NEW MAKE SPIRIT FROM VIETNAM IS NOW THE BEST IN THE WORLD

A Vietnamese spirits company is celebrating after winning a prestigious global whisky award.

Về Để Đi Pale Ale New Make has been voted the World’s Best New Make & Young Spirit by the World Whiskies Awards, this week.

Launched in 2020, Về Để Đi, is known domestically for its Vietnamese gin, made with local botanicals, and its creme de cacao, made with award-winning local cacao nibs. However, the brand was conceived with the specific mission of launching the first full-scale whisky distillery in Southeast Asia, producing single malt and indigenous corn whiskies.

Co-founder of the Hanoi-based craft distillery Về Để Đi, Dr Michael Rosen, says: “As the honour of this World Whiskies Award surprise settled last night in London, I woke up our master distiller, it was 3am or 4am in Vietnam. “Edward, our Pale Ale was just announced as Best in the World in the New Make & Young Spirit category!” “Dude,” he said, he’s American, “I told you it’s exceptional.” And he hung up. 
So when the sun rises in Asia, we’ll share the news with our team, a tremendous encouragement for subtropical distilleries, for all of us dedicated to hand-batched craft distillation and ageing.  This award is an encouraging step as we look forward to sharing Vietnam’s fist single malt whiskies with the world.”

The World Whiskies Awards (WWA), part of the prestigious World Drinks Awards program, are organised by The Drinks Report, a division of Paragraph Publishing, an industry leader in beverage media. The awards recognise the very best in all internationally recognised styles of whisky.

Each year, whiskies from around the globe are rigorously blind judged by an independent panel of the world’s top whisky experts to determine the best in each category and, ultimately, the best in the world.

Về Để Đi is Vietnam’s first whisky distillery. Master distiller Edward Tiege (previously of Copalli Rum in Belize), heads up the distillery on the outskirts of Vietnam’s capital. It is equipped with a 3,000-litre copper pot wash still, 2,000-litre copper pot spirit still, 4,000-litre mash tun, and six 3,000-litre fermentation tanks.

Về Để Đi is redefining Vietnamese spirits from Southeast Asia’s first full-scale independent craft distillery producing whisky, rum, gin and tropical liqueurs.

Về Để Đi’s Brown Ale New Make and Pale Ale New Make were awarded Gold and Master at the 2024 Spirits Business Global World Whisky Masters.

https://www.ve-de-di.com

About Về Để Đi Pale Ale New Make
Production
Malt types:
Pale Ale Malt
Crystal Malt
Caramel Malt
• Ale and Whisky Yeasts
• Temperature-controlled fermentation to produce 8.5% ABV beer
• Twice distilled in pot stills to produce new-make whisky at 70% ABV

Tasting Notes
• Nose: Floral, bread, caramel and fruit with a touch of citrus.
• Taste: Fruity, malty, caramel, stone fruit with honey finish.

About the World Whiskies Awards
As part of the World Drinks Awards, the World Whiskies Awards recognises whiskies from all over the world. The awards aim to acknowledge and celebrate excellence in whisky-making, from all styles across the global industry. Launched in 2007, the World Drinks Awards are the global awards selecting the very best in all internationally recognised styles of drinks, through blind tasting with our expert panel of judges. With over 36 categories including Whisky, Gin, Vodka, Tequila, Sparkling Wine, Beer, No & Lo, and tasting held globally across the UK, Germany, Brazil, Chile, Japan, Canada and USA, we are always looking for the next best product to crown ‘World’s Best’ within each category. There are two separate strands to these awards – one is for taste and the other is for design excellence. Entrants into the competition, will be invited to attend our Awards ceremonies to celebrate in person both category winners and the ‘World’s Best’.

APRIL 2025 AUCTION ENDING SOON!

We are almost at the end of our April 2025 Auction but there is still time to take a closer look at a few of the vintages on offer, starting with this stunning bottle of  1972 Caperdonich. Bottles from this closed Speyside distillery are becoming increasingly harder to find and this fine example is part of the Connoisseurs Choice Range by bottling aficionados Gordon & MacPhail.

Or how about this rare bottle of Bowmore 1973. Made available on August 25th 2001 to guests attending the dinner that was held to mark the 50th anniversary of Stanley P Morrison’s company foundation held at Blair Castle. 

Released in 2017, Folio 2 was the second instalment of the Macallan Archival Series, Sherry Cask matured and thought to be around 12 years old but not stated on bottle. This is one of only 2,000 bottles ever released.

