The Rt. Hon. John Swinney MSP, First Minister of Scotland Officially Opens Luss Distillery

First Minister unveiled the new landmark visitor experience from Loch Lomond Group 

The Rt. Hon. John Swinney MSP, First Minister of Scotland, officially opened Luss Distillery, a new multi-million-pound distillery and visitor experience by Loch Lomond Group on the banks of Loch Lomond, marking one of the most significant new whisky tourism investments in Scotland in recent years.

Unveiled ahead of the peak tourist season, Luss Distillery represents a major commitment by Loch Lomond Group to Scotland’s spirits industry, rural tourism, and long-term economic growth, while creating new employment opportunities and supporting the local community.

Situated in the heart of the historic village of Luss, at the gateway to the Scottish Highlands, the new destination has been designed as an immersive discovery experience for whisky and gin connoisseurs, as well as those newly curious about Scotch whisky and premium spirits.

The purpose-built site comprises four distinctive buildings, including a working distillery, immersive whisky and gin discovery areas, a dedicated tasting room, retail space, and a café overlooking Loch Lomond. Together, they form a vibrant brand home for Loch Lomond Group’s multi-award-winning whiskies and spirits. The retail experience also showcases the Group’s wider portfolio, including Glen Scotia and Littlemill single malts, alongside other premium spirits and Champagne.

Following a soft opening in late 2025, Luss Distillery is expected to welcome up to one million visitors during 2026, capitalising on Luss’s status as one of Scotland’s most visited locations and a popular destination for both domestic and international travellers.

During the official opening event, the First Minister toured the new distillery and visitor experience, reflecting on the economic contribution of Scotch whisky and the positive impact the project will bring to the region, before unveiling a commemorative plaque to mark the occasion.

Following the visit, Loch Lomond Group presented the First Minister with a bespoke bottle of Loch Lomond 14-Year-Old Luss Exclusive Cask, featuring personalised engraving. One of just 291 bottles produced, the exclusive release showcases the distillers’ unrivalled capability in flavour creation and is available only at Luss Distillery.

Colin Matthews, Founder and CEO of Loch Lomond Group and Council Member of the Scotch Whisky Association, said:

“Scotland is celebrated worldwide for its tourism, its exceptional Scotch whisky and spirits, and the natural beauty of places such as Loch Lomond and the Scottish Highlands. At Luss Distillery, we have brought these elements together to create a truly memorable destination – one that welcomes seasoned whisky and gin enthusiasts, as well as those curious to discover the people, place, the craft and passion behind our brands.

“We have long held ambitions to open a destination like this here on the banks of Loch Lomond, and it is a real privilege to have the First Minister mark this occasion with us as we look ahead to a busy spring and summer season.

“Scotland’s spirits sector is facing challenging times, which makes continued investment more important than ever. As one of the largest independent distillers in Scotland, we remain steadfast in our commitment to quality, history, authenticity and innovation, and we will continue to play a prominent role in developing Scotch whisky and the wider spirits industry to ensure it remains relevant, exciting and appealing to modern consumers.

“We call on the First Minister and colleagues across the political spectrum to continue their strong support for this great historic industry and the meaningful contribution it makes to Scotland and the wider UK.”

Colin concluded: “Every detail at Luss has been designed to celebrate the character of our spirits and the extraordinary landscape that inspires them, and we look forward to welcoming visitors throughout 2026.”

First Minister of Scotland John Swinney said: “It has been a pleasure to open the new Luss Distillery on the banks of Loch Lomond. The distillery and visitor centre not only adds to the quality of the tourism offering in Luss but also to Scotland’s international reputation as a world class destination for visitors.

“This investment by the Loch Lomond Group is extremely welcome, particularly when there are serious challenges impacting on the whisky sector, both at home and abroad.

“The spirits sector may be defined by its 170 export markets, its approximately £5.3 billion contribution to the Scottish economy, and the thousands of jobs it sustains, but it is the history and stories behind it, like those told here, that capture people’s imagination and bring visitors from across the world. Telling the story of the history and quality of our produce and its importance to Scotland’s economy, like that at Luss Distillery, is a key priority of my government and we will continue to do all we can to support this vital industry.”

The design and experiential concept for Luss Distillery was led by Scottish creative studio Paul Hodgkiss Designs, alongside Diverse Contracts and brand experience agency Hot Pickle, working with a wider team to deliver the construction and realisation of the project. From the earliest stages, the vision was to create a building that belongs to its setting rather than competes with it, drawing inspiration from the natural rhythms of Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park.

