10 Years of Edinburgh Whisky Academy

When we were thinking of ways to celebrate this special milestone, a 10-year-old single malt bottling felt like a fitting way to both mark our journey so far and to share a dram with the many candidates and friends who have been part of it. So, we’ve purchased a cask (Founder Kirsty McKerrow & Lecturer Dr Gordon Steele, pictured above, sampling the whisky), and we’re now working through the exciting process of bringing this celebratory release to market.

We’ll be able to share more details soon, but for now we’d like to invite you to register your interest. By joining our ‘Expression of Interest list’, you’ll be the first to hear updates and have the opportunity to secure a bottle of this limited release.

👉 Join the Expression of Interest List

Monthly Tasting Events

in our Whisky Shop

Join us in our Tasting Room for an exclusive Tasting Experience for only £10 per person.

Our monthly events give you the chance to experience and sample A. D. Rattray Whiskies and other guest brands.

Plus your £10 ticket price is redeemable against a purchase on the day.

VIEW ALL EVENTS

Book a space on our FREE OPEN DAY DISTILLERY TOURS:

1PM TOUR               3PM TOUR

Book a Table

Cask Collection No.77

Saturday 6th September from 2pm – 3.30pm

Hosted by Max Maartense from A. D. Rattray

Join us in our tasting room and try our latest Cask Collection release. This is the first exclusive chance to try these single cask whiskies before they are available anywhere else.

Take a seat in our tasting room and let your host Max take you through a tasting of 5 single cask whiskies. He will explain the reasons why we selected each cask for this collection, what makes each of these individual casks special and the journey we have taken them on over their years of maturation.

Highlights include an Annandale Peated 10 Year Old Bourbon Barrel, Dalmore 12 Year Old 1st Fill Bourbon Barrel and an Invergordon Grain 18 Year Old Bourbon Hogshead.

BUY TICKETS

Jura Espresso Martini

A rich, velvety remix of the cult classic, with the depth of Jura 12-Year-Old whisky. Ideal for summer evening pick-me-ups.

Ingredients:

• 35ml Jura 12-Year-Old
• 15ml Coffee liqueur
• 1 shot espresso
• 10ml Sugar syrup

Method:

Shake all ingredients over ice and fine strain into a martini glass. Garnish with three coffee beans for a vibrant finish.

Jura 12 is available from a range of retailers including The Whisky Exchange, RRP £35.

We told you there’d be more from us in the coming days!

We can finally announce new tastings in York and Newcastle! Woohoo!! They are not until October, so you have plenty of time to plan ahead, plus they are on a Friday and Saturday, so no need to worry about the next day…;-)

We also have our next tasting instalment in Manchester, the night before the festival, so the perfect warm-up. Scroll down for the finer details…

In other news, we have decided to make Manchester Cathedral our permanent home for the Manchester Whisky Festival, after several successful years. We think that, for those of you that have been there, this is fantastic news and worthy of celebrating!

So, for the first time ever, we are starting sales of 2026 tickets from 12pm today – Early-birds and all!

Anyway, read-on and see you at the bottom of the email!

Friday 19th October 7pm
York Medical Society, Stonegate

Saturday 20th October 7pm
Blackfriars Restaurant, Friar St., Newcastle

We are so happy to be back doing these, our original intimate tastings, where we can chat and laugh, learn and have our eyes opened. These tastings are an amazing opportunity to taste some amazing stuff whilst also learning about the folks behind the bottlings.

Emily Coyle – who some of you will remember from being behind the Rare Finds stands at our shows – will be there to present some wonderful whiskies. Eddie should be there too, to ensure good behaviour. From you, not him!

Book the York Rare Finds Tasting Now!

Book the Newcastle Rare Finds Tasting Now!

Thursday 20th November 7pm

Sevenoaks, 5 Nicholas St., M1 4HL

The night before Manchester Whisky Lounge, why not get your whisky weekend started early?

Berry Bros. & Rudd are bringing along six cracking drams that may look light in colour, but deliver big on flavour. Expect fruit, malt, sweetness, and a touch of smoke – from Speyside charmers to an Islay classic. Highlights include a rich Benrinnes, characterful Balmenach, a bright and breezy Knockdhu, and a wonderfully smoky Caol Ila that proves pale can still be powerful.

It’s whisky for curious drinkers, not colour-judgers – and it’ll be a brilliant night in the heart of Manchester.

👉 Tickets are limited – book now and join us Beyond the Pale.

