Archive for 2026

Arran Single Malt Scotch Whisky 30 Year Old at Hard To Find Whisky – Scotch Whisky News

Arran Single Malt Scotch Whisky 30 Year Old

70cl · 46% ABV

Arran is proud to present its brand-new core range 30 Year Old Single Malt, a very limited release of selected old and rare sherry hogsheads from the very first year of Lochranza Distillery’s life. This bottling is something truly special and Arran is excited to finally share it. It is the oldest Arran whisky ever released and is truly worth the wait.

Superbly presented in a natural wood box with copper accents, a bespoke bottle and a premium wood-grain embossed paper label.

Colour Deep burnished amber with coppery highlights and a mahogany edge, a warm, sherry-hued glow.

Nose Bold notes of burnt orange, star anise and cinnamon, balanced by toasted oak.

Palate Rich and layered, offering honey, ripe orchard fruits, vanilla and cloves.

Finish A long, sweet finish that lingers with toffee apple and orange zest, a honeyed warmth that softly fades into the palate.

£694.95

 

Finn Thomson Bunnahabhain (Staoisha) 12 Years Old Cask 126 at Aberdeen Whisky Shop – Scotch Whisky News

Finn Thomson

Bunnahabhain (Staoisha) 12 Years Old Cask 126

ABV: 54.8% 70 cL

This single malt was distilled in 2013 at the Bunnahabhain Distillery using peated barley. It was aged for 12 years, including a year of finishing in a single Oloroso sherry cask. The result is a beautifully balanced whisky where peat smoke and sweetness intermingle, bringing to mind a smoky, sweet barbecue sauce on the nose and palate, with savoury peat embers wrapped in layers of dark sugar, gentle spice and sherry richness.

It was bottled at natural cask strength, without chill filtration or artificial colouring by Finn Thompson for his Core Collection.

£84.00

William Robertson built Bunnahabhain in 1881. He chose the very remote North East coast of Islay for the site, which meant not only did he have to build the road and housing for the workers but also that the only way to get the supplies in and whisky out was by ship. Even though the new road was built in 1960, making it easier to reach the distillery, boats supplied the distillery up to 1993. Bunnahabhain Distillery is known for its low-peated, but they still create a heavily peated style called Staoisha.

The Whisky Exchange: Island Whisky, Independently Bottled – Scotch Whisky News

A Selection of Island Whisky Rarities

Scotland’s island distilleries are renowned for producing whiskies of unmistakable character, shaped by rugged coastlines, maritime influence and generations of craftsmanship. Independent bottlers offer a rare opportunity to experience these celebrated spirits from a different perspective, revealing distinctive casks and flavours seldom found in core ranges.

For a limited time, discover a curated selection of independently bottled island whiskies at special prices, spanning Orkney, Arran, Jura and Mull. A chance to explore some of Scotland’s most characterful single malts.

SHOP NOW

ralfy review 1138 – Royal Brackla 10yo (Signatory) – Scotch Whisky News

ralfy review 1138 – Royal Brackla 10yo @48.2%vol: (Signatory)

Hidden gem Highland distillery Tomatin continues momentum with new landmark listings – Scotch Whisky News

Hidden gem Highland distillery Tomatin continues momentum with new landmark listings

More whisky lovers than ever can now find a bottle of Tomatin single malt whisky on their local shelf, as the Highland distillery marks a year of rapid growth across its grocery and convenience portfolio.

Capitalising on its credibility in the specialist whisky space, Tomatin has added a series of new landmark listings across grocery, convenience and the on-trade over the past 18 months, bringing the distillery’s light, soft and fruity Highland single malts to a wider audience.

The expansion includes the successful launch of two retail-exclusive expressions: Tomatin Double Cask, introduced in Tesco in April 2025, and Tomatin 10 Year Old, which launched in Waitrose in November 2025. Both were developed specifically for mainstream retail and are presented in new packaging featuring a wood-grain motif symbolising the natural tree rings found in oak, reflecting the distillery’s first-class wood policy.

The two new single malts offer accessible price points for retailers to diversify their range, without compromising on the distillery’s signature style and quality.

Tomatin Double Cask is now listed across more than 600 Tesco stores throughout the UK, increased from 380 at launch. It has also secured a listing with Booker Wholesale across 22 Scottish depots, extending its reach into the convenience and on-trade channels with potential to supply over 500 Premier convenience stores. The Booker partnership also gives Tomatin a platform to reach 14,000 members of the Booker on-trade club, significantly broadening the brand’s access to the channel.

Tomatin 10 Year Old has achieved listings across 200 Waitrose stores nationwide and a full estate listing at Booths, the premium grocery retailer in the north of England, across all 25 of its stores.

