The world of independently bottled whiskies can be an eclectic one, but every now and again there’s a collection that feels like a cohesive and accessible modern classic. That’s definitely true of the 100 Proof collection by Signatory Vintage: released over the past year, it’s seen some exquisite Scotch whiskies bottled at the old ‘imperial proof’ of 57.1% ABV.

Punchier than most core-range malts, this strength hits a sweet spot for many. But the real draw is the breadth – beloved drams like Orkney single malt and Ben Nevis sit alongside indie favourites like Tormore and Glen Ord. With most bottles under £50 (and a few just shy of £70), it’s no surprise that this is one of the bottler’s most popular releases in years.

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Glencairn Crystal named as finalist for prestigious Exporter of the Year Award

at the Lloyds British Business Excellence Awards 2025

Glencairn Crystal, the family-owned, award-winning crystal specialist based in East Kilbride (Scotland) has been named a finalist in the Department for Business and Trade Exporter of the Year Award at the Lloyds British Business Excellence Awards 2025. Coming on top of the company’s recent award of the King’s Award for Innovation this cements Glencairn as a truly world class business in its sector.

Established over four decades ago by Raymond Davidson, Glencairn Crystal has become one of Scotland’s most iconic exporters. Renowned for its exceptional innovation in high-quality decanter and glassware design, the company has played a pivotal role in redefining the traditional crystal industry. With an unwavering commitment to creativity, quality, and design excellence, it is a world leader in ultra-premium spirit containers and a pioneer in the decoration and application of metalware on glass and crystal.

Glencairn Crystal also produces the Glencairn Glass which is recognised as the world’s official whisky glass. This year the glass celebrates its 25^th birthday and the company now sell over 5 million units across international markets each year.

The company’s influence extends across the globe, with direct exports accounting for nearly 60% of its business, rising to an estimated 80% when including customer-led distribution abroad such as distilleries sending Glencairn Glasses to other markets and decanters being sold abroad.

The Lloyds British Business Excellence Awards is the UK’s largest and most prestigious business awards programme. It celebrates leading businesses across all industries, championing sustainability, diversity, equality and those that have transcended expectations and limitations throughout the year

Glencairn Crystal previously reached the shortlist in 2018, and its selection as a finalist in 2025 reflects the company’s continued evolution as a global industry leader.

Scott Davidson, New Product Development Director at Glencairn Crystal and son of Founder Raymond Davidson, commented:

“To be named a finalist in these awards is an incredible honour and testament to the hard work, creativity, and dedication of our entire team. As a family business rooted in Scotland but operating on a global stage, we’re incredibly proud of how far we’ve come over the last 40 years.”

The winners of the Lloyds British Business Excellence Awards 2025 will be announced at a prestigious awards ceremony in November.

For further details about Glencairn Crystal please visit: www.glencairn.com and for The Lloyds British Business Excellence Awards: www.britishbusinessexcellenceawards.co.uk

Glencairn Crystal Awards:

This year Glencairn Crystal was honoured with a King’s Award for Enterprise for Innovation. The company first received the Queen’s Award for Innovation in 2006 for the Glencairn Glass, followed by the Queen’s Award for International Trade in 2012

Other accolades include Whisky Advocate Industry Leader of the Year in the US in 2011. In 2019 Glencairn Crystal was one of only seven Scottish companies to join the London Stock Exchange Group’s ELITE programme for fast-growing companies, and recognition in the 2023 Scottish Export Index as one of the top 20 companies demonstrating excellence in international trade.

Isle of Harris Distillery is pleased to announce the release of an exclusive single cask of The Hearach in partnership with Edinburgh’s Royal Mile Whiskies.

Launching on Friday 15 August, just 225 individually numbered bottles will be available to purchase exclusively from Royal Mile Whiskies.

You will be able to secure a bottle at their flagship store in the heart of Old Town, Edinburgh, providing another reason to visit the Royal Mile during the Fringe festivities. Those further afield, including international customers, can also buy online via their website.

This limited-edition bottling of The Hearach has been specially tasted and selected by Royal Mile Whiskies’ expert team in close collaboration with the distillery. Aged in a first fill Bourbon barrel, the lightly peated whisky is bottled at cask strength of 57.4% ABV.

“Notes of crème brûlée and deep caramels on the nose, turning to dried citrus peel and barley sugar, with a burst of mixed florals that mellows into a gentle lavender. On the palate, gentle warm spices of old-fashioned pudding and ginger cake lead to a long and creamy finish with a touch of liquorice and a lingering hint of Hebridean peat smoke.”

