Have you ever had a glass of Tokaji wine? The sweet wine from Hungary’s Tokaj region is made using furmint grapes. These grapes experience noble rot, a process which pierces tiny holes in the skin of the grapes. This causes the water to evaporate and the sugar to concentrate. This results in honey, apricot, ginger and saffron flavours.

But what does that have to do with this 15-year-old single malt whisky? Originally matured in bourbon hogsheads, we took a superbly fruity Speysider and transferred it to fresh Tokaji wine-seasoned STR barriques for over three years.  The result is a whisky with balanced and indulgent wine notes. If you’re into dessert wine, fried peach, brioche, amontillado sherry, orange blossom and tobacco complexity then this one’s for you.

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Whether it’s the award-winning Batch 41: Incognito or estery Batch 40: Fruit Bomb – there’s plenty more ‘Heresy’ to explore. Expect the unexpected with intriguing cask combinations including sherried and peated releases.

SHOP ALL ‘HERESY’  

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

Mark’s Whisky Ramblings 616: Trip to Islay 2026 – Part 1 of 4

Mark Dermul, Belgian whisky blogger, travels to the Queen of the Hebrides. He took Dearly Beloved and 8 friends to Islay. What an unforgettable journey it turned out to be. And he gladly shares his adventures with you. It turned into a four-part series of videos. In part 1 of 4 he visits Auchentoshan, Kilchoman, Machir Bay and Bruichladdich.

https://youtu.be/HUJq8VFoxf4

Raising a dram to six decades of Deanston: Distillery opens doors for birthday events

Diamond Date: the Deanston team prepare to welcome visitors in a series of anniversary tastings and events. 

Deanston Distillery is celebrating its 60th birthday with a week of special events in October, opening its doors to whisky lovers, local residents and anyone who wants to discover the magic behind this small but distinctive Highland distillery.

Taking place from October 11 to 17, the birthday celebrations will culminate in a special Distillery Open Day on Saturday October 17, marking 60 years since Deanston was converted from a cotton mill into a whisky distillery in 1966.

There’s also a special birthday treat for anyone who shares Deanston’s big milestone and those celebrating their 60th birthday in 2026 can bring a guest and enjoy a complimentary distillery tour or tasting at Deanston up until March 21 2027.

During the week of anniversary celebrations, visitors can also enjoy a range of experiences, including a special community day, behind-the-scenes tours and tastings, live music, the chance to buy a limited-edition 60th Anniversary whiskies and much more.

Pete Semple, Visitor Centre Manager at Deanston Distillery, said: “Sixty years is a huge milestone for Deanston and gives us the opportunity to welcome in the people who have worked here, the families and communities who have grown up alongside the distillery, and the generations of whisky lovers who have made Deanston part of their lives. We’re incredibly proud of what this place means to people locally and to Deanston fans who come here from around the world. This anniversary is our chance to open the doors and share our passion with everyone, to let them see where our whisky is made, hear the stories and meet the people behind it. Most importantly, it’s a chance to raise a dram and celebrate 60 years together.”

Renowned for its unconventional history, distinctive waxy-textured single malt and independent spirit, Deanston has built a passionate community of fans around the world. But its roots remain firmly local.

The distillery’s staff all live in Deanston, Perthshire and neighbouring Stirlingshire, and its Community Day on Wednesday October 14 will welcome residents of Deanston, Doune and Callander, former colleagues and local community groups to enjoy complimentary tours, tastings and the chance to hear from the people who have been part of Deanston’s story.

The celebrations will also give whisky enthusiasts the chance to experience Deanston like never before, with highlights including a Master Distillers’ Tasting spanning four eras of the distillery, tours led by current and former distillery managers, and a special exploration of the former weaving shed which has been home to maturing Deanston whisky since 1966.

Deanston’s 60th anniversary celebrations take place from October 11 to 17, 2026, with the main Distillery Open Day on Saturday October 17. Tickets for special tastings and tours are available through the Deanston website, with limited places for some events and experiences.

For more information and to book, visit HERE 

About Deanston

Located on the banks of the River Teith near Doune, Deanston Distillery has been handcrafting award-winning Highland single malts since 1966. Once a cotton mill, Deanston is powered by its own hydroelectric turbine and produces whisky using only Scottish ingredients, crafted by hand without chill filtration or added colouring. The result is a naturally waxy, smooth and honeyed spirit that reflects the character of its people and place.

