Big News! Recently in Louisville, VDC Blue Ridge Toasted Barrel Finish was named đĽ Best American Single Malt at the 2026 World Whiskies Awards. This incredible recognition reflects the dedication and passion of our entire team. We couldnât be prouder. đ  If you havenât experienced this award-winning whisky yet, we hope youâll pour a glass and celebrate with us. đĽâ¨
Join Kirsty & Vic as they visit Strathisla Distillery, one of Scotlandâs oldest and most iconic distilleries, known for its picturesque pagodas and integral role in the Chivas Regal blend. Discover the story behind their unusual 11-year-old single malt, its bold, full-bodied character and why whisky lovers consider a visit here a must.
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The 2026 Canadian Artisan Spirit of the Year is Macaloneyâs Island Distillery Cath-nah-aven Single Malt Whisky
The ninth edition of national competition showcases the best artisan spirits from across Canada
Vancouver, BC (February 24, 2026) â Following their 2025 Canadian Whisky of the Year award, Macaloneyâs Island Distillery has earned the top prize in the 2026 Canadian Artisan Spirit Competition (CASC) for their Cath-nah-aven Single Malt Whisky, presented by Artisan Distillers Canada (ADC).
Judges noted this whisky brings âa beautiful, burnished copper appearance, leading to a nose suggesting Oloroso sherry, fruitcake, cocoa powder and candied almond, with a palate of toasted hazelnut, baking spice, toffee and fruitcake, all of which sail off into a long, smooth, caramel-tinged finish.â
The CASC judging panel was comprised of 14 independent judges who evaluated hundreds of artisan spirits, plus bitters, submitted by 56 producers from across Canada and entered into 24 different categories. The Canadian Artisan Spirit of the Year is awarded to the top-scoring spirit, regardless of category.
âIn spite of serious headwinds in this sector, Iâm happy to see that there are still amazing spirits produced across Canada,â stated ADCâs founder and executive director, Alex Hamer. He continued, âCanadians who are interested in supporting their local communities and businesses can look to our artisan spirit producers for just about all their needs, including gins, rums, whiskies, and more. CASC continues to be a great place to find some of Canadaâs best spirits.â
About Artisan Distillers Canada (ADC) and the Canadian Artisan Spirit Competition (CASC)
Artisan Distillers Canada (ADC) operates consumer and industry-focused events and awards programs for Canada’s artisan distilleries and spirits sector. ADC’s goals are to support consumer awareness of artisan distilleries and spirits, to provide education and professional development through conferences focused on best practices in the science and business of distilling, and to foster community. For more information about ADC, visit artisandistillers.ca.
ADC launched the Canadian Artisan Spirit Competition (CASC) in 2018. Spirits submitted to any of the 24 different CASC award categories are sampled blindly and evaluated by an independent panel of judges from across the country, with the top spirit in each category earning a Best in Class Award. Spirits are also awarded Bronze, Silver, and Gold medals, with the top overall scoring spirit being awarded Canadian Artisan Spirit of the Year. CASC is open to any distillery in Canada that meets ADCâs âartisanâ classification for distilleries and spirit products. To learn more about Canadian artisan distilleries and spirits, visit artisandistillers.ca/artisan-distillery.
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.
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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 Speysideâs 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.
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, Tamdhuâs Victorian railway station, where festival limited releases and other whisky gems will be available..
Breakfast Tour at Glen Moray
Glen Moray
29 April – 3 May – 9.30am
Start your #Dram26 day with Glen Morayâs 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.
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 youâll 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.
Tomintoul Distillery: Behind the Scenes Tour & Tasting
Tomintoul Distillery
1 – 2Â 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.
Many of Speysideâs distilleries are tucked away in rural locations, just as they have been for generations, so getting from one to another isnât always as simple as hopping in an Uber â in fact, we donât have Uber or app-based taxis here at all.
If youâre 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.
These are just a handful of this yearâs events –Â you can explore the full programme here:
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 đŞâď¸đĽ
This Spirit of Speyside, weâre opening the warehouse doors â 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:
Youâll gain practical insight into the precision, skill and dedication that shape every Murray McDavid release â along with a few terrible warehouse jokes along the way!
After your shift, enjoy a well-earned flight of three âWarehousemanâsâ drams and receive a special certificate of achievement to mark your experience.
âď¸ Get hands-on in a whisky warehouse!
Friday 1 May | 9:00am-12:00pm
This immersive experience is designed for true whisky enthusiasts who want to go beyond the tasting table and into the heart of maturation itself.
Driverâs Drams are available to pre-order if required.
Spaces are limited đď¸
We look forward to welcoming you on shift đŞ
SlĂ inte,
The Murray McDavid Team
At the start of February, we suggested giving a blind tasting a try. If youâve ever tried one, youâll know how revelatory an experience it can be. If not, thereâs still timeâŚin the form of this email! Below weâve shared the Tasting Notes for four last drop bottlings. Intrigued? Click through to find your next favourite whisky.
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
Join Us for Art & Whisky on the Beach
This Spirit of Speyside, Murray McDavid invites you to experience whisky in a truly creative way.
On Sunday 3 May 2026, join Dean Jode, our Head of Whisky Creation, at the charming beach huts of Findhorn for an inspiring seaside session overlooking the Moray Firth.