The result is a contemporary distillery that celebrates sustainability, heritage, and community in equal measure.

Luss Distillery will be open daily from 10am to 5pm.

For more information, visit https://lussdistillery.com/

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

About the Loch Lomond Group

Loch Lomond Group is an independent distiller based in Alexandria, Scotland and is home to many 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. www.lochlomondgroup.com

In Whisky Conference

11 March 2026

The Scotch Whisky industry is coming together!

Join us for a full day of insight, discussion, and connection at the

In Whisky Conference 2026.

Whether you’re focused on growth, sustainability, innovation, or leadership, this is the event designed to explore the challenges — and opportunities — shaping the future of whisky.

📅 Wednesday 11 March 2026

📍 DoubleTree by Hilton, Cambridge Street, Glasgow

🎟️ Tickets are on sale now – secure your spot today!

BOOK DELEGATE TICKETS

 Jim Beam and Kenan Thompson Encourage Disappointed Football Fans to Turn Lemons Into Jim Beam & Lemonade with an Exclusive Kit That Aims To “Refresh Your Season”

KENTUCKY BOURBON TRAIL® EXPERIENCE WELCOMES 10 NEW DESTINATIONS

FRANKFORT, Ky. — The world-famous Kentucky Bourbon Trail® tour today welcomed 10 new destinations, increasing the total to an all-time high of 68 stops. Visitors from across the globe now have more opportunities than ever to experience the art and craft of Kentucky Bourbon.

This expansion includes new distillery experiences and urban satellite tasting rooms, from far Western Kentucky to the amber triangle of Louisville, Lexington and Bardstown. Bourbon is now giving local communities a valuable tourism boost in 32 of the state’s 120 counties.

Founded in 1999 by the Kentucky Distillers’ Association, the Kentucky Bourbon Trail® adventure has grown into a global, bucket-list phenomenon, attracting more than 2.5 million visitors annually from all 50 states and dozens of countries.

“It’s been amazing to watch the exponential and powerful growth of our Kentucky Bourbon Trail® tour since its humble beginnings of seven distilleries in a handful of counties when much of the state was still dry,” KDA President Eric Gregory said.

“Today, the Bourbon Trail™ journey is transforming communities big and small across Kentucky, bringing new visitors and precious tourism dollars to every corner of the state,” he said. “The Napa-esque dream for Kentucky Bourbon is becoming a reality.”

Research shows nearly 80% of Bourbon Trail™ visitors are from outside the Commonwealth, have higher household incomes than the average Kentucky tourist, travel in larger groups, stay longer, and spend more.

The KDA is also making it easier for visitors to plan their pilgrimage through the upcoming launch of its “Build Your Own Bourbon Trail®” online feature, which will allow travelers to craft and share itineraries with their friends. And, more features are in the works.

“With 68 unique and innovative destinations, we encourage travelers to slow down, savor all the beauty and Bourbon that Kentucky has to offer, and make plans to return. After all, it takes time to craft the world’s finest whiskey. We invite you to come back for more.”

By region, the ten new experiences include:

Bardstown Region

WhistlePig Distillery & Bottling (Brandenburg, Meade County) coming soon

Central Region

J. Mattingly 1845 Distillery (Frankfort)

Lexington Region

Dark Arts Whiskey House (Lexington)

LF Heritage Distilling (Georgetown)

Louisville Region

Left Bank Distilling Co. (Louisville)

Chicken Cock Whiskey Circa 1856 – Louisville Tasting Room (Louisville)

Green River Louisville Tasting Room (Louisville)

WhistlePig, The Vault Tasting Experience (Louisville) coming soon

Western Region

General George Stillhouse (Falls of Rough)

Purple Toad Winery & Distillery (Paducah)

Tourism Partner Quotes

Stacey Phelps, President, Bardstown-Nelson County Tourism

“Bardstown is proud to be the Bourbon Capital of the World, and this expansion of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail® reinforces what we’ve always known, Kentucky Bourbon is more than a drink, it’s an experience that’s meant to be shared. These new destinations will bring even more visitors to our community, supporting local businesses and showcasing the hospitality that makes Bardstown unforgettable.”