Led by Master Blender Julieann Fernandez, one of the world’s youngest and most accomplished whisky makers, Deanston continues to balance traditional craftsmanship with a spirit of innovation. The distillery is also recognised as one of the world’s leading – and oldest – producers of high-aged organic single malt, accredited by the UK’s Organic Food Federation.

The core Deanston range includes its signature Virgin Oak, 12- and 18-Year-Old single malts, alongside limited-edition cask finishes that push the boundaries of cask maturation and experimentation. Proudly community-driven and sustainably minded, Deanston embodies the spirit of modern Scottish whisky-making.

Learn more at www.deanstonmalt.com or follow @deanstonmalt on social media.

Deanston Distillery 60th Anniversary Celebrations – full event details

Dates: October 11–17 2026

Deanston Distillery is celebrating 60 years of whisky making with a week of special events, culminating in a Distillery Open Day on Saturday 17 October. From community celebrations to exclusive tastings with the people who have shaped Deanston, the programme offers whisky lovers and local residents the chance to explore behind the scenes and celebrate six decades of Deanston.

Sunday October 11

We Are 60, Are You?

Anyone celebrating their 60th birthday in 2026 can enjoy a complimentary distillery tour or tasting. Offer continues at Deanston up until March 21 2027.

Wednesday October 14

Deanston, Doune & Callander Community Day

We open our doors to the local community, with whisky tasting, storytelling and a look behind the scenes.

Saturday October 17

Deanston Distillery Open Day

A full day of special tours, tastings, live music and behind-the-scenes experiences.

Master Distillers’ Tasting

Join four Master Distillers as they share whiskies from their respective eras at Deanston.

Distillery Manager’s 60th Anniversary Tour & Tasting

Current Distillery Manager Murray Kerr leads a tour before presenting four personally selected whiskies.

Head Warehouseman’s Tour: 60 Years of the Weaving Shed

The story of Deanston’s former weaving shed, which became a maturation warehouse in 1966, followed by three cask-strength drams.

Distillery Manager’s Tasting

Stephen Woodcock, Andrew Waite and current manager Murray Kerr each share a whisky connected to their time running Deanston and stories from their eras.

Distillery Production Tours

See Deanston’s production process up close, from mashing and fermentation through to distillation.

Open Day Extras

Visitors can also enjoy:

• A photography exhibition celebrating Deanston and its people.
• Live music.
• Access to the Visitor Centre and retail shop.

Tickets for the special tours and tastings are limited.

For further information and booking details, visit HERE 

Luss Distillery celebrates first year in business with over 55,000 visitors welcomed

The new spirits destination has become one of Scotland’s most highly regarded visitor attractions just a year after opening.

Luss Distillery, the multi-million-pound distillery and visitor destination on the banks of Loch Lomond, has welcomed more than 55,000 visitors and hosted nearly 5,000 tastings and tours in its first year of operation.

Launched by independent distiller Loch Lomond Group, the distillery quietly opened in the village of Luss in October 2025, before being officially launched by First Minister John Swinney at a ribbon-cutting ceremony in January 2026.

Since its opening, the distillery has  welcomed guests from across the world, including passionate whisky connoisseurs as well as curious spirits newcomers. Among its visitors have been guests from United States, who made up 8% of all visits, as well as guests from Germany, Netherlands and France.

Luss Distillery is a dedicated brand home for Loch Lomond Group’s multi-award award-winning Loch Lomond Whiskies.  Within the dedicated retail space, guests have also been able to explore the group’s extensive portfolio of other whiskies, including Glen Scotia and Littlemill.

The distillery hosts a range of dedicated whisky tastings and tours, as well as freely opening its doors for a more informal exploration of its beautifully designed spaces. During its first year, the attraction has achieved exceptional feedback from guests, earning a five-star Tripadvisor rating, and a 4.9 rating on Google Reviews, with a Net Promoter Score of 94. It was also awarded a five-star quality grading by the Association of Scottish Visitor Attractions (ASVA), just months after opening its doors.

To mark its first year in business, Luss Distillery will be running a host of initiatives from 9 to 16 October, from free bottle engraving to a Serve & Slice offer at the onsite Scoff & Patter, where visitors will be treated a slice of birthday cake and a Ben Lomond cocktail.

25% off all whisky experiences as well as 10% off all merchandise in the shop, will also be available across the week. The distillery will also host an Open House for local residents in Luss, and partners who have supported its journey over the past year.