IOHD Blender, Shona Macleod 

LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR WHISKIES

“Isle of Harris Distillery has consistently impressed me with their vision and achievements. From day one, they’ve focused on community and craftsmanship, creating something with real meaning behind it. Retailers and wholesalers like us have so many bottles to sell these days, but we’re always drawn to the ones made by passionate people that care for quality of their spirit. Our cask is a stunning example of this – a lightly peated coastal dram with delicious bourbon cask influence. It’s been a joy to work together and we’re proud to offer this whisky exclusively to our customers around the world.”

Sam Brabbs, Head Spirits Buyer at Royal Mile Whiskies

VISIT THE ROYAL MILE WHISKIES WEBSITE

White Port & Madeira Cairdeas
Laphroaig “Cairdeas Bottled 2023 – White Port & Madeira Cask Aged” Cask Strength Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) (Elsewhere $110) ($74.99)
“At about 30% lower than the original release price, this moment feels like a small gift from the whisky gods.”— David-Othenin-Girard, K&L Spirits Buyer

For many years, the annual Laphroaig Cairdeas release has been one of the most anticipated moments in the whisky calendar. Devotees of this iconic Islay distillery—and collectors around the world—look forward to these limited releases, which often showcase unusual cask finishes, higher proofs, and creative interpretations of the house style. Known for producing “the most richly flavored of all Scotch whiskies,” Laphroaig uses Cairdeas to explore new dimensions of its unmistakable maritime, smoky character.

For a long time, the formula worked perfectly. These special bottlings were consistently priced around $80, offering outstanding quality and collectability at a fair cost, year after year. Then, in 2022, something shifted: the price rose to $100, and for the first time in memory, bottles lingered on shelves. It wasn’t that the whisky had declined in quality—if anything, the craftsmanship remained as sharp as ever—but the jump disrupted a long-standing equilibrium between value and exclusivity.

Fast-forward to today, and we find ourselves in a rare position: two different Cairdeas bottlings available at a discounted closeout price. At about 30% lower than the original release price, this moment feels like a small gift from the whisky gods. While it’s unlikely that Suntory Global Spirits, the owner of Laphroaig, will lock in such pricing for the long term, it’s a chance to stock up on a whisky that once sold out in a heartbeat.

The 2023 Cairdeas is a worthy reminder of why this series became so beloved in the first place. In the glass, its deep gold color (0.8) suggests restraint in the cask finishing compared with some previous wine-driven editions. Rather than pushing heavy wine notes, this bottling focuses on balance and integration. The wine casks still contribute salted cooked citrus, raspberry jam, and persimmon, but these sit comfortably alongside exotic spice, robust wood smoke, hints of metal polish, ginger, smoked fish, and a bright, cider-like lift with orange zest.

On the palate, an earthy green peat takes control early, drying the entry with a satisfying ashy edge before peppery spice builds. Slowly, the fruit notes from the nose return, lending a layered sweetness that stretches into the long, harmonious finish. This is a Cairdeas that stays true to Laphroaig’s peaty core while offering an unusually refined and integrated profile—smoky without being blunt, fruity without being cloying, and structured without losing drinkability. Even at its original $100, it would be a serious contender in today’s crowded market, but at $75 it becomes an easy recommendation for any Islay fan. It’s also a reminder that some of the best whisky experiences come when price and quality are in sync—a fleeting alignment worth enjoying while it lasts.

–David Othenin-Girard, K&L Spirits Buyer

Laphroaig “Cairdeas Bottled 2023 – White Port & Madeira Cask Aged” Cask Strength Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) (Elsewhere $110) ($74.99)

Josh Gelfand | K&L Spirits Buyer

Ah, the taste of “friendship.” There’s something about the Friends of Laphroaig releases that captures what makes this legendary Islay distillery so beloved. For this edition—the first from new Master Distiller Barry MacAffer—they’ve truly hit it out of the park. The marriage of 75% Madeira casks with 25% white Port creates a harmonious balance of vivid fruit, floral-herbal lift, and earthy wood.

The nose opens with creamy lemon custard, tropical fruit, and spring blossoms drifting through woodland air. On the palate, the signature earthy smoke is wrapped in bright citrus oil and a light caramel glaze. The finish is lively, offering lemon zest, pineapple rind, and soft oak before settling into classic Laphroaig peat. This is a playful, confident release that any Islay fan will appreciate—especially those proud to call themselves Friends of Laphroaig.

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

Glengoyne Selfridges Single Cask
Cask Number: 1013
Cask Type: European Oak Sherry Hogshead
Filled: 18th November 2009
Bottling Strength: 54.2% ABV
Availability: Only 259 bottles

Every pour tells a story. The nose delights with spiced stewed fruits, salted caramel chocolate, and pear drops. The palate offers a symphony of madeleines, lemon icing, and berry crumble, leading to a long, indulgent finish that lingers with chocolate, vanilla, and toasted oak. Available at Selfridges stores in London, Birmingham, Manchester Trafford, and Manchester Exchange Square, or shop online to secure your bottle.

