The London Distillery Company reimagines its past with the launch of Yesteryear

The London Distillery Company (TLDC) is proud to announce the launch of Yesteryear – a six-year-old single London rye whisky that reimagines the distillery’s original LV-1767 Edition, first released in 2018.

Yesteryear was crafted from the remnants of TLDC’s landmark release – the first new whisky distilled in London for over a century. Revived from glass, inherited with the purchase of the company by Gleann Mòr Spirits, the LV-1767 whisky was returned to wood for an additional two years of maturation, resulting in a reconceptualised expression of the whisky that started it all.

Founded with an ambition to reconnect London to its distilling roots, TLDC helped reignite whisky making in the capital, combining traditional craftsmanship with contemporary curiosity. Yesteryear continues that story. The new release preserves the distinctive rye character of LV-1767’s original distillate while exploring what that inaugural release might have been if crafted for today. The result is a whisky that feels both familiar and new – a perfect harmony of history and progress.

Alongside TLDC’s legacy casks, the remains of the LV-1767 Edition were discovered preserved in glass – a forgotten milestone in London’s whisky renaissance. Crafted from 100% Warminster Rye and matured in English oak, TLDC’s first release was laid down in October 2014 and bottled in 2018. It was named the LV-1767 Edition in recognition of the last company to successfully produce whiskey in London – Lea Valley Distillery. Rather than leaving the milestone release as an artefact, the distillery’s revival team sought to return the spirit to wood, to let it mature once more and evolve into something truly contemporary.

Following eighteen months additional maturation in first-fill sherry octaves, the whisky was then reassembled into a refill sherry quarter cask for six months, allowing the aromas and flavours to marry into a cohesive whole. The result is a six-year-old rye whisky that embodies London’s dual identity – steeped in tradition, yet unafraid to reinvent itself.

Only 188 bottles of Yesteryear have been produced. Bottled at 52.3% ABV and with an RRP of £69.95, they will initially be available from www.londondistillery.co.uk from Friday 14th November.

Speaking of the launch, Matt McKay, TLDC Managing Director and Whisky Maker said “Yesteryear marks a full-circle moment for The London Distillery Company. It honours the whisky that started the journey, while signalling what’s still to come. It’s a testament to the idea that craftsmanship is not static – that heritage, when approached with creativity and respect, can become a foundation for innovation. Yesteryear is a whisky born of our past, that has been shaped by our present, and that confidently points towards our future.

Yesteryear

London Single Rye Whisky

Initially matured in English oak and then finished in 1st fill oloroso sherry octaves and a refill sherry quarter cask

52.3%

£69.95

Available from www.londondistillery.co.uk from Friday 14th November 2025

Nose: Seville oranges join sugar-coated red berries, while clove and cinnamon mingle with rich toffee and luxurious chocolate.

Palate: Thickly textured marmalade and buttery toffee sit alongside classic rye spices, whilst malty biscuits join toasted almonds and cocoa nibs.

Finish: Lingering cinnamon and herbaceous rye snuggle up to berry fruit tea and well-balanced cask-led pepperiness.

About The London Distillery Company

The London Distillery Company was established in 2011 as London’s first new whisky distillery for over a century. Trailblazing the revival of the capital’s distilling heritage, the company crafts exceptional spirits that reflect both tradition and modernity.

Committed to using only the finest ingredients and time-honoured methods, every bottle produced by The London Distillery Company expresses a dedication to craftmanship, blending expertise and a relentless pursuit of character and flavour.

www.londondistillery.co.uk/

A whisky tasting and live music gig with The Rhythm and Booze Project!

Sometimes an event comes along that shouldn’t be missed; this is one of those times.

SMWS Canada is beyond thrilled to welcome to Calgary, for one night only, The Rhythm & Booze Project, a blues duo out of the UK which incorporates whisky tastings into their roots, folk, and blues live music gigs. Blending infectious showmanship with their high-energy music, you’re in for an amazing evening of fantastic music and delicious SMWS whiskies.

Wednesday, January 14th

The Confluence (formerly Fort Calgary)

$65 – doors open at 7:00pm for a 7:30pm start (should wrap up around 9:30pm)

GET TICKETS HERE

Here’s a little teaser of what to expect (ignore the whiskies in the video; we’re pourin’ SMWS drams!):

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

Find the Perfect Christmas Gift

We’re here with the very best bottles to help you savour every moment this Christmas. Whether it’s personalised gifts to leave under the tree, the perfect festive single malt to pour with your friends and family, or Champagne to share around the table, our gift guide has got exactly what you’re looking for.