Mary Quinn Ramer, President, Visit Lex

“Bourbonland is expanding, and these new additions to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail® allow visitors to have even more of a reason to bring a part of their trek to Lexington. From world-class distilleries to vibrant culinary and cultural experiences, we’re excited to welcome travelers from near and far, with open arms as they immerse themselves in the heritage and hospitality that makes Kentucky one-of-a-kind.”

Cleo Battle, President & CEO, Louisville Tourism

“Louisville’s role as Bourbon City continues to grow with the addition of these new Kentucky Bourbon Trail® experiences. As the only walkable spirits destination in the world, Louisville offers a distinct urban complement to the broader and bucket-list Kentucky experience.”  

Founded in 1880, the Kentucky Distillers’ Association (KDA) is the worldwide voice of Bourbon

Gifts For Your Valentine

With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, have you thought about what to gift your loved one yet? For the whisky lover in your life, a bottle from the Cotswolds Distillery is a thoughtful way to mark the occasion – rich in flavour, beautifully crafted, and chosen with care. A gift to enjoy together, long after the day itself.

SHOP HERE

Jura 12

Know your loved one enjoys whisky, but not sure what to gift them for Valentine’s Day? Jura 12 Year Old – the UK’s number one ^[1], award-winning Single Malt ^[2] – makes finding your perfect match easy.

Each bottle features Jura’s pioneering taste scale, designed to take the guesswork out of gifting by clearly showing the strength of its three key flavours (rated from 0–6): ripe peach (4), bright citrus (3) and lightly toasted walnut (3). It’s a whisky designed to help you discover what you love – before you’ve even cracked open the bottle.

Crafted since 1810 at Jura’s beachside distillery, it’s a dram made for slowing down and enjoying unhurried moments with loved ones.

However you toast your nearest and dearest this Valentine’s Day,  Jura 12 Year Old fits the bill – enjoy it neat, or in a Jura Scottish Island Iced Tea:

• Add 40ml Jura 12 Year Old, 50ml peach tea, 15ml lemon juice and 10ml sugar syrup to a shaker with cubed ice.
• Dry shake, then wet shake, and fine strain into an Old Fashioned glass or Jura tumbler filled with fresh ice.
• Top with ginger ale and garnish with a sprig of thyme and a slice of apricot.

Pick up Jura 12 Year Old from ASDA, Co-op, Morrisons, Tesco and specialist retailers including Master of Malt and The Whisky Exchange, RRP £41.

Fettercairn 16 Year Old

For the one who loves to discover something new, Fettercairn 16 Year Old offers a refined escape to brighter, more tropical flavours.

Shaped by over 200 years of whisky-making expertise, Fettercairn’s pioneering copper cooling ring creates an exceptionally smooth Highland Single Malt. Expect vibrant layers of mango, passionfruit, Madagascan vanilla and soft spice, brought together with effortless elegance.

For an evening to remember, why not try the Fettercairn 1824 Martini? Ideal for candlelit dinners or a celebratory toast for two. To make it at home, simply combine:

• 37.5ml Fettercairn 16 Year Old
• 12.5ml kumquat liqueur
• 10ml Fettercairn honey syrup
• 15ml lemon juice
• 4 dashes banana & coffee bitters

Shake briskly with ice, fine strain into a chilled Champagne coupe, then top with Crémant sparkling wine. Garnish with a fresh lemon twist for a final touch of finesse, and serve well chilled in your most elegant glassware.

Fettercairn 16 Year Old is available from a range of retailers, including The Whisky Shop, RRP £87.

[1] Nielsen 2022, by Volume and Value [2] World Whiskies Awards Scotland 2026

Edinburgh’s Whisky History by Iain Russell (Part 2)

The inimitable Iain Russell discusses Edinburgh’s Whisky History, this time chronicling the Blenders, Brokers, Brands and Bars. See how many of the names you know and catch up with Part 1 here (on distilling) if you missed it.

📖 Read the Post

Discover American Single Malt in New York

Approved Course Provider Lia Niskanen will teach the EWA Certificate in American Single Malt Whiskey at Kings County Distillery, Brooklyn on 13 & 14 April 2026. Two days of expert-led teaching, on-site distillery insights and sensory evaluation, perfect for professionals and enthusiasts exploring this exciting new category.

