Midleton Very Rare

2025 Release

70cl · 40% ABV

£219.95

This milestone release pays tribute to 200 years of whiskey making excellence at the Midleton distillery. The Midleton Very Rare 2025 is a whiskey of remarkable depth and balance; meticulously composed from six distinct distillate styles, each representing generations of mastery, innovation, and dedication that have become synonymous with Midleton Very Rare.

Nose: Opens with sweet waves of caramelised apple, toffee fudge and vanilla, while the subtle herbal and floral notes of freshly picked garden mint and lavender slowly build over time, complementing the woodland spices of cinnamon and nutmeg thanks to the rich influence of the American oak.

Palate: Textured layers of sweet honeycomb with soft fruits and delicate herbal undertones. White pepper with a mild hint of chilli oil work in tandem with the nuanced citrus and orchard fruits while the sweet nature of this intriguing whiskey continues to build with decadent flavours of treacle, toffee, vanilla, and sugar glazed fruits.

Finish: Rich and lingering. The fruits begin to softly fade, leaving the oak and pot still spices with the final word.

Iona and Charli from our team recently had the pleasure of bringing a taste of our island to the Big Apple. While taking part in NYC’s Tartan Week they took time to share the rich culture and language of Harris with new friends just across the bridge in Brooklyn. Plenty of drams of The Hearach and Isle of Harris Gin cocktails were shared alongside live Gaelic singing by the Lochs Gaelic Choir, all the way from our Outer Hebridean home.

A big thanks to Scotland’s National Chef, Gary Maclean, for the stunning spread of Scottish flavours served that truly brought the evening together. Special thanks also to Bakkafrost P/F for the exquisite native salmon.

Slainte mhath!

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The Good Dram Show – Episode 590 ‘Tullibardine’

Welcome to this week’s episode of the show in which I’ll be explaining why the term, to do a Tulli has become a thing, as they say! The Good Dram Show with Chris Goodrum.

Episode 590 – Explaining How To Do A Tulli..!

Filmed in The Study Nottingham.

Featuring

Tullibardine 1993 (18 year old) John Black’s Selection No6 55.1%
Tullibardine No Age Statement Sauternes Finish 46%
Tullibardine No Age Statement Coume del Mas Banyuls Finish 46%
Tullibardine No Age Statement Sherry Finish 46%
Tullibardine No Age Statement Port Finish 46%
www.tullibardine.com

Dewar Rattray ‘Single Cask’ Tullibardine 1990 (21 year old) 46%
www.adrattray.com

Mac-Talla Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky Announces Limited Edition Release for Fèis Ìle 2025; ‘Amarone’ – From Italy to Islay.

Aberargie, Scotland : 16th April 2025 : Mac-Talla Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky is proud to announce the launch of a new and exclusive limited-edition release in celebration of the world-renowned “Fèis Ìle” meaning, the Islay Festival. This bottling will be available from select retailers from 16th May 2025, at an RRP of £78.00.

This one-of-a-kind whisky, a true tribute to the island’s rich heritage and its masterful cask maturation processes. It will be available to whisky enthusiasts in the UK, EU, and other select international markets.

A Bold Union: Peated Islay Spirit Meets Amarone Wine

The new release showcases the synergy between two distinct forces – the bold, smoky character of Islay single malt and the opulent intensity of Amarone wine. This limited edition bottling was crafted by carefully selecting a parcel of high-quality, first-fill Amarone casks – an exceptional choice for whisky maturation.

Amarone della Valpolicella is one of Italy’s most luxurious wines, known for its deep, dark cherry and chocolate notes, made through a unique process called appassimento, where grapes are air-dried before fermentation, concentrating their flavours. The result is a whisky that combines the bold flavours of Islay peat with the luxurious, fruit-forward richness of Amarone wine.

Fèis Ìle Attendees

For any lucky whisky lovers that will be attending Fèis Ìle this year, Mac-Talla are hosting some exclusive events over the festival. All details can be found here.

Notes 

• Release Date: 16th May 2025
• RRP: £78.00 ABV: 53.3%
• Tasting notes: Prominent notes of stone fruits wrapped up in rich dark chocolate with a long finish of warming peat at the end Available Markets: UK, EU, and select international markets
• Age of Liquid: NAS
• Finish: 18 months finishing, marriage of two casks(1 butt of First Fill Amarone, 1 partial refill European Oak Butt), returned to Amarone casks for a further 6 months.
• Casks Used: 2 casks
• Press preview: Thursday 8th May 6pm-8pm at The Scottish Gantry in Edinburgh, details below:

Stockists: Mac-Talla Amarone will be available from select whisky retailers from 26th May – for more details on stockists visit: https://mactallawhisky.com/stockists

Blended Malt Scotch Whisky Of The Year

We’re thrilled to announce that Scallywag Orange Wine Cask Finish has been awarded a Gold Medal with an impressive 95 points at the International London Spirits Competition 2025 — and crowned Blended Malt Scotch Whisky of the Year.