Gift guide

We’re speeding into the busiest time of year, where the call to squeeze in a catch-up with friends echoes through the dark evenings. It’s the time of year when Society whisky invites you in, whether it’s enjoying a bottle with friends at home or heading to our Members’ Rooms for a dram or two with a pal.  There’s an incredible amount of whisky to discover this First Friday, including our first ever small-batch blended malt using mezcal casks, Smouldering Mojo. Take a look and enjoy the drams!

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

Chivas Brothers unveils The Glenlivet Eternal Collection, Second Edition, 56 Year Old, 1 of 1 — a one-of-a-kind auction release in partnership with Sotheby’s

London, November 2025 – Chivas Brothers, the Pernod Ricard business dedicated to Scotch whisky and makers of The Glenlivet and Aberlour, today reveals the second release in its landmark partnership with Sotheby’s to bring never-before-released whiskies to discerning collectors.

The Glenlivet Eternal Collection, Second Edition, 56 Year Old, 1 of 1 represents the pinnacle of more than five decades of craftsmanship, innovation and maturation expertise. Master Blender Kevin Balmforth collaborated with sherry suppliers in Spain to craft a bespoke seasoning blend — combining Oloroso, Pedro Ximénez and Palo Cortado — which seasoned a new Spanish Oak cask before the whisky was laid down over four years ago. The ageing journey was a combination of this bespoke sherry butt and American oak barrel, adding layers of vanilla and toffee to complement The Glenlivet’s hallmark orchard fruit and honeyed richness. The combined result of these two casks is a singular, exceptionally aged single malt offering extraordinary depth, shaped by a finishing process unlike anything in the brand’s history, one that exemplifies Chivas Brothers’ craft of truly one-of-a-kind whiskies defined by rarity, provenance and masterful artistry.

This exclusive single malt lot is presented in a 24 carat gold-plated spherical glass decanter, adorned with  gold engravings of heather branches. Its bespoke bar top features an exceptional 137.73 carat lab-grown Paraiba Tourmaline simulant.   The whisky is accompanied by a bespoke sculptural plinth crafted by acclaimed artists Fredrikson Stallard, featuring  3D-printed heather branches plated in 24 carat gold that rise from a base of Guatemalan green marble. Inspired by Speyside’s dramatic terrain, the design echoes the whisky’s complexity and the rugged beauty of its Scottish homeland.

The Glenlivet Eternal Collection, Second Edition, 56 Year Old, 1 of 1 will be offered solely through Sotheby’s Finest & Rarest Whisky auction, running from 6–20 November 2025. Proceeds will support the National Trust for Scotland’s excavation work within the Cairngorms, where erosion threatens archaeological remains that could unlock new understanding of prehistoric life in the region. The initiative builds upon a five-year partnership between The Glenlivet and the Trust.

This announcement follows the recent record-breaking Distillers One of One® Charity Auction, held with Sotheby’s on 10 October 2025, where The Glenlivet SPIRA 60 Year Old 1965 achieved a record selling price of £650,000 — the highest bid ever recorded for the brand at auction and highest ever single bottle lot record at The Distillers One of One auctions to date. As Scotch cements its position as the world’s leading status spirit, Chivas Brothers’ diverse portfolio of high-end and exceptionally rare whiskies is perfectly positioned to meet the demand for rare, investment-grade and prestigious Scotch.

Jacques-Henri Brive, Global Head of Luxury Development at Chivas Brothers, said: “Through our partnership with Sotheby’s, we are unlocking exclusive access to previously unseen rare Scotch from the archives of Chivas Brothers — broadening the horizons for luxury spirits collectors around the world. The Glenlivet Eternal Collection, Second Edition, 56 Year Old, 1 of 1 reflects our legacy of creating the world’s finest high-aged Scotch, giving the most discerning collectors an opportunity to own their own slice of Scotch whisky heritage.”

Jonny Fowle, Global Head of Spirits at Sotheby’s, said: “It’s a real honour to continue our partnership with Chivas Brothers, offering collectors exclusive access to some of the rarest Scotch whiskies in existence. Even as the auction market steadies for fine and rare whisky, demand for truly exceptional liquid remains unwavering — and Chivas Brothers is uniquely positioned to meet that appetite with whiskies that are defined by scarcity, provenance and artistry. With The Glenlivet Eternal Collection, Second Edition 56 Year Old, 1 of 1, we are once again bringing an extraordinary expression of luxury Scotch to the global stage.”

