TRIPLE CROWN AT THE ENGLISH WHISKY AWARDS 2026

To top off an incredible English Whisky Week last week, we are thrilled to announce that we took home three awards at the English Whisky Awards 2026 for both our whisky and distillery. Our Signature Single Malt Whisky was awarded Best English Whisky and Best Value English Whisky. We’re celebrating by offering 15% off 70cl bottles of Signature Single Malt Whisky online and in our three shops from now until Tuesday, 5th May 2026 at 11:59pm. Use the code EWAWARDS to redeem this offer online.

SHOP SIGNATURE WHISKY

This Spirit of Speyside, we invite you to experience something truly special — a guided Osprey Wildlife Walk along the beautiful shores of Findhorn Bay with whisky entrepreneur and former BBC Natural History Producer, Edward Odim.

Beginning at the charming Tides Edge Cottage in the historic fishing village of Findhorn, Edward will lead a leisurely walk along the coastline in search of the magnificent osprey — the iconic fish eagle that made its remarkable return to Speyside in the 1950s.

Along the way, Edward will share his passion for wildlife and the natural world, pointing out seabirds, coastal flora, seals, and possibly even dolphins. But the highlight will be keeping watch for an osprey hunting over the bay.

After the walk, return to Tides Edge Cottage for some well-earned drams. Guests will be among the very first to taste the brand new Osprey single malts whiskies inspired by this remarkable bird. The experience concludes with a relaxing farewell dram from the Murray McDavid range.

It’s the perfect blend of Speyside’s natural beauty and exceptional whisky.

🥃 The OSPREY Wildlife Walk 🏖️

Sunday 3 May | 2:30pm-4:00pm

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AWARD-WINNING SCOTCH BOTTLER EXPANDS INTO CALIFORNIA AS US GROWTH CONTINUES

Scotland / California, April 2026; Award-winning independent Scotch whisky bottler Saltire Rare Malt is strengthening its presence in the United States with two exclusive tasting events in California this spring, bringing its rare single cask Scotch whiskies to new audiences on the West Coast.

Named ‘Best Newcomer’ at the 2025 Scottish Whisky Awards, the Falkland-founded company will host back-to-back showcases in partnership with two respected California retailers – Hi-Lo Liquor Market and Vintage Wine & Spirits.

The events will introduce guests to a hand-selected range of ultra-rare single cask releases from some of Scotland’s most respected distilleries, offering Californian whisky lovers the opportunity to discover the diversity, craftsmanship and character of Scotland’s whisky regions.

Guests will explore a rotating collection of expressions from distilleries including Tormore, Ardmore, Dailuaine, Glenburgie, Linkwood, Benrinnes and Teaninich, alongside Falkland, Saltire Rare Malt’s sister Speyside single malt brand.

The California programme follows Saltire Rare Malt’s recent expansion into Texas and Louisiana last month, where a successful run of tastings introduced the brand to new US audiences. After strong demand in the South, California marks the next step in the company’s growing American presence.

Saltire Rare Malt Global Brand Ambassador David McCallum will travel over specially to host the evening, guiding guests through the collection and the stories behind each whisky. He will be joined by Laura Sol, Business Development Manager, with both in attendance making this a particularly special occasion as Saltire Rare Malt continues its growth in the US market.

The first event takes place at Hi-Lo Liquor Market, a popular independent California retailer known for its strong community spirit, quality-led range and carefully curated drinks selection. Its modern neighbourhood approach and focus on discovery make it a fitting partner for Saltire Rare Malt’s West Coast debut.

The second tasting will be held at Vintage Wine & Spirits in Los Angeles, a fast-growing specialist retailer that has built a reputation for premium spirits, fine wine and expert curation. Located in Lake Balboa, the store has quickly become a destination for enthusiasts seeking rare and distinctive bottles.

Keith Rennie, Co-Founder & Director of Saltire Rare Malt, said: “California is an exciting market for premium spirits and we’re delighted to bring Saltire Rare Malt to two fantastic independent retailers on the West Coast. These tastings are about sharing Scotland’s whisky heritage, the stories behind each cask and the remarkable diversity of flavour that single cask whisky can offer.”

