Our Xtra Old Particular range carries only aged and rare Single Cask Scotch Whiskies from some of Scotland’s most acclaimed and celebrated Distilleries, including those that are long-closed. Each one a marvel in its own right, XOP is bottled at Natural Cask Strength, exceptionally old and truly spectacular. Packed with extraordinary flavour, our Exceptional Single Cask Whiskies exemplify our ‘As Natural As It Gets’ Philosophy by serving a rich reward for those looking to savour a dram straight from the cask.

ABV: 48% | Vol: 70cl

TWL 20 Years Anniversary Book
£16.99

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Islay Storm Single Malt Whisky

£29.90

Tasting Notes

Nose / Pungent peat smoke, phenolic with a little coastal breeze.
Palate / Lovely sweet peatiness. Some iodine and sea salt balanced with vanilla notes and some spice.
Finish / Waves of Smoke. Fantastic length.

Distilled and Bottled in Scotland, again, much like The Ileach Malt Whisky – an unknown distillery bottling. Bottle style is that of Bruichladdich Distillery – but again – we are not told! C.S. James and Sons Ltd

TyndrumWhisky.com
The Green Welly Stop
Tyndrumwhisky, Tyndrum
Crianlarich, Perthshire FK20 8RY
United Kingdom

Glenlivet Signatory Vintage 1998 Symington’s Choice – Whisky Folk Review

THE VIDEO

Raise a dram to the Bard with Tomatin this Burns Night

“My heart’s in the Highlands”. Few words feel more fitting for Burns Night, a celebration rooted in place, pride and togetherness. For Tomatin, those words are more than poetry. At the very heart of the Highlands, the distillery has long been shaped by its surroundings and the community that calls it home.

Burns Night is a moment to gather, to share food, drink, stories and tradition around the table and guided by its ‘To What Matters’ ethos, Tomatin celebrates the people, place and purpose that define both its whisky and the spirit of the occasion. This Burns Night, the distillery is inviting hosts and guests alike to mark the evening with a carefully curated collection of whiskies thoughtfully paired to each course of a Burns supper, enhancing the moments that turn a meal into a memory.

Hearty beginnings-  Tomatin 10 Year Old

RRP £42 | ABV 40% | 70cl

A comforting bowl of traditional Scottish Cullen skink sets the tone for the evening, rich and warming yet delicate in flavour and Tomatin 10 Year Old single malt, matured exclusively in bourbon casks, is an ideal companion. Its bright notes of lemon sherbet, green apple and gentle sweetness lift the smoky creaminess of the soup without overpowering it. Light, fresh and approachable, this is a dram that welcomes guests to the table.

Tomatin 10 Year Old is available exclusively at Waitrose and on Amazon.

The key address- Tomatin Double Cask

RRP £37 | ABV 40% | 70cl

As the haggis is piped in and Burns’ words are recited, Tomatin Double Cask comes into its own. Matured in ex-bourbon and ex-Oloroso sherry casks, it offers soft vanilla, baked apple and warming spice, flavours that sit comfortably alongside the peppery richness of the haggis and the earthy sweetness of neeps and tatties. Balanced and accessible, this is a whisky made for sharing at the heart of the supper.

Tomatin Double Cask is available exclusively at Tesco and on Amazon.

Indulgent endings- Tomatin 12 Year Old Sherry Cask

RRP £52.50 | ABV 40% | 70cl

When dessert is served, Tomatin 12 Year Old Sherry Cask adds a final layer of indulgence to the meal. Fully matured in sherry oak casks, it brings notes of dried fruit, chocolate fudge, honey and gentle spice that pair beautifully with the richness of a clootie dumpling or the creamy sweetness of a cranachan. Deep and comforting, this is a dram to savour as conversation flows and the evening unfolds.

Tomatin 12 Year Old Sherry Cask is available at  www.tomatin.com

The final dram- Tomatin Cask Strength Bourbon and Sherry

RRP £62.50 | ABV 57% | 70cl

Once the plates are cleared and the formalities are over, Tomatin Cask Strength Bourbon and Sherry single malt whisky is the perfect way to close the night. Bottled at natural cask strength and matured in first fill ex-bourbon and ex-Oloroso sherry casks, it delivers bold flavours of golden syrup, malt loaf, marzipan and warming spice. Powerful yet balanced, this is a dram for whiling away the evening around the table and raising a final toast to the Bard.

Tomatin Cask Strength Bourbon and Sherry is available at www.tomatin.com.

For further information about Tomatin whiskies and to buy, visit https://tomatin.com

Tasting notes

Tomatin 10 Year Old

Nose: Aromas of lemon sherbet sweets and crunchy green apples followed by buttery

croissants, white chocolate and macadamia nuts.

Palate: Lemon meringue pie, honey and a touch of toffee are complemented by apricot and

peach.

Finish: Clean and fresh.

