Welcome one and all to our now live 169th auction!  We have thousands of tremendous bottlings to choose from this month sourced from every corner of the globe.  We have some particularly old vintages in this month as well as a wide selection of new releases so wherever your collecting (or drinking) interests lie, we’ve got you covered.  So, without further ado here are a few highlights to get your monthly whisky journey started.

First up we have a particularly delicious looking dram from a respected Indie bottler, this is the Springbank 1964 32 Year Old Adelphi.  Given the popularity of Springbank in general indie bottlings such as this one offer the opportunity to acquire an older Springbank without breaking the bank.  And boy does this one look good.  Distilled in 1964 and aged for over three decades before bottling it’s obvious from the rich dark colour that this dram has spent much of its slumber in a sherry cask.

Next a small skip over the water from Campbeltown to Islay and we have the Port Ellen 1979 40 Year Old 9 Rogue Casks.  After the closure of Port Ellen in 1983 stocks of the whisky became far rarer and more appealing to collectors, so you may have a fight on your hands if you want to snap this one up.  Now that Port Ellen has reopened, we may see even greater demand for these older iterations going forward so this could be the ideal time to add this bad boy to your collection.

Another ageing beauty from a respected indie bottler this is the Glen Grant 1952 60 Year Old The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Gordon & MacPhail.  To honour the late Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee (1952 – 2012) Gordon & MacPhail selected a sixty-year-old Glen Grant scotch from a single first fill Oloroso sherry cask.  The decanter and Swarovski crystal stopper have been designed by Glencairn Crystal, and each is engraved with a unique number as well as a sterling silver collar around the bottle neck. The box is made from Scottish Elm, felled a short distance from Holyrood House, the Queen’s official Scottish residence and lined with purple Harris Tweed.  One of a miniscule 85 bottles released this is a bona fide rarity.

Best of luck to everyone in the auction, and as always………..don’t lose your bottle.

WHAT IS ISLAND WHISKY?

Scotland’s windswept islands have been key centres of whisky making since the early days of distilling in the 15th century. Today, the furthest-flung corners of Scotland are home to some of the most celebrated distilleries in the world.

Though often described as a region, the Islands are officially part of the Highlands, with Islay recognised separately. The isles of Arran, Mull, Jura, Raasay, Skye, Lewis and Orkney all produce single malts, ranging from light and fruity to boldly peated with coastal influence.

DISCOVER

SHOP NOW

Thompson Bros Mystery Malt #2, 48.5%

THE REVIEW

I never got my hands on the first set of releases from this range, but I can happily say that’s in the past now. An amazing concept for not a lot of money. Am unknown bottle arrives at your door after payment, you’ve a percentage chance of getting a Ledaig 29 Year Old, Ardbeg 16 Year Old, or something younger. All single cask products that are uniquely different. The excitement of ordering a bottle of whisky and having no idea what’s going to arrive at your door is quite the trip, I’m amazed I managed to hold back on opening this until this video. You’ll have to watch the video to see what got revealed under the capsule, but it’s such a cool, fun, interesting experience. So fair play to the Thompson Bros and everything they stand for. Easily forging their way through to be the modern foundation of what whisky and its consumers should want.

Jackie Zykan Moves on from Hidden Barn Bourbon, Neeley Family Distillery to Continue with Award-Winning Brand 

SPARTA, KY (June 2025) – Jackie Zykan and Royce Neeley have announced Jackie is stepping away from Hidden Barn Bourbon, and Neeley Family Distillery will continue production of the brand.  Zykan created Hidden Barn Bourbon in 2022, in partnership with Royce Neeley and Nate Winegar.  In 2024, Neeley purchased Hidden Barn from the partners, with Zykan remaining as Master Blender and Winegar as Brand Ambassador.

Today, Winegar will continue his role as Brand Ambassador and Neeley will continue production of Hidden Barn, with the same flavor profile that it’s known for, which has earned it Best in Class and several double gold medals at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Zykan will stay involved with the Neeley Family Distillery.