Founded in Falkland – the historic birthplace of Scotch whisky more than 530 years ago – Saltire Rare Malt specialises in sourcing exceptional single casks from Scotland’s finest distilleries and bottling them only when the whisky has reached peak character.

Founded by lifelong friends Nigel Heywood and Keith Rennie, the company continues to connect Scotland’s rarest whiskies with collectors, hospitality partners and enthusiasts around the world.

CALIFORNIA TASTING EVENTS

Wednesday, 29th April 2026
Hi-Lo Liquor Market
4:00 PM – 7:00 PM PST

Friday, 1st May 2026
Vintage Wine & Spirits
6:00 PM – 9:00 PM PST

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.

www.saltireraremalt.com
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Happy English Whisky Week! I’ve lost count of the number of times somebody has asked me, “Can you get whisky in England?” I resist the urge to roll my eyes and instead use it as the optimal time to list of some of the exceptional brands that are currently producing our favourite spirit as good as anybody else on the planet.

One of the first drams I ever tried when I joined the wonderful whisky world was one of the Whiskymaker’s Reserve expressions from the Lakes Distillery. I was blown away by its quality, and it’s the standard I’ve held English whisky to ever since.

Next time you’re looking for a new dram to try, give an English a look — you will be as amazed as I was. A select few are below — have a peruse and enjoy.

Bradley Weir, Whisky Magazine editor

Subscribe for £26.64 and receive six beautifully crafted issues — including two on us. That’s a 33 per cent saving across the year.

Spring sees Tomintoul Distillery reopen with rare visitor-only releases

Tomintoul Distillery has reopened its doors for the 2026 season, inviting visitors back to the heart of the Cairngorms National Park to experience the craft, heritage and warm hospitality behind its award-winning single malt.

Closed to the public over the winter months, the Speyside distillery now resumes its programme of guided tours, offering whisky lovers the chance to step behind the scenes and experience production in one of Scotland’s most quietly distinctive distilleries.

Set against the rugged landscape of the Cairngorms, Tomintoul has been producing single malt whisky since 1965, drawing on traditional methods that have remained largely unchanged for generations.

Guests can now return to explore behind the scenes of the production areas, meet the team and enjoy guided tastings that bring Tomintoul’s story to life – with the reopening arriving just ahead of the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival, when the region welcomes whisky enthusiasts from around the world.

To mark the reopening, Tomintoul has also unveiled two new limited-edition expressions, available exclusively to those visiting the distillery.

Tomintoul 11 Year Old, limited to just 1,009 bottles and priced at £79, showcases the carefully balanced marriage of Oloroso sherry and American oak casks, carefully selected for its depth and gentle complexity.

Alongside it, the Sauternes Barrique Single Cask – a rare release of only 318 individually numbered bottles priced at £225 – brings a rich, fruit-led profile, shaped by its distinctive cask influence while retaining Tomintoul’s signature smooth character.

Robert Fleming, Master Distiller at Tomintoul, said: “There’s something special about welcoming people back into the distillery each spring. It’s a chance to share not just the whisky, but the place, the process and the people behind it.

“These exclusive bottlings are a natural extension of that experience, something visitors can only discover and take away with them from our brand home in the heart of the Cairngorms.”

The 90-minute guided experience takes visitors through the full whisky-making journey, from raw ingredients to spirit, led by the distillery’s team. Tours conclude with a tutored tasting of three Tomintoul single malts, offering a deeper understanding of the smooth, approachable house style that defines the brand.

Robert Fleming added: “With the Spirit of Speyside Festival just around the corner, it’s an especially exciting time to visit the region, and we’re looking forward to welcoming both new and returning visitors through our doors.”

Tours run from 30th March to 1st November 2026, with advance booking essential. For more information or to book, visit www.TomintoulWhisky.com.

Tomintoul Distillery

Tomintoul Distillery is nestled in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park, within the whisky producing region of Speyside. The distillery, established in 1965, is named after the nearby village of Tomintoul, the highest village in the Highlands of Scotland.

Tomintoul’s signature range includes the popular 10-Year-Old, 14-Year-Old and 16-Year-Old, as well as the multi-award-winning Cigar Malt and premium 21-Year-Old and 25-Year-Old.