Both expressions were recognised in two of this year’s leading spirits competitions. At the San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2026, Tomatin 10 Year Old won Gold and Tomatin Double Cask took Silver, while both single malts also secured Silver at the International Wine & Spirit Competition 2026.

Gordon Hynd, UK Sales Director at Tomatin, said: “The past 18 months have demonstrated the genuine appetite for quality Highland single malt in the grocery, on-trade and convenience sectors. Building listings in Tesco, Waitrose, Booker and Booths speaks to the versatility of our two new single malt expressions, and as a key strategic priority for the business, we are continuing to gain significant traction in the channel.

“The Booker partnership reaches independent retailers through 22 Scottish depots and provides considerable access to the on-trade, meaning Tomatin whisky is now within reach of an entirely new set of customers on Scottish soil. Booths champions quality and provenance and is a natural home for Tomatin. A full estate listing across all 25 stores is a real statement of intent in the north of England.

“At Tomatin, what matters most has never changed: exceptional cask management, the craft of our people, and making single malts that are genuinely worth seeking out. Getting our whiskies in front of more people, in more places, is how we bring that to life.”

The distillery’s grocery momentum sits alongside wider distribution growth. Tomatin 12 Year Old Triple Cask has also recently been listed with LWC Wholesale, the UK’s fastest-growing independent wholesaler, strengthening on-trade presence for the expression as the brand’s new core range packaging rolls out globally.

Tomatin Double Cask is available from Tesco, priced at £37.75 for a 70cl bottle and through Booker Wholesale, and Tomatin 10 Year Old is available from Waitrose and Booths priced at £42 for a 70cl bottle.

For more information on Tomatin, visit https://tomatin.com.

Tasting Notes

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 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 is located in the Scottish Highlands, 16 miles south of Inverness, and is famous for its 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 sustainability 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.

2024 saw Tomatin’s 18 Year Old secure Double Gold for the third consecutive year at the SFWSC, elevating it to Platinum status.

Tomatin has a first-class wood policy and a commitment to knowing the history of each cask that passes through its warehouses. It is one of only a handful of Scotch whisky distilleries to have its own cooperage on-site, with cooper Allan Bartlett being named ‘Cooper of the Year’ at the 2025 Icons of Whisky Awards.

This year, Tomatin has continued its awards success, with the new Tomatin 10 Year Old single malt receiving a Gold medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2026.

‘To What Matters’ lies at the heart of the brand’s ethos and is a belief in savouring what is truly important.

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

Tormore – Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky – Hard To Find Whisky News

Tormore Timeless is matured predominantly in first-fill and refill Bourbon barrels, enhancing the spirit’s natural notes of vanilla and fruits. A small proportion of sherry cask matured whisky adds additional structure, balance and length to the palate..

£41.95

Tormore 12 Year Old is an elegantly matured single malt whisky, distinguished by its refined character and exceptional versatility. Matured in a combination of Sherry and bourbon casks, it is non-chill filtered to preserve its full character and complexity.

£54.95

Tormore 16 Year Old is a well-balanced sherry cask matured single malt, offering subtle complexity alongside a full, fruit-forward profile. Bottled without chill filtration, it delivers a rich, creamy and beautifully balanced mouth-feel.

£79.95

Tormore is a distinguished Speyside single malt Scotch whisky that combines heritage and craftsmanship in every sip. Renowned for its elegant and approachable character, Tormore delivers a refined and memorable whisky experience.

VIEW MORE TORMORE

James Eadie Ltd. Aberlour 11 Years Old at Aberdeen Whisky Shop – Scotch Whisky News

James Eadie Ltd.

Aberlour 11 Years Old

ABV: 52.3% 70 cL

This single malt was distilled in 2014 at the Aberlour Distillery in the Speyside region of Scotland. It was matured for 11 years, including the last two years in a single first-fill European oak Oloroso Sherry butt.  It was bottled by James Eadie for their Distilleries of Great Britain and Ireland Collection at natural cask strength, without chill-filtration or artificial colouring.

£65.00

Scotch Malt Whisky Society ‘Heresy’ Bottles – Scotch Whisky News

Explore the unexpected with our ‘Heresy’ releases. Sip neat or add to a summery highball. With a broad range of flavours to choose from, there’s one that will suit every barbecue guest.

‘HERESY’ BOTTLES

TAKE ME TO THE BOTTLES

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

SMWS LOGO 2017 NEW

Scotch Malt Whisky Society ‘Get into the experimental stuff’ – Scotch Whisky News

This month is all about trying things that are just a little bit different from your usual. The long lazy days of summer offer the chance to spend some time getting your nose into the good stuff. To get you started, we’ve rounded up a selection of casks to compare and contrast. Choose your favourites, invite your pals, throw on the barbecue and you’ve got the perfect afternoon ahead!

