We do not often send emails like this. But Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible just reviewed our entire current range, and the result is the kind of thing we would feel slightly daft not telling you about directly.

Every whisky we make earned five-star recognition. Our Lightly Peated Cask Strength Aged 7 Years scored 95 out of 100, with Murray calling it “a masterpiece from the far north” and choosing it to open his tasting day for the year. We will take that.

Murray reviewed roughly 4,200 whiskies for this edition of the Bible. The 95-plus tier is reserved for the top 1% – or put another way, Wolfburn Cask Strength is one of the top ten whiskies in the world. Five-star recognition starts at 86, which means every single whisky we currently make is in his top tier. He gets paid by no distillery, including ours. The scores are professional, independent, and earned.

Celebrating 20 Years in Scotch Whisky

A Milestone Worth Celebrating.

Over the past two decades, I’ve had the privilege of helping shape the journey of Douglas Laing & Co., my family business that has remained fiercely independent and committed to Whisky integrity since 1948. It’s been a path defined by passion, patience, and an unwavering belief in doing things the right way.

To mark this moment, I wanted to share a Whisky that feels especially meaningful to me, one from a true family favourite distillery. Old Particular. A Family Favourite Distillery. Velvety fruitcake, treacle toffee and dark chocolate, spiced with nuts, cinnamon and clove.

LEARN MORE

World Whisky Day Served by Loch Lomond Group

World Whisky Day is the perfect opportunity to explore whisky in new and inventive ways, unlocking fresh flavours and experiencing your favourite single malts beyond the glass.

Loch Lomond Group is showcasing its multi-award-winning Highland and Campbeltown distilleries Loch Lomond Whiskies and Glen Scotia with two flavour-forward, easy-to-make whisky cocktails to celebrate the occasion.

Loch Lomond Whiskies, based just a few miles from Scotland’s iconic Loch Lomond, is renowned for its elegant fruit, honey, and soft smoke notes, crafted using both traditional Swan-Neck and unique Straight-Neck Stills, and matured in expertly prepared casks from its onsite cooperage.

Glen Scotia, one of only three surviving Campbeltown distilleries, continues to champion centuries-old methods with its small team of experts in original stillrooms and dunnage warehouses, producing distinctive maritime inspired whiskies with big Campbeltown character that have made big waves around the world.

The Turn by Loch Lomond Whiskies

A halfway-style cocktail inspired by the halfway point of a round of golf, ‘The Turn’ is a refreshing serve that celebrates Loch Lomond Whiskies’ long-standing partnership with The Open.

It features Loch Lomond 12 Year Old which showcases the distillery’s signature style, delivering notes of peach and pear, layered with vanilla sweetness and a gentle hint of smoke.

Ingredients:

• 35ml of Loch Lomond 12 Year Old
• Five mint leaves
• Three lime wedges
• Ginger ale or ginger beer

Method:

Fill a tall glass with ice, add Loch Lomond 12 Year Old, the mint leaves and lime wedges and top up with ginger ale or ginger beer.

Loch Lomond 12 Year Old is available HERE

Neptune’s Cargo by Glen Scotia

Inspired by The Neptune, a rum-laden ship seized off Sanda Island in 1769 bringing tropical spirit to Campbeltown’s shores.

It features Glen Scotia Double Cask Rum Finish, an exotic dram for whisky explorers. Matured in American oak casks before being finished in Guyanese demerara rum barrels creates a single malt filled with notes of cooked sugar, molasses and tropical fruits.

Ingredients:

• 50ml of Glen Scotia Double Cask Rum Finish
• 50ml of fresh pineapple juice
• 10ml of fresh lime juice
• 60-80ml of soda water

Method:

Fill a tall glass with ice, pour in Glen Scotia Double Cask Rum Finish, pineapple and lime juice, and top with high-quality soda water. Garnish with pineapple leaf.

Glen Scotia Double Cask  Rum is available HERE

About Loch Lomond Group  

Loch Lomond Group is an independent distiller based in Alexandria and is home to several award-winning brands that are sold in more than 125 countries worldwide. Known for its innovative production methods such as unique straight-neck stills, in-house cooperage and versatile distillation techniques, the group produces a diverse range of single malts, single grains and blends.  

About Loch Lomond Whiskies 

Loch Lomond Whiskies is an award-winning, independent Scotch whisky distiller which has been producing the finest single malt whiskies since 1814. As a Highland malt, it is part of the largest and most diverse whisky-making region in Scotland.