Distilled at the Glen Moray Distillery in 1974, this rare bottle was signed by distillery manager Ed Dodson and is bottle number 292 of only 676 bottles produced!

These are only a few of the old, limited and collectable bottles featured in our March auction, to view more wee gems visit clickwhiskyauctions.com. Register to bid. Remember, you’ve got to be in it to win it! Auction ends Sunday 20^th April from 8pm BST.

Old Overholt 11 Year Old Cask Strength Straight Rye Whiskey (750ml) $89.99 View

David Othenin-Girard | K&L Buyer  | Review Date: 04/2025

The historic Overholt brand was once the most prominent and distinguished rye whiskey in the land. Today it remains one of the stalwarts of the back bar producing some of the best value rye in the world, but very rarely we get access to well-aged stocks at cask strength. This is the second squatty release of cask strength rye originally distilled in 2012 and bottled just before its 12th birthday in 2024. Bottled without addition of water or chillfiltration, it’s one of the oldest Kentucky rye whiskies on the market today. Similarly aged Kentucky rye from other brands sells for 3 or 4 times the price of this wonderful bottle and while it may seem like we have ample stocks of this special limited release, it is only due to the persistence and attention of our spirits buying team that we were able to acquire this stock at such an advantageous price. It is unclear if other releases will follow of this wonderful old rye, but its easily one of the finest modern revivals of any brand to date.

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

Distillation: Longrow

Age: 26 Years Old

Cask Type: 23 years in Refill Oloroso Butts & 3 years in Fresh Pedro Ximénez Hogsheads

Distilled: December 1998

Bottled: April 2025

Contents: 35cl or 70cl

Bottle Strength: 56.1% ABV

The Springbank Society’s first offering of 2025 is an exclusive release of the oldest Longrow ever bottled by Springbank Distillers. This 26-year-old Longrow, with a unique, rich, and smoky character, spent its final three years in Fresh Pedro Ximénez casks. These casks represent some of the oldest Longrow stocks maturing in our warehouses.

NOSE Red Berries, Honey Glazed Ham, Burnt Candle Wick, Dark Soy Sauce

PALATE Oily, lots of savoury notes; BBQ Smoked Meats, Bacon Crisps, Cloves, Pine Tar, Grapefruit, Wood Smoke

FINISH Grilled Pineapples, Fishing Creels, Eucalyptus, Teriyaki Sauce, Date Syrup, Damp Ashy Smoke

To join the Springbank Society contact them at society@springbank.scot

A truly landmark whisky, the first official bottling of Dalmunach to be available outside the distillery is also the inaugural release in the Scottish Mythical Creatures series. Available exclusively at The Whisky Exchange, this collection of three limited-edition Dalmunach single malts draws inspiration from the legendary beasts of the Scottish Highlands. The first edition is named for the Wulver, a fearsome yet benevolent figure said to fish along the shorelands of the Shetland Isles.

After six years in American oak barrels, this seldom-seen Speyside malt has emerged rich and fruity with a palate coating texture and vivid notes of white fruit, citrus oil and nuts. A strong debut for Dalmunach and an excellent addition to any whisky collection.

£59.95

The Good Dram Show – Episode 588 ‘Ardnamurchan’

Welcome to this weeks episode of the show in which I’ll be taking a look at a selection of releases from the Ardnamurchan distillery. The Good Dram Show with Chris Goodrum. Filmed in The Study Nottingham

Episode 588 – The Ancient Whisky of Ardnamurchan!

Featuring

Ardnamurchan AD/ Sauternes Cask 50%
Ardnamurchan AD/10th Anniversary Edition 50%
Ardnamurchan AD/ Mezcal Cask 55%
Ardnamurchan AD/ Rum Cask 55%
Ardnamurchan AD/ Madeira Cask 2025 52%
Ardnamurchan AD/ Sherry Cask 2024 50%

ardnamurchandistillery.com

Loch Lomond Whiskies Releases New Expressions to Celebrate the Legacy of The Open

The duo of whiskies marks The 153^rd Open at Royal Portrush

Innovative distiller and The Spirit of the Open, Loch Lomond Whiskies, has unveiled two-limited edition single-malts to commemorate golf’s original championship, The Open.

