The Act That Changed Scotch Forever?

Few dates loom as large in Scotch whisky history as 1823. The Excise Act of that year is routinely described as the moment whisky became legal, the line in the sand between smuggling chaos and the birth of the modern industry. But, as whisky historian Iain Russell discusses with Dave Broom, that version of events is far too simple.

📖 Read the Post

The Zodiac Series
Where Stars and Spirit Align

Inspired by the 12 signs of the zodiac, we’ve scoured Scotland in search of casks with the perfect combination of flavours to evoke the character and feel of these ancient archetypes. It’s a striking series, one perfect for adding to your collection, or a birthday gift you won’t find anywhere else.

Our first four bottlings celebrate the star signs of Pisces, Aries, Taurus, and Gemini. Each dram embodies the essence of its zodiac, its character as distinctive and singular as the sign it represents. With The Zodiac Series, there’s a whisky for everyone. Discover yours.

SHOP NOW

For over 25 years, the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival has been opening the doors to distilleries across the region. And for six days each spring, visitors are invited inside.

Step behind the scenes and into warehouses and production areas, with tours led by the people who know these distilleries best, from still operators and distillery managers to the makers and blenders themselves. This year, guests will even step inside distilleries rarely open to the public, including Benrinnes, Dalmunach and Longmorn.

While some of these experiences fill quickly, there are many exclusive tours and tastings taking place across the festival, offering access and insight you can only get at Spirit of Speyside.

Opening the Doors to Cardhu Distillery at #Dram26

Cardhu is one of Speyside’s most welcoming distilleries, open to visitors throughout the year. But during the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival, the experience goes a little further.

Festival events offer the chance to explore areas not usually included on a standard visit, spend time with the people behind the whisky, and enjoy tastings created especially for the week.

From meeting the makers and drawing drams straight from the cask, to discovering an unexpected whisky pairing, these four Cardhu experiences offer a fresh way to explore the distillery during #Dram26.

Events at Cardhu Distillery

Tamdhu VIP Distillery Tour & Tasting
Tamdhu Distillery
1 – 2 May – Various Times

Normally closed to the public, Tamdhu invites you on an exclusive guided tour of its Speyside distillery, followed by a tasting of the 12, 15 and 18 Year Old expressions. The experience begins and ends at Dalbeallie, Tamdhu’s Victorian railway station, where festival limited releases and other whisky gems will be available..

BOOK NOW

Breakfast Tour at Glen Moray
Glen Moray
29 April – 3 May – 9.30am

Start your #Dram26 day with Glen Moray’s popular Breakfast Tour, including a freshly cooked Scottish breakfast and a dram. After breakfast, enjoy a guided tour of the distillery production facilities and warehouse before finishing with two further whiskies back at the bar. A relaxed and delicious way to fuel up before a day of festival exploration.

BOOK NOW

Tamnavulin Distillery Tour
Tamnavulin Distillery
29 April – 4 May – Various Times

Established over 60 years ago, Speyside Distillery opens its doors to visitors for just one week each year during the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival. On this in-depth tour you’ll explore the mash house, tun room, stillhouse and warehouses, before enjoying a tasting of four whiskies including a specially selected single cask bottled exclusively for the festival.

BOOK NOW

Tomintoul Distillery: Behind the Scenes Tour & Tasting
Tomintoul Distillery
1 – 2 May – 12pm

Join Distillery Manager Robert Nicholson for a behind-the-scenes tour of Tomintoul Distillery, exploring the whisky-making process from mashing to maturation. The experience concludes with a tutored tasting led by Master Blender Iain Forteath, featuring a selection of his favourite Tomintoul single malts.

BOOK NOW

Many of Speyside’s distilleries are tucked away in rural locations, just as they have been for generations, so getting from one to another isn’t always as simple as hopping in an Uber – in fact, we don’t have Uber or app-based taxis here at all.

If you’re planning to enjoy a dram or two during your festival adventures (and no one wants to volunteer as designated driver), a local taxi is often the easiest way to travel between distilleries, accommodation and events.

You can find contact details for local taxi providers in our Taxi Listing, and booking ahead is a good idea when planning your festival itinerary.

