We’re honored to share that Courage & Conviction Signature Malt has won Best Whisky and Best in Show at the First Landing Cup—a blind-judged competition celebrating the best spirits made in Virginia.

Raise a glass to Virginia’s finest!

SHOP THE WINNER

Fielden Whisky announced as official drinks sponsor at Groundswell Festival 2025

Fielden Whisky, the pioneering English whisky rooted in regenerative agriculture, is proud to be a key partner of this year’s Groundswell Festival—the UK’s leading event for regenerative farming and sustainable land management. As part of the partnership, Fielden will co-host two headline banquets with Groundswell, celebrating the land, its growers, and the bounty they produce. 

Taking place from 2–3 July 2025 at Lannock Farm, Hertfordshire, Groundswell Festival is a landmark event in the regenerative farming calendar. Created by farmers, for farmers, Groundswell brings together growers, environmentalists, food producers and changemakers to exchange ideas and innovations shaping the future of farming. Now in its ninth year, the festival offers a rich programme of over 400 speakers and 200 sessions—covering both the principles and practicalities of regenerative systems and Conservation Agriculture. With ever increasing influence, it has become an essential forum for anyone interested in the future of food, farming, and the environment.

The partnership with Fielden – an English whisky on a mission to change farming for the better – reflects a shared commitment to soil health, biodiversity, and the responsible stewardship of British farmland. Fielden is rewriting the rules of whisky-making with a philosophy grounded in a simple truth: whisky is an agricultural product, and how we grow matters. Instead of relying on industrial farming practices – like agrichemical inputs, frequent ploughing, and monoculture crops – Fielden takes a regenerative approach. They plant diverse grains, grown amongst clover – a natural fertiliser that helps the soil stay healthy. They never use chemical inputs on the land, and minimise soil disturbance. The result? Fields full of life. Whisky full of flavour. 

This “No Chem Regen” way of farming nurtures healthy soils, clear waters and flourishing biodiversity, and encourages crop resilience, helping to cut agriculture’s giant carbon footprint. 

“Groundswell represents the future of food and farming in the UK. It’s where progressive ideas take root. We’re proud to support that mission and bring Fielden’s own vision of soil-first spirits to the heart of the community driving it forward.” Dave Smith, Fielden CEO.

Fielden Whisky will be the festival’s only alcohol partner, running a unique whisky bar, and offering whisky tastings and discussions around soil health and regenerative farming principles at its own stand. Fielden will also be the only whisky available at The Earthworm Arms – the festival’s main bar.

Leading the celebrations, on 1^st and 2^nd July, Fielden will host a very special banquet –   FEASTING FROM FIELD TO TABLE – with Salsa Rosa providing the food. Festival-goers can purchase separate tickets to the communal evening feast nestled in a cosy and beautifully decorated space within the grounds of the festival. The experience will include a guided whisky tasting from the brand’s Whisky Maker, Chico Rosa, as well as an immersive three-course meal that celebrates seasonal produce, with commentary from the growers and creators. Throughout the experience,  festival-goers will have the opportunity to explore first-hand how Fielden’s diverse grains – a mix of heritage, organic and grains adapted for no and low input systems –  grown with soil-first farming methods, can transform both flavour and farming resilience.

Tickets for the Whisky Banquet are £70 per head and include drinks and a three-course meal. Tickets can only be purchased if visitors hold a ticket to Groundswell Festival.  buy here.

About Fielden Whisky of England

What’s whisky got to do with farming? Everything. Whisky is an agricultural product, but most grain is grown industrially, with chemicals. Not on Fielden’s farms. Fielden is bringing England’s fields back to life by planting diverse grains that thrive without chemicals – letting nature take the lead. Their farmers are kind to their land and never use chemicals. Instead, the grain grows in clover, a natural fertiliser that helps the soil stay healthy. This no chem regen way of farming nurtures healthy soils, clear waters and flourishing biodiversity in their fields, helping to cut agriculture’s giant carbon footprint. The grain grows tall and strong. The fields are wild and glorious. And the whisky is full of flavour: think warm flaky pastry, butter and caramel. Is it the grains? Is it the magic of nature?

Who knows – and honestly, does it matter? Fielden are putting the best (completely natural) ingredients into their stills, making a distinctly delicious rye whisky that’s changing farming for the better. Fielden: the English whisky that’s changing farming for the better, field by field, harvest by harvest.

Fields Full of Life. Whisky Full of Flavour. 

About Groundswell Festival
Now in its 9th year, Groundswell is the UK’s leading regenerative agriculture event. Created by farmers for farmers, it brings together experts, innovators, and practitioners to explore farming methods that restore ecosystems, enhance biodiversity, and build resilience in the face of climate change. Founded by the Cherry family on their mixed farm in Hertfordshire, John and Paul Cherry have farmed for over thirty five years, converting to a no-till system in 2010.