Tony MacLean, Brand Home Manager at Luss Distillery, said: “It has been a whirlwind first year, and as I look back on the past 12 months, I am so proud of what we have built here.

“Luss Distillery is unlike anything else in Scotland. It is a place where the stories of whisky are brought together under one roof, making it incredibly unique and appealing to visitors with very different interests. Our spectacular location on the banks of Loch Lomond undoubtedly plays a huge part in attracting visitors.

“From the moment visitors arrive, there is a real sense of discovery, both for the local area and for our offering.  Guests consistently talk about is the opportunity to get behind the scenes, hear the stories behind our brands and taste premium whisky  in such a spectacular setting. They also really value access to products they cannot buy elsewhere. Our Luss Exclusive Casks have been particularly successful, and we are continuing to develop more products that are only available at Luss.

“After such a strong first year, it is exciting to see how the destination is establishing itself as a place where people can discover our spirits, enjoy the landscape and create a memorable Loch Lomond experience.”

Luss Distillery is open daily from 10am-5pm.

For more information about Luss Distillery, please visit https://lussdistillery.com/

For more information about The Loch Lomond Group, please visit www.lochlomondgroup.com.

About the Loch Lomond Group

• Loch Lomond Group is an independent distiller based in Alexandria and is home to several multi- award-winning brands that are sold in more than 125 countries worldwide.
• Loch Lomond distillery has been producing the finest single malt whiskies since 1814.
• Images and interviews with key staff from the Group are available upon request. lochlomondgroup.com

Tickets Now On Sale

Whisky Social returns on Saturday November 21 from 1:00 to 4:00pm, and tickets are now on sale: TICKETS

Why a sibling for Spirit of Toronto?

Because we longed for the kind of laidback, FOMO-free European whisky festivals we’ve attended across the pond.

And then we came across the perfect warehouse location for an afternoon of ‘whisky and vibes’, with a food truck on-site to keep our bellies full while the drams flowed.

We like to think of Whisky Social as the ‘smash burger’ to Spirit of Toronto’s filet mignon: both are equally satisfying in their own right.

And, because we couldn’t pass up the chance for a geeky deep dive with fellow whisky fans… we’re digging into the vaults and opening some pretty amazing bottles to share with likeminded folks for an hour before the main doors open. (Just saying, you do you.)

Hope to see you there!
Johanna

Johanna Ngoh
Founder, Whisky Social and Spirit of Toronto

GET MORE OF THE GOOD STUFF

Whisky Wallet is our new members-only whisky fund that rewards you with a 10% boost. It’s the good stuff with a little extra on top.

Here’s how it works: 

1. Deposit monthly 

Choose £25, £50, £75 or £100.

2. Get 10% extra from us 

We boost every payment you make.

£25 → £27.50 credit

£50 → £55 credit

£75 → £82.50 credit

£100 → £110 credit

3. Enjoy more good stuff 

Spend your credit online whenever you’re ready.

Your balance will grow until you’re ready to spend it on the whiskies you’ve been waiting for – whether you’re planning for monthly Outturn releases, saving for a special occasion, or simply wanting a smarter way to pay for Society whisky.

You can check your Whisky Wallet balance anytime in your member dashboard and will see the option to use it at checkout.

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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

Whisky Show bottlings 2026

Every year, we work with some of the finest distilleries and bottlers in the world to select a choice few whiskies from their stocks and The Whisky Show 2026 is no different. Six different single-cask expressions from Scotland, England and the USA, each exclusively bottled for launch at the show and every one a star turn.

​SHOP NOW

The Good Dram Show – Episode 650 ‘English Whisky’

Welcome to this week’s episode of the show in which I’ll be taking a look at a selection of new releases from The Spirit of Yorkshire, White Peak and the West Midlands Distillery. Episode 650 – Oooh…! You Can’t Do That…! Filmed in The Study Nottingham. 

Featuring

Filey Bay Heritage 46.5%
Filey Bay 10th Anniversary Special Release 49.9%
spiritofyorkshire.com

White Peaks Wireworks Caduro Cask Strength 58%
White Peaks Wireworks Calvados Arrivée 49.2%
www.whitepeakdistillery.co.uk

West Midlands Distillery ‘Siblings’ Unpeated 51.1%
West Midlands Distillery ‘Siblings’ Peated 52.1%
www.westmidlandsdistillery.co.uk

Filmed & Edited by Chris Goodrum.Disclaimer The views, thoughts, or opinions expressed during this episode are solely those of the individual involved (me) and do not represent those of my employer.  