Tomatin Double Cask

Nose: Aromas of vanilla-sweetened baked apples and pears lead.

Palate: Dark fruit flavours, gently balanced with ginger and cinnamon.

Finish: Sweet and spicy.

Tomatin 12 Year Old Sherry Cask
 Nose: Caramelised apple, pear, sultana, orange peel, apricot and hints of aged leather.
 Palate: Chocolate fudge, manuka honey, dried fruit and nut.
 Finish: Cinnamon spice.

Tomatin Cask Strength Bourbon and Sherry

Nose: Opens with home-made ice cream drizzled with golden syrup and crushed walnuts, moving on to Seville orange, tablet and black pepper.

Palate: Flavours of malt loaf and marzipan balance with crystallised ginger and orchard fruits.

Finish: Dry, lingering and spicy

Tomatin is located in the Scottish Highlands, 16 miles south of Inverness, and is famous for its portfolio of refined and elegant whiskies.  The distillery has a proud heritage stretching back to the 15th century when illicit production was likely to be taking place, but it wasn’t until 1897 that the first formal distillery was established by John MacDougall as the Tomatin Spey Distillery Company.

In 2022, Tomatin was awarded ‘Scotch Whisky Producer of the Year’ and ‘Outstanding Spirits Producer of the Year’ at the International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC). Later that year, it was recognised as ‘Sustainable Distillery of the Year’ at Whisky Magazine’s Icons of Whisky 2023, in recognition of its continued contribution to sustainably at the distillery.

In 2023, Tomatin took home seven awards at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, while Cù Bòcan, took home three. Tomatin’s 36 Year Old was crowned the ultimate winner at SFWSC for malts, being named ‘Best in Show’, officially making it one of the best whiskies in the world.

Building upon this triumph, 2024 saw Tomatin’s 18 Year Old secured Double Gold for the third consecutive year at the SFWSC, elevating it to Platinum status. Meanwhile, both Tomatin’s 45 Year Old and 12 Year Old, alongside Cù Bòcan’s 15 Year Old took home Double Gold Awards, and Cù Bòcan’s 12 Year Old also secured a prestigious Gold Award.

This year, Tomatin has been awarded Gold designation for its Tomatin Sherry Collection Ximénez Edition and Silver for both its Sherry Collection Manzanilla Edition and Sherry Collection Palo Cortado Edition in the inaugural 2025 Whiskey Wash Awards.

‘To What Matters’ is the latest chapter in the brand’s evolution; it is a positive call to arms that represents the spiritual DNA of Tomatin – a belief in savouring what is truly important in life and time spent together.

Tomatin is owned by the Japanese company Takara Shuzo International: www.takara-intl.co.jp/en/

To the Killowen Distillery Community
– A message of gratitude –

To the entire Killowen Distillery Community

I would like to take this opportunity, on behalf of the distillery, to say thank you to all our supporters, suppliers and trade partners for all you have done in 2025. More importantly, I would like to wish you and your loved ones a healthy and safe 2026. We appreciate that this has been a difficult time for so many of you and look forward to the new year being better than the last.

The team in Killowen are currently enjoying a few days rest, but they are hugely grateful to you as well and send their regards.

I opened up the distillery today to take a picture of the resting stills for you, but unfortunately, or rather fortunately, someone insisted on photobombing every picture. It seems Bríd is grateful too.

Athbhliain faoi mhaise daoibh
Tabhair aire.
Brendan Carty
Killowen Distillery

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

Ben Nevis 2014 100 Proof Edition #63, Signatory Vintage

£46.50

A small batch 10 year old release from Ben Nevis Distillery. This release comes in the 100 proof series from Signatory Vintage. Distilled: 2014 | Aged for 10 Years | Cask type: 1st Fill Pedro Ximenez Butts & 2nd Fill Oloroso Sherry Butts. | Un-chillfiltered and no added colour

TyndrumWhisky.com
The Green Welly Stop
Tyndrumwhisky, Tyndrum
Crianlarich, Perthshire FK20 8RY
United Kingdom

ralfy review 1111 Extras – 2026 will be a WILD Year for whisky.

Remember it’s just an opinion, not medical advice

SOTHEBY’S UNVEILS
‘The Great American Whiskey Collection’

The Most Valuable Single-Owner American Whiskey Collection Ever Offered at Auction

Marking the First Live, Single-Owner American Whiskey Sale in History

Featuring Landmark Bottles from Old Rip Van Winkle, Old Fitzgerald, Willett and More

Live Evening Auction 24 January at the Iconic Breuer Building

Selected highlights from The Great American Whiskey Collection including Old Rip Van Winkle Single Barrels for Sam’s, Binny’s and Park Avenue Liquor, Old Fitzgerald “Blackhawks”, LeNell’s Red Hook Rye and an O.F.C. whiskey distilled in 1909

“The Great American Whiskey Collection stands as a testament to the collectability of truly rare Bourbon and Rye Whiskey. Never before have we witnessed a collection of such sought after bottles come to market from a single owner. This is not just the most valuable American whiskey collection ever to be offered at auction, it is the most meticulously curated, featuring the hardest to find bottles in the industry. This collection is truly a first in the world of American whiskey.”

