We are delighted to announce the release of The 51, our oldest and most daring whisky to date. The purity of The Glenrothes’ Estate water helps to create a uniquely delicate spirit character, which intensifies over time. The 51 is a celebration of this phenomenon. This “strength in fragility” is shared by the wild orchids that grow hidden on our Highland Estate; the inspiration behind this exceptional single malt.

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This whisky defies expectations – elegant yet powerful, it offers a singular experience for those who truly understand and appreciate rarity.

Laura Rampling

Master Whisky Maker

Crafted from just two casks, The 51 presents a complexity and vibrancy rarely found in whiskies of this age. One cask delivers deeply perfumed notes that evoke the fragility of an orchid’s scent, while the other offers luxurious richness and depth.

The resulting whisky, limited to only 100 bottles, is a rare and fragrant wonder: the orchid of The Glenrothes collection.

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INTRODUCING:
BEN NEVIS 1996

We’re excited to introduce an exquisite new single malt whisky from Ben Nevis, bottled exclusively for The Whisky Exchange by Douglas Laing. A much-loved independent bottler, Douglas Laing owns warehouses that contain a formidable selection of casks from some of Scotland’s finest distilleries. This Ben Nevis, distilled in 1996 and matured in a single refill butt, is a textbook example of the Highland distillery at its best, balancing smoky depth with vibrant tropical fruit and an earthy backbone. We’re expecting this superb single malt to be in high demand. Discover more and get your bottle below.

DISCOVER

Mark’s Whisky Ramblings 557: Strathearn Inaugural Bottling

Mark Dermul, Belgian whisky blogger, tries the Strathearn Inaugural Bottling. ‘Well… I have some trouble with ‘Inaugural Bottling,’ Mark explains, ‘since Strathearn has actually been around for a few years. I even tasted some of their whiskey in 2018 and 2019.’ But in October 2019, Douglas Laing announced that they had taken over the operation. They then worked on the inventory and released a ‘new’ first release under their ownership, so to speak. This new official first release is a vatting of bourbon, sherry, and virgin oak casks. ‘Can I say that I find 85 EUR a bit on the expensive side? But who knows, it might be absolutely delightful. The packaging is certainly eye-catching’ he concludes.

https://youtu.be/WbXTg1zPmuI

THE LAST DROP DISTILLERS PRESENTS ITS 2025 COLLECTION: A REMARKABLE TRIO OF ULTRA-AGED WHISKIES SHOWCASING THE INTERSECTION OF CULTURE, ART AND INNOVATION

Featuring three rarities from the world’s premier whisky-producing countries: a 27 Year Old Bourbon from Kentucky’s Buffalo Trace Distillery, 55 Year Old Single Malt Scotch from Tomintoul Distillery and 22 Year Old Japanese Blended Malt Whisky

LOUISVILLE, KY (April 1, 2025) – The Last Drop Distillers, curators of the world’s most remarkable spirits, is delighted to announce its 2025 Collection featuring three whiskies that celebrate the unique maturation methods used by the most prestigious distilleries around the world: a 27 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon from Buffalo Trace Distillery (Release No. 37),  a 55 Year Old Single Malt Scotch from the Tomintoul Distillery (Release No. 38) and a 22 Year Old Japanese Blended Malt Whisky (Release No. 39). 

Each release showcases the art of blending and maturation while exhibiting best-in-class American, Scotch and Japanese whisky management techniques, from the innovative aging experiments taking place at Buffalo Trace Distillery, to the exceptional cask program used to age the Tomintoul, and the time-honored art of Japanese distilling, blending and maturation.

Release No. 37: The Last Drop 27 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon from Buffalo Trace Distillery

As one of the oldest bourbons yet to be released from the World’s Most Award-Winning Distillery, this exceptional creation features three of Buffalo Trace’s oldest barrels – distilled in 1995, 1996 and 1997.  These barrels were hand selected and then married together by Master Blender Drew Mayville and Master Distiller Harlen Wheatley. The resulting whiskey pushes the boundaries of bourbon beyond all expectations, retaining a delightful vibrancy while showcasing the depth and character that could only come from decades of careful aging under expert supervision at the distillery’s state-of-the-art maturation facility, Warehouse P.

Uncut and unfiltered, this ultra-rare bourbon is bottled at 121.8 proof (60.9% ABV). Just 508 bottles will be available worldwide at a suggested retail price of $10,500 (700ml + 50ml miniature).

Tasting Notes by Drew Mayville, Master Blender, Buffalo Trace Distillery

APPEARANCE A bright bronze-gold, which catches the light in a most alluring manner.

