Old Particular Wine Cask Collection

Two New Releases Join The Collection

Crafted for the curious Whisky lover, the Old Particular Wine Cask Collection celebrates exceptional Single Cask Single Malt Scotch Whisky, thoughtfully elevated by the influence of the world’s finest Wine Casks.

We are delighted to unveil the next two releases in the collection:

Auchroisk 12 Years Old has been expertly finished in a Tawny Port Wine Cask from Portugal, bringing luscious red fruit character and refined, warming spice to this elegant spirit.

Glengoyne 12 Years Old has been carefully finished in a Monbazillac Wine Cask from France, adding layers of honey’d sweetness and expressive fruit depth to Glengoyne’s signature smoothness.

LEARN MORE

Booker’s 7 Year 6 Month 15 Days Old “Phantom Pipes Batch” #2025-04 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) $89.99 View

Hardin’s Creek 11 Year Old “Warehouse G” Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey $159.99 View

1792 Full Proof Barrel Select Aberdeen Whisky Shop Exclusive

ABV: 62.5% 75 cL

Johnnie Walker Ruby Black, 40%

THE REVIEW

Johnnie Walker Black Ruby. In the realms of Johnnie Walker taking on huge celebrities like Sabrina Carpenter as brand ambassadors, what can we make of one of their newest releases? No age statement is on the bottle, however we do get an insight into the use of Pedro Ximenez and Oloroso seasoned red wine, and bourbon casks. An unusual choice, sherry seasoned ex-red wine casks are certainly something that should deliver a lot of those red fruit, slightly tannin driven, perhaps even a wisp of smoke in some cases. One thing we are missing is any info about distilleries that were the focal point of this blend.

We can certainly assume the usual suspects of Cardhu, Royal Lochnagar, perhaps even some Glen Ord, as well as grain whiskies from Cameronbridge and North British. I believe this liquid is marketed towards bringing newer faces into the whisky world, and there’s nothing wrong with that. Although perhaps it makes me the wrong person to review it? I don’t mean that in an arrogant way, but this whisky does fall a little flat for me. It has all the good features of interesting casks and a little peat smoke.

Conversely I can’t say that it’s well priced for the supermarket consumer. The usual RRP of £40 but typically reduced to about £26, that certainly makes it more approachable, but some could be put off by the association in name with Black Label and that little wisp of smoke that lingers around this release. The finish and mid-palate are dominated by what is quite young grain whisky, that in itself washes out many of these bigger, juicier flavours you get from those sherry and red wine influences. It just feels a little synthetic and unbalanced, and this is after it’s been open for nearly 6 months. The smell is very attractive with those grain notes and the sweeter aromas really taking hold of you. But this overall feels quite confused and a little misplaced for me. #whisky #whiskey #scotch #johnniewalker #blendedwhisky

Whisky Reviews every Wednesday
Facebook.com/whiskytube
Twitter.com/whiskytube
Youtube.com/whiskywednesday

THE COUNCIL OF WHISKEY MASTERS Announces Its 2026 Master Examinations in Scotland, New Board Leadership, and Expanded Candidate Support

Pitlochry, Scottish Highlands — The Council of Whiskey Masters has announced that its annual Master Examinations will take place from 6–9 October 2026 at the Atholl Palace Hotel in Pitlochry, Scotland. Approximately 30 advanced candidates will be evaluated for the designations of Master of Scotch, Master of Bourbon, or the globally oriented Master of Whiskey.

The Master Examinations represent the highest level of professional whiskey certification, combining blind sensory evaluation with advanced knowledge of whiskey production, history, and analysis. Candidates participate from around the world after completing structured prerequisite study programs delivered remotely prior to the Master level.

The Council also announced a planned leadership transition. Monique Huston will assume the role of Chairman of the Board, succeeding former Chairmen Bernhard Schäfer, Steve Beal, and Martin Duffy, who all remain actively involved as Chairmen Emeritus and examiners. Huston, a Keeper of the Quaich, is Vice President of Spirits at Winebow, a leading global fine wine and spirits importer.

