exceptional craftsmanship evident in its production.  And what’s better than a vintage Old Fitz?  An Old Fitz in a porcelain representation of Old Rip Van Winkle himself that’s what, calmly snoozing off the effects of some mightily strong liquor.

Springbank 1969 40 Year Old Signatory

It wouldn’t be a highlight reel without something delicious and well-aged from Scotland too, so here is a mighty fine Springbank 1969 40 Year Old Signatory.  Distilled in the same year Neil Armstrong walked on the moon, this unctuous dram has spent 4 decades ageing to perfection in a refill sherry butt and is one of only 356 bottles produced.  Springbank’s of this age and vintage are notoriously hard to find so this bottling is as rare as it is enticing.

Karuizawa 35 Year Old Emerald Geisha Cask #8518

We opened with a Japanese rarity from a silent distillery so let’s close with one too, this beauty is the Karuizawa 35 Year Old Emerald Geisha Cask #8518.  Bottled by Elixir Distillers exclusively for The Whisky Exchange, this is one of two bottlings, it’s counterpart being a single cask 33 year old Sherry aged single malt, suitably crowned the Golden Cask which you can also find here in this month’s auction.  The Geisha series of Karuizawas combine rare well-aged Japanese whisky with classy design and have been commanding a premium on the secondary market since their first appearance on the scene.

As always, we have a tremendous lineup of top-shelf drams on offer, but we also have a wide range available from more modest drinkers to these more salubrious tipples, 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.

Pastures New – The World’s First English Blended Whisky

Experience N.22 // Pastures New

We’re proud to be part of another landmark moment in English whisky history with the release of Pastures New, the world’s first English blended whisky (49.1% ABV).

We’ve teamed up with a collective of pioneering distilleries, each contributing their own unique character to a spirit that celebrates innovation, craftsmanship and the vibrant diversity of the English whisky scene, to create a blended whisky.

At the Cotswolds Distillery, we’ve always believed in setting new standards—from creating the first full-scale distillery in the Cotswolds to championing locally grown barley and traditional methods. Now, we’re excited to see our single malt play a key role in this delicious blend.

Crafted through collaboration and united by a commitment to quality, Pastures New is a bold step forward for English whisky. It’s a celebration of landscape, technique and shared passion—bottled.

Buy your bottle below

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BEHIND THE BLEND

The Hebridean Whisky Trail Welcomes a New Treasure

The Hebridean Whisky Trail, a voyage through wild beauty and remarkable distilleries, is thrilled to introduce our newest destination: the Isle of Tiree Distillery. Prepare to chart a course to the Isle of Tiree, known in Gaelic poetry as Tir an Eòrna, the Land of Barley, where a warm Hebridean welcome awaits you at this distinctive new addition to the Hebridean Whisky Trail.

Forged on Scotland’s Atlantic Coast, the Hebrides have always held a special allure for those seeking adventure and authentic experiences. Now, the spirit of Tiree joins the esteemed whiskies of Talisker, Torabhaig, Isle of Raasay, Isle of Harris, North Uist and Benbecula, adding its own unique character to the Trail.

Tiree boasts a rich history of whisky production, with records suggesting an astonishing fifty distillers on the tiny island around 1768. In fact, each farm on Tiree often had its own still, producing whisky from the island’s plentiful barley for both local enjoyment and export. While legal distilling declined over time, the entrepreneurial spirit of islanders Ian Smith and Alain Campbell has rekindled this proud tradition with the establishment of Tiree Whisky Company Ltd. Their aim is to preserve and promote the island’s whisky heritage and revive distilling on Tiree.

The inspiration for Tiree Whisky Company is deeply rooted in the founders’ connection to the islands. As members of the traditional music band Trail West, Ian and Alain toured the Hebrides and witnessed the positive economic impact of island distilleries on their communities. This sparked a vision to bring a similar benefit to their own community on Tiree.

Family lies at the heart of the Tiree Whisky Company. The distillery itself is housed in a shed with a special history: it was the former workshop of Ian’s father, Bernie. Alain even had his first job sweeping the floors there, creating a poignant link between the past and present. The summerhouse where Ian and his friends played as children now serves as the shop and visitor centre. Their families are always available to lend a hand in keeping the business running, a testament to the age-old Hebridean spirit. This deep connection with their heritage underscores their commitment to reviving an old industry.