The Hebridean Whisky Trail Welcomes Tobermory Distillery as its Newest Member

ISLE OF MULL, SCOTLAND – The Hebridean Whisky Trail is proud to announce that the historic Tobermory Distillery on the Isle of Mull has officially joined the trail, marking a significant milestone in the route’s expansion. As one of the oldest commercial distilleries in Scotland, Tobermory brings its world-renowned artisanal craftsmanship and dual-brand heritage—featuring both its namesake unpeated malt and the robust, peated Ledaig—to this premier island-hopping adventure.

Since its inception in August 2018, the Hebridean Whisky Trail has grown from a visionary collaboration of four founding distilleries into a sprawling odyssey across the Atlantic coast. Launched by Karen Betts, then CEO of the Scotch Whisky Association, the trail was designed to showcase the rugged beauty, unique Gaelic culture, and diverse spirits of Scotland’s western isles.

With the addition of Tobermory, the trail now stretches across a spectacular 360-mile route by land and sea, connecting eight remarkable distilleries:

• Torabhaig Distillery (Isle of Skye)
• Talisker Distillery (Isle of Skye)
• Isle of Raasay Distillery (Isle of Raasay)
• Isle of Harris Distillery (Isle of Harris)
• Benbecula Distillery (Isle of Benbecula)
• North Uist Distillery (Isle of North Uist)
• Isle of Tiree Distillery (Isle of Tiree)
• Tobermory Distillery (Isle of Mull)

“We are thrilled to welcome Tobermory Distillery into our fold,” said Bill Dobbie, Chairman of the Hebridean Whisky Trail. “Tobermory’s rich history and colourful presence on Mull embody the very spirit of the Hebrides. Their inclusion not only extends the physical reach of the trail but also enriches the story we tell—one of resilience, community, and the incomparable character of island whisky. The trail has doubled in size since its inception in 2018, and adding such an iconic destination is a testament to the growing global passion for Hebridean spirits.”

The Hebridean Whisky Trail offers an unparalleled whisky adventure for enthusiasts and intrepid travellers alike. The trail is a journey through some of the world’s most iconic scenery—from the white sandy beaches of Harris to the volcanic peaks of Skye and the vibrant harbour of Tobermory.

For more information or to plan your journey, please visit www.hebrideanwhisky.com. 

About the Hebridean Whisky Trail:

The Hebridean Whisky Trail is a collaborative tourism initiative dedicated to promoting the distilleries of the Scottish Hebrides. Established in 2018, it highlights the heritage, people, and provenance of Hebridean spirits through a curated travel route and annual festival events.

The results of the World Whiskies Awards America are always one of my highlights of the awards season, not least of all because they put a spotlight on some of the most unique, innovative brands producing our favourite spirit today.

It’s also extremely exciting because of the announcement of the World’s Best Bourbon, a spectacular honour. Despite what have no doubt been turbulent conditions for many distilleries stateside, there’s been a real perseverance and industry-wide camaraderie that deserves celebrating. The result is incredible work that should be enough to get whisky enthusiasts worldwide excited.

These results take us one step closer to the much-anticipated announcement of the World’s Best whiskies next month. As chair of judges, I can’t wait to see where we’re headed as the awards cycle continues.

Bradley Weir,
Whisky Magazine editor

Boom, Bust & Early Branding

This post summarises another of the video discussions between Dave Broom and Iain Russell, now available in the History module of the Diploma in Single Malt Whisky (online and in-person). Read if you want to understand how Scotch survived collapse, war, Prohibition and cultural change. Get the full story in the Diploma.

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English Whisky Week returns for its second year from 18th–26th April, a nationwide celebration brought to you by the English Whisky Guild, inviting everyone to explore the depth and diversity of the growing English whisky category.

As home to England’s leading single malt whisky, there’s no better place to celebrate this week than right here in the Cotswolds. This year, we’re marking the occasion by celebrating the English Old Fashioned – one of the most iconic whisky cocktail serves.
Find out more about what’s happening at Cotswolds Distillery during English Whisky Week below.

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Barley During Whisky Production

Another one from the archive of short video explainers here. Vic helps you make sense of how barley – a cereal packed with starch – is used by distillers in the different stages of the Scotch whisky production process.

🎬 Watch the Video | 📖 Read the Post