NOSE Aromas of seasoned oak immediately greet the senses followed by essences of decadent cherry and medjool date. Baking spices and dark fruit notes intertwine with an emerging peppery rye influence that adds a layer of complexity.

PALATE The palate opens with oak tannins, offering a deep, woody foundation that builds into layers of caramel sweetness and dark chocolate-dipped cherries with hints of tobacco and supple leather.

CONCLUSIONS Perfectly aged, the finish is long and satisfying. The dried fruits and caramel are lengthened by the tingling oak spice, producing a smooth and warming sipping whiskey. 

Release No. 38: The Last Drop 55 Year Old Single Malt Scotch from the Tomintoul Distillery

The sister cask to The Last Drop Release No. 36, which debuted in the 2024 Collection as the brand’s oldest single malt release to date, this rich, ultra-aged single malt is comprised of three casks of single malt Scotch Whisky matured in ex-sherry butts and refill sherry hogheads, all distilled in April 1969. To preserve the character and quality of the whisky, these casks were married together and placed into an ex-Matusalem Sherry butt to finish for an additional two years before bottling, bringing a multi-faceted flavor profile to the liquid.

Presented at 86.2 proof (43.1% ABV), a mere 430 bottles will be available worldwide at a suggested retail price of $6,950 (750ml).

Tasting notes by Colin Scott, Master Blender, The Last Drop Distillers

APPEARANCE A deep amber tinged with dusky pink, reflecting its extended ageing​.

NOSE An opulent richness of red fruits and soft notes of ripe peaches, enhanced by toasted almonds and warm toffee.

PALATE Juicy stone fruits and warm baking spices, underpinned by a grassy dryness and liquorice sweetness. The spirit opens up with the exotic flair of a pineapple upside down cake and rich caramel.

CONCLUSIONS A smooth, deeply satisfying spirit with a complex sweet, yet spicy, finish. 

Release No. 39: The Last Drop 22 Year Old Japanese Blended Malt Whisky

Even a quarter century after its closure, Hanyu Distillery is renowned for its exceptionally-elusive whisky. This rare bottling encapsulates the artistry of distilling in the country responsible for some of the most highly-valued whiskies in the world. Featuring malt whiskies distilled and laid for maturation in the year 2000 – the year Hanyu ceased operations – this release is a special marriage of 100% Japanese whiskies derived from two casks, both made from the coveted Mizunara oak. Known for its porous, temperamental nature, Mizunara imparts a distinctive flavor profile with floral, herbal and nutty characteristics.

Presented at 118.2 proof (59.1% ABV), only 319 bottles will be available worldwide at a suggested retail price of $5,500 (750ml).

Tasting notes by Helen Mulholland, Master Blender, Sazerac of Ireland:

APPEARANCE Rich deep gold.

NOSE Like walking into an exclusive spa, the nose is immediately enticed with notes of sandalwood, warming nutmeg and all-spice; further green wood earthiness leads to vanilla and marzipan.

PALATE The surprising flavors of tropical fruits such as banana and coconut combine with red berries to create a silky smooth mouthfeel, while spiced incense and wood briefly return briefly to create a perfectly-balanced and not overly sweet liquid

CONCLUSIONS The cinnamon pastry, sweet spice warming finish builds in heat and then fades beautifully into the memory.​

“The 2025 Curated Collection represents one of The Last Drop’s most anticipated and exceptional releases to date,” says Jess Scheerhorn, Vice President – Emerging Portfolio, Sazerac. “Featuring a remarkable 27-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon, alongside two stunning whiskies from Scotland and Japan, this collection showcases the best of global whisky craftsmanship. Each spirit is a testament to our pursuit of the truly extraordinary, and we are thrilled to share these rare finds with epicureans of fine spirits around the world.”

Each bottle from The Last Drop 2025 Collection is wax-sealed and individually numbered, and packaged in a bespoke bottle suspended in an oak frame, held within a signature green case. Each case also includes a 50ml miniature for private enjoyment, a pocket-sized tasting book and an engraved stopper cork.

Rebecca Jago, Director of Brand Experience and daughter of Tom Jago, Co-Founder of The Last Drop Distillers says: “Each release from The Last Drop is unique and irreplaceable, and the 2025 Collection is no exception. It gives me great pride, as custodian of the brand’s legacy, to see the tradition of curating remarkable spirits continue with these three exceptional whiskies. My father and James would undoubtedly be proud of how The Last Drop has flourished, and I look forward to sharing this collection with our friends and customers.”

The Last Drop 2025 Collection will be available in limited quantities to its United States and global distributor networks as of April 2025, which will ship to select high-end retailers, bars and restaurants.

For more information, please visit www.lastdropdistillers.com.