VIEW TAXIS

These are just a handful of this year’s events – you can explore the full programme here:

VIEW FULL PROGRAMME OF EVENTS

Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival Ltd.
PO Box 6783
Elgin, Moray IV30 9AW
United Kingdom

Clock-In at Coleburn: A Hands-On Whisky Warehouse Experience 💪⚒️🥃

This Spirit of Speyside, we’re opening the warehouse doors — and inviting you to step inside.

On Friday 1 May 2026, join our team at the traditional Victorian warehouses of Coleburn Distillery for a rare, hands-on morning shift with Murray McDavid.

This is not a tour.

This is your chance to work alongside our experienced Warehouse Team and discover what it truly takes to care for maturing Scotch whisky.

Under the guidance of our Team, you will:

• Stow and ‘time’ casks
• Re-rack spirit
• Regauge and assess maturing whisky
• Carefully draw samples straight from the cask

You’ll gain practical insight into the precision, skill and dedication that shape every Murray McDavid release — along with a few terrible warehouse jokes along the way!

After your shift, enjoy a well-earned flight of three ‘Warehouseman’s’ drams and receive a special certificate of achievement to mark your experience.

⚒️ Get hands-on in a whisky warehouse!

Friday 1 May | 9:00am-12:00pm

BOOK NOW

This immersive experience is designed for true whisky enthusiasts who want to go beyond the tasting table and into the heart of maturation itself.

Driver’s Drams are available to pre-order if required.

Spaces are limited 🎟️

We look forward to welcoming you on shift 💪

Slàinte,

The Murray McDavid Team

A legacy in motion: two American originals unite on the world’s fastest stage in a cinematic celebration of shared heritage, ambition and connection.

Clermont, Kentucky, March 2, 2026: Jim Beam®, the world’s No.1 bourbon and Official Spirits Partner of the Cadillac Formula 1® Team, today unveiled Raised Together—a new global brand film that explores the authentic and unique history of a relationship that began in Kentucky 90 years ago, and how that legacy comes to life today on the world’s fastest stage.

Timed with the highly anticipated debut of the Cadillac Formula 1® Team at the Australian Grand Prix, Raised Together is the first in a series of campaign films set to roll out throughout the 2026 season.

The film tells the story of the great lengths Jim Beam himself went to safeguard his family recipe nearly a century ago—a legacy in which Cadillac played a pivotal role. The Founder, to protect his proprietary yeast—a living, essential ingredient in Jim Beam’s distinct bourbon recipe—would drive a mason jar of it home each night in his Cadillac, shielding it from the threats of fire and prohibition. This ritual ensured the preservation of the key element that still defines Jim Beam’s unmistakable flavor today.

Now, as the Cadillac Formula 1® Team prepares to make its debut in the 2026 season, the two iconic brands reunite to welcome a fast-growing global fanbase into their storied legacy.

“Raised Together tells the story of our shared heritage and where we’re headed,” said KK Hall, global brand vice president, Jim Beam. “Jim Beam and Cadillac embody a uniquely American spirit—rooted in tradition but never constrained by it. Our partnership is about people—the teams, fans and community that make this sport extraordinary.”

The hero film will premiere in Australia and New Zealand on March 2 ahead of the Australian Grand Prix before rolling out globally across North America, the United Kingdom, Germany, China, India, Brazil, Mexico and other key markets throughout the 2026 season. The campaign will be supported by integrated activations across broadcast, digital and social channels.

A second version featuring Cadillac Formula 1® Team drivers Sergio Pérez and Valtteri Bottas will be coming soon on Jim Beam owned social media channels. The content reflects their unique personalities and sets the tone for the type of storytelling fans can expect to see throughout the partnership.

Beyond the Track
Jim Beam’s presence in Formula 1® extends beyond traditional branding. As the fastest growing sport with a global fanbase of 827 million, and the U.S. representing one of the fastest growth markets—including the next generation of racing fans — Jim Beam aims to capitalize on the momentum building a community of new, legal drinking age fans as they come along for the ride.