This Winter Limited Edition is a celebration of bold innovation and Speyside heritage. Matured in Orange Wine casks sourced from Spain, it offers an indulgent escape to a snowy mountainside retreat, where après-ski comfort meets exquisite craftsmanship.

Expect zesty citrus bursts, rich Malt character, and a warming, full-bodied finish — the perfect dram to toast life’s finer moments.

 Scallywag Orange Wine Cask Finish

🏅 Whisky Producer of the Year – Douglas Laing

AUCHROISK 31 YEARS OLD

This single malt was distilled in 1990 at the Auchroisk Distillery, located in the Speyside region of Scotland. It was aged for 31 years in a single hogshead before bottling at natural cask strength, without chill-filtration or artificial colouring.

£175.00

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McMillan Coppersmiths in Prestonpans

Our Founder Kirsty McKerrow recently toured McMillan Coppersmiths in Prestonpans, guided by EWA alumni Olga Gordon and expert coppersmith Declan Rutherford. A rare, up-close look at the craft behind the copper… and the flavour. We look forward to returning in the summer to film material for some exciting future projects (more details to come). 📖 Read the Post

Study whisky: explore your passion, kickstart your career. We are the leading provider of certified Scotch whisky education. 12,000+ candidates globally enjoy our SQA-Approved courses. Learn directly from the experts when you study online or in-person.

Mark’s Whisky Ramblings 559: Bowmore 12 Year Old

Mark Dermul, Belgian whisky blogger, tries an Islay malt. It is fair to say that the Bowmore 12 Year Old is one of the distillery’s entry-level malts. This also means that the bottle is very affordable, something that cannot be said for all entry-level malts.

https://youtu.be/fftb5Mv00nI

SINTEIS SERIES INTRODUCED

BY THE GLENALLACHIE

Speyside-based single malt distillery announces

pioneering new limited-edition line

Hot on the heels of winning the title of World’s Best Single Malt for its 12-year-old expression, leading Scotch whisky brand The GlenAllachie launches a limited-edition line called Sinteis (pronounced sin-teesh).

The new series is named after the Scottish Gaelic word for synthesis and is accompanied by the tagline “Two distinct casks. One harmonious synthesis.”

The independently run Scotch whisky company is spearheaded by iconic Master Distiller Billy Walker, whose career spans 53 years across numerous household name brands.

The first release, Sinteis Part I, is a 2014 vintage single malt (UK RRSP £74.99) aged in Chinquapin virgin oak and first-fill Pedro Ximénez Sherry puncheons.

Walker, a renowned cask innovator, personally selected the casks for the new limited edition from a stock of 50,000 across 16 on-site warehouses in Speyside.

Casks made of Chinquapin, a native American oak from the Ozarks of Missouri, typically impart notes of sweet spices and aniseed. In contrast, the Pedro Ximénez Sherry casks contribute flavours of dark chocolate and ripe fruits.

Sinteis Part I features eye-catching packaging created by Scottish designer Kayley Barbour. The carton showcases a hand-drawn symbol in foil depicting “the fusion of multiple wood types”.

This debut release of The Sinteis Series is presented at its natural cask strength of 57.8% ABV, unchill filtered and without the addition of artificial colouring.

Commenting on the launch, Walker shares:

“The team and I are thrilled to bring this alluring new series, with its unique concept, to curious whisky drinkers around the world. The concept allows me, as a blender, the creative freedom to think up something out of the ordinary.

“For this first release, I set out to make virgin oak – a relatively uncommon wood type for maturation – more approachable and appealing to a broader audience through carefully considered blending. Combining the familiar profile of Pedro Ximénez Sherry casks with the intriguing contribution of the Chinquapin virgin oak makes for a delicious, multifaceted drinking experience. It truly is a synthesis of the bold and the beloved.”

At UK RRSP of £74.99, The GlenAllachie 2014 Chinquapin & Pedro Ximénez Cask Matured is available at the distillery’s visitor centre and its online shop from today. It will become increasingly available worldwide in the coming weeks and months.

