Royal Elizabeth Bond confirms Summerhall Distillery and Proof 8 as operating partners for major new Central Belt whisky maturation facility

Royal Elizabeth Bond, a major new bonded Scotch whisky warehousing development on the outskirts of Edinburgh, has today announced the appointment of two partners to bring gold-standard cask and inventory management to the heart of operations.

The 50-acre former World War II naval storage depot in Dalmeny (known as Royal Elizabeth Yard) secured HMRC Warehouse Keepers approval earlier this month and will now begin welcoming clients to the facility, which will feature a mix of newly constructed and refurbished historic warehouses.

As operations commence, the business has appointed Edinburgh’s Summerhall Distillery as its facilities management partner.

KIRKLISTON, UK – 2025: Summerhall Distillery are the first official tenant at The Royal Elizabth Yard, with cask storage and a bottling line operating within one of the existing warehouse buildings. Pictured Marcus Pickering (L) , Co-founder of Summerhall Distillery, with Jonathan Sutton  (R) of Lewis Sutton Property Consultants who manage the yard. (Photograph: MAVERICK PHOTO AGENCY)

Summerhall Distillery is one of the pioneers of Scotland’s new wave of spirits producers, bringing years of experience and expertise to the role. With existing tenancy at two renovated warehouses on the site – one for cask storage, the other for bottling – they will now deploy a 4-strong team to manage cask handling and maturation and offer additional services to customers via their Edinburgh Bottlers business.

In addition, Proof 8 has been appointed to provide full transparency and traceability across REB’s inventory and warehouse operations via a purpose-built, blockchain-backed platform for the spirits industry. Their technology ensures full HMRC compliance, secure cask ownership through Digital Deeds, and real-time access to all production and maturation data for every cask stored across the entire REB estate.  This eliminates the guesswork and risk that continue to affect warehouses relying on paper records or legacy systems at a time when cask fraud and regulatory demands with Warehousekeepers and Owners of Warehoused Goods Regulations reform are a growing concern.

Commenting on today’s announcement, Jonathan Sutton of Royal Elizabeth Bond said: ‘We are delighted this strategically located facility is now onboarding spirit. Royal Elizabeth Bond now begins its transformation into the industry’s largest independently owned cask maturation facility. In turn, and aligned with the needs of the Scotch whisky industry more generally, REB has outstanding storage capacity specifically tailored to meet the inherent long-term industry demands of Scotland’s most famous export.  

In Summerhall Distillery and Proof 8 we have two diligent and hands-on technical partners to exceed customers’ expectations in the management of their maturing spirit. Collectively we will be working to ensure Royal Elizabeth Bond becomes a trusted, long-term storage partner for Scotland’s distillers, independent blenders and bottlers and brokers. 

Ideally located just 7 miles west of Edinburgh, the historic Royal Elizabeth Yard site was built in 1946 as a Ministry of Defence storage facility, primarily of food and other supplies (including rum) for the vital Rosyth Dockyard site across the Firth of Forth.

It was bought in 2018 and the owners soon saw its potential for whisky warehousing, due to its proximity to major transport routes and many of the industry’s bottlers and blenders.

After bringing together a team of whisky, property and logistics leaders, the Royal Elizabeth Bond project was launched to bring investment, innovation, sustainability, value for money and high-quality cask management to the Scotch whisky sector, as it fights to grow and build competitive advantage globally. Their ethos, to safeguard Scotland’s spirit so their partners can craft its future, underpins everything they do. 

Marcus Pickering, Co-Founder of Summerhall Distillery commented: ‘This historic naval site has played an important role in our business for several years, and we’re incredibly proud to be taking on this new partnership with Royal Elizabeth Bond. The development represents a significant investment in Scotland’s whisky infrastructure, and our experienced team will be on site every day, managing each cask with the same care and precision we give our own. Together, we’re helping to build a world-class maturation facility that sets a new benchmark for quality and service in the Scotch whisky industry.’

Stuart Maxwell, Chief Operating Officer at Proof 8 added: ‘By choosing Proof 8, Royal Elizabeth Bond is making a clear statement that their warehouses are built for the future, and will lead the industry in transparency, efficiency and operational excellence. The level of traceability Proof 8 brings is proving transformative. It reduces admin, strengthens compliance and gives both warehouse keepers and cask owners total confidence in what’s held in their facility. Royal Elizabeth Bond is aligning with where the industry is headed, towards smarter, more secure systems that prioritise traceability and efficiency.

About Summerhall Distillery

Co-founded by Matthew Gammell and Marcus Pickering, Summerhall Distillery occupies the site of what was once the small animal hospital of The Old Royal Dick Vet School. Founded back in 2013, Summerhall Distillery became Edinburgh’s first exclusive Gin distillery in 150 years and is home to brands Pickering’s Gin and The Broody Hen Scotch Whisky. Since 2013, Summerhall Distillery has expanded into a multi-spirit production facility with the ability to produce vodka, gin, rum, as well as blended and single malt whiskies. Distilling, bottling, and labelling every bottle that leaves the distillery by hand. 

