L-R: Nathan Reed – Co-founder, MD & Head Distiller, Jo Nicholson – Co-founder, Chairman & Farmer, Tom Martin – Co-founder, Holly Reed – Co-founder & COO

Buckinghamshire Farm Distillery sows seeds of success for regenerative spirit production

Aedda’s Farm Distillery, in Adstock, Buckinghamshire, is embarking on an ambitious plan to become a leader in the English spirits market, with an expanded range of products and distillery visitor centre set to launch in the coming months.

Nurtured from field to glass, Aedda’s Farm Distillery will use fruit from its own orchard to produce brandy, eau de vie and liqueurs, as well as its own fields to grow a variety of grains for its distinct spirits.

Aspiring to become a core part of the English whisky scene, the farm distillery will eventually produce a light and fruit-forward single malt, as well as other grain spirits which represent the best of English ingredients.

Later in 2025, visitors to the distillery will be able to experience farming life, production, and the best of what the English countryside has to offer with guided tours, before enjoying a glass of the core product range.

The distillery project represents an over £1.5m investment into the rural Buckinghamshire economy. Alongside a team of four founders, it is hoped at least five more jobs will be created in the next three years as part of this commitment, from visitor experience specialists to distillers, and eventually, apprenticeships.

Nathan Reed, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Aedda’s Farm Distillery, commented: “This year marks a series of really exciting milestones for our business. Customers have responded so well to the small range of products we’ve already been able to create and sell, and this has spurred us on to have a range of products ready to go in the coming months.

“The distillery visitor experience will truly bring the brand to life and give our customers a taste of the experimental approach we are taking on the farm. Over time, we will be trialling different grains and finishes to produce a unique range of spirits, something that we are lucky enough to be able to do with our own fields and the expertise of our team.”

In further commitment to sustainability and the surrounding landscape, the farm is proud to champion regenerative practices including polycropping to improve soil health and reduce the need for fertilisers and waste reduction methods whereby by-products from the distillation process will be reused for animal feed or recycled in a way that fits the natural landscape.

Nathan added: “The social, economic and environmental impact of the distillery is of huge importance to us. We know the value of steady employment opportunities in rural areas and will be very proud to expand the team in the near future.

“We look forward to taking both customers and the wider community along on our journey.”

An exclusive Aedda’s Farm Distillery Founders Club will be launching later in 2025, offering early supporters a first look at the distillery as it takes shape, the chance to experience the farm and the craft behind every drop, and privileged access to the evolving range of its small-batch spirits.

For more information, please visit https://aeddasfarmdistillery.com and, for newsletter updates, subscribe here.

About Aedda’s Farm Distillery:

Aedda’s Farm Distillery crafts premium spirits with a true field-to-glass ethos. Nestled in the heart of rural Buckinghamshire, the distillery draws on the land around it—using fruit from its own orchards to create liqueurs, brandy, and eau de vie, and growing select grains for its distinctive range of spirits.

More than just a distillery, Aedda’s Farm Distillery aims to become a leading name in English whisky, while breathing new life into the farm it calls home. The vision extends beyond production—inviting both UK and international visitors to explore and reconnect with England’s countryside.

Aedda’s Farm Distillery is currently developing an immersive visitor experience, set to launch in late 2025. Guests will learn about the journey of spirits from grain to glass, and how regenerative farming methods are being used to protect and enrich the land for future generations.

Visitors will get a true taste of rural life—exploring the farm, witnessing the production process, engaging in outdoor activities, and taking a guided tour, finishing with a tasting of Aedda’s Farm Distillery’s signature spirits.

This project represents an investment of over £1.5 million into the local Buckinghamshire economy. With a founding team of four, the distillery plans to create at least five additional jobs by 2028, ranging from distillers and visitor experience specialists to future apprenticeship opportunities.