Book Manchester Beyond the Pale Tickets

And Finally…

Do I really need to introduce this one? All you really need to know are the dates right? 😉

Friday 16th/Saturday 17th October 2026

Manchester Cathedral

Get booking…

Book Manchester Festival 2026 Tickets

have a great bank holiday weekend folks and see you next week for some more exciting updates…

Sláinte,

Eddie, Amanda and Tom
The Whisky Lounge Team

DIAGEO SPECIAL RELEASES OFFERS

Diageo’s annual Special Releases gives whisky lovers the chance to explore rare, limited-edition single malts-from icons like Talisker, Oban, and Lagavulin to lesser-known favourites such as Glendullan and Teaninich.

For one week only, we’re offering standout deals on past editions: £70 off Oban 11 Year Old Rum Finish from 2023, £130 off a cask-strength Mortlach from 2022, and the Talisker 2012 8 Year Old at cask strength for just £45-half its original price.

These offers span nine limited-edition, collectible single malts and end Sunday 24 August. Secure your bottle before they’re gone.

 SHOP NOW 

“Frankfort Rising” Available August 14, Goal of Raising $10K

FRANKFORT, KY (Aug 2025) – In early April of this year, the lower Ohio Valley experienced multiple rounds of heavy rain and thunderstorms, resulting in widespread flash flooding in Central Kentucky.  In Frankfort, Kentucky’s state capital, the Kentucky River crested at near-record levels, impacting nearly everyone in the community.  Fortunately, J. Mattingly 1845 Distillery was spared any flood damage, but its owners and team members remain deeply affected nonetheless.

In an effort to help local Franklin County residents in the flood recovery process, J. Mattingly 1845 Distillery has created a limited-edition bourbon called “Frankfort Rising,” with $30 from the sale of each bottle going towards the Franklin County Community Fund to assist families affected by the April floods.

“Seeing the devastation of the floodwaters here in our new hometown was just heartbreaking, and we wanted to do something to help,” said Susanna Westerfield, director of consumer experience. “Through our partnership with the Franklin County Community Fund, we hope to raise at least $10,000 to help our local friends and neighbors recover from their horrific losses.”

Frankfort Rising Bourbon is a five-year-old, 112 proof bourbon finished with oak staves which will be released to the public at an event at the Distillery on Aug. 14. Like all J. Mattingly 1845 whiskies, this bourbon has undergone its trademarked double-staved process, adding additional charred oak staves to each barrel at just the right moment in its aging cycle to coax out extra flavor.  Tasting notes describe this bourbon as having a graham cracker note on the palate, joined by toasted oak and a gentle spice from the rye.  It has a medium to long finish with lingering baking spices, vanilla, and a nutty warmth, leaving a satisfying impression.

Frankfort Rising Bourbon will be available on-site at the Distillery in Frankfort starting at 4 p.m. on August. 14.  The public is invited to attend the event, which will run from 4-6 p.m. Complimentary snacks and tastings of Frankfort Rising will be available to those aged 21 years and over.  The suggested retail price of Frankfort Rising is $120 per 750 mL, with $30 from each sale donated to the Franklin County Community Fund.

About J. Mattingly 1845 Distillery

The Mattingly family has been synonymous with distilling in Kentucky for more than two centuries, having a hand in the development of at least nine separate distilleries in the Commonwealth, and with connections to some of the most illustrious names in the distilling industry, including George Garvin Brown, the Willetts and the Samuels.

It all started in 1845, with John Graves Mattingly’s first distillery in Marion County, Kentucky, Registered Distillery #2.  Many historians today believe his distillery was the first registered distillery in Kentucky.

            In 2010, Jeff Mattingly took up the family mantle and started his own craft bourbon business.  Today, Jeff’s son Cameron continues the legacy into the latest generation for J. Mattingly Distillery 1845 in Frankfort, Kentucky, serving as Vice President of Production.  J. Mattingly 1845 Distillery continues to innovate, with their proprietary double-staving process and custom bourbon blending experience unparalleled in the spirits industry, available on-site in Frankfort or online at https://jmattingly1845.com/build-a-bottle/

For more information about J. Mattingly 1845 Distillery visit www.JMattingly1845.com.

ARDGOWAN DISTILLERY BEGINS

OFFERING WHISKY TOURS

Inverkip-based single malt producer Ardgowan invites the public behind the scenes on tours of its recently completed site.

The independent company, which opened and filled its first cask in June 2025, is now taking bookings for tours starting on Tuesday 12th August 2025.

Running twice per day at 10:30 and 14:00 from Tuesday to Saturday, the experiences will last 90 minutes and include a guided journey through the distillery and a warehouse, plus a tutored tasting for three malt whiskies from the distillery’s portfolio.

With a strong emphasis on sustainability, and a number of unusual elements within their processes, an Ardgowan tour promises to uncover many unique stories and insights.

The distillery’s on-site shop will be open from 12th August at 10:00-17:00, Tuesday to Saturday, stocking Ardgowan’s Clydebuilt range of whisky.