This is not your typical tastingâŚ
As you sip a curated selection of three Scotch whiskies, Dean will guide you to explore each dram through art â drawing, painting or sketching not what you see, but what you experience in the glass. Flavours, textures, aromas and emotions will become your creative palette.
This is the Art of Maturation like never seen before.
Art & Whisky on the Beach with Murray McDavid — Findhorn Beach Huts
Sunday 3 May | 4:30pm-6:00pm
Your ticket includes:
Driverâs Drams are available to pre-order if required.
Spaces are limited đď¸
We look forward to raising a glass â and a paintbrush â with you by the sea đ¨
SlĂ inte,
The Murray McDavid Team
Heaven Hill Earns Top Honors at 2026 World Whiskies Awards America and Icons of Whisky
Bardstown, Ky. – Heaven Hill was recognized with multiple top honors at the 2026 World Whiskies Awards America and Icons of Whisky America ceremony, held February 12 at The Brown Hotel in Louisville.
The awards celebrate the best in American whiskey, recognizing one winner per category along with standout individuals and teams shaping the industryâs future. This yearâs results underscore Heaven Hillâs strength across distilling, sustainability, production, public relations, and product excellence.
Icons of Whisky America 2026
Distiller â Winner
Heaven Hill Brands
Sustainable Distillery â Winner
Heaven Hill Distillery
PR Team â Winner
Lauren Cherry Newcomb and Kaitlynn Fish West, Heaven Hill Brands PR Team
Distillery Manager â Highly Commended
Adam Ganoe, Heaven Hill Brands
Production Team â Highly Commended
The Team, Heaven Hill Springs Distillery
With this yearâs recognition, Heaven Hill has now been named Distiller of the Year three times at the Icons of Whisky America awards, including back-to-back wins in 2023 and 2024. The 2026 honor further cements the companyâs leadership in American whiskey production and reflects sustained excellence across its distilling operations.
Heaven Hill Distilleryâs Sustainable Distillery of the Year win marks its second time receiving this distinction, reinforcing a long-term commitment to environmental stewardship and operational responsibility. From energy efficiency and water conservation initiatives to thoughtful investment in infrastructure, sustainability is built into the way the company produces whiskey.
Being named PR Team of the Year highlights the integral strategic work behind the scenes. As the largest, independent family owned and led distilled spirits company of brands in the United States, Heaven Hill continues to invest not only in production but also in ensuring its brands remain culturally relevant and visible through earned storytelling.
Adam Ganoeâs Highly Commended recognition as Distillery Manager, along with the Highly Commended honor for the Heaven Hill Springs Distillery Production Team, underscores the expertise driving operations across the companyâs growing footprint. Notably, Heaven Hill Springs Distillery has been officially open for just under one year, making this early recognition especially meaningful as the new facility begins shaping the next chapter of the companyâs production legacy.
World Whiskies Awards 2026 â America
Heaven Hill brands also earned category wins in the 2026 World Whiskies Awards America competition.
Best American Rye Whiskey â No Age Statement
Elijah Craig Toasted Rye
Category Winner â 13 to 20 Years
Heaven Hill Heritage Collection â 19-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Wheat Whiskey
These awards reflect both innovation and patience. Coming off the heels of Elijah Craig Rye Barrel Proof being named Whisky of the Year by Whisky Advocate, Elijah Craig Toasted Rye continues to expand the brandâs rye credentials with layered flavor and a distinctive finishing process. The 19-Year-Old Heritage Collection Wheat Whiskey represents decades of stewardship, showcasing the depth of Heaven Hillâs aging inventory and long-term commitment to American whiskey.
âWeâre proud of these wins because they reflect both consistency and range,â said Heaven Hill Master Distiller, Conor OâDriscoll. âFrom premium, innovative rye to well-aged wheat whiskey, it speaks to the breadth of what our teams are capable of. These awards belong to the people who make the whiskey every day, and they reinforce the long-term mindset we bring to the work. Weâre building for today, and weâre building for the next generation.â
As the largest, independent family owned and led distilled spirits company of brands in the United States, Heaven Hill continues to invest in distilling, sustainability initiatives, and aged stock to support the future of its portfolio.
Winners from the America round will advance to compete for Worldâs Best titles at the World Whiskies Awards Global Dinner in March.
For more information, visit World Drinks Awards.
ABOUT HEAVEN HILL BRANDS: Founded in 1935, Bardstown, KY-based Heaven Hill Brands (www.heavenhill.com) is the nationâs largest independent, family-owned and led spirits company of brands, as well as the worldâs second-largest holder of Kentucky Bourbon. Heaven Hill has been named a Best Managed Company in both 2024 and 2025 by Deloitte Private and The Wall Street Journal. Heaven Hillâs diversified portfolio of brands includes the Heaven Hill Whiskey family of brands, Evan Williams, Elijah Craig, Widow Jane, Larceny, Old Fitzgerald, and Henry McKenna Bourbons; Rittenhouse Rye Whisky; Deep Eddy Vodka; Admiral Nelsonâs Rum; Black Velvet Canadian Whisky; Lunazul and Ocho Tequila; HPNOTIQ Liqueur; and Carolans Irish Cream Liqueur.
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