READ MORE

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

SMWS LOGO 2017 NEW

Rare Find explores three interpretations of Glenglassaugh’s distinctive spirit in new single cask Collection – Scotch Whisky News

Where the sea meets the cask

Rare Find explores three interpretations of Glenglassaugh’s distinctive spirit in new single cask Collection.

Rare Find, the award-winning Edinburgh-based independent bottler, announces the launch of its latest Collection of single cask whiskies, celebrating the remarkable versatility of Glenglassaugh’s coastal Highland spirit.

Following continued momentum throughout 2026 and growing demand for the company’s carefully selected single cask releases, Rare Find’s newest collection brings together three exceptional Glenglassaugh expressions, each showcasing how different cask finishes can reveal new dimensions of the same vibrant and characterful spirit.

Every great distillery possesses a spirit with its own unmistakable identity. At Glenglassaugh, that identity is shaped by the meeting of land and sea – a spirit defined by orchard fruits, honeyed sweetness and a subtle maritime freshness. Elegant yet robust, Glenglassaugh’s naturally expressive character provides an ideal foundation for exploring the influence of exceptional finishing casks.

The latest Rare Find collection explores this relationship through three distinct cask journeys: the tropical warmth of a first-fill Foursquare rum barrel, the richness and spice of a first-fill Madeira octave, and the vibrant fruit character of a first-fill ruby port octave.  Together, these three single casks demonstrate the breadth and adaptability of Glenglassaugh’s spirit – showing how carefully chosen wood can shape, refine and transform a whisky while preserving the identity of the distillery that created it.

As with all Rare Find releases, each whisky is bottled without compromise – at natural cask strength, natural colour and without chill filtration.

RARE FIND GLENGLASSAUGH COLLECTION

Glenglassaugh 10-Year-Old

Finished for 19 months in a 1st fill Foursquare rum barrel

54.6% ABV | 234 bottles

Glenglassaugh 9-Year-Old

Finished for 11 months in a 1st fill Madeira octave

52.7% ABV | 53 bottles

Glenglassaugh 9-Year-Old

Finished for 11 months in a 1st fill ruby port octave

52.2% ABV | 48 bottles

Speaking on the new collection, James Zorab, Whisky Supply Manager for Rare Find, commented: “Glenglassaugh has such a distinctive spirit style – vibrant, fruit-forward and with a subtle coastal freshness – which makes it incredibly exciting to explore through different cask finishes. This Collection is about showing the versatility of that spirit and how carefully selected wood can reveal completely different facets of its character. Together, they represent exactly what Rare Find seeks to create – exceptional single casks that offer something distinctive, memorable and genuinely worth discovering.”

The Rare Find Glenglassaugh Collection will be available via selected Rare Find stockists from 30th July 2026.

Rare Find Glenglassaugh Collection

Glenglassaugh 10-year-old

Finished for 19 months in a 1st fill Foursquare rum barrel

54.6%, 234 bottles

£79.00

NOSE Wild honey and caramel sit alongside peaches and zesty citrus, whilst leafy greenness and underripe bananas add to the warm, sweet and inviting nose.

PALATE Expressive with toffee and caramel livened by lemon-drizzled apricots alongside golden tobacco and touches of cinnamon stick.

FINISH Dusty cinnamon and toasted oak fade into vivid stone fruits with an underlying tropical sweetness.

Glenglassaugh 9-year-old

Finished for 11 months in a 1st fill Madeira octave

52.7%, 53 bottles

£79.00

NOSE Orange and lemon zests sit alongside plump raisins, whilst digestive biscuits and powdered ginger are sprinkled atop of freshly picked red and black berries.

PALATE Rich with dark berry cordials and oils joining chocolate torte and candied orange peels. The mid-palate offers additional cask influence from well-balanced pepper, together with cinnamon spice.

FINISH Lingering on cinnamon-spiced berried and fading chocolate.

Glenglassaugh 9-year-old

Finished for 11 months in a 1st fill ruby port octave

52.2%, 48 bottles

£79.00

NOSE Strawberry shortcake and raspberries laced with thick cream sit alongside a buttery biscuit base, whilst spiced mirabelle plums sit with milk chocolate buttons.

PALATE The arrival is thickly textured and offers a cornucopia of berry fruits alongside ginger and cinnamon spices. The mid-palate reveals chocolate torte together with well-balanced cask char.

FINISH Long with vivid stewed berry fruits and lingering fine chocolate.

About Rare Find

Each Rare Find release is an unrepeatable, limited-edition whisky sourced from sought-after distilleries. With every bottle, we celebrate liquid excellence – meticulously selecting, maturing, and finishing in the highest quality casks to deliver whisky that’s rare by design.

From the millions of casks maturing in Scotland, only a small percentage are destined for single malt bottlings, and from those, only the best become a Rare Find.

www.rarefindwhisky.co.uk


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