ABOUT GLENALLACHIE:

At The GlenAllachie, each decision in creating our award-winning Speyside single malt merges logic with instinct. In the experienced hands of legendary whisky maker Billy Walker, a culture of precision, patience and perseverance has been instilled in his small yet accomplished team of whisky experts.

Being independent offers us the freedom to prioritise what matters most: quality. The pursuit is not of consistency, but perfection. Never resting on our laurels, we work tirelessly to refine and enhance each batch of whisky, striving to better the last.

The result of seamlessly coordinated collaboration is a range of carefully crafted and cask-perfected whiskies, each personally approved by Billy. With a quietly confident team of passionate whisky enthusiasts behind The GlenAllachie, you can be sure we have our whisky in good hands.

Our other brands are Meikle Tòir Peated Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky, MacNair’s Boutique House of Spirits—which encompasses Lum Reek Blended Malt Scotch Whisky and Exploration Rum—and White Heather Blended Scotch Whisky.

Further information on the distillery and company can be found at www.theglenallachie.com

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TASTING NOTES:

The GlenAllachie 2014 Chinquapin & Pedro Ximénez Cask Matured, Sinteis Series – 57.8% ABV

• Colour: Intense Walnut.
• Nose: Liquorice, butterscotch and grilled honeycomb, with candied orchard fruits, cocoa and treacle tart.

• Taste: Ginger, butterscotch and candied lemon slices, followed by fig jam, blackberries and molasses, with cinnamon spice and rich cocoa on the finish.

NEW EDEN MILL DISTILLERY NOW FULLY OPERATIONAL

Independent Scottish distiller Eden Mill has completed commissioning of their new distillery, with both gin and single malt whisky now being produced on-site. Their first cask – a Scottish Oak cask – was filled on Monday 7^th April.

This momentous occasion marks the end of twenty-one months of building work following the handover from the University of St Andrews in June 2023.

The incredible space holds a mash tun, six washbacks, a gin still, wash and spirit stills, hot liquor tanks and a cask warehouse with space to store 300 casks. The state-of-the-art distillery has a capacity of 1 million litres of pure alcohol (LPA) per year and is a fantastic addition to the vibrant distilling scene that already exists within the region of Fife.

With just under 400 casks remaining from the single malt distilled at their original distillery located on the same site, Eden Mill is now turning their attention to restarting whisky production with a view to filling hundreds more casks with their new-make spirit, ready to be laid down to mature.

Located just ten minutes from St Andrews town centre on the University of St Andrews ‘Eden Campus’, Eden Mill will open a world-class visitor centre to tourists which will offer immersive gin and whisky experiences, a retail space and a top-floor cocktail bar featuring fantastic views over the Eden Estuary. The work on the visitor centre is expected to complete this summer, with a planned opening date of August.

Commenting on the news, Rennie Donaldson, Chief Executive Officer at Eden Mill said: “The new distillery marks a step change for our business and follows years of hard work by the whole team. To be able to announce that our new distillery is now fully operational is incredibly exciting and we are just a few short months away from being able to open our doors to the public and welcome visitors from all over the world.”

Adding to Rennie’s comments, Eden Mill’s Head Distiller Scott Ferguson said: “Following the installation of our copper stills in January, we have been progressing towards getting the distillery operational and refining our new-make spirit. My objective is to replicate the profile of what we used to distil at our original site – a light, sweet spirit with floral and grassy notes. I am looking forward to coming to work at this beautiful location every day and to overseeing the distillation of our excellent products.”

All electricity at Eden Mill’s distillery will be 100% renewable, coming from either the solar farm belonging to the University of St Andrews or from renewable tariffs on the grid. The business is working on various other sustainability initiatives, including their partnership with MiAlgae which was announced in October 2024.

Eden Mill 

https://www.edenmill.com/

Eden Mill distillery, established in 2012 on the banks of the Eden Estuary in St Andrews, was the first distillery to make spirits in the region in over 150 years. Today, Eden Mill has a unique selection of limited release Single Malts, and an extensive gin portfolio crafted from the finest botanicals, many sourced from in and around Fife.

Eden Mill has an ambition to create the finest gins and Scotch Whiskies with minimal environmental impact combining traditional distilling techniques with innovation. Eden Mill is building a stunning new distillery at the mouth of the river Eden, overlooking the iconic, historic town of St Andrews. The new distillery sits at the heart of the University of St Andrews Eden Campus, a unique site dedicated to sustainable businesses and research.