Archive for 2025

William Grant & Sons completes acquisition of The Famous Grouse and Naked Malt – Scotch Whisky News

William Grant & Sons completes acquisition of The Famous Grouse and Naked Malt

This historic moment for WG&S demonstrates the Company’s commitment to the global Scotch whisky category and confidence in the future of the wider spirits industry. The Famous Grouse and Naked Malt will be joining WG&S’ portfolio alongside iconic spirits brands Glenfiddich, The Balvenie, Hendrick’s Gin and Monkey Shoulder.

The Famous Grouse is Scotland’s best-selling whisky and one of the top-selling Scotch whisky brands worldwide, renowned for its quality and heritage, while Naked Malt has garnered a loyal following among whisky enthusiasts and has significant growth potential within the blended malt segment.

Søren Hagh, Chief Executive Officer of WG&S, said: “I am delighted to complete this acquisition and welcome The Famous Grouse into our portfolio. It is a remarkable Scottish brand with rich history and a strong market position in a number of countries. Over the coming years, we will build on this strong foundation and work to evolve the brand into a true global icon. We also see a lot of potential in Naked Malt, which will be a great addition to our portfolio. Together, these brands perfectly complement our vision for growth, and we look forward to investing in their future and sharing their stories with whisky lovers around the world.”

A dedicated team is in place to ensure a smooth transition from The 1887 Company, and continuity for customers and consumers of these much-loved brands.

Springbank Distillery: UPCOMING WHISKY SHOWS – Campeltown Whisky News

UPCOMING WHISKY SHOWS

Over the coming months, you’ll be able to find the Sales Team showcasing our drams at the following whisky shows.

August:
Kilkerran Shop Pour, Bonnie ‘n’ Wild, Edinburgh (UK)
Whisky Fringe, Edinburgh (UK)
Wee Gantry Tasting, Milngavie (UK)
Springbank Shop Pour, Green Welly, Crianlarich (UK)
Wee Gantry Tasting, Stirling (UK)

September:
Salon Dugas, Paris (France)
Whisky Messe Austria, Innsbruck (Austria)

October:
Starmore Boss Drinks Festival, Sheffield (UK)
M&P Pavlina Festival, Warsaw (Poland)
Whisky Show Budapest, Budapest (Hungary)
Wee Dram Festival, Bakewell (UK)
Swiss Whisky Festival, Baden (Switzerland)
Aberdeen Whisky Shop 15th Anniversary, Aberdeen (UK)
Dornoch Whisky Festival, Dornoch (UK)

November:
Northern Whisky Festival, Carlisle (UK)
Oslo Whisky Show, Oslo (Norway)
Glasgow Whisky Festival, Glasgow (UK)
Spirits in the Sky, Brussels (Belgium)
Springbank Whisky Cruise, Cologne (Germany)
Dumfries Whisky Festival, Dumfries (UK)

December:
Kendal Whisky Festival, Kendal (UK)

9 Bolgam Street, Campbeltown, Argyll, PA28 6HZ

Decadent Drinks July 2025 ‘Drop’ – Scotch Whisky News

July’s Drop has just landed!    

We’re serving up a bit of everything this month: two web-exclusive rums, a bold and fruity new chapter from Whiskyland, and four wildly different Decadent Drams to wrap your palate around. From high-ester funk to sherried elegance, this drop covers serious ground. Let’s get Decadent!

VIEW ALL

Whisky Wednesday Reviews Johnnie Walker Black Label – Scotch Whisky News

Johnnie Walker Black Label, 40%

THE REVIEW

In the world of massive brand deals and the still premiumisation of Scotch whisky, here we have a constant that hasn’t changed much in the space of the whisky industry. A combination of so many different flavours from across all of Scotland, malts and grains, aged for a minimum of twelve years and blended to create this multitude of balance, style, and timelessness.

As you can tell, Black Label is a favourite of mine. The story of how this whisky hooked me is an important one and is included in this video, but please do share your stories with me, even if they don’t include Black Label in any way.

This bottle has the history to put many other brands to bed, and indeed without this bottle, the Scottish whisky industry, along with many others wouldn’t be anywhere near as successful or important as it currently is.

(johnniewalker)

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Heaven Hill Brands Unveils Refreshed Corporate Brand and Opens New Louisville Corporate Office

Heaven Hill Brands Unveils Refreshed Corporate Brand and Opens New Louisville Corporate Office

Company earns national recognition as a U.S. Best Managed Company for second consecutive year

Heaven Hill Brands, one of the nation’s largest independent, family-owned spirits companies, today unveiled its refreshed corporate brand and marked the opening of its new Louisville corporate office with a ribbon cutting ceremony attended by city and company leadership, including Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg, and employees.