About The Last Drop Distillers

The Last Drop Distillers was founded by two icons of the spirits industry, Tom Jago and James Espey with over 80 years of experience between them. Their aim was to curate the world’s most remarkable spirits by finding treasures across aged spirit categories and sharing them with those who seek the genuinely extraordinary.

Since the company was founded in 2008, The Last Drop Distillers has released just 39 limited bottlings across Scotch Whisky, Cognac, Bourbon and Rum, Japanese Whisky and Irish Whiskey, as well as aged Ports and Pineau des Charentes, comprising fewer than 15,600 to date. Seeking nothing less than the remarkable in the spirits they curate, the company’s unwavering commitment is to the quality of the liquid and the pleasure of sharing the treasures they uncover.

At the heart of this pursuit is The Assembly, a collective of some of the world’s most revered Master Blenders, including luminaries. With decades of expertise across multiple spirit categories, these icons of the industry play a pivotal role in selecting, blending and refining The Last Drop’s releases, ensuring that each bottling is a true masterpiece of craftsmanship and heritage.

In 2016 The Last Drop was acquired by The Sazerac Company, one of America’s oldest private, family-owned, distillers.

About The Sazerac Company

With over 400 years of history, Sazerac is one of the world’s largest distilled spirits companies. Now in the fourth generation of the current family ownership, Sazerac strives each day to bring the finest spirits to consumers and communities around the world.

Over 500 of the world’s most extraordinary brands are part of the Sazerac portfolio, including Buffalo Trace Bourbon, Eagle Rare, Weller, The Last Drop Distillers, Fireball Cinnamon Whisky, Southern Comfort, Wheatley Vodka, Meyers’s Rum, White X Cognac, Sazerac de Forge Cognac, Paddy’s Irish Whiskey, and many more.

Sazerac is also the steward of many fine distilleries internationally, including Buffalo Trace Distillery in Kentucky, United States; Domaine Sazerac de Segonzac in Cognac, France; Paul John Distillery in Goa, India; and Lough Gill Distillery in County Sligo, Ireland. Additional impressive locations can be found in New Orleans, Montréal, London, Cork and Sydney, to name a few.

To learn more visit www.sazerac.com.

Iron Gate Spirits Auction (Canada)

Upcoming: Apr 28, 2025 to May 05, 2025

Spring has arrived and Iron Gates’ third Spirits Auction of 2025 is in full bloom. Featuring the never auctioned in Canada, The Macallan Distil Your World: NEW YORK Edition. A collaboration owners of El Celler de Can Roca. Only 1000 bottles worldwide. Sharing the sunlight is a hand-filled, single cask Balvenie 30-Year-Old, a Port Ellen 25-Year-Old, and Springbank 30-Year-Old. Independent bottler Gordon & MacPhail showcases its finest spirits with a 46-Year-Old Mortlach and 25-Year-Old Rosebank.

Operated under license by Alberta Gaming Liquor and Cannabis and Alberta Auction license #352487.

April Spirits Spotlight: The Macallan Distil Your World: New York Edition

Whisky connoisseurs and collectors, prepare for an unprecedented opportunity in Canada! This is your chance to bid on the never-before-auctioned Macallan Distil Your World: New York edition—one of the most coveted and limited releases from The Macallan.

The Macallan’s Whisky Maker Polly Logan and the Roca brothers, owners of El Celler de Can Roca, twice named Best Restaurant in the World, have selected the finest combination of American and European oak casks to create this unique single malt whisky.

Distil You World New York is bottled at 49.5% and delivers notes that reflect the artistic character and ingredients which define New York. Celebrating the combined expertise of these two masters of their craft.

Discover the inspiration behind The Macallan Distil Your World New York Edition.  Fall in love with artistry, creativity and  symbiosis of two global icons.

YouTube:  The Macallan – Distil Your World New York

Each expression within The Macallan’s single malt whisky portfolio is a multi-faceted sensorial experience. Embark on a journey of discovery and explore the depth of flavour in our Sherry Oak and Double Cask whiskies. The Double Cask Collection is a complex sensorial journey. Beautifully balanced by European and American Oak, sherry seasoned in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain.

EXCEPTIONAL CRAFTSMANSHIP
DOUBLE CASK COLLECTION

DOUBLE CASK 15 YEARS OLD

Notes of butterscotch, apple and sweet spice.

DOUBLE CASK 18 YEARS OLD

Notes of treacle toffee, sweet ginger and sultanas.

A SENSORIAL JOURNEY
SHERRY OAK COLLECTION

The Sherry Oak Collection is a timeless sensorial journey. Beautifully led by European Oak, sherry seasoned in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain.