Located only a few miles from the famous loch, the distillery has a whisky-making capability like no other, using a combination of traditional swan-neck and its signature straight-neck-stills, which are unique to Loch Lomond Whiskies. The straight-neck stills give Master Blender Michael Henry greater control over the distillation process, allowing him to carefully manipulate the

flavour profile of each whisky, and providing a signature fruit, honey and soft smoke flavour profile.

Loch Lomond Whiskies is one of only four distillers in Scotland to have its own onsite cooperage, ensuring that barrel repairs and charring are carried out to an exacting standard, so every cask is perfect for maturing whisky.

About Glen Scotia 

Distiller Glen Scotia has been producing single malt whisky in Campbeltown since 1832 and is one of three surviving distilleries in Campbeltown. Producing peated and non-peated whiskies, the distillery still maintains much of its original design, including the stillroom and the dunnage warehouse dating from the 1830s. To this day, the distillery team follow in the footsteps of their founders, using traditional methods, and carefully creating the subtly maritime Campbeltown style the brand has become world-famous for.

Our distillery in Stourton was named Best English Whisky Distillery. Given the tough competition from an ever-growing field of English distilleries, we couldn’t be more delighted. Join one of our daily tours to explore our distillery – take a look behind-the-scenes and enjoy a taste of our award-winning spirits.

VISIT OUR DISTILLERY

RAISING A DRAM TO SPIRIT OF SPEYSIDE WHISKY FESTIVAL’S 

RECORD-BREAKING YEAR

The Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival has announced over £500k of sales for the first time in its history.  Almost 60 events were completely sold out on day one, including the renowned ceilidh on Friday night.

Celebrating its 27th anniversary, Speyside is widely regarded as the spiritual home of whisky, with a third of the distilleries. Established as one of the world’s largest showcases of whisky, partner members grew and helped promote over 600 events across 6 days, from 29th April, contributing millions to the local economy.

On launch day back in February, nearly 7,000 tickets were sold with visitors descending on Speyside from all over the globe and contributing to over 60% of ticket sales.  Customers from Mexico, Scandinavia, the Netherlands and Canada showcased the diversity of geographic locations.

With over 600 events, the festival is a time when a number of distilleries, that normally don’t open their doors, invite visitors to explore their facilities, making it a unique experience for festival goers.  12 distilleries including Tormore, Craigellachie and Dalmunach welcomed visitors behind closed doors and proved to be some of the most popular events.  Highlights also included a diversity of events.  A falconry display with Tormore, a canoe trip down the River Spey and Glenlivet hosted a silent disco where guests could also enjoy expressions of their 12-year-old single malt.

Chairman of the Festival, Henry Angus said, “There has never been a more important year for us to support the whisky sector.  With whisky sales declining, but festival sales increasing, our ability to draw thousands of visitors to Speyside is vital to the local economy.  We’re extremely proud to have broken all records again this year and to prove that we are creating a world-class calendar of events with wide appeal.  The festival has become an old friend to so many year after year.  There are some incredible opportunities, some of which are unique, leaving visitors to feel like they’ve been part of something truly magical.  There’s nothing quite like it.”

Spirit of Speyside organisers have also announced that Distilled, the food and drink festival normally held annually is back after a hiatus this September.  Bringing together top producers from Speyside region it will showcase local whisky, gin, beer, and food, offering tastings, masterclasses, and experiences.  Due to be held at UHI Moray in Elgin on Friday 11th & Saturday 12th September, 2026.

FESTIVAL WINNERS –  

Ambassador – David Craig

International Ambassador – Matthew Cordiner, Bacardi Global Brands

Unsung Heroes – Raymond Davidson, Glencairn Glass, Angela McOwan, Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival

Spirit of Speyside Award – David Stewart, William Grant & Sons

Whisky Award winners:

Gold, 12 years old and under: Aberlour 12 YO
Gold, 13–17 years: Craigellachie 17 YO – Spirit of Speyside Single Cask Limited Edition
Gold, 18 years and over: Tamdhu 21 YO
Gold, non-age statement: Tamdhu Distinction III Speyside Single Malt
Overall winner, 2026 Spirit of Speyside Whisky Awards: Tamdhu 21 YO

www.spiritofspeyside.com

The “Olympics of the Drinks Industry” Extends Entries until May 8

LONDON (April 27, 2026) — Spirits industry professionals from around the world will once again gather in Bardstown, Kentucky — the “Bourbon Capital of the World” — for the 3rd IWSC (International Wine & Spirits Competition) in early June.  This year,in addition to judging North American Whiskey and Ready-to-Drink (RTD) spirits, the categories are expanding to accept gin, vodka, rum, and liqueurs from across the United States, and the entry deadline has been extended to May 8th.