About Proof 8

Proof 8 provides digital distillery and warehouse management solutions that connect the entire supply chain. Built specifically for the spirits industry, Proof 8 transforms operations with the most comprehensive modern operating system for production, maturation and bottling. With key features like Recipe Builder and Smart Scheduling, the Proof 8 platform gives distilleries complete visibility and control over production and inventory, ensuring compliance, data accuracy and confidence throughout every stage of a spirit’s journey.

https://www.royalelizabethbond.com/

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DISTINCT, RICH, MULTI-LAYERED

SPEYSIDE SINGLE MALTS SINCE 1898

Earlier this week, we presented a range of selections from our Speyside Single Malt collection, most of which reflect the region’s characteristic unpeated “heather-and-honey” personality. Today, we cast the spotlight on a single producer from the region which veers from that tradition by, among other things, incorporating peat into their process.

Situated on a ruggedly beautiful old farm site in north Speyside, the Benriach Distillery has a unique whisky-making heritage that traces back to its founding in 1898. Central to the distinct character of Benriach’s offerings is its own captive water source: a mineral-rich aquifer that sits deep beneath the distillery. During the mashing process in which the barley’s starch is converted into fermentable sugar, they use four batches of that water, instead of the usual three used by most distillers, to maximize the sweetness of the malt. The high level of sweetness from the barley, alongside the mineral rich purity of the water, serves to unlock the signature orchard fruit notes that characterize their whiskies.

Also distinct to their process is a long-standing tradition of distilling three styles of whisky: classic unpeated, Highland peated and triple distilled, together with an eclectic selection of casks from around the world. This enables their whisky-makers, under the guidance of esteemed Master Blender Dr Rachel Barrie, to explore a vast range of flavor possibilities and to create some of the richest, most multi-layered whiskies in Speyside.

We invite you to explore our current Benriach selections which reflect varied distillation styles, cask selections, and aging protocols. As you may also happily note, in addition to their distinct quality and character, they represent true values in this era of ever-escalating prices.

Benriach The Original Ten Year Single Malt Scotch $59.99

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Benriach The Smoky Ten Single Malt Scotch $59.99

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Benriach The Twelve Single Malt Scotch Whisky $63.99

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Benriach The Smoky Twelve Single Malt Scotch $69.99

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Benriach 21 Year Single Malt Scotch Whisky $199.99

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OUR CLUB PROGRAMS

Here at D&M we are passionate about  American Whiskey and Single Malt Scotch. To help make our passions a little easier on your (and our) pocketbook, we have come up with a number of different buying clubs. The purpose of these clubs is to explore these wonderful beverages, trying new things, and to save money. Click HERE to learn more about our club options.

Christmas Shop Now Open at The Whisky Shop!

Get set for Christmas with some amazing early gifts from The Whisky Shop!

We have pulled together some of the finest brands and drams in the whole of whisky world to delight your friends and family this Christmas!

Share the Spirit the Christmas!

EXPLORE NOW❯

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 Guide to Pot Still Whiskey

With a rich history and a distinctive character, pot still is one of the world’s great whiskey styles. Sharing similarities with single malt, it’s made from a mix of grains and defined by its fruity, spicy and earthy profile. First distilled by monks in the 8th century, it became the foundation of Ireland’s whiskey industry.

Learn More
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ralfy review 1105 – Ledaig 10yo Hebridean Moon @58.8%vol:

Ballantine’s Unveils Limited-Edition Gorillaz Bottle Featuring Never-Before-Seen Artwork

Ballantine’s, the world’s second most popular Scotch whisky*, unveils the latest limited-edition from its annual True Music Icons series that celebrates groundbreaking artists who have shaped music culture.

This year, the collection celebrates Gorillaz – one of the most pioneering and visually iconic bands in modern music. A global phenomenon known for their genre-blending sound, musical and visual innovation, and boundary-pushing creativity; the four Gorillaz band members Murdoc Niccals, 2D, Russel Hobbs and Noodle perfectly reflect Ballantine’s spirit of staying true to who they are.

Arriving during a landmark season for the band, this release marks 25 years of Gorillaz’s cultural impact. The limited-edition design reveals a never-before-seen illustration of the band, created exclusively for Ballantine’s by British artist and Gorillaz co-founder, Jamie Hewlett, that brings Gorillazs unmistakable band members to life on the bottle. A true collector’s item, it’s a standout addition to any drinks collection and a must-have for whisky lovers and music fans alike.

With a global following and a career built on collaboration, creative innovation and visual storytelling, Gorillaz continue to push the boundaries of how music is made and experienced. This collection celebrates the band’s far-reaching impact across sound, visual art, and culture.

Paul-Andre Vacheron, Global Marketing Director for Ballantine’s at Chivas Brothers, commented:

“This edition of True Music Icons continues our commitment to celebrating artists who defy convention. At Ballantine’s, we’ve always stood for those who stay true to who they are, and this Gorillaz collection is a toast to their pioneering spirit and the impact they’ve made in music. The True Music Icons series continues to offer fans a unique way to celebrate the artists they love by recognising their impact, ongoing influence, and adding something special to their collection.”