SHERRY OAK 18 YEARS OLD

Savour a full bodied range of flavours with this expression including stem ginger, soaked raisins, sticky dates and dark chocolate.

SHERRY OAK 25 YEARS OLD

Notes of raisin, ginger and rich oak.

SHERRY OAK 30 YEARS OLD

Notes of ginger, orange and wood spice.

 EXPLORE THE SINGLE MALTS

Booker’s 7 Year 2 Months 4 Days”Barry”s Batch” #2025-01 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

(750ml) $89.99 View

The first US release of Booker’s 2025 Collection is named in honor of Barry Berish, former Beam Chairman. He was a legend at Beam, guiding the organization for over 40 years.

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

ralfy review 1074 – Cragganmore 12yo @40%vol:

Tomatin Distillery cooper named among world’s best with prestigious award win

Allan Bartlett, cooper at Highland distiller Tomatin, has been named ‘Cooper of the Year’ at the 2025 Icons of Whisky Awards.

Allan has been coopering at Tomatin Distillery for 21 years, including five years of training under the distillery’s former head cooper, Iain Duthie, who served for 39 years.

Allan previously won ‘Cooper of the Year for Scotland’ in the 2025 Icons of Whisky regional awards, before progressing to take the global title.

Allan is only the third person to take home the prestigious ‘Cooper of the Year’ accolade in the 19-year history of the awards, and the second from a Scotch whisky distillery. Introduced in 2023, the coveted award was won by Andy Moore from Loch Lomond Distillery in its inaugural year, and by Rafa Cabello from Casknolia in Spain’s Andalusia region in 2024.

As part of his role as Tomatin Distillery’s cooper, Allan is responsible for inspecting each and every cask before it is filled and making repairs when required. In his time at Tomatin Distillery, Allan has worked on more than 37,000 carefully selected casks.

Tomatin is one of just four distilleries in Scotland to have an on-site cooperage. This facility is essential to the distillery’s first-class maturation policy, which begins with the cask. By bringing barrel repairs in-house, Tomatin can closely guard its reputation for quality and work with a wider range of suppliers than most other distilleries.

As well as purchasing casks from cooperages, Tomatin also works directly with wineries, breweries and distilleries to source barrels for maturing its exceptional Highland single malt, allowing the expert team to produce a diverse range of whiskies.

Allan Bartlett, cooper at Tomatin, said: “To be internationally recognised by the Icons of Whisky Awards as a leading figure in the industry is a real privilege, and I’m thrilled to take this award home to Tomatin Distillery. I wouldn’t be here without Iain Duthie, who taught me the tricks of the trade.

“Coopering is a traditional craft which requires care, commitment and skill, taking years to master. I’m proud to play a role in preserving this important part of Scotch whisky heritage at Tomatin.”

With a proud heritage dating back to the 15th century, Tomatin has been a home for the whisky-making team’s dedicated craftsmen and their families since the current distillery was established in 1897.

Run by the team at Whisky Magazine, the Icons of Whisky awards aim to celebrate the best and brightest people and places in the sector.

For more information, visit https://tomatin.com.

About Tomatin Distillery

Tomatin is located in the Scottish Highlands, 16 miles south of Inverness, and is famous for its portfolio of refined and elegant whiskies.  The distillery has a proud heritage stretching back to the 15th century when illicit production was likely to be taking place, but it wasn’t until 1897 that the first formal distillery was established by John MacDougall as the Tomatin Spey Distillery Company.

In 2022, Tomatin was awarded ‘Scotch Whisky Producer of the Year’ and ‘Outstanding Spirits Producer of the Year’ at the International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC). Later that year, it was recognised as ‘Sustainable Distillery of the Year’ at Whisky Magazine’s Icons of Whisky 2023, in recognition of its continued contribution to sustainably at the distillery.

In 2023, Tomatin’s success continued when the distillery’s ‘Legacy’ was awarded Gold at IWSC. That same year, Tomatin also took home seven awards at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, while Cù Bòcan, took home three. Tomatin’s 36 Year Old was crowned the ultimate winner at SFWSC for malts, being named ‘Best in Show’, officially making it one of the best whiskies in the world.

Building upon this triumph, 2024 saw Tomatin’s 18 Year Old secured Double Gold for the third consecutive year at the SFWSC, elevating it to Platinum status. Meanwhile, both Tomatin’s 45 Year Old and 12 Year Old, alongside Cù Bòcan’s 15 Year Old took home Double Gold Awards, and Cù Bòcan’s 12 Year Old also secured a prestigious Gold Award.