Jonny Fowle, Sotheby’s Global Head of Whisky & Spirits

NEW YORK, 7 JANUARY 2026 – Later this month, Sotheby’s will present The Great American Whiskey Collection, its first-ever live, single-owner American whiskey auction, offering the most valuable collection of its kind ever to come to market. The monumental sale will take place at the iconic Breuer Building on Madison Avenue. Estimated between $1.17–1.68 million, the collection comprises 360 bottles offered across 320 lots from a meticulously curated private holding. The landmark auction is part of Visions of America, a week-long auction and event series celebrating American art, objects, and innovation, marking the nation’s 250th anniversary this year.

Assembled over many years by a dedicated collector, The Great American Whiskey Collection features an extraordinary selection of some of the rarest and most sought-after bottles of Bourbon and Rye ever bottled. The sale includes numerous private labels, exclusive single barrels, and historic bottlings that are now virtually impossible to source, with several appearing at auction for the very first time and many making their debut at Sotheby’s.

Spanning production dates as early as 1900, the collection is anchored by exceptional examples from Old Rip Van Winkle, which account for most of the collection’s value, alongside landmark bottles from Old Fitzgerald, Red Hook Rye, Buffalo Trace, Michter’s, and Wild Turkey. Sotheby’s currently holds the auction record for a bottle of post-Prohibition American whiskey at $125,000, and the sale’s top lot is expected to challenge—or surpass—that benchmark.

This collection stands as a testament to the Van Winkle legacy, offering the strongest representation of the family’s heritage and lineage ever presented at auction. Many of the Van Winkle single-barrel selections—bottled for Sam’s, Binny’s, Blue Smoke, Delilah’s, and Old Advocate—were produced in extremely limited quantities, with most being consumed in the subsequent years, leaving only the rarest remnants. These bottles capture both the artistry of their time and the resilience of the American whiskey industry during periods of challenge. Today, they rank among the most prized and valuable American whiskeys in existence.

The bottles in this auction come directly from the cellar of a single owner who meticulously assembled the collection over a period of many years, and stored them in his own custom-built home bar

• Old Rip Van Winkle 20 Year Old Single Barrel “Sam’s” (1982, 133.4 proof): $70,000–100,000: Bottled exclusively for Sam’s Wines & Spirits in Chicago, only 60 bottles were produced, the highest-proof Van Winkle ever released
• Van Winkle 18 Year Old “Binny’s” (1985, 121.6 proof): $60,000–80,000: Exclusive single-barrel bottling
• Very Very Old Fitzgerald “Blackhawk” 18 Year Old (1950, 121.0 proof): $50,000–80,000: Private bottling for the Wirtz family of Chicago Blackhawks fame
• LeNell’s Red Hook Rye Barrels #1–4: $24,000–35,000 each: Only 852 bottles exist across all four, among the most celebrated rye whiskeys in the world

Alongside Van Winkle, the collection features historic Old Fitzgerald Blackhawk bottlings and rarities from Buffalo Trace, Michter’s, and Wild Turkey. These thumbprints of American whiskey represent not only the apex of craftsmanship but also the preservation of history and community within the category.

“The value, quality, and rarity of these bottles are unparalleled,” added Zev Glesta, Sotheby’s Whiskey Specialist, AVP. “This is not just a great American whiskey collection—it is the collection, bringing together the very finest examples ever produced. Each bottle tells a story, captures a moment in history, and preserves the lineage of a craft that continues to grow and evolve today.”

Selected highlights from the sale will be available to view from today on Sothebys.com, opening for advanced online bidding on 8 January. The complete catalogue can be viewed here.

Established in 1744, Sotheby’s promotes access and ownership of exceptional art and luxury objects through auctions, private sales and retail. Our deep expertise across 70 selling categories is supported by a leading technology platform and a global network of specialists spanning 40 countries. Selling categories include Contemporary Art, Modern and Impressionist Art, Old Masters, Chinese Works of Art, Jewelry, Watches, Wine and Spirits and Design, as well as collectible cars and real estate through RM Sotheby’s and Concierge. Sotheby’s Financial Services is a leading art lender and provides capital solutions for collectors around the world, having originated more than $12 billion in loans since its inception. Sotheby’s new global headquarters is now open at the iconic Breuer building at 945 Madison Avenue in New York City.

*Estimates do not include buyer’s premium. Prices achieved include the hammer price plus buyer’s premium and are net of any fees paid to the purchaser where the purchaser provided an irrevocable bid.

Stream live auctions and place bids in real time, discover the value of a work of art, browse sale catalogues, view original content and more at sothebys.com, and by downloading Sotheby’s apps for iOS and Android.