The Open Course Collection 2025 (RRP £250; 46.7% ABV) and The Open Course Special Edition 2025 (RRP £45; 46% ABV) celebrate Loch Lomond Whiskies’ longstanding partnership with the world’s oldest major championship, paying tribute to the people, players and courses throughout its history.

The Open Course Collection 2025 has been crafted by award-winning master blender, Michael Henry who showcases Loch Lomond Whiskies’ signature adeptness and ingenuity in the liquid.

The Open Course Collection 2025 is a 22-year-old whisky first laid to rest in American oak barrels and hogshead, before being finished in hand-selected first-fill Spanish oak casks – a nod to the Spanish Armada ship, La Girona, which sank off the coast of Royal Portrush in 1588.

The exquisite single-malt was distilled using Loch Lomond Whiskies’ unique straight-neck stills. Loch Lomond Distillery is the only distiller in Scotch to use these striking stills, giving it far greater control over the final flavour profile. Henry’s meticulous process has resulted in a remarkable whisky that brings unique notes of cinnamon and spice while also emulating the classic Loch Lomond flavour profile of fruit, honey and soft smoke. 

Meanwhile, The Open Special Edition 2025 explores the influence of rich and ripe Tuscan chianti wine casks on Loch Lomond’s signature style. Also crafted exclusively in the Loch Lomond’s flagship straight-neck stills, The Open Special Edition 2025 was aged in a combination of American oak and finished for eight months in the finest first-fill chianti casks which added further depth of rich and ripe flavours to the distillery’s esteemed style. 

Scottish golfing legend and longstanding Loch Lomond Whiskies ambassador Colin Montgomerie collaborated with Loch Lomond Whiskies to create each of these expressions, with his legendary signature adorned on each pack. 

Michael Henry, master blender of Loch Lomond Group said:

“These expressions perfectly capture Loch Lomond’s explorative and innovative spirit.

“The final character of each of these fine single malts are unmistakenly Loch Lomond, and the experimentation with Spanish oak and chianti casks is indicative of our capability to push the boundaries in flavour creation.”

Loch Lomond Whiskies ambassador Colin Montgomerie said: 

“It’s been a pleasure working with Michael once again to create these popular limited-edition expressions which mark another special moment in golf history.

“There is a lot of synergy between golf and the art of whisky making. Both require dedication to the craft, passion and a willingness to take risks, which Loch Lomond Whiskies do so well.

“The ongoing releases of new limited-edition whiskies celebrates the legacy of The Open in such a wonderful way, and it has been a joy to be a part of the experience once again.”

Henry Keeling, Director – Commercial Partnerships at The R&A said:

“We are proud to continue our valued relationship with Loch Lomond Group across The Open and the AIG Women’s Open. Aligning with partners who share our vision for the championships and for golf to thrive is integral to our success.”

Both limited-edition single malts are non-chill filtered and natural in colour to keep the whisky just as nature intended. The Open Special Edition 2025 is also available in as a gift pack with dual branded Loch Lomond Whiskies and The Open glasses, retailing for £50.

The Open Course Collection 2025 and The Open Course Special Edition 2025 are available from www.lochlomondwhiskies.com and select whisky retailers from 15 April 2025.

Tasting notes 

Loch Lomond The Open Course Collection 2025

• Nose: Toasted oak, apple, ginger and vanilla.
• Taste: Toffee, pineapple, lemon and cinnamon.
• Finish: Long with warming oak spice and soft smoke.

Loch Lomond The Open Special Edition 2025

• Nose: Redcurrant, raspberry, apple, and vanilla.
• Taste: Honey, peach, pear and red berries.
• Finish: Medium length with drying oak tannin and soft smoke.

About Loch Lomond Whiskies

Loch Lomond Whiskies is an award-winning, independent Scotch whisky distiller which has been producing the finest single malt whiskies since 1814.  As a Highland malt, it is part of the largest and most diverse whisky-making region in Scotland.

The original site of the Loch Lomond Distillery was established near Tarbert, towards the northwest end of Loch Lomond. In the 1960s, under the leadership of American entrepreneur and chemist, Duncan Scott (who was instrumental in the ongoing success of Scotland’s oldest licensed distillery, Littlemill), a new site was created in Alexandria, which began a move to a more innovative philosophy and style of whisky-making that is still used today.

Located only a few miles from the famous loch, the distillery has a whisky-making capability like no other, using a combination of traditional swan-neck and its signature straight-neck-stills, which are unique to Loch Lomond Whiskies.