At the 2024 IWSC Awards, Tomatin Legacy was awarded the IWSC Trophy for no age statement single malt Scotch, demonstrating its exceptional quality as best in class.

This year, Tomatin has been awarded Gold designation for its Tomatin Sherry Collection Ximénez Edition and Silver for both its Sherry Collection Manzanilla Edition and Sherry Collection Palo Cortado Edition in the inaugural 2025 Whiskey Wash Awards.

‘To What Matters’ is the latest chapter in the brand’s evolution; it is a positive call to arms that represents the spiritual DNA of Tomatin – a belief in savouring what is truly important in life and time spent together.

Tomatin is owned by the Japanese company Takara Shuzo International: www.takara-intl.co.jp/en/

​MAJOR MILESTONE AS CASK TRADE OPENS FIRST WAREHOUSE

Cask Trade is opening its own warehouse this month in a milestone move that will elevate its clients’ cask ownership experience. The bonded warehouse with a bespoke tasting room will allow customers to enjoy whisky masterclasses hosted by industry experts, taste whisky straight from their cask, and even watch their own single cask be bottled.

All of this will be in the biggest malt whisky region in Scotland, Speyside. The unit, located in Forres, has the capacity for up to 25,000 casks.

Founder and CEO of Cask Trade, Simon Aron, says the move is an exciting step forward for the company.

“Opening our own warehouse is a natural progression for the business and will enhance the effective management system of our client’s whisky, something we have been working hard to make even better over 2024. This will allow us to provide Delivery Orders (DOs) with greater ease for customers who wish to have one. The amazing location also means we can offer a total single-cask whisky experience for our customers.”

Just 30 minutes from Inverness airport, the warehouse is surrounded by more than 50 world-renowned single malt distilleries and a range of hotels, making Forres the perfect place for customers to visit their cask and explore “Malt Whisky Country”. Visitors will have access to breathtaking landscapes, from stunning beaches on the Moray Firth to mountainous forests in the Cairngorm National Park.

This is another highlight in a successful twelve months for the company, having featured in; The Financial Times Fastest Growing Businesses in Europe for 2024, won The Drinks Trust Caused Based Marketing Campaign for 2024, and been included in Start Ups 100 for the year.

Cask Trade have sold casks from over 170 distilleries across Scotch whisky, rum, Cognac, and Armagnac, making them a leading global company in the sector. They are committed to transparent cask ownership where selling is as important as buying. On top of industry expert account managers, their annual Beyond The Cask magazine helps customers through the whole process of cask ownership.

To take a look inside Cask Trade’s warehouse, you can view a YouTube video here.

To visit the website click here.

ABOUT CASK TRADE:

Cask Trade was set up by Simon Aron in 2018, born from his personal experiences of buying casks as a passionate whisky collector for more than 20 years.

Having found cask ownership difficult to navigate with few reputable companies operating, he envisioned creating a marketplace that made buying and selling casks transparent, open, and honest.

Cask Trade has grown from strength to strength, building its success off several core values:
•    Stockists, not brokers – Cask Trade own all its stock, giving buyers a 100% transactional guarantee and the peace of mind that all casks have been through stringent quality checks.
•    Market leading stocklist – since 2018, Cask Trade has represented over 170 distilleries across the world of whisky, rum, Cognac and Armagnac.
•    End-to-end support – Cask Trade nurtures client relationships beyond the point of sale and offers full cask management, sampling, re-gauges, and multiple exit options when customers come to sell on their cask.
•    Trust and transparency – The company’s casks are held in the best HMRC bonded warehouses, regularly visited and approved by Cask Trade whisky masters. All stock holdings have a complete paper trail.
•    Expert team – above all, the Cask Trade team are passionate about cask ownership and strives to help clients achieve their goals, whether they are looking to buy, sell or bottle their casks.
Alongside cask sale and ownership, Cask Trade has two unique services which help clients sell and bottle their liquid when the time is right:

Auction Your Cask
Auction Your Cask is the world’s first dedicated online cask auction site. With four auctions a year, clients as well as the public can either submit a cask to sell or bid on other casks with 0% seller fees and an agreed reserve.

Regent Street Cask Bottlers
For clients looking to bottle their cask, Cask Trade offers a unique bottling service – Regent Street Cask Bottlers. The expert team take the hard work out of bottling, helping customers bottle for trade purposes, to celebrate a special occasion, or even buy pre-bottled casks.

Recognition
Acknowledgement for the achievements of Cask Trade has been recognised by the FT1000 when the business was ranked as one of the fastest-growing companies in Europe; listed in The Sunday Times Hundred fastest-growing private companies in Britain and named among the UK’s most innovative new businesses’ by StartUps 100 Index.