Approved Course Provider Programme

Ever thought about teaching whisky in your local community? This latest video explores how our Approved Course Provider Programme supports passionate educators around the world to deliver whisky education of the highest standard, with full access to expert materials, training and support. Whether you’re already running a drinks training business or just starting out, this is your chance to offer world-class whisky qualifications backed by the Scottish Qualifications Authority.

🎬 Watch the Video | 📖 Read the Post

🥃 Old Perth x Rioja: Sherry Trail Tasting Night 🍴

Join us for an evening of flavour and flair at RIOJA for an exclusive Sherry Trail Tasting.

Indulge in a carefully curated tasting of three limited edition Old Perth sherry-matured whiskies, each perfectly paired with a delicious tapas dish crafted by RIOJA’s talented Head Chef. It’s a celebration of rich, bold flavours—from cask to kitchen.

Whether you’re a whisky aficionado or simply love a great food and drink experience, this is an evening not to be missed.

Thursday 26th June 2025 | 6:30pm – 11:45pm (Last entry: 6:45pm)
Location: RIOJA, Glasgow | £20 per ticket

Click here for tickets

One For The Next

Watch, Comment, Win!

In our latest mini-documentary, Whisky Magazine editor-at-large Christopher Coates travels to Hazelwood House — the private Speyside home of the Gordon family — to uncover the remarkable story behind One For The Next, the latest release from House of Hazelwood and the start of an unprecedented whisky story.

Want to join the celebration?

One lucky commenter will WIN four rare whisky samples and an online tasting session with House of Hazelwood! The samples have been drawn from House of Hazelwood’s Charles Gordon Collection, which features the Gordon family’s oldest and rarest stocks. One of the industry’s leading figures, among Charles’s achievements was the founding of Girvan Distillery in 1963. Watch our film to learn more about his life and pivotal role in the industry.

The Prize

The winner will receive 25ml samples of the following whiskies before being invited to join an exclusive online tasting session with House of Hazelwood.

The Long Marriage 56-Year-Old Blended Scotch Whisky

48.7% ABV. UK RRSP £4,000 for 70cl. Only 288 bottles worldwide.

A Minute to Midnight 45-Year-Old Blended Scotch Whisky

58.6% ABV. UK RRSP £4,000 for 70cl. Only 154 bottles worldwide.

The Old Ways 1972 Vintage Single Grain Scotch Whisky

50.1% ABV. UK RRSP £3,500 for 70cl. Only 123 bottles worldwide.

The Garden at Hazelwood 47-Year-Old Blended Malt Scotch Whisky

45.8% ABV. UK RRSP £4,500 for 70cl. Only 137 bottles worldwide.

How to Enter:

Tap the link below to watch One For The Next.

Leave a comment on the video telling us what you found most interesting, what you’ve learned, and which aspect of the story you’d like us to explore further in a future film for our YouTube channel.

Don’t wait, watch, comment, and you could win a private tasting! The competition ends  30 June 2025

T&C’s Apply

WATCH NOW

Bourbon Tourism Growth Continues

Kentucky Bourbon Trail® Adventure Celebrates

Record-Breaking Year

FRANKFORT, KY. — The world-famous Kentucky Bourbon Trail® tour welcomed a record 2.7 million visitors in 2024 as it celebrated its 25th anniversary with an award-winning rebranding campaign and innovative digital tools to make it easier to plan the bucket-list adventure.

Visitors from all 50 states and more than 20 countries across six continents poured into the Bluegrass State last year, up from 2.5 million tourists in 2023 – the third straight year topping the two million mark.

More than 20 million people have now visited a Bourbon Trail™ distillery in the last 25 years.

“The combination of American history, picturesque scenery and legendary Kentucky hospitality continues to attract people from all over the world to get a deeper look into what makes our Bourbon family so special,” said Eric Gregory, president of the Kentucky Distillers’ Association.

The KDA created the Bourbon Trail™ tour in 1999 to give visitors an intimate, behind-the-scenes look into crafting America’s only native spirit. At that time, there were only seven distilleries in Kentucky to visit – something that could be accomplished in a long weekend.

Now, with 60 participating distilleries in all corners of the Commonwealth and more on the way, the Kentucky Bourbon Trail® program encourages guests to slow down, relax, savor the journey and come back for another round.

“Our Bourbon Trail™ distillers – from the largest to the smallest – continue to create new ways for visitors to experience our mellow, amber nectar,” Gregory said. “There’s more to do, see, and taste than ever before.”