Guided by the belief that nothing great happens in isolation, Jim Beam enters the grid as a transformative force, with a desire to help reshape how fans experience the sport.

Throughout 2026, the partnership will come to life with immersive experiences, citywide activations, retail initiatives and on-trade programs. These efforts are designed to deepen fans’ connection to the sport and to one another, building a vibrant community that brings together lifelong motorsport enthusiasts and a new generation discovering the race for the first time. They also create an important platform for Jim Beam to reinforce its commitment to responsible alcohol consumption and to remind consumers never to drink and drive. Responsibility will remain central to all messaging and experiences.

This engagement strategy kicks off at the season opener in Melbourne, where Jim Beam will extend race week beyond the track with dedicated events celebrating sport, culture, and community. By creating inclusive, energetic, and responsibly enjoyed spaces, the brand seeks to help shape a new era for Formula 1®—one that emphasizes not just speed but also shared moments and human connection.

“As we enter the grid for the first time, we want to build a community around this new American team, inviting fans to join us on this journey,” added Hall. “As the people’s bourbon, Jim Beam has always been about the collective and fostering connection. Together with the Cadillac Formula 1® Team, we aim to make the sport more accessible—bringing fans closer to the action, beyond the grid, to celebrate the stories and shared experiences that make Formula 1® so compelling. This is about creating connections—on and off the track.”

Best Enjoyed Together. Best Enjoyed Responsibly.
To learn more about Jim Beam and Cadillac F1 Racing, visit www.jimbeam.com or follow @jimbeamofficial on Instagram @cadillacf1

Jim Beam® Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 40% Alc./Vol. ©2026 James B. Beam Distilling Co., Clermont, KY

About Jim Beam®: Jim Beam is the world’s best-selling bourbon, crafted by eight generations of family distillers since 1795. Fred Noe, Jim Beam’s seventh Generation Master Distiller, and Freddie Noe, Jim Beam’s eighth Generation Master Distiller, have stayed true to the family recipe that’s been passed down through generations. The Jim Beam portfolio of products includes Jim Beam Bourbon, Jim Beam Black®, and Jim Beam Flavors, among other offerings. For more information, go to www.jimbeam.com @jimbeamofficial on Instagram and @jimbeam on Twitter.

About Cadillac Formula 1® Team: The Cadillac Formula 1® Team is a specialist motor racing team competing in the FIA Formula 1 World Championship. Backed by TWG Motorsports and General Motors, the team has operations in Fishers, Indiana (USA); Charlotte, North Carolina (USA); and Silverstone, Northamptonshire (UK). With the confidence to dream big and the passion to deliver, the Cadillac Formula 1® Team is building everything from the ground up – from high-performance race cars to an inclusive, values-driven culture. The team will make its Formula 1® debut in 2026.

About GM: General Motors (NYSE:GM) is driving the future of transportation, leveraging advanced technology to build safer, smarter, and lower emission cars, trucks, and SUVs. GM’s Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, and GMC brands offer a broad portfolio of innovative gasoline-powered vehicles and the industry’s widest range of EVs, as we move to an all-electric future. Learn more at GM.com.

About Suntory Global Spirits As a world leader in premium spirits, Suntory Global Spirits inspires the brilliance of life, by creating rich experiences for people, in harmony with nature. Known for its craftsmanship of premium whiskies, including Jim Beam® and Maker’s Mark®; Japanese whiskies, including Yamazaki®, Hakushu®, Hibiki® and Toki™; and leading Scotch brands including Laphroaig® and Bowmore®, Suntory Global Spirits also produces leading brands such as Tres Generaciones® and El Tesoro® tequila, Roku™ and Sipsmith® gin, and is a world leader in Ready-To-Drink cocktails, with brands like -196™ (minus one-nine-six) and On The Rocks™ Premium Cocktails.