Previous editions of the True Music Icons collection have celebrated some of the most influential artists of all time – from the 2023 collection honouring AC/DC and Queen, to the 2024 tribute to Elton John and John Lennon – each embodying Ballantine’s Stay True ethos in their own iconic way.

The Ballantine’s True Music Icons Gorillaz bottle is available in select markets around the world. For more information visit www.ballantines.com or follow @ballantines.

*Source: IWSR 2023

THIS ARTICLE APPEARS WELL AFTER THE ORIGINAL PUBLICATION DATE AND IS PUBLISHED HERE AS A MATTER OF INTEREST.

It will come as no surprise to you that here at North Uist Distillery we love whisky.

We love thinking about whisky, we love talking about whisky, we love making whisky, and of course, we love sharing whisky with friends.

Hospitality lies at the very heart of Hebridean culture – the door is always open, the stove is always lit, and a dram is always ready to pour. It is with this spirit of Hebridean hospitality in mind that we launch The Guest House Series, opening our doors to host some of our favourite distilleries, and inviting you to pull up a chair by the fire.

GUEST HOUSE No.01

Over the last few years of dedicated research for our own uisge beatha we have tasted some truly exquisite drams from friends and neighbours in the world of distilling (it’s a hard job but someone’s got to do it) and we just couldn’t resist buying a cask or two of the delicious spirit we have sampled to share with our fellow whisky lovers.

Over the last months we have been busy tasting, blending and sampling, working on our first release which we are delighted to be bringing you just in time for Christmas!

Created using select casks from distilleries across Scotland to bring you a delicious easy drinking blend, Guest House No.01 was created to be enjoyed by a Hebridean fireside with friends.

Aged in a mix of sherry and bourbon casks and with a lightly peated flavour, this smooth sipper is the perfect way to toast our Uist whisky as it gently ages.

GUEST HOUSE No.01

Pre-order now, with free delivery from early December.

As always, bottles will come gift wrapped with a hand written note, making them the ideal way to show a little love to the whisky fan in your life.

Slàinte.

Team NUD x

BLACK FRIDAY AT BARTELS WHISKY

MASSIVE SAVINGS ON BOTTLES SHOWN BELOW:

NO CODES – DISCOUNT ALREADY SHOWN

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TOBERMORY 2007 – AGED 17 YRS

DISCOUNTED PRICE £60

LEDAIG 2007 – AGED 17 YRS
DISCOUNTED PRICE £70

PORT CHARLOTTE 2008 – AGED 15 YEARS
DISCOUNTED PRICE £99

GLENBURGIE 2007 – AGED 18 YEARS

DISCOUNTED PRICE £69

FREE DELIVERY ON ALL BOTTLES

(sale ends 28/11/2025 )

Remember to share your bottles on social media!

Teapot Dram Batch No. 11 Has Arrived

Today we release Teapot Dram Batch No. 11. Matured exclusively in first-fill sherry casks and bottled at 59.7% ABV, this special release is limited to just 3,000 bottles and priced at £125. This is Glengoyne’s bold tribute to a unique distillery tradition. Don’t miss your chance to own the next exceptional dram in the series. Available exclusively at Glengoyne.com and our Distillery Shop.

Tasting Teapot Dram 11 with Robbie

We joined Robbie in Glengoyne’s Warehouse eight for a tasting of Teapot Dram Batch No. 11.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Dates, dark chocolate, lemon meringue, grilled peach, toasted nuts, dry sherry, and a wisp of incense.

Palate: Cherries, strawberry ice cream, blackberry jam, gingerbread, fudge, hazelnut spread, dried apricot.

Finish: Maraschino liqueur, Eton Mess, summer berries.

Master’s Choice Single Malt Whisky

For nearly four centuries, the Worshipful Company of Distillers has embodied the spirit of craftsmanship, camaraderie, and generosity. Founded by Royal Charter in 1638 to uphold the quality of London’s early distilling trade, the Company today brings together professionals and enthusiasts from across the world of fine spirits. Its members share a deep respect for heritage and a commitment to excellence, education, and charity.

Guided by the ancient motto, “Drop as Raine, Distill as Dew,” the Company celebrates both the science and artistry of distillation.

We’re delighted to introduce Master’s Choice, a special limited-edition whisky created to honour our Founder, Daniel Szor’s year as Master of the Worshipful Company of Distillers. This release is a celebration of friendship, tradition, and the enduring craftsmanship that has defined the Company for generations.

Master’s Choice is available from today, exclusively on our website and at our three Cotswolds Distillery shops in Stourton, Broadway, and Bourton-on-the-Water, priced at £SOLD OUT! – while stocks last.

Please note that bottles of this edition are in very short supply and are therefore limited to one bottle per person.

Tasting Notes

Cotswolds Master’s cask is a long awaited marriage of our core casks elevated with 10 years maturation in the Cotswolds. The use of first fill bourbon casks and our signature Red Wine STR casks builds a foundation of sweetness and creaminess.

The nose is elevated and bursts with citrus, apples and marzipan aromas followed by elegant cherries, plums and almonds on the palate. The finish and long and complex with shortbread and dried apricot flavours that all balance to make it unmistakably Cotswolds with all the balanced complexity of rare, hand selected 10 year old casks.