“We have been thrilled to work with Jackie over the years and we look forward to continuing to work with her in a different capacity,” said Royce Neeley, Master Distiller, Neeley Family Distillery.  “We learned a lot from Jackie and have the utmost respect for her palate and blending abilities, and plan to continue to make Hidden Barn just as we have before. Our entire family thinks the world of Jackie, and the door is always open to future Hidden Barn collaborations. We’re excited about being able to work with her in this new capacity.” 

“I’ve so appreciated having this opportunity to work with the Neeley family and Nate, and I’m grateful for their support as I start my new agriculture venture, and also focus on my other business, Oduoak, which is a line of whiskey-based fragrances I created in 2020,” said Zykan, master blender emeritus. “I am honored to lean into my background of biology and chemistry to shed light on the importance of intentional and sustainable botanical sourcing. Diversifying my engagement with the natural world by growing aromatic flowers and herbs for both fragrance and spirits is an inherent next step in my journey. Being able to supply the herbs for Neeley’s Absinthe to deepen its roots as a Kentucky-made product is something I’m really excited about.”

The base of the spirit is the Neeley Family moonshine recipe, crafted using wild-crafted Appalachian yeast. This yeast is also used to create all Neeley Family Distillery distillates, including its Hidden Barn Bourbon.  There are no plans to make any changes to the Hidden Barn Bourbon after Zykan’s departure. In fact, the brand is growing stronger than ever, “We’re moving into our 20^th state as far as distribution, with several more on the horizon,” said Neeley.  Hidden Barn is also available for sale online and at the Neeley Family Distillery in Sparta, Ky.

About Hidden Barn Bourbon

Hidden Barn’s name harkens back to the local communities who painted their barns black in solidarity with distillers during Prohibition.  This sense of community is continued today through the passion for quality whiskey and camaraderie shared by its three founders, Jackie Zykan, Royce Neeley and Nate Winegar.  Previous Hidden Barn Series releases have earned Best of Class in the Small Batch Bourbon Up to 5 years by The Tasting Alliance, Double Golds at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2023 and 2024, and Best Small Batch, 1st Place at the 2023 New Orleans Bourbon Festival.  Hidden Barn Bourbon is owned by Neeley Family Distillery.   The brand is available online and in select states. For more information visit hiddenbarnwhiskey.com

Vote for Killowen Distillery

Belfast Whiskey Week is back (18th-26th of July), and we are absolutely thrilled to once again be nominated at the Irish Whiskey Industry Awards 2025. The entire team is delighted to feature across a range of categories such as Female Brand Ambassador of the Year, Apprentice Distiller of the Year and even Manager of the Year, all but to name just a few! To be recognised for all our hard work and efforts over the past year is truly such an honour, and if you feel that we are worthy of these awards we would be delighted to have your vote!

Vote Here

We would also like to remind all those lucky enough to attend this wonderful festival that we will be hosting two very special events;

Friday the 18th of July – Killowen: Weird and Wonderful Tasting
Wednesday the 23rd of July – Killowen: Wine & Fortified Wine Tasting 

Be sure to secure your tickets before the events sell out, we can’t wait to see you there! And once again, thank you all so much for your continued support of our wee distillery.

Get your tickets here

Sláinte

The Killowen Distillery Team

Laphroaig 38 Year Old Archive Collection

£4,100.00

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 ❯

SPRINGBANK VINTAGE

NOSE Medjool dates, blackberries, white chocolate and caramel notes kick off this first edition in the Springbank Vintage series.

PALATE There is an earthiness initially on the palate, with notes of shortbread, brandy butter and cloves developing over time.

FINISH The finish brings notes of varnished wood, nutmeg and crystalised ginger.

UK RRP £525 – £540

ralfy review 1085 Extras – A whisky bottling forensics. (99&1-Living Souls)

Heaven Hill Grain to Glass® Announces 2025 Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey

Limited-edition release crafted from locally grown grain, distilled, aged, and bottled entirely at Heaven Hill Distillery®

BARDSTOWN, Ky. (June 24, 2025) – Heaven Hill is proud to unveil the Second Edition of its Grain to Glass Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey, a limited-edition release that continues the legacy of its celebrated series. Crafted by America’s largest family-owned and operated distillery, this small-batch expression reflects the full journey of whiskey making from carefully selected ingredients to final bottling and showcases the transparency and craftsmanship for which Heaven Hill Distillery is known.