A global company with approximately 6,000 employees in nearly 30 countries, Suntory Global Spirits is driven by its core values of Growing for Good, Yatte Minahare and Giving Back to Society. The company’s Proof Positive sustainability strategy includes ambitious goals and investments to drive sustainable change and have a positive impact on the planet, consumers and communities. Headquartered in New York City, Suntory Global Spirits is a subsidiary of Suntory Holdings Limited of Japan. For more information, visit www.suntoryglobalspirits.com

Redbreast Moscatel Wine Cask

Ralfy 11YO North Star Spirits 10th Anniversary Blended Malt Whisky

A special charity bottling from North Star Spirits in collaboration with Ralfy to celebrate 10 years of North Star Spirits. Proceeds going to Macmillan Cancer Support. This release is a blended malt made up 2013 Teaninich from Sherry Octaves (29%), 2013 Secret Campbeltown from Refill Barrels (28%), 2015 Caol Ila from Refill Hogsheads (14%), 2010 Secret Speyside from First Fill Sherry Hogsheads (10%), and 2007 Auchroisk from Refill Sherry Hogsheads. Only 1320 bottles have been produced.

£68.00

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

ralfy review 1118 – Glen Scotia 12yo @46%vol: (blue label)

Heaven Hill Distillery Celebrates 20 Years of Innovation with Bernheim Wheat Whiskey 20th Anniversary Limited Edition

Bardstown, Ky. — (February 23, 2026) Heaven Hill Distillery proudly announces the release of Bernheim Original Kentucky Straight Wheat Whiskey 20th Anniversary Limited Edition, a special bottling commemorating two decades since Bernheim pioneered a new style of American Whiskey and helped usher in the modern whiskey renaissance.

Launched in 2005, Bernheim Original Wheat Whiskey was the first truly new American Whiskey style introduced since Prohibition, boldly using soft winter wheat as its primary grain. At the time, the category-defining innovation marked a turning point for American Whiskey — one that has since become an enduring legacy.

“This release is both a celebration and a thank you,” said Max L. Shapira, Executive Chairman of Heaven Hill Brands. “When we launched Bernheim Wheat Whiskey 20 years ago, we took a chance on a new mashbill and a new idea. The support we received in those early days helped shape not only this brand, but the expansion in popularity of different styles of American Whiskey we continue to see today.”

Crafted from Bernheim’s signature soft winter wheat recipe, the 20th Anniversary Limited Edition features a special selection of barrels aged 10 years and is bottled at 115 proof (57.5% ABV), delivering a rich and complex tasting experience that honors both tradition and innovation. Produced at the historic Bernheim Distillery and aged in rickhouses in Bardstown, Kentucky, this small batch release reflects Heaven Hill’s continued commitment to quality and craftsmanship.

Presented in a bright copper hue, the Whiskey opens on the nose with notes of cinnamon and baking spices layered with vanilla and oak. The palate follows with rich flavors of molasses and butterscotch, leading into a peppery finish that lingers with warmth and balance.

The commemorative bottle design underscores the significance of the release, featuring a distinctive copper plate on the front as a visual marker of its limited-edition status and a nod to the heritage and craftsmanship behind the brand. Bernheim Original Kentucky Straight Wheat Whiskey 20th Anniversary Limited Edition is available in limited quantities nationwide for a suggested retail price of $84.99.

ABOUT HEAVEN HILL DISTILLERY: Founded in Kentucky by the Shapira family in 1935, Heaven Hill Distillery continues its legacy as one of the foremost American Whiskey producers. Heaven Hill has cultivated the traditions and history of America’s Native Spirit with its fierce independence, passionate family ownership, dedication to quality, and thoughtful innovation. Today, Heaven Hill Distillery maintains over 2 million barrels aging in more than 70 warehouses throughout Nelson and Jefferson Counties. It is home to an award-winning collection of American Whiskeys including Elijah Craig Bourbon, Evan Williams Bourbon, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond, Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond, Henry McKenna, Parker’s Heritage Collection along with its extensive and diverse collection of unique and innovative products. In the past five years alone, Heaven Hill Distillery has been named Distiller of the Year eight times, including 2024 and 2023 Whisky Magazine Distillery of the Year. Other recent honors include 2024 and 2025 San Francisco World Spirits Competition’s Most Awarded Distillery and the 2023 Icons of Whisky World’s Best Small Batch Bourbon. For more information, please visit www.heavenhilldistillery.com.