The straight-neck stills give Master Blender Michael Henry greater control over the distillation process, allowing him to carefully manipulate the flavour profile of each whisky, and providing a signature fruit, honey and soft smoke flavour profile.

Loch Lomond Whiskies is one of only four distillers in Scotland to have its own onsite cooperage, ensuring that barrel repairs and charring are carried out to an exacting standard, so every cask is perfect for maturing whisky.

The distillery’s multi-award-winning range includes Loch Lomond Original; Loch Lomond 12 Year Old; Loch Lomond 12 Year Old; Loch Lomond Inchmoan 12 Year Old; Loch Lomond Inchmurrin 12 Year Old; Loch Lomond 18 Year Old; Loch Lomond 21 Year Old and Loch Lomond 30 Year Old, as well as Loch Lomond Single Grain (peated and unpeated) and the deluxe blend Loch Lomond Signature.

In 2023, it was recognised as the ‘Most Awarded Distillery’ at the globally renowned San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2023, achieving multiple Double Gold and Gold Awards for its collection of malt whisky brands.

Last year, Loch Lomond 18 Year Old was revealed as The Whisky Exchange’s coveted ‘Whisky of the Year 2024’, achieving superior scores from the judging panel for its full-bodied and fruity character.

Glen Scotia unveils ‘Campbeltown Malts Festival 2025’ limited edition whisky

Multi-award winning Campbeltown distillery, Glen Scotia has revealed its 2025 Festival Edition in celebration of the Campbeltown Malts Festival, the annual event which draws whisky lovers from around the world to discover the region’s rich whisky-making heritage.

The Campbeltown Malts Festival 2025 release is a charmingly unconventional dram, in keeping with Glen Scotia’s yearly festival bottlings, which are renowned for bringing bold and intriguing flavours and creating an element of surprise.

The new 9-year-old single malt is heavily peated, a unique offering from Glen Scotia which dedicates just four weeks each year to its peated spirit production.

After being fully matured in first-fill bourbon barrels, the whisky has been finished for five months in the finest Ribera del Duero red wine casks, directly sourced from the prestigious wine-making region in Spain.

This process results in vibrant flavours of ripe red fruits, juicy blackberry and a whisper of liquorice, each layer adding to the whisky’s complex character. Glen Scotia’s distinctive maritime style is also present, unfolding with notes of creamy vanilla overlaid with rich peat smoke.

The Campbeltown Malts Festival 2025 edition also returns with a unique on-pack experience, offering an insight into the distillery and the incredible journey to Campbeltown that makes the festival so special each year.

By scanning the on-pack QR code, fans will be able to experience the magical journey to the ‘Wee Toon’ with three of Scotland’s top travel influencers as they embark on the beautiful voyage to the distillery’s Campbeltown home.

Whisky lovers will have the chance to join Chris Lawlor (@chrispaullawlor) who was voted Scottish Travel Influencer of the Year 2024, Graeme Johncock (@scotlands_stories) and Barbara Gajewska (@discovermyscotland) as they travel the remarkable Kintyre peninsula by foot, sea and road.

Available to purchase online and in specialist retailers globally, Glen Scotia’s Campbeltown Malts Festival 2025 release is non-chill filtered, bottled at cask strength (54.3% ABV) and retails for £68.

Iain McAlister, Glen Scotia master distiller and distillery manager, said: “This year’s Festival Release promises a unique experience that will transport you straight to Campbeltown with your first sip. As well as delivering the maritime and salinity notes synonymous with Glen Scotia, this whisky also provides an element of surprise as it develops on the palate. The finish brings a bold burst of vibrant flavour from the Ribera del Duero red wine casks which is a distinctive pairing with the heavy peat.

“The virtual on-pack experience also offers something really special this year – our remote home on the Kintyre peninsula makes for a wild and beautiful journey that not everyone is able to take. Now people can experience what it’s like to make the spectacular journey to Campbeltown with a selection of Scotland’s top travel content creators.

“There’s no better way to savour a dram of this year’s limited edition single malt than by embarking on an unforgettable journey, whether by road, foot, or sea and we look forward to welcoming Glen Scotia fans who are making this journey to join us at the 2025 Campbeltown Malts Festival.”

Glen Scotia’s events at this year’s Campbeltown Malts Festival (20 and 21 May) will see some of its finest drams poured and will celebrate the town’s past as the former ‘Victorian Whisky Capital of the World’. The distillery will present a range of both ticketed and free events which celebrate the region’s rich history and connection to its distilling past.