The refreshed brand reflects Heaven Hill’s nearly 90-year legacy and signals a bold, unified vision for the future, centered on its people, partners, communities, and award-winning portfolio of spirits. At the core of this refreshed identity is the new company tagline, “Thriving Together,” a message that captures the company’s belief that long-term success comes through collaboration, shared values, and a deep commitment to those it serves.

“Our new corporate office is a physical expression of our refreshed brand, modern, intentional, and people-first,” said Kate Latts, Co-President of Heaven Hill Brands. “It reflects not only how we work, but who we are: a company built on connection, creativity, and a belief that we thrive together.”

Originally introduced internally earlier this year, the new brand identity brings clarity and consistency to how the company shows up across all touchpoints, from employee culture and trade partnerships to community engagement and corporate storytelling. As of today, it is fully visible across external channels, including the company’s newly relaunched website, heavenhill.com.

The new corporate office, located at 815 N. Whittington Parkway, brings Heaven Hill’s Louisville-based teams under one roof for the first time in many years. The 48,000-square-foot space includes more than 150 dedicated workspaces, a two-story café, employee art gallery wall, a New Product Development area, and flexible gathering spaces to support innovation and teamwork.

Among the standout features is Max’s Place, a tasting bar named by employees in honor of longtime company leader and current Executive Chairman Max Shapira. The space also features installations from local partners, including a hand-painted mural by OSRS and a living moss wall by Anything Groes. Full-wall brand graphics, installed by USA Image, celebrate the company’s defining attributes, authenticity, legacy, integrity, and innovation, all central to the spirit of Thriving Together.

“We built this office to foster connection, collaboration, and growth,” said Allan Latts, Co-President. “And it comes at a time when Heaven Hill is gaining momentum on every front, from new product innovation and distilling expansion, to how we invest in our people and communities. That’s what ‘Thriving Together’ looks like in action.”

“Heaven Hill is a vibrant and growing business with deep roots in Louisville,” said Louisville Mayor Greenberg.  “Its new corporate office is a testament to the economic strength and momentum we have right now in Louisville and an investment in the future success of the company and our community. The innovative design and commitment to employee well-being will attract new talent to Heaven Hill and to the city of Louisville.”

That momentum is underscored by a significant national honor: Heaven Hill has once again been named a U.S. Best Managed Company by Deloitte Private and The Wall Street Journal, an award recognizing excellence in strategy, execution, culture, and financial performance. The recognition places Heaven Hill among a distinguished group of companies across more than 40 countries.

The design and construction of the new corporate office was made possible through the collaboration of several valued partners. Heaven Hill extends its appreciation to NTS Development, ARCO, 15 Design, Miranda Construction, and Hoagland Commercial Realtors for their leadership and partnership throughout the planning and build process.

Founded in Bardstown, Kentucky in 1935, Heaven Hill remains family-owned and led. Its portfolio includes some of the most awarded and beloved spirits brands in the industry, such as Elijah Craig Bourbon, Evan Williams Bourbon, Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond, Lunazul Tequila, Ocho Tequila, and Deep Eddy Vodka.

Today’s milestone builds on the company’s ongoing investment across the Commonwealth, including the opening of the Heaven Hill Springs Distillery in Bardstown and continued operations at the historic Bernheim Distillery in West Louisville.

Glenfarclas “Unveiling seven decades of whisky craftsmanship” – Scotch Whisky News

Glenfarclas releases its oldest whisky to date: The 70-Year-Old

We are proud to unveil the oldest expression ever released by Glenfarclas, one of Scotland’s few remaining family-owned and managed distilleries.

Distilled on 20 November 1953, and launched in 2025, the Glenfarclas 70-Year-Old marks a pinnacle in the distillery’s legacy, embodying over seven decades of meticulous ageing and expertise.

Matured in the distillery’s traditional dunnage warehouses in Speyside, this release was laid down in first-fill sherry casks. The whisky has been overseen by six distillery managers over the past seventy years and will now be available to purchase internationally.

“As Chairman of a family-owned distillery I am committed to overseeing the production of our exceptional malt whisky, just as my forefathers did before me. We take great pride in maintaining complete control over every aspect of production, preserving our time-honoured traditional methods – most notably, the use of direct-fired stills, which creates a robust and full-bodied spirit.

“Remarkably, this particular cask has been maturing almost as long as I’ve been alive.

Releasing it now marks a true milestone, and one that Callum and I have considered carefully and with great respect for its legacy.”

John Grant, chairman and fifth generation of the Grant family to have owned and run Glenfarclas distillery

“This whisky has waited seventy years to be enjoyed. Through wars, the reign of a queen and now a king, the world has changed — but this spirit has endured, and it stands as a rare and timeless testament to patience and craft.”

Callum A. Fraser, Distillery Manager at Glenfarclas

INTRODUCING THE GLENFARCLAS 70-YEAR-OLD

The latest release will be available to purchase via specialist retail suppliers across global markets. For more information visit www.glenfarclas.com

Tasting Notes

Colour: Polished dark teak with a subtle gleam – richly hued but not overly dark.