“I am thrilled and humbled to assume the role of Chairman of the program, raising standards across the whiskey industry through rigorous and credible education,” said Huston. “The opportunity to work with the Council at this level is a unique vantage to drive additional visibility and passion in the global whiskey community.”

The Council of Whiskey Masters comprises an international body of industry leaders, authors, master distillers, and master blenders, also including Rachel Barrie, Dave Broom, Lew Bryson, John Campbell, Alasdair Day, Michael D’Souza, Patricia Dillon, Stefan van Eycken, Andrew Faulkner, Serghios Florides, Nancy Fraley, Michael Fraser Milne, Sébastien Gavillet, Tobias Gorn, Davin deKergommeaux, Charles MacLean, Stephanie Macleod, Joseph Micallef, Ian Millar, Arthur Nägele, Eddie Nara, Fionnán O’Connor, Hans and Becky Offringa, Paul Pacult, Susan Reigler, Clay Risen, Ingvar Ronde, Marcy Rudershausen, Gavin Smith, Matt Strickland, Peggy Noe Stevens, Michael Veach, Andy Watts, and Ian Wisniewski, along with all 40 Master program graduates produced by the Council. These members play an active role in the development of the Council and its candidates.

A significant number of these Council members will serve as examiners and judges during the 2026 examination residency in Pitlochry, with Richard Paterson joining as an additional examiner.

Candidates preparing for the examinations receive structured support, with individualized mentoring by current Masters, and cohort-based tasting and theory preparation led by Adam Edmonsond, plus special intensive sessions delivered by industry legends Paul Pacult, Matt Strickland and Ian Wisniewski.

Edmonsond, a Master of Whiskey, noted: “The level of preparation now available to candidates is exceptional. Practically all past program graduates are involved in the process and are now taking responsibility for the next generation. It is a unique strength of our organization.”

“The Master credential is intended to signify genuine depth of knowledge, advancing the careers of our students based on true merit” said Jörn Kleinhans, Founder of the Council of Whiskey Masters. “All program participants commit to objective mastery across the full scope of whiskey.”

More information on certification pathways and enrollment is available at www.WhiskeyMasters.org.

 MORE ON BATCH 35

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

Ardnamurchan 8 Years Old

ABV: 56.4% 70 cL

SMWS Canada will be at the Nanaimo Whisky Festival!

On Saturday, February 7th the Grand Hotel Nanaimo will play host to the Nanaimo Whisky Festival, and our Victoria ambassador Adam Bradshaw will be there with a great line-up of drams to sample.

Enjoy an evening of great whiskies, scrumptious snacks, live music, and the camaraderie of fellow whisky lovers, all while supporting a great cause – the Nanaimo District Hospital Foundation.

Tickets are available at the front desk of the Grand Hotel Nanaimo (4898 Rutherford Rd.) or call 250-758-3000. Hope to see you there!

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society Canada
Suite 160
104 – 1240 Kensington Road NW
Calgary, AB T2N 3P7
403-969-8225
curious@smws.ca
www.smws.ca

ralfy review 1113 – Edradour 10yo @46%vol: (2026)

KBCA reveals King of Kentucky and Old Forester Birthday Bourbon lot as the next installment in its “12 Lots of Bourbon” series

• “The 13 Colonies” revealed as the next installment in KBCA’s “12 Lots of Bourbon,” honoring America’s 250th anniversary and 13 historic bottles.
• Lot features 12 bottles of King of Kentucky from the highly anticipated 2026 release, paired with a signed bottle of the original 2002 Old Forester Birthday Bourbon.
• Auction proceeds benefit the Bob Woodruff Foundation, supporting veterans and service members, while celebrating America’s 250th anniversary year and the enduring values that shaped the nation.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Jan. 13, 2026) — The Kentucky Bourbon Country Auction & Celebration (KBCA) today announced another extraordinary luxury lot to be offered during its inaugural event over Presidents Day Weekend, Feb. 13–15, 2026. Appropriately titled “The 13 Colonies,” the lot pays tribute to the 13 original colonies that gave rise to the United States, commemorating the nation’s 250th anniversary with 13 once-in-a-lifetime bottles from Brown-Forman’s historic portfolio.