Laphroaig 25 Year Old

Introducing our 2023 Laphroaig 25 Year Old Cask Strength ~ A rare single malt whisky made from our own floor-malted barley and bottled at its natural cask strength of 47.3% ABV. Matured for 25 years in ex-bourbon casks, this expression delivers a beautifully balanced dram, unfiltered to preserve every nuance of flavour.

£478.00
SHOP NOW ❯

Expect aromas of sweet pear drops, baked pastry, and smoked ham, leading into a rich palate of tropical fruits, gentle spice, and charred orange peel. The finish is long, soft, and smoky – unmistakably Laphroaig, yet evolved with age. A refined and powerful whisky, crafted for those who appreciate depth, heritage, and character in every sip.

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 ❯

A Bold Legacy

Watch the exclusive Whisky Magazine documentary exploring House of Hazelwood’s most ambitious project yet: One For The Next

This is a Partnered Promotion with House of Hazelwood

Whisky Magazine is proud to present a new short documentary film in partnership with House of Hazelwood: One For The Next. This exclusive 20-minute feature takes you deep inside Hazelwood House, the private Speyside home of the Gordon family, to uncover the origins of an extraordinary release and the start of an exceptionally ambitious maturation project.

At the heart of the story is a exceptionally rare 60-Year-Old Single Grain Scotch whisky from Girvan Distillery in Ayrshire, drawn from casks filled in 1964. Only 25 decanters of this whisky have been bottled. The rest will continue to mature — with the ambition to bottle future releases at 70, 80, 90 and 100 years old.

This film explores not just the craftsmanship behind this release, but the philosophy behind it: whisky not as an investment, but as a legacy — a gift to be shared across generations.

WATCH NOW

For collectors, connoisseurs, and those who value the long view — this is one film, and one whisky, not to be missed.

The A-Z of Scotch Whisky 📚

Whether you’re swirling your first dram or are already well into your whisky journey, our glossary is your gateway to better understanding the world of Scotch. So, whether you’re curious about congeners or want to get to grips with grist, you’ll find clear, concise definitions of the most important terms in whisky. 📖 Read the Post

Have you heard the dad joke about drams? No? Never mind, it’s quite a whisky one!

That terrible pun aside, if you’re looking for a gift for dad, our Father’s Day Flight tasting pack might be just the thing.  Each one of the three specially curated 50ml single malts in this tasting pack is a unique character – just like the big man himself.

BUY THE PACK 

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, The Vaults, 87 Giles Street, Leith EH6 6BZ

Contact: sales@smws.com or call 0131 555 2929 (Mon-Fri 9am-4.45pm). Visit the Society at here for membership information

This is your chance to join and to take advantage of their great offers!

Spot the SMWS bottles in this amusing You Tube video

Lochlea reveals first sherry and peat combination with Cask Strength #3

Curated by Jill Boyd, Lochlea’s new Master Blender

Award winning farm-to-cask Lochlea Distillery has unveiled Cask Strength Batch 3 – the latest release in its annual series of limited-edition cask strength bottlings – and a first in flavour profile for the independently owned distillery.

This year’s release marks a bold evolution in Lochlea’s Cask Strength series, combining rich Oloroso sherry with distinctive Islay peat – a pairing never before explored by the distillery. It also represents a significant milestone for Lochlea’s Master Blender Jill Boyd, who joined the distillery in late 2024 and has led the selection and blending of Cask Strength Batch 3 from start to finish.

Jill carefully selected whisky that has been matured in a combination of Oloroso Sherry Butts and Ex-Islay peated casks, creating a final spirit that balances richness and depth with a surprising twist of smoke. Cask Strength Batch 3 delivers a captivating nose of ripe red fruits and savoury BBQ smoke, followed by a rich palate of cherries and dark molasses lifted by warming ginger cake, toasted rye and charred wood smoke. The long, layered finish lingers with baking spice, salty smoke, and oaky tannins intertwining with delicate floral notes of red roses to create a bold new take on Lochlea’s signature style.