The 2025 edition of Heaven Hill Grain to Glass Rye Whiskey is made with a mashbill of 63% rye, 20% corn, and 13% malt— a higher rye content than Heaven Hill’s traditional Rye Whiskey. Beck’s Hybrids 6225 was the corn seed varietal chosen for the second edition and was grown by family-owned Peterson Farms on one of two sites in Nelson County, Kentucky. The distillate went into the barrel at 107 proof and was aged for over six years at Heaven Hill’s Cox’s Creek rickhouse site. The product is non-chill filtered and bottled at barrel proof, 105.2 proof (52.6% ABV) which allows its unique mashbill to shine. The result is a bold, spicy rye whiskey with aromas of toasted oak and almonds, leading to a robust palate of creamy orange marmalade, chocolate with nutmeg, white pepper spices and honey sweetness. The finish is long and warm with crème brûlée, charred oak, and orange oil with rye spices.

“With this second edition of Heaven Hill Grain to Glass Rye, we’re proud to showcase not only the art of rye whiskey making but the full story behind every drop—from seed to barrel to bottle,” said Conor O’Driscoll, Master Distiller at Heaven Hill Distillery. “The unique mashbill and higher rye content bring a bold complexity, while the transparency we provide—from the corn varietal to the barrel entry proof—gives whiskey lovers an authentic connection to the process. This is a rye whiskey that speaks to our team’s dedication to precision and passion for innovation.”

The focus on transparency in the Heaven Hill Grain to Glass line extends beyond its local ingredients. The label on each bottle features details of the specific corn seed varietal utilized from Beck’s Hybrids, the unique mashbill, as well as the distillation and released years. The illustrations include a blueprint of Bernheim Distillery, along with custom designs depicting the importance of farming tradition and innovation. The 700ml bottles will be available across the U.S. at a suggested retail price of $99.99.

The Heaven Hill Grain to Glass series continues the Shapira family’s legacy of quality, transparency, and innovation, offering whiskey lovers a deeper understanding of the people and processes behind their favorite spirits. The series has been recognized for its excellence, with the First Edition Grain to Glass Rye Whiskey earning a Gold Medal at the 2024 Beverage Tasting Institute and the title of Best American Rye Whiskey at the 2025 World Whiskies Awards. Earlier this year, the Second Edition Grain to Glass Bourbon launched to critical acclaim, further cementing the series’ reputation for exceptional craftsmanship. For more information about Heaven Hill Grain to Glass, visit: https://heavenhilldistillery.com/grain-to-glass/

ABOUT HEAVEN HILL DISTILLERY: Founded in Kentucky by the Shapira family in 1935, Heaven Hill Distillery continues its legacy as one of the foremost American Whiskey producers. Heaven Hill has cultivated the traditions and history of America’s Native Spirit with its fierce independence, passionate family ownership, dedication to quality, and thoughtful innovation. Today, Heaven Hill Distillery maintains over 2 million barrels aging in more than 70 warehouses throughout Nelson and Jefferson Counties. It is home to an award-winning collection of American Whiskeys including Elijah Craig Bourbon, Larceny Bourbon, Evan Williams Bourbon, Pikesville Rye Whiskey, Rittenhouse Rye Whisky, Parker’s Heritage Collection, and Old Fitzgerald along with its extensive Bottled-in-Bond label collection. Heaven Hill Distillery currently holds the title of 2024 and 2023 Whisky Magazine Distillery of the Year and 2023 World’s Best Small Batch Bourbon from the Icons of Whisky, as well as the 2022 Large Spirits Producer of the Year from the Ascot Awards. In 2025 and 2024 Heaven Hill was named Most Awarded US Distillery by the prestigious San Francisco World Spirits Competition along with Distillery of the Year and Best in Show Whiskey in 2019. Heaven Hill Distillery held the title of 2020 Whisky Advocate Whisky of the Year, the second Whisky of the Year for Heaven Hill Distillery in the past four years. For more information, please visit www.heavenhilldistillery.com.

Finn Thomson

Glen Garioch 36 Years Old

ABV: 45.2% 70 cL