SAZERAC COMPANY CONTINUES INVESTING IN KENTUCKY WITH ACQUISITION OF GARRARD COUNTY DISTILLING

The acquisition builds on Sazerac’s recent investments in Kentucky and expands the company’s distilling footprint across the Commonwealth

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Sazerac announced today that it has acquired Garrard County Distilling facility in Lancaster, Kentucky, marking the latest step in the company’s continued growth and long-term investment across the Commonwealth. The facility joins Sazerac’s broader distilling network in the state, including Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Barton 1792 Distillery in Bardstown and The Glenmore Distillery in Owensboro. The acquisition represents an important addition to Sazerac’s production capabilities, providing additional capacity to support continued growth across the company’s portfolio of spirits brands.

The Garrard County Distilling facility, which opened in 2024, sits on approximately 210 acres and includes two column stills and two 20,000-square-foot barrel warehouses. Sazerac will utilize the facility’s existing infrastructure and capabilities to support the company’s broader production needs. The company expects to hire additional team members initially and will grow over time as operations at the facility develop.

“Kentucky has been an important part of Sazerac’s story for many years, and we’re proud to continue investing and growing here,” said Jake Wenz, President and CEO of Sazerac. “Today, nearly 3,000 team members are part of Sazerac’s Kentucky operations, and we’re grateful for the opportunity to continue growing that team. Even with all the investments we have made to expand, we need more supply to keep up with demand, and the addition of the Lancaster facility gives us valuable distilling capabilities to support that growth. We’re excited to become part of the Garrard County community.”

Sazerac continues to make significant long-term investments in its Kentucky distilleries, strengthening production capabilities, modernizing facilities, and supporting the future of bourbon production in the Commonwealth.

In the past five years, the company has invested approximately $50 million at Barton 1792 Distillery, including a new boiler house, additional fermenters, expanded bottling operations and three new aging warehouses that increased barrel storage capacity by 25%, along with upgrades to existing equipment and facilities.

In January 2025, Sazerac completed a ten-year, $1.2 billion expansion project for Buffalo Trace Distillery, which included a new still house, boiler house, bottling operation, expanded visitor center, 20 additional fermenters, and 19 new aging warehouses.

At The Glenmore Distillery, Sazerac has invested approximately $40 million to enhance processing capabilities and upgrade barrel equipment, distillery controls and bottling lines since 2020. Sazerac is also investing in additional barrel aging capacity throughout Kentucky, including construction of new warehouses in Laurel and Taylor Counties.

“We’re pleased to welcome Sazerac to Garrard County and look forward to what this investment will mean for our community,” said Garrard County Judge Executive Chris Elleman. “Sazerac’s decision to invest here brings new jobs and economic opportunity to our county while positioning this Distillery for continued growth. We’re proud to have Sazerac become part of the Garrard County community and look forward to working together for years to come.”

Kentucky House Speaker Pro Tempore David Meade adds, “Sazerac’s investment in Garrard County is another strong example of the continued confidence companies are placing in Kentucky and our signature bourbon industry. This acquisition brings new opportunity to an impressive facility that already represents a significant investment in our region. Seeing Sazerac put this facility back to work is a positive development for Garrard County and another opportunity to strengthen one of our Commonwealth’s signature industries.”

For more information on Sazerac’s distilleries, please visit www.sazerac.com/our-distilleries.

About Sazerac

With over 400 years of history, Sazerac is one of the world’s largest distilled spirits companies. Now in the fourth generation of the current family ownership, Sazerac strives each day to bring the finest spirits to consumers and communities around the world.

Over 550 of the world’s most extraordinary brands are part of the Sazerac portfolio, including Buffalo Trace Bourbon, Eagle Rare, Weller, The Last Drop Distillers, Fireball Cinnamon Whisky, Southern Comfort, Wheatley Vodka, Myers’s Rum, White X Cognac, Sazerac de Forge Cognac, Paddy’s Irish Whiskey, and many more.

Sazerac is also the steward of many fine distilleries internationally, including Buffalo Trace Distillery in Kentucky, United States; Domaine Sazerac de Segonzac in Cognac, France; Paul John Distillery in Goa, India; and Hawk’s Rock Distillery in County Sligo, Ireland. Additional impressive locations can be found in New Orleans, Montréal, London, Cork and Sydney, to name a few.

To learn more visit www.sazerac.com.