It’s easier to plan than ever before, too.

As part of its 25th anniversary rebrand, the KDA created a bold new look and feel for the tour, including a website and new digital tools that makes it easier for visitors to plan their trip and “Build Your Own Bourbon Trail®” based on their individual preferences and interests.

Kentucky Bourbon Trail® communities and partners continue to welcome guests with new restaurants, hotels, bars and more, reaping benefits from an affluent demographic that trends younger, stays longer and has more disposable income than an average Kentucky tourist.

• 62% of Kentucky Bourbon Trail® visitors have incomes above $100,000
• 76% of visitors are from outside of Kentucky
• Most visitors stay three to five days in communities featuring a Bourbon Trail™ distillery
• Visitors spend between $600 – $1,400 during their trip on dining, entertainment, lodging and transportation

Historically, KBT® visitors have come from states within a six-hour drive from Kentucky. But last year, Bourbon Trail™ distilleries saw a surge of visitors from states outside that drive time, including California, Colorado, Florida, Louisiana, New York, and Pennsylvania.

The Kentucky Bourbon Trail® pilgrimage is also catching global attention.

Hotel News Now reports that while beachfront properties will be busy in 2025, people are starting to venture to different locations off the beaten path, like “new areas of wine country or the Bourbon Trail.”

The reimagined Bourbon Trail™ web campaign also has been recognized with a slew of prestigious awards, most recently earning top honors for its digital experience at the 2025 World Icons of Whisky Awards in London, England.

To learn more about the KBT®, go to www.kybourbontrail.com.

Kentucky Bourbon Trail® partners provide additional experiences and resources to help people round out their trip: Eat & Drink, Stay, Transportation, Shopping, Non-Bourbon Experiences.

Visit www.kybourbon.com for more information about the KDA and how Bourbon drives Kentucky’s economy and tourism.

“The Kentucky Bourbon Trail knows no limits in its popularity, and I can’t wait to see where it goes in our next 25 years,” Gregory said. “The possibilities are endless, and we look forward to welcoming millions more to enjoy it – responsibly, of course.”

Founded in 1880, the Kentucky Distillers’ Association (KDA) is the Worldwide Voice of Bourbon™.

About the Kentucky Distillers’ Association:

Founded in 1880, the Kentucky Distillers’ Association is the Worldwide Voice of Bourbon™. Its diverse and growing membership produces the overwhelming majority of the world’s Bourbon, from historic, global brands to emerging micro distilleries that are fostering the next generation of the Commonwealth’s timeless craft. Kentucky Bourbon is a $9 billion economic engine generating more than 23,500 jobs and attracting over 2 million visits annually through the KDA’s Kentucky Bourbon Trail® experience. A 501(c)(6) nonprofit organization, the KDA maintains an open membership policy, champions a strong commitment to the responsible and moderate consumption of spirits, and fights to curb underage drinking and drunk driving. Learn more at www.kybourbon.com

and www.kybourbontrail.com.

The award-winning Kentucky Bourbon Trail® full brand refresh has been recognized numerous times for the modern brand spin that honors the craftsmanship and rich history of Kentucky Bourbon. The brand was recently celebrated at the 2024 Kentucky Travel Industry Award Conference, the 2024 World Beverage Innovation Awards, the AAF Nashville 2025 American Advertising Awards, and last week at the World Whisky Awards in London. 

KENTUCKY BOURBON TRAIL®, KBT®, BOURBON TRAIL™ and KENTUCKY BOURBON HALL OF FAME® are trademarks/service marks of the Kentucky Distillers’ Association. Enjoy Bourbon like a true Kentuckian – Responsibly.

For Dads Who Deserve More Than Just a Bottle

A gift that lasts all year

Some gifts say, “I saw this and thought of you.”

This one says, “I know exactly what you love.”

If your dad takes pride in knowing his whisky, discovering new stories, and enjoying every detail, then a Whisky Magazine Premium Membership might just be the most thoughtful gift you’ll give this year.

BUY GIFT

Secrets, Stories & Summer Serves

Every summer, Glengoyne enters its Silent Season, a tradition that stretches back generations. While the stills take a well-earned rest and our 106-year-old mill gets its annual care, we’re welcoming visitors for something a little different.

Secrets, Stories & Summer Serves, our exclusive summer experience running from 25th June to 1st August.

Explore the distillery grounds, hear fascinating tales from our past, and uncover the secrets behind one of Scotland’s most beautiful distilleries. Then head to the tasting room to enjoy our 12 and 15 Year Old Highland Single Malts, followed by our signature Honey Bee cocktail.

Whisky, storytelling and a taste of summer.

Slàinte Mhath,

The Glengoyne Team