A gift that lasts all year
Some gifts say, “I saw this and thought of you.”
This one says, “I know exactly what you love.”
If your dad takes pride in knowing his whisky, discovering new stories, and enjoying every detail, then a Whisky Magazine Premium Membership might just be the most thoughtful gift you’ll give this year.
Royal Salute, the master of exceptionally aged Scotch whisky, invites whisky lovers and cultural vultures alike to embrace the spirit of Rio de Janeiro with the latest addition in its iconic Polo Collection; the Royal Salute 21 Year Old Rio de Janeiro Polo Edition.
Born from a unique legacy, Royal Salute’s enduring affinity with polo is the inspiration at the heart of this contemporary collection of limited-edition whiskies. The 21 Year Old Rio de Janeiro Polo Edition, the seventh in the series, captures the vibrant soul of Rio de Janeiro, the undisputed capital of Brazilian polo. Here, amidst the fields of Helvetia and the energy of Rio’s streets, the sport thrives with an unparalleled passion, echoing the exhilarating blend of skill, honour, and grace shared by both polo and Royal Salute’s exceptional whiskies.
As a tribute to this emblematic location, Royal Salute’s Master Blender, Sandy Hyslop, expertly crafted the bespoke 21 Year Old Blended Malt whisky with a rich, fruity flavour that echoes Rio’s famously dynamic culture. A portion of this complex blend includes precious whiskies from Braeval Distillery matured in first-fill casks, offering fresh floral and grassy notes, reminiscent of Rio’s lush green landscape. Working harmoniously with other malt whiskies aged in American Oak casks, which bring sweet and creamy vanilla and coconut notes, the resulting blend is superbly smooth.
Commenting on the latest release, Sandy Hyslop said: “Coming alive with the creamy sweetness of vanilla and coconut, the fruity notes in this blended malt whisky are like an intricate dance – much like the Bossa Nova performed on a warm Brazilian evening. To make a blend as special as its inspiration, we incorporated Braeval whisky matured in first-fill casks. This has not only allowed us to give it a new dimension, but it also resulted in a taste experience as captivating and multi-layered as Rio itself, a true representation of the city’s irresistible charm.”
Capturing the energy of Rio de Janeiro, the exquisite 21 Year Old Rio de Janeiro Polo Edition is presented in a vivid green flagon, echoing the city’s breathtaking green landscapes, elevated with luxurious golden accents as a nod to the iconic Brazilian flag. This exceptional whisky is protected within a beautiful presentation box, showcasing Rio’s dramatic cityscape juxtaposed against its stunning natural beauty.
Royal Salute World Polo Ambassador, Malcolm Borwick, comments: “The popularity of polo in Brazil is at an all-time high, which along with the stunning landscapes and dynamic energy, is somewhere I’ve always really loved to play and spend time. The city’s cultural energy is electric, and so it’s a fitting destination to honour within the Royal Salute Polo Collection. I look forward to savouring this new blend after my next polo match there.”
The Royal Salute 21 Year Old Rio de Janeiro Polo Edition is available in limited quantities at specialist retailers globally from 1st April 2025 at an RRP from $190 USD. Follow @royalsalute and visit royalsalute.com to discover more.
Glen Scotia 50 Year Old
Glen Scotia proudly unveils its first ever 50 Year Old single malt whisky, a rare and historic release marking the debut of the Elements of Campbeltown collection. Distilled in 1973 and matured exclusively in refill American oak, this exceptional spirit is limited to just 100 bottles. Bottled at 42.3% abv, in a stunning Glencairn crystal decanter, the whisky delivers a layered aroma of almonds, vanilla fudge, and sea salt, complemented by a rich palate of creamy spice and coconut.
£35,000.00
An historic powerhouse of whisky-making, Campbeltown has its own festival celebrating the craft of creating the perfect dram, and we’re here to tell you all about it – the Campbeltown Malts Festival 2025. We promised you recommendations of our favourite drams from each of the festival Scotch regions and we are here to deliver! Our wonderful Fort William team have chosen Campbeltown and Glen Scotia Victoriana as their top pick this festival season.
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 ❯
Cask Collection No.76
In today’s whisky landscape, the spotlight often falls on the extremes—intensely peated malts, heavily sherried drams, and bold, unconventional cask finishes. While these styles offer vivid and memorable experiences, they can at times overshadow the quieter artistry of balance and subtlety in whisky-making.
Scotch whisky’s true strength lies in its diversity, and while there is much to celebrate in the breadth of flavour available, there is a risk that more restrained, harmoniously composed profiles are overlooked in favour of the loudest voices in the room.
In an industry constantly striving to define, categorise, and guide, the most remarkable whiskies often resist such neat classification. They weave together elements from across the flavour spectrum—cereal and fruit, earth and oak—with coherence and grace.