Nose: Soft and smooth, with gentle tannic undertones that never overwhelm. Opens with aromas of stewed fruits and traditional Scottish dumpling. A delicate thread of Speyside peat drawn from the slopes of Ben Rinnes – adds a lightly earthy, smoky nuance. The sweetness deepens, revealing layers of fruit compote, honeyed malt, and a quiet richness.

Palate: Dark chocolate laced with sherry-soaked dried fruits gives way to a refreshingly spicy tingle on the palate leading to a bold thread of rich, roasted coffee. The mouthfeel is luxuriously coated in treacle toffee, creating a full-bodied, indulgent texture.

Finish: The finish lingers and effortlessly clings to the roof of the mouth. Delicate peat resurfaces, rolling gently across the tongue with a green, grassy echo of Speyside origins.

This is Glenfarclas to its core.

Glenfarclas Glenfarclas Distillery Ballindalloch Banffshire, AB37 9BD United Kingdom

Own a Piece of Wolfburn History – Scotch Whisky News


For the first time in our history we have decided to part with a treasure – and this is your chance to make it your own. Wolfburn has sold many freshly filled casks in the past, but never an aged one. Today we are breaking with tradition and auctioning one of our very best casks: a first-fill Madeira hogshead.

Resting gracefully for five years in our warehouses by the sea, the spirit inside this cask has already matured into something special. It is lovely whisky now and – if its new owner chooses to mature it for longer – it will become even more delectable as the years progress. We expect it to produce approximately 300 bottles.

This unique cask is being offered through sealed bids, with NO RESERVE – a rare opportunity to secure not just whisky, but a piece of Wolfburn’s story. To enter, simply send your bid by email to info@wolfburn.com before 2PM UK time on Sunday 3rd August.

Imagine owning an entire cask, a rare Highland masterpiece that few ever have the chance to call their own. Whether kept as a personal legacy or shared among fellow enthusiasts, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Will this chapter of Wolfburn history be yours to write?

Submit your sealed bid today, please include the word AUCTION in the subject line – and let the spirit of the Highlands become your legacy.

The Wolfburn Team

SUBMIT YOUR BID NOW VIA mail to:info@wolfburn.com

A Guide to Indian Whisky’s Rich History – The Whisky Exchange News

WHAT IS INDIAN WHISKY?

India’s vibrant food culture has reached every corner of the world – it’s about time its whisky did too. Much like its cuisine, Indian single malts tend towards bold flavours. Open a bottle and you’ll likely find big, concentrated aromas with sweet tropical fruit and complex spice notes, thanks in part to the accelerated maturation gleaned from the hot and often humid climate.

LEARN MORE               SHOP NOW

Mark’s Whisky Ramblings 573: Scotland 2025 – 4 of 6 – Talisker The Wild Blue – Scotch Whisky News

Mark’s Whisky Ramblings 573: Scotland 2025 – 4 of 6 – Talisker The Wild Blue

Mark Dermul, Belgian whisky blogger, travels to Scotland. This is part 4 of a 6-part series about his trip to Scotland this year. In this video, he tastes the new Talisker The Wild Blue at the distillery in Carbost and then heads to another distillery on the Sleat Peninsula: Torabhaig. Enjoy the beautiful scenery.

https://youtu.be/-IHhfTeTHWA

BUFFALO TRACE DISTILLERY CONTINUES WELLER’S EXPANSION INTO WHEAT WHISKEY BY INTRODUCING WELLER 18 YEAR OLD AND THE SECOND EDITION OF WELLER MILLENNIUM

BUFFALO TRACE DISTILLERY CONTINUES WELLER’S EXPANSION INTO WHEAT WHISKEY BY INTRODUCING WELLER 18 YEAR OLD AND THE SECOND EDITION OF WELLER MILLENNIUM

 The result of The World’s Most Award-Winning Distillery’s continued exploration of wheat whiskey, both releases celebrate W. L. Weller’s legacy of experimentation and the remarkable aging potential for the category

FRANKFORT, KY – Buffalo Trace Distillery is thrilled to announce two super-premium wheat whiskey innovations from the Original Wheated Bourbon brand, including the second edition of Weller Millennium, comprising a new blend of ultra-aged wheat whiskeys; and Weller 18 Year Old, the brand’s oldest age statement to date. Meticulously crafted to push the boundaries of maturation and blending, these releases boldly demonstrate the exceptional aging potential and versatility of wheat in American whiskey production.