The lot is comprised of 12 bottles of King of Kentucky from the highly anticipated 2026 release, paired with a donated, signed bottle of the original 2002 Old Forester Birthday Bourbon, forming a symbolic union of bourbons that is representative of how the 13 original colonies united under a single banner for a common cause.

“Just as the 13 colonies laid the foundation for a new nation, these 13 bottles represent the historic roots, evolution and enduring legacy of our nation’s native spirit,” said Andrew Varga, founder of the Kentucky Bourbon Country Auction & Celebration. “This lot captures the spirit of the founding era, rare, resilient and crafted with careful intention.”​

​A Reflection of the Founding of America

The 12 bottles of King of Kentucky reflect unity through individuality, much like the original colonies themselves. Established in 1881 and revived by Brown-Forman in 2018, King of Kentucky offers a rare glimpse into the company’s historic barrel archives, with every bottle filled, wax-dipped, numbered and detailed by hand under the guidance of Master Distiller Chris Morris.

As an annual, limited small-batch release with no defined production volume, King of Kentucky mirrors the colonies’ shared purpose paired with distinct character. Each bottle, like each colony, tells its own story while contributing to a greater whole.

“As America marks its 250th anniversary, we’re honored to see these bottles included in the Kentucky Bourbon Country Auction,” said Chris Morris, Master Distiller Emeritus from Brown-Forman Corporation. “The story of King of Kentucky and these individual bottles united by purpose, mirrors the founding principles of our nation, and we’re proud to be part of an event that celebrates bourbon heritage and honors such an important cause.”

Completing the 13-bottle collection is a singular piece of bourbon history, a signed bottle of Old Forester Birthday Bourbon 2002, the inaugural release of the storied annual series from Old Forester. Distilled in 1989 and bottled in 2002 to mark the birthday of founder George Garvin Brown, the bottle represents both a beginning and a benchmark in American whiskey.

Donated by Larry Profancik and Henrietta Pepper, the bottle is believed to be the only known example signed by George Garvin Brown IV, the founder’s great-great-grandson. With rich notes of dark chocolate, dried fruit, oak spice and aged depth, the 2002 release stands as a cornerstone of modern bourbon collecting. Its inclusion elevates “The 13 Colonies” from a rare assemblage to a historic statement.

Previously Announced Bourbon Lots

The Old Forester lot joins these previously announced lots:

• Elijah Craig Single Barrel experience at Heaven Hill Distillery
• Four Roses private selection barrel pick
• Old Forester Single Barrel, Barrel Strength selection experience

Proceeds from the Kentucky Bourbon Country Auction & Celebration will benefit the Bob Woodruff Foundation, supporting veterans, service members and their families, and reinforcing the event’s commitment to honoring those who have defended the freedoms born from America’s revolution.

For updates, auction lot announcements and ticket information, visit www.KYBCA.com and follow the Kentucky Bourbon Country Auction on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.

About the Kentucky Bourbon Country Auction

The Kentucky Bourbon Country Auction and Celebration is a first-of-its-kind gathering honoring Kentucky’s bourbon legacy while giving back to the heroes who protect our nation. Founded in Louisville by Andrew Varga, a longtime spirits industry executive, the inaugural KBCA committee includes bourbon industry luminaries, authors and executives such as America’s CEO- Chief Entertaining Officer Tim Laird and Lori Laird, former PriceWeber VP, Executive Creative Director Larry Profancik and brand strategist Henrietta Pepper. KBCA unites distilleries, chefs and bourbon enthusiasts for three unforgettable days of tastings, events and philanthropy, all “for the greater great.”