A.D. Rattray’s 76th Cask Collection brings together five such casks: complex, expressive whiskies that reveal their depth through balance rather than dominance. As our second release of the year, this summer-leaning selection has been curated to offer an elegant, nuanced tasting experience—where structure, character, and subtle evolution in the glass take centre stage.
In a world drawn to intensity, Cask Collection 76 invites a moment of reflection—to appreciate the quiet beauty of well-judged maturation and the complexity that emerges when bold and delicate flavours are held in equilibrium.
Fancy something sweeter?
The Secret Speyside 14 Years Old offers a rich, refined dram – layered with juicy dark fruits, indulgent treacle, and polished oak. The finish unfolds beautifully with notes of chocolate-dipped cherries, stewed plums, and a subtle hint of toasted hazelnut.
Elegant, complex, and unmistakably Speyside – just don’t ask us where it’s from.
Ahascragh Distillery Releases Clan Colla 9-Year-Old as Part of its Acclaimed Family Bond Collection
Ahascragh, County Galway, Ireland — Ahascragh Distillery is proud to announce the launch of Clan Colla 9-Year-Old, the newest expression in its acclaimed Clan Colla Family Bond collection.
This unique release marks an exciting milestone as the first Bordeaux wine cask-finished whiskey in the series — an innovative blend that promises to attract Irish whiskey lovers both in Ireland and around the world.
Clan Colla 9-Year-Old is a blend of fine malt and grain whiskeys. It is first matured in traditional ex-Bourbon barrels before being carefully finished in Bordeaux red wine casks, the first from the distillery’s Family Bond series to have this finish. This dual maturation creates an exquisite balance of bold spice and rich, fruity depth.
“We are incredibly proud of Clan Colla 9,” says Gareth McAllister, founder and CEO at Ahascragh Distillery. “This Irish whiskey showcases our continued commitment to quality and innovation, with the Bordeaux cask finish introducing a whole new layer of complexity and elegance.”
Tasting Profile
Bottled at 46% ABV and presented in a 70cl format, Clan Colla 9 is non-chill filtered to preserve its full-bodied flavour and mouthfeel. With its intricate character and smooth, oaky warmth, this release is a standout addition to any collection and a testament to Irish whiskey craftsmanship.
Clan Colla 9-Year-Old joins the rest of the Family Bond series, which features Clan Colla 7, Clan Colla 11, Clan Colla 13, Clan Colla 19, and Clan Colla 20.
It is now available through select retailers, specialist whiskey outlets, and online at ahascraghdistillery.com
For more information, interviews, or press samples, please contact: info@ahascraghdistillery.com
About Ahascragh Distillery & the Clan Colla Family Bond Series Founded in 2018 by Gareth and Michelle McAllister, Ahascragh Distillery is a family-run operation based in the heart of County Galway, producing world-class whiskeys and gin.
The Clan Colla Family Bond series represents the start of their whiskey journey. It’s a collection of hand-selected, premium Irish whiskeys that although not distilled by Ahascragh Distillery, are partly matured, finished, and blended by the distillery and bottled in the whiskey’s home in the West of Ireland.
The name “Clan Colla” draws from ancient Irish lore and is a reference to the legendary three Collas of Oriel: Colla Uais, Colla Fo Chrí, and Colla Menn. These warrior brothers ruled much of Ireland in the 4th century, with Colla Uais ascending as Ard Rí, the High King of Ireland. The McAllister family can trace its ancestry to this ancient and noble line, a connection that both inspired the founding of the distillery and continues to shape its vision today.
Photo Credit: Eddy Ballardi
Introducing
– OLD PERTH AMONTILLADO –
It’s a celebration of Amontillado sherry, which brings a completely different dimension to our sherry-matured style — more nutty and dry, packed with character and a touch of spice.
We’ve used a bespoke blend of Speyside single malts and matured them in first-fill European oak Amontillado casks. The expression also includes a component from our unique Solera system, which adds further complexity.
After nearly three years of additional maturation in our Aberargie warehouse and a final marrying period in Amontillado casks, the result is something really special: Notes of hazelnuts, almonds, dried apricot, and even a touch of amaretti biscuit. It’s dry, elegant, and unlike anything we’ve released before.
Here’s What You Need to Know:
Release June 2025
RRP: £58.00
Markets: UK, EU & select global locations
ABV: 52.8%
Unchillfiltered & natural colour
Casks Used: 9 hogsheads & 6 butts
The Loch Fyne Fynest Springbank 22 Year Old
A stunning addition to the Loch Fyne Fynest Range, this superb expression has been aged for 22 years, and is bottled at 44.3% abv. The liquid hails from much sought-after Campbeltown distillery, Springbank, and was bottled exclusively for Loch Fyne.
£453.00
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 ❯
If he loves whisky, he’ll love this.This year, give Dad something more meaningful than socks or a last-minute bottle. A Whisky Magazine Premium Membership unlocks a whole year of expertly curated whisky content, and right now, it’s 20% off for Father’s Day.