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DISCOVER FRENCH WHISKIES

With a long history of creating some of the world’s finest spirits, French whiskies were always destined to impress. The nation now comprises a huge number of new whisky producers bottling everything from single malts and blend to terroir-driven spirits made with organically grown cereals. Explore our selection today and taste the evolution of this vibrant scene.

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If there was ever a month for adventure, August is it. It’s a time to embrace sun-drenched long weekends and further flung getaways to soak up the last of the season. Summer holidays already complete? Seize the small moments. A long weekend walk, a lazy brunch with highballs, or a dram under the stars at the end of a night all offer their own delights. The labels on our whiskies tell the stories of their liquid adventures – each label a map to find your way. How you choose your adventure is up to you.

EXPLORE THE OUTTURN HUB

TAKE ME TO THE BOTTLES

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

The second batch of Booker’s Bourbon – the ‘By The Pond Batch’

This batch is special to Fred, as it’s named after his father’s beloved backyard pond, a special place where he liked to spend sunny afternoons.

This batch is unique, as it was selected during a very wet spring with some record rainfall in Kentucky. The color of this batch reminded Fred of some of the beautiful horses you’d see competing in the Derby. The nose is very inviting with vanilla and oaky notes that spoke to him.

According to Fred Noe, 7th Generation Master Distiller, “The first taste I put into my mouth was very nice and had a sweetness I enjoyed, so I took a second. The second taste was nice, and the finish complemented and completed the experience so well. I feel sure my dad would have enjoyed sipping the “By the Pond” batch sitting by his pond feeding his fish, waiting for them to grow so he could enjoy eating them with some great Booker’s Bourbon”.

“By the Pond Batch” is made up of barrels from seven production dates that were aged in eight different warehouses. This batch is aged to 7 years, 1 month, and 20 days. The proof of the batch is 126.5, the breakdown is as follows:

• 11% came from the third floor of warehouse J a nine-story warehouse
• 11% came from the fifth floor of warehouse 3 a seven-story warehouse
• 11% came from the fifth floor of warehouse 1 a seven-story warehouse
• 5% came from the seventh floor of warehouse H a nine-story warehouse
• 11% came from the fourth floor of warehouse K a seven-story warehouse
• 11% came from the fifth floor of warehouse L a seven-story warehouse
• 11% came from the fourth floor of warehouse 4 a seven-story warehouse
• 29% came from the sixth floor of warehouse G at Waterfill a seven-story warehouse

Proof: 126.5 | SRP: $99.99

“By The Pond” Background: We didn’t always have a pond in the backyard. But then Dad decided he wanted one to raise catfish and bluegill, so we’d always have fresh fish for supper. And that was that. Next thing I knew, Dad put me and some buddies to work: digging the pond, filling it up, making it homey enough for those fish. After a few days, the pond Dad had dreamed up was right behind our house.

But it wasn’t all smooth sailing. At first, the pond leaked, so we put in a liner held down with big stones. Then, after realizing the city water was no good for fish, Dad rigged a system to bring in fresh rainwater. And finally, we had to figure out what to do about the fifty-foot maple tree looming above it. When its leaves fell, they covered the whole pond. Dad set up a net to catch them on the water’s surface, but all he ended up catching was the fish underneath, finding dozens of them tangled up in it each morning. Eventually he put a roof over the pond, and it became something more: a place to reflect. It was where he sat with Freddie as a boy for hours on end, and where he enjoyed plenty of those warm Kentucky days. I think it’s one of the places he felt most at peace. I hope you savor this batch in a place where you find your own bit of happiness, wherever that may be. So go off, and enjoy.

— Fred Noe, Beam Family 7th Generation Master Distiller

NORTH HIGHLAND BLENDED MALT OVER 8 YEARS OLD

Thompson Bros North Highland Blended Malt Scotch Whisky is a carefully crafted blend from the North Highland region, featuring whiskies from Glen Ord and Clynelish distilleries.  With an ABV of 44.9% and aged over 8 years, this whisky offers a unique sensory experience.

This batch follows the principles of previous releases, with meticulous dilution over 47 days, reducing the ABV from 56.8% to 44.9% within the cask.  Additionally, 3% heavily peated whisky has been subtly incorporated, enhancing its complexity.

£36.99

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CASK NO. 72.125

Blossom Reverie

ABV49.1% | Age 29 years | DISTILLED DATE 08/02/1995 | CASK TYPE refill ex-bourbon hogshead | PROFILE Light & Delicate | REGION Speyside

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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