Each batch of Lochlea’s Cask Strength whiskies are carefully blended and bottled without any dilution, so every sip is just like trying samples from the warehouse itself. This latest release follows Cask Strength Batch 2 released last summer that had been matured in a combination of PX, Oloroso and STR casks showcasing a depth and complexity. The inaugural Cask Strength expression in 2023 was a combination of spirit matured in first-fill Bourbon barrels and Oloroso Sherry casks, working particularly well at high strength to amplify the fruit, nut and cereal flavours that form Lochlea’s house spirit style.

Jill commented: “I am especially proud of Cask Strength Batch 3 as it has been my first opportunity to curate one of our whiskies from concept to bottle, putting my own mark on our range. I wanted to push the boundaries of our house style with something bold and different.  As many whisky lovers will know, sherry and peat are both hugely popular flavour profiles, and we saw an opportunity to bring them together in a way that feels fresh and bold, yet rooted in our distillery’s DNA. It’s complex, it’s warming, and it’s got a smoky twist making it the perfect dram to enjoy with a BBQ in the sunshine!”

Availability & pricing:

Like all Lochlea’s whiskies, Cask Strength Batch 3 has no added colouring and is non-chill filtered. It has been bottled at  59.8%  and has an RRP of £67. It is available from Lochlea stockists from 29^th May 2025 onwards. For a full list of Lochlea stockists, visit: Lochlea Distillery stockists

Cask Strength Batch 3 – Tasting notes: 

Nose: Rich and juicy, with lots of ripe red fruits, and a hint of smoky bacon

Palate: Cherries, ripe berries, ginger cake, dark sugar, dark rye and BBQ smoke

Finish: Long and rich, with baking spice, salty smoke, red roses and oaky tannins woven through

Lochlea’s core range product: 

Lochlea is a farm-to-cask independent distillery growing all of its own barley on its farm. It also has a core whisky expression available all year round – Our Barley. This unpeated single malt has been matured in a combination of three different casks: first fill ex-bourbon, Oloroso sherry casks and STR barriques, all of which add depths of flavour to the spirit. Launched in July 2022, Our Barley has received much acclaim as a superb example of a young non-age statement (NAS) Lowlands whisky, made entirely from the distillery’s own home-grown barley.

About Lochlea Distillery: www.lochleadistillery.com

Lochlea was originally a 222 acre livestock farm before being purchased by Neil and Jen McGeoch in 2006. After much consideration of the future of the farm and a successful trial to grow its own barley in 2015, the couple transformed the land and existing farm buildings into a fully-operational distillery in 2017 and started distilling the following year. The farming side has remained a unique part of Lochlea, with the move into barley production – paving the way for Lochlea to be one of the very few fully grain-to-cask distilleries in Scotland. It also has a rich Scottish heritage with strong links to Robbie Burns, with the bard having worked and lived on the farm a several years.

Heaven Hill Celebrates Bernie Lubbers as He’s Named Whiskey Ambassador Emeritus

BARDSTOWN, KY — Heaven Hill Brands is proud to celebrate the contributions of Bernie Lubbers, who is transitioning from his day-to-day role as National Whiskey Ambassador effective May 1, 2025. Lubbers will continue his long-standing relationship with Heaven Hill as Whiskey Ambassador Emeritus, supporting the company’s ongoing whiskey education and advocacy efforts.

Known industry wide as The Whiskey Professor, Bernie has spent nearly two decades bringing Heaven Hill’s award-winning portfolio to life through education, storytelling, and his signature wit. A former stand-up comedian turned whiskey authority, he is widely credited with helping lead the resurgence of Bottled-in-Bond whiskey, reintroducing a new generation of consumers to one of the category’s most historic and trusted designations.

“Bernie’s passion for whiskey, people, and history is unmatched,” said Matt Blevins, Chief Marketing Officer at Heaven Hill Brands. “He’s not just a champion for our brands—he’s helped shape how the entire industry educates and engages. We’re thrilled that Bernie will continue to be part of the Heaven Hill family in this next chapter.”