Produced at The World’s Most Award-Winning Distillery, both innovations celebrate the original wheated bourbon recipes pioneered by William Larue Weller in 1847. At a time when rye and corn dominated the market, Weller’s use of the more delicate wheat grain – primarily a food crop – resulted in a smoother, sweeter whiskey that set his whiskeys apart. These latest expressions honor Weller’s legacy of innovation as Buffalo Trace Distillery continues its ongoing exploration of wheat in pursuit of crafting the world’s best whiskey.

Weller Millenium #2: Following the inaugural Weller Millennium released in May 2024, this second edition presents a newly-crafted blend of vintage straight wheated bourbon and wheat whiskeys. Consistent with its predecessor, each component was distilled at Buffalo Trace Distillery in 2001, 2003 and 2006 and set aside for the sole purpose of creating this extraordinary blend in tribute of one of its forebearers, W. L. Weller. By thoughtfully blending these individually distinct whiskeys, the resulting spirit attains a depth and complexity that transcends the sum of its parts.

“Weller Millenium was crafted to feature some of the first whiskeys distilled in the new millennium amid a period of transformation at Buffalo Trace Distillery. This second edition takes last year’s release a step further, with a new blend that we humbly believe is an improvement over the well-regarded first edition,” said Andrew Duncan, Global Brand Director, Buffalo Trace Distillery. “By carefully selecting and blending barrels dating back to the early 2000’s, we have revisited a chapter in the Distillery’s history that shaped who we are today.”

The second edition of Weller Millennium offers a balance of dark cherry, rich butterscotch and warm vanilla that unfolds over layers of well-aged oak. The finish is bold and enduring, culminating in an oak-forward crescendo that leaves a lasting impression.

In keeping with the first edition, Weller Millennium #2 is held in a 750ml handcrafted crystal decanter with a custom-made crystal topper hand-etched with W.L. Weller’s original “W” stamp of quality. An illuminated display case envelopes the 99-proof bottling with exactly 99 bursts while proudly displaying the proportions and distillation years of each vintage whiskey contained within. Due to the limited nature of these exceptionally-aged barrels, each Weller Millennium blend is a unique, one-of-a-kind release that cannot be replicated.

Weller Millenium will be released in limited quantities through Sazerac’s United States and global distributor networks, which will ship to retailers, bars and restaurants as of July 2025 at a suggested retail price of $7,500 (750ml); taxes will vary by market. A limited supply will also be available for purchase at Buffalo Trace Distillery and directly via Legacy de Forge, a new Sazerac-branded global platform powered by Blockbar for purchasing some of the world’s most coveted bottles.

Weller 18 Year Old: As the oldest age stated whiskey in the Weller portfolio, Weller 18 Year Old ​ brings exceptional grace and depth as an ultra-aged , 90-proof wheat whiskey. This new release stands as a testament to the Distillery’s dedication to innovation, demonstrating that Kentucky-aged whiskey can mature beautifully well beyond more commonly seen age statements.

“Weller 18 Year Old is the culmination of curiosity, tradition and time,” said Harlen Wheatley, Master Distiller, Buffalo Trace Distillery. “The softness of the wheat has evolved into something rich and wonderfully expressive.  We are extremely proud of the resulting whiskey, which showcases the versatility and potential of a wheat-forward mashbill.”

On the nose, this whiskey reveals gentle notes of delicately aged fruits and tobacco. ​ The palate offers a harmonious balance of warm baking spices and crisp green pear, delivering depth without overwhelming, and leads to a lasting finish.

Weller 18 Year Old is packaged in a 700ml handcrafted crystal decanter with a custom-made crystal topper hand-etched with W.L. Weller’s original “W” stamp of quality, similar to Weller Millennium but without the accompanying presentation case.

For its inaugural release, Weller 18 Year Old will be available via Global Travel Retail at airports including Los Angeles International (LAX), John F. Kennedy International (JFK) and London Heathrow (LHR) as of July 2025 at a suggested retail price of $499 (700ml).

For more information, please click HERE

About Buffalo Trace Distillery    

Buffalo Trace Distillery is an American family-owned company based in Frankfort, Kentucky. The Distillery’s rich tradition dates back to 1775 and it is a National Historic Landmark, as well as listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Its history includes such legends as E.H. Taylor, Jr., George T. Stagg, Albert B. Blanton, Orville Schupp, and Elmer T. Lee. Buffalo Trace Distillery is a fully operational Distillery producing bourbon, rye and vodka on site. The Distillery has won more than 40 distillery titles since 2000 and garnered more than 1,000 awards for its wide range of premium whiskies. Its William Larue Weller and Stagg were named Best of Show at the 2024 Denver International Spirits Competition and its Traveller Whiskey is the Most Awarded Super Premium Whiskey Release of 2024. Buffalo Trace Distillery has a deep commitment to supporting charitable initiatives. Nonprofit organizations interested in learning more about the Distillery’s efforts are encouraged to register their charity here. To learn more about Buffalo Trace Distillery, visit www.buffalotracedistillery.com.


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