Founded in 1969, the London-based IWSC evaluates more than 12,000 entries annually from over 90 countries. The North American Spirits Judging marks the competition’s exclusive North American event, reinforcing Kentucky’s role as a global hub for whiskey and other spirits excellence.

The judges — representing the worldwide standard of beverage expertise — provide North American whiskey and other spirit producers a unique opportunity for international recognition from the competition, widely regarded and recognized as one of the most prestigious in the world. The 2026 Judging Panel of experts brings perspectives from distilling, retail buying, hospitality, media, and global distribution, ensuring a comprehensive and balanced evaluation process.

Led by Dawn Davies, Master of Wine, Commercial Buying Director, Speciality Drinks and The Whisky Exchange, the panel of judges will evaluate the entries using the same rigorous judging process as in the UK, which includes double-blind tasting, a limited number of entries judged per day to avoid palate fatigue, and panel discussions between the judges.

In addition to Davies, the other judges for the North American competition are:

• Richard Paterson OBE, Master Blender, Whyte & Mackay
• Jack Beguedou, Spirits Industry Consultant
• Georgie Bell, Ambassador, Scotch Malt Whisky Society and co-founder of The Heart Cut
• Molly Horn, Total Wine & More
• Brad Japhe, Spirits Journalist
• Reece Sims, SIP Spirits Consulting & The Flavor Report
• Tristan Stephenson, bartender and co-founder of Black Rock, London

Kentucky is one of just seven global locations where the IWSC delivers its full London judging model through its Global Judging program. Entries are assessed to exactly the same standards, by the same caliber of international judging panels, and within the same rigorous framework as in London—ensuring complete consistency and credibility across all results.

As in London, the Kentucky event pairs these world-class tasting sessions with a program that celebrates the people, places, and spirits that define America’s whiskey culture. Crucially, all medal winners benefit from the IWSC’s global results campaign, receiving the same level of recognition, promotion and commercial opportunity as those judged in London.

Medals awarded include Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Gold Outstanding. Top-scoring products advance to the prestigious Trophy Judging round. Winners are revealed at the IWSC Awards Celebration in November 2026 in London.

The IWSC is grateful for its 2026 partners: Heaven Hill, Angel’s Envy, Maker’s Mark, Jim Beam, Total Wine & More, Kentucky Eagle, Glencairn, Buzick Construction, Mint Julep Experiences, and Kentucky Distillers’ Association.

How to Enter

Visit the IWSC North American Whiskey & RTD Judging page to submit entries.

Entry deadline: May 8th

Winners will be announced June 12, 2026

About the IWSC

Since 1969, the IWSC has set the global standard for beverage excellence. Known as the “Olympics of the drinks industry,” the IWSC evaluates more than 12,000 entries annually from 90-plus countries. Judges are key decision-makers in the industry, including Masters of Wine, Master Sommeliers, Master Distillers and Senior Buyers. These experts assess wines, spirits and alternative drinks using a rigorous panel process that ensures fair evaluation. The IWSC stands out for its expert judging, consistent attention, comprehensive categories and global recognition. For producers, its offers benchmarking, recognition and business connections. For consumers, IWSC medals guide excellence in a wide selection of drinks.

About the IWSC Competition Global Judging
Since 2022, the IWSC has held in situ Global Judging events, an initiative introduced by
Strategy and Business Development Director Christelle Guibert. The IWSC is proud to be the first international drinks competition to institute a series such as this. Until today, wine and spirits have been judged in Italy, Austria, Georgia, Turkey, Italy, Argentina, Australia, the United States, South Africa and China. The competition is committed to the initiative due to the opportunities it gives all producers in a region to take part, no matter what their size is, and allows for the drinks entered to be judged in context by judges who are up to date with the region and its most recent developments.

Maltstock program announcements

Relaxedly but surely our program for 2026 is taking shape! We travelled to Leith and Groningen and spoke to many potential exhibitors. The first few we can now announce! Watch this space as we will start announcing our program in the next couple of weeks! Go on and read all about it.

Annette, Bob, Klaas, Stan and Teun

Buy your Maltstock ticket NOW!

Tasting the Distillery Team Single Cask

A dram with the team in Warehouse 1-1