The Isle of Tiree Distillery stands out as one of the smallest and most traditional whisky production operations in Scotland. Their entire process, from mashing to bottling, takes place within a single room. This low-tech, high-tradition approach offers visitors a truly unique opportunity to witness the journey from grain to bottle in an intimate setting. As Ian Smith explains, visitors often get a much clearer understanding of how whisky is made by visiting their small-scale operation.

The small production size at Tiree allows for exciting experimentation. They have already worked with barley and are soon to offer rye whisky, alongside exploring different casks and fermentation periods. This passion for innovation, driven by their own interests, promises a diverse and exciting range of spirits. As Alain Campbell notes, their fermentation times can vary significantly, influenced by factors like the seasons, weather, and even the ferries. They are keen to explore the nuances this brings to their spirit.

“Overall, the journey’s been so much fun. We are at the stage now that we were only dreaming of back in 2017, it was kind of pie in the sky stuff then. Through a lot of hard work and challenges, we’ve managed to get there. It’s been great, so much fun, and a really rewarding process.”

Running a distillery on a tiny remote island presents its challenges, including weather, financing, staff, and logistics, to name a few. However, the rewards are immense, particularly the pride in providing local employment opportunities to keep people on the island, and also in connecting with their island’s heritage. Being able to offer a bar on-site, providing a welcoming space for locals and visitors alike to enjoy their gin, whisky, and cocktails, is rewarding as well. The distillery boasts a stunning location right on the edge of the sea, offering another stunning Hebridean Whisky Trail #dramwithaview experience.

We invite you to embark on a journey to the Isle of Tiree and experience the unique charm and tradition of the Tiree Whisky Company. Discover their passion for crafting exceptional spirits in a truly special setting. With the hands-on approach in their traditional distillery, a visit to Tiree promises an unforgettable stop on the Hebridean Whisky Trail, and a taste of the Land of Barley’s revived whisky heritage.

NORTH BRITISH 32 YEARS OLD 1992

This single-grain whisky was distilled in 1992 at the North British Distillery in Edinburgh. It was aged in refill Bourbon Barrels, resulting in fresh, fruity malt with creamy sweetness. It was bottled by Little Brown Dog Spirits, at natural cask strength without chill-filtration or artificial colouring.

NOSE Gooseberry, red current, pencil case.

PALATE Salted caramel, custard creams, Muscadet grapes.

FINISH Winter spiced poached pear and clotted cream.

£85.00

BASED IN RURAL ABERDEENSHIRE, SCOTLAND

Chris and Andrew formed the company in 2018. Based on Chris’s farm they combine a passion for the surrounding area with in-depth knowledge (read intense geekery) of distilling and cask maturation. Little Brown Dog’s name comes from Andrew’s beloved dog, whose nickname was the little brown dog. She followed him everywhere on all his distillery visits and was his constant companion. She passed away in 2022 aged 15 but lives on in spirit. Two more little brown dogs, Winnie and Peedie, joined the team in 2020 and 2023.

SCALLYWAG

The Golf Edition

Exclusive to douglaslaing.com, Scallywag The Golf Edition promises a unique and unparalleled tasting experience for those who enjoy the finer things in life. Tee off your celebration of this iconic game and let every sip be a perfect drive down the fairway of tradition and rarity. Introducing Scallywag The Golf Edition, a hole-in-one addition to the renowned feisty fox terrier’s collection. This ultra-exclusive release of only 600 bottles is offered at 48% ABV and has been crafted with meticulous precision and elegance. Exclusive to douglaslaing.com, Scallywag The Golf Edition promises a unique and unparalleled tasting experience for those who enjoy the finer things in life. Tee off your celebration of this iconic game and let every sip be a perfect drive down the fairway of tradition and rarity. Don’t miss your shot at owning this exquisite, limited edition release.

Nose Rich chocolate and mocha notes intertwine, accompanied by a noticeable hint of allspice.

Palate Exemplifying the essence of Speyside, with dark chocolate, orange zest, and lingering mocha flavours.

Finish An enduring finish, enriched by macerated dark fruits and a spiced character bestowed by the Sherry wood.

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