📖 Read the Post

Distillery Corner: Tamnavulin

In this episode of Distillery Corner, Kirsty and Vic explore Tamnavulin. Owned by Whyte & Mackay, Tamnavulin is used for blends but has also released some approachable, great-value single malts of late that deserve a closer look. As Vic explains, good whisky doesn’t need to be expensive and this is a distillery well worth trying.📖 Read the Blog​ | 🎬 Watch the Video

Jan Damen, Saltire Rare Malt European Sales Director

SCOTTISH WHISKY AWARDS BEST NEWCOMER MAKES SWEDISH DEBUT WITH FIRST ONLINE TASTING

Fresh from being named Best Newcomer at the 2025 Scottish Whisky Awards, Saltire Rare Malt will host its first-ever Swedish tasting on Tuesday 17th February 2026, marking another important step in the independent bottler’s expanding European journey.

The online tasting introduces Swedish whisky drinkers to Saltire Rare Malt, the Falkland-based independent bottler through a curated six-dram tasting pack and guided live session. Hosted by Klaus Bitschnau, Founder and Chief visionary officer of Whiskykalendern & Whiskysnack and Jan Damen, Keeper of the Quaich and European Sales Director for Saltire Rare Malt, who will introduce the brand, its philosophy and the stories behind each cask.

The tasting pack contains six 5cl samples from the Saltire Rare Malt range – each a minimum of 14 years – alongside a sixth dram from sister brand The Falkland Collection, a small-batch single malt whisky – tasting packs as well as Saltire Rare Malt’s full range of whiskies are available now through the BeMakers platform.

The Saltire Selection

• Dailuaine 14yo – 1st Fill Bourbon Hogshead
• Royal Brackla 16yo – Cask Strength, Refill American Oak
• Tanmavulin 17yo – 2nd Fill ex-Oloroso European Oak
• Speyside Distillery 18yo – The Cigar Malt, 1st Fill PX Hogshead
• Ardmore 14yo – 2nd Fill ex-Marsala Barrique
• The Falkland Collection – Speyside Single Malt, ex-Oloroso Butt

The tasting will take place online from 7-8pm (CET). Access details will be shared directly with customers who purchase the tasting pack.

Commenting on the Swedish debut, Jan Damen European Sales Director for Saltire Rare Malt said: “Sweden is an important and exciting market for Saltire Rare Malt. The depth of knowledge and curiosity among Swedish whisky drinkers makes this the perfect place to introduce our approach to enjoying whisky. It’s a real honour to have an expert like Klaus involved, we’re in for a fun night!”

Headquartered in Falkland, Fife – where Scotch whisky was first recorded in 1494 – Saltire Rare Malt has seen rapid growth across Europe, with strong momentum in markets including the Netherlands, Germany, France, Belgium, Luxembourg and Poland. The Swedish tasting represents the next phase of that expansion as the company moves confidently into 2026.

Founded by lifelong friends Nigel Heywood and Keith Rennie, and guided by internationally respected whisky writers Hans and Becky Offringa (The Whisky Couple), Saltire Rare Malt continues to build its reputation through thoughtful maturation, limited releases and an unwavering focus on quality.

Saltire Rare Malt Tasting Pack & Online Tasting
Tuesday 17th February 2026
Online | 7-8pm (CET)
599 SEK (incl. VAT)

About Saltire Rare Malt Whisky
Saltire Rare Malt are bottlers of a unique range of limited-run single malt whiskies. The independent bottling company was born from a longstanding partnership between friends & founders Nigel Heywood and Keith Rennie – the pair have collected fine and rare single malts over three decades. A shared passion for the ‘water of life’ led to the creation of Saltire Rare Malt – a global vehicle to share their outstanding collection of Single Malt Whiskies.

W: https://www.saltireraremalt.com/
I: https://www.instagram.com/saltireraremaltwhisky
F: https://www.facebook.com/people/Saltire-Rare-Malt-Whisky/61554723364117/

About The Whisky Couple, Hans & Becky Offringa:

Hans Offringa is an international author and whisky expert who has worked in the industry for over 30 years. An inductee of the Whisky Hall of Fame, a Kentucky Colonel and a Keeper of the Quaich, Hans is a judge at the Scottish Whiskies Awards and the World Whisky Awards and serves as Director on the Advisory Board of The Council of Whiskey Masters.

Becky Lovett Offringa is a Keeper of the Quaich and co-author of numerous whisky books. Becky is a well-respected judge at the Scottish Whisky Awards and the World Whiskies Awards. She also is a Member on the Advisory Board of the Council of Whiskey Masters. Becky and Hans, internationally known as ‘The Whisky Couple’, are trusted partners of the Saltire family.