The Glenlivet Eternal Collection, Second Edition, 56 Year Old, 1 of 1 carries an estimate of £35,000-£70,000. Bottled at 42.7%, this expression offers notes of poached plums, sticky dates and luscious dark chocolate ganache on the nose, with a taste of fresh blackberries, ripe banana and cherry compote and a velvety sweet, complex finish with enduring notes of dark chocolate.

* Early interest in the auction can be registered here

Copenhagen Distillery Unveils Newest Whisky Expression: REFINED No.3

Capturing Denmark in a bottle, REFINED No.3 is a perfect balance of innovation and craftsmanship

‘Distinctively Danish’ whisky producer, Copenhagen Distillery proudly announces the release of REFINED No.3, the highly anticipated newest expression in its acclaimed portfolio.

Limited to just 1,362 bottles, REFINED No.3 is crafted from 100% malted barley, including carefully cold-smoked portions, and matured in virgin and specially seasoned Hungarian oak casks.

Copenhagen Distillery’s unique seasoning process imbues the barrels with a proprietary blend, infusing each drop with a distinctly Danish character. The careful cask treatment adds layers of complexity that positions REFINED not just an expansion of the portfolio, but a bold statement in its own right.

REFINED No.3 presents a whisky of sophistication, depth and balance, with expressive layers of robust spice, herbal notes evocative of classic Danish bitters, complemented by subtle hints of liquorice and toasted rye bread. On the palate, expect delicate phenols, gentle smokiness, herbaceous sweetness, and discreet spiciness, showcasing both refinement and complexity in equal measure.

Lasse Öznek, Master Distiller at Copenhagen Distillery, comments: “With every release, we take another step toward our ultimate vision of crafting the perfect whisky – though in truth, the journey will never truly end, because experimentation is in our nature. REFINED No.3 is the latest expression of that exploration, and exemplifies our spirit: innovative, distinctly Danish, and layered with complexity from our unique cask seasoning process. It’s a whisky that captures both tradition and innovation, and we are very proud of it.”

Building on this philosophy, REFINED No.3 pushes boundaries with its balance of bold character and elegance. Crafted to showcase both innovation and heritage, it brings together Copenhagen Distillery’s forward‑thinking methods and its dedication to shaping a new Danish whisky tradition.

More than a new expression, REFINED embodies the very essence of Copenhagen Distillery’s mission – to craft whiskies that are unapologetically Distinctively Danish. The unique cask treatments add unexpected layers of flavour, highlighting the distillery’s uncompromising approach to innovation, craftsmanship, and bold expression.

REFINED No.3 (58.3% ABV) is priced at €265. The whisky will be available to purchase in the UK from The Whisky Exchange Online, as well as leading speciality whisky retailers worldwide and online in Northern Europe via the Copenhagen Distillery website.

Sip Into Autumn with the Fettercairn 1824 Martini 

Looking for a crisp new serve this autumn? Fettercairn 1824 Martini is a refined twist on a cult classic – perfect for dinner party season. A contemporary reimagining of the timeless Old Fashioned, but without the mixer, it uses ingredients that gently enhance the tropical fruit flavour of the whisky. Accents of golden citrus, sweet honey and warming spice echo the flavours of the season while a crown of Crémant sparkling wine gives a vibrant, distinguished finish.

To make it at home, simply combine…

• 37.5ml Fettercairn 16 Year Old
• 12.5ml kumquat liqueur
• 10ml Fettercairn honey syrup
• 15ml lemon juice
• 4 dashes of banana & coffee bitters

Shake all ingredients briskly with ice, fine strain into a chilled Champagne coupe, and top with Crémant sparkling wine. Garnish with a fresh lemon twist for a touch of finesse. Serve in your most elegant Martini glass, well-chilled.

Fettercairn 16 Year Old is available from a range of retailers, including The Whisky Shop, RRP £87.

We know it’s early, but for the organised amongst you, Christmas has quietly arrived at Wolfburn. Our Twelve Days of Christmas Collection is now available, beginning with Partridge in a Pear Tree and Two Turtle Doves: two exceptional 12-Year-Old Single Malt Scotch Whiskies, available in 70cl and 35cl bottles.

Matured in bourbon and sherry casks, each offers a beautifully balanced taste of floral sweetness, soft spice, and gentle Highland warmth, the perfect start to the season’s celebrations.

Back by popular demand, our Luxury Christmas Crackers also make a welcome return, now available in both timeless black and festive red. Each cracker holds a different 5cl miniature of Wolfburn Single Malt, bringing a touch of elegance and Highland charm to your Christmas table.

Our Christmas shop is now open, with more festive treats arriving soon, so pour yourself a dram, have a browse, and get ahead of the rush.

SHOP NOW