Among the Glen Scotia experiences on offer, visitors will have the chance to explore the components of the Campbeltown Malts Festival 2025 edition during a deconstructed tasting with Global Brand Ambassador Gary Mills. They will also be able to celebrate a decade of Glen Scotia’s world-famous Victoriana single malt with an in-depth tasting hosted by Master Blender Ashley Smith. Finally, guests will discover the magic of the Glen Scotia Dunnage Warehouse in an exclusive tasting with Master Distiller Iain McAlister.

For further information on the Campbeltown Malts Festival 2025 bottling or this year’s festival, visit: www.glenscotia.com/

Tasting notes:

Nose: Swirling peat smoke, coastal salinity with creamy vanilla.

Palette: Vibrant juicy blackberries and red fruits with luscious oils.

Finish: Soft smoke with a velvety mouthfeel.

About Glen Scotia

Distiller Glen Scotia has been producing single malt whisky in Campbeltown since 1832 and is one of three surviving distilleries in Campbeltown.

Producing peated and non-peated whiskies, the distillery still maintains much of its original design, including the stillroom and the dunnage warehouse dating from the 1830s. To this day, the distillery team follow in the footsteps of their founders, using traditional methods, carefully creating the subtly maritime Campbeltown style the brand has become world-famous for.

Recognition of Glen Scotia’s style and craftsmanship continues to be acknowledged globally.

• In 2021, Glen Scotia’s 25-Year-Old single malt was awarded ‘Best In Show Whisky’ at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Over 3,800 entries across thirty-one categories were judged with Glen Scotia being awarded the overall winner across all countries and styles. Only seven months later, Glen Scotia was also named Scottish Whisky Distillery of the Year at the Scottish Whisky Awards 2021.
• In 2022, Glen Scotia’s Victoriana won ‘Best In Class’ in the Distillers’ Single Malt Scotch – No Age Statement category at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
• In 2023, Glen Scotia won ‘Best Single Cask Single Malt’ at the World Whiskies Awards for a single cask bottling distilled in 2009 and aged for 13 years exclusively in a first-fill bourbon barrel.
• Later that same year, Glen Scotia’s 25-Year-Old won a coveted Platinum award at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2023, which is awarded to the very few entries that receive a Double Gold medal for three consecutive years at the prestigious global event.
• In 2024, Glen Scotia received a number of prestigious awards across its range of single malt whiskies, including Platinum titles at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2024 for both Glen Scotia Victoriana and Glen Scotia 25 Year Old.

Spring arrives and here in Harris we continue to evolve and grow…

After successfully seeking to eliminate plastic from our packaging and products, we’re now turning our attention to reducing our paper footprint. As from this week we will no longer be sending beautiful bottles of our core expression of The Hearach Single Malt into the world in a presentation box.

This change will not only allow the woven glass design to stand loud and proud on shelves but will also save the equivalent of 43 tonnes of cardboard a year, and over 88km of box material if laid end to end.

That’s almost enough to stretch from the southern villages of Harris to the northernmost tip of Lewis. Or, if easier to imagine, the equivalent weight of 782 local Blackface sheep! For now, The Hearach Oloroso Cask Matured and special editions will continue to be boxed to best reflect their unique and giftable nature.

Along with others in the industry we believe this is another positive step forward, aligning our whisky with values that respect the natural world we are proud to call home. We hope you’ll join us in embracing this evolution, where less is more and the spirit of Harris continues to shine through.

And, on that note, read on for more news from our sunny island!

Le gach deagh dhùrachd,
Mike Donald, Chief Storyteller

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A huge thank you to everyone who entered the recent ballot to buy a bottle of our new and highly limited dram – The Hearach of Château Biac.

Congratulations and commiserations in equal measure to those who did and didn’t manage to get pulled from the online draw!  We celebrated the release with an unforgettable day both here in Harris and at the beautiful estate in Langoiran, France.

There, amidst the vineyards, casks, friends and family we raised a glass to owners Tony and Youmna Asseily who partnered with us on this special project. Founder Anderson Bakewell, blender Shona Macleod, and Eilidh MacDonald from our international team were on hand to share our story and the dram too.

Slàinte / Santé to this collaboration of true friendship. UK stocks are now sold out but limited bottles may be found in the USA, France, Switzerland, and Japan over the coming weeks.

VISIT THE CHÂTEAU BIAC WEBSITE