A Distillery Exclusive Clydebuilt 2012 Pedro Ximénez Hogshead Single Cask Single Malt expression is also available for £85.

Heading up the distillery’s shop and tours is experienced Visitor Centre Manager Barbara Campbell, whose passion and rich heritage comes from being the fifth generation in her family to work in whisky.

Campbell entered the industry in 1990 as Visitor Centre Manager at Glen Ord Distillery, involved in the development of a new 5 star visitor experience, before becoming the first female Diageo Brand Ambassador.

Remarking on this significant step for Ardgowan, Campbell shares:

“When I decided to talk to Ardgowan about joining the team, my intention was to inspire a new generation of whisky drinkers, enthusiasts like me and witness whisky production move in an innovative new way.

“It was quite simply a case of ‘what’s not to love’ when you see what Ardgowan have committed to with the wonderful, sustainable new distillery, alongside their commitment to being world-class and introducing the first new cask size for many years – ‘the Infinity Cask’ – intended for a luxurious maturation to look forward to in the future.

“Like many distilleries of the past, the Visitor Centre will evolve over time as we have an ambitious vision for the future and a wonderful heritage that we will leave for those who will follow. I am excited to have the opportunity to welcome visitors to Ardgowan and hope to see many soon.”

From Tuesday 12th August, the distillery shop will be open from 10:00-17:00, Tuesday to Saturday, and 90 minute tours will run on those days at 10:30 and 14:00. Click here to book.

ABOUT ARDGOWAN:

Nestled in the undulating Ardgowan Estate in Inverkip, we are on a mission to revive the golden age of Scotch whisky. We are led by Roland Grain, a whisky connoisseur coming from IT who built up ties in the Scotch whisky industry over the last 15 years. His journey now culminates in the creation of Ardgowan Distillery, where every decision has been made with quality and sustainability at the forefront. From our architecturally stunning distillery to our unique wood policy, every detail is designed to deliver full, flavoursome and robust spirit. At the heart of it all are our signature Infinity Casks: symbols of our long-term commitment to producing exceptional whisky.

#CraftedWithPurpose

While we await our own Single Malt coming of age, the Clydebuilt brand provides a home for our independent bottlings. Discover more here.

Further information on the distillery and company can be found at ardgowandistillery.com

Suntory Global Spirits showcases authentic Japanese Whisky at the Financial Times Weekend Festival in Washington, D.C.

As global interest in Japanese Whisky continues to rise, we take pride in pioneering efforts to enhance transparency regarding what defines authentic Japanese Whisky and safeguarding the category’s reputation worldwide. Since establishing Japan’s first malt whisky distillery at Yamazaki in 1923, our relentless pursuit of quality and perfection have led to our Yamazaki, Hakushu and Hibiki whiskies bringing global attention and prestige to Japanese Whisky.

The Japan Spirits & Liqueurs Makers’ Association (JSLMA) established a formal definition for Japanese Whisky in 2021, marking a significant milestone in the industry’s commitment to authenticity. We support their dedication to strengthen regulations by advocating for these “Standards for Labeling Japanese Whisky” to be legally binding and plan to roll out their new Japanese Whisky logo on our House of Suntory products early next year.

This initiative aims to clarify labeling standards concerning the manufacturing process and quality of Japanese Whisky. To qualify as authentic, the whiskies must use Japanese water, be aged in Japan in wooden casks for a minimum of three years, and bottling must take place in Japan. Learn more on the standards here.

On May 10, we had the opportunity to showcase our incredible House of Suntory Japanese Whisky at the Financial Times Weekend Festival in Washington, D.C. We hosted two engaging tasting sessions featuring Toki Japanese Whisky, Hibiki Japanese Harmony and Yamazaki 12 Year Old. House of Suntory Global Advocacy Manager James Bowker led the tastings and shared compelling stories about Suntory’s rich history as the founding house of Japanese Whisky.

Our President of The House of Suntory Masaki ‘Mory’ Morimoto then spoke with Angela Mackay, Managing Director Asia Pacific and Global Publisher of FT Live, to discuss how the company is driving business growth in key markets and leveraging our dedication to sustainable production practices like water conservation to meet our ambition to become the World’s Most Admired Premium Spirits Company. He also spoke about Suntory’s family legacy as a distinct marker of our heritage and monozukuri craftsmanship, with the recent appointment of Nobuhiro Torii — the great-grandson of Suntory founder Shinjiro Torii — as President of Suntory Holdings.

Looking ahead, we believe that through collaboration with the JSLMA and our commitment to delivering the highest quality products, the legacy of Japanese Whisky will not only endure but flourish on the global stage.

THIS ARTICLE APPEARS WELL AFTER THE ORIGINAL PUBLICATION DATE AND IS PUBLISHED HERE AS A MATTER OF INTEREST.