As Whiskey Ambassador Emeritus, Bernie will remain a trusted advocate and educator for Heaven Hill’s American Whiskey portfolio—supporting select consumer and trade engagements while continuing to share his deep knowledge and passion for the craft. His impact has been recognized industry-wide, including being named Global Whiskey Ambassador of the Year by Whisky Magazine at Whisky Live in 2009, 2012, and 2016.

“Being part of Heaven Hill has been the honor of a lifetime,” said Lubbers. “I’ve always believed that whiskey is more than a drink—it’s a story, a tradition, a bond between people. I’m proud of what we’ve built together, and I look forward to continuing to share that spirit in new ways as Whiskey Ambassador Emeritus.”

Over the course of his career, Bernie traveled more than 100,000 miles a year to educate both the trade and consumers. His one-of-a-kind presentation, The Evolution of Bourbon, combines music, storytelling, and history to connect audiences to the roots of America’s native spirit. He is also the author of Bourbon Whiskey: Our Native Spirit, which remains a staple resource for whiskey lovers and industry professionals alike.

ABOUT HEAVEN HILL BRANDS: Founded in 1935, Bardstown, KY -based Heaven Hill Brands (www.heavenhill.com) is one of the nation’s largest independent, family-owned and led spirits producers and marketers, as well as 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, Widow Jane, Larceny, Old Fitzgerald, and Henry McKenna Bourbons; Rittenhouse Rye and FEW Whisky; Deep Eddy Vodka; Admiral Nelson’s Rum; Black Velvet Canadian Whisky; Lunazul and Ocho Tequila; HPNOTIQ Liqueur; Carolans Irish Cream Liqueur.

ABOUT THE WHISKY

This expression, matured in sherry seasoned European oak casks, recognising Mackintosh’s time in Europe, presents a beautiful, deeply coloured whisky with flavour characteristics that have been allowed to develop naturally over time.

DISCOVER

TASTING NOTES
EXPLORE COLOUR, NOSE, PALATE & FINISH

COLOUR Deep oak.
NOSE Rich dried fruits, raisins and fig, polished oak, cherry, orange, almonds and treacle.
PALATE Sweet oak, raisins, vanilla and ginger, apple and a wisp of leaf tea.
FINISH Long, sweet, rich and full.
ABV 50.4%

The Macallan Distillery Experience,  The Macallan Distillers Ltd,  Easter Elchies,  Craigellachie,  Moray,  AB38 9RX,  Scotland

2010 Tormore 14/15 Year Old “Old Particular” K&L Exclusive First Fill Oloroso Sherry Butt Finished Cask Strength Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) (Pre-Arrival) $74.99 View

The Speyside Distillery Tormore was one of the first new distilleries that were built in the 20th century. It’s more known for its unique and pretty architecture than for its Whiskies which predominantly are used for Blends. Tormore Distillery was granted the status “listed buildings” in 1986 although it was less than 30 years old then. The Gaelic name “Torra Mhoir” means “the big hill”.

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

Mark’s Whisky Ramblings 564: Miltonduff 13 Year Old 2011 for When Whisky Meats BBQ 2025

Mark Dermul, Belgian whisky blogger, tries Belgian festival bottling. Saturday, June 14th, whisky enthusiasts from far and wide will gather in the cozy town of Zwijnaarde for the festival When Whisky Meats BBQ. Fantastic location, delicious bites, delightful whisky (and other spirits), but above all, a great atmosphere. And of course, there’s another festival bottling, and just like the previous years, the organizers joined forces with the incomparable Bert Bruyneel of Asta Morris to select a remarkable whisky that is sold at a friendly price at the festival. It’s a Miltonduff 13 Year Old 2011 at 52%, and you pay only 55 EUR for it. That’s impressive! But is it tasty? Let’s find out!

https://youtu.be/MAwtUfbk8S8