WhiskyFest New York Is Back!

Join Whisky Advocate editors on Friday, November 20th, for an exciting afternoon of expert-led seminars featuring top-rated whiskies and premium spirits. Keep the celebration going at the evening walk-around tasting you know and love. With a Seminar or All-Access Package, you’ll gain access to immersive educational tastings and sample more than 100 whiskies, tequilas, and other exceptional spirits—all in one unforgettable day. Purchase your tickets today!

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“How Do I Notice More Flavours?”

One of the most common questions we hear is: “How do I get better at tasting whisky?” Many people assume it comes down to a naturally gifted nose or an expert-level flavour vocabulary but as our teachers and contributing experts explain, it’s far more about practice, attention and a few simple techniques anyone can use.

In this new video and blog, Dave Broom, Joe Cabassa, Sandy MacIntyre and Gordon Steele share practical advice on how to build confidence when tasting whisky and start noticing more of what’s already in the glass.

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Study whisky: explore your passion, kickstart your career. We are the leading provider of certified Scotch whisky education. 14,000+ candidates globally enjoy our QS-Approved courses. Learn directly from the experts when you study online or in-person

EDINBURGH WHISKY BUSINESS CROWNED SCOTLAND’S STARTUP OF THE YEAR 

Edinburgh, An Edinburgh whisky company that is redefining how people create and own Scotch whisky has been crowned Scotland’s Overall StartUp of the Year 2026 at the UK StartUp Awards.

Tailored Spirits Co., the Leith-based bespoke whisky specialists also secured the title of Scotland’s Food & Drink StartUp of the Year in the Food & Drink category of the awards, marking a major milestone in the company’s rapid rise since launching in 2024.

The awards recognise the UK’s most exciting emerging businesses and celebrate founders demonstrating innovation, commercial success and growth potential. Tailored Spirits impressed judges with its distinctive business model, strong commercial performance and ambitious vision for the future of Scottish whisky.

In feedback, the judging panel praised the company for its “rapid growth and distinctive approach to creating bespoke spirits for clients and brands”, highlighting its £2.35 million turnover, growing team of eight and strong early commercial progress.

The judges added: “The business has turned a specialist product idea into a serious food and drink operation. We recognised a startup with impressive execution, clear market demand and the capability to build a premium Scottish drinks business with wider growth potential.”

Founded by whisky entrepreneurs Adam Harding, Carl Johnstone and Tom Costello, Tailored Spirits Co. was created to give whisky enthusiasts, collectors, businesses and private clients access to a part of the Scotch whisky industry that has traditionally remained out of reach.

Rather than operating as a traditional independent bottler, the company guides clients through every stage of creating their own whisky project – from sourcing exceptional single casks and shaping maturation to designing labels, building brands and bottling finished products.

Today, Tailored Spirits works with private clients, luxury brands, hospitality groups and entrepreneurs around the world, helping them create bespoke Scotch whisky experiences and products tailored to their own stories and ambitions.

Carl Johnstone, Co-Founder of Tailored Spirits Co., said: “We are incredibly honoured to be named Scotland’s Overall StartUp of the Year. To receive this recognition among so many innovative and ambitious businesses is a proud milestone for our team and a reflection of the journey we’ve been on since launching Tailored Spirits Co.

“The evening was made even more special by also being named Scotland’s Food & Drink StartUp of the Year. To be recognised both within our sector and across the wider Scottish startup ecosystem is a tremendous achievement and one that means a great deal to us.

“When we founded Tailored Spirits Co., our vision was to create the world’s leading bespoke whisky company, offering clients access to exceptional single-cask Scotch whiskies through a truly personalised experience. These awards are a testament to the dedication and hard work of our amazing team, the trust our clients place in us, and the incredible support of our partners, suppliers and the wider Scottish whisky and entrepreneurial communities.

“Building a business is never done alone, and we’re hugely grateful to everyone who has played a part in our journey so far. While we’re honoured by this recognition and proud of what we’ve achieved, we firmly believe this is just the beginning of the Tailored Spirits Co. story.”

Tailored Spirits Co-founder, Tom Costello added: “We’re absolutely thrilled to have won the Food & Drink category at the UK Startup Awards for Scotland, and even more honoured to walk away with the overall award for Best Scottish StartUp.

“It’s mad to think how far we’ve come. We started out in the back of my wife’s plant shop, with our newborn son being passed between me and the two co-founders, Adam and Carl, in between feeds and naps. None of this would have happened without the support of our families and friends right from the start, so thank you to everyone who helped us build this.

“I’m hugely grateful to our brilliant staff, our dedicated team, and the network of partners and suppliers who help us deliver such fantastic service to clients all over the world. Now I’m genuinely excited to head to Hertfordshire for Ideas Fest to represent Scotland. This win was totally unexpected, but I’m honoured to fly the flag for our country, and who knows, maybe we can go all the way!”

Professor Dylan Jones-Evans, Founder of the UK StartUp Awards, said: “All of the winners show exactly why the UK startup economy remains so exciting. They are not just coming up with clever ideas; they are building businesses with real purpose, commercial credibility and the potential to scale.

“What impressed the judges was the evidence behind their ambition, from customers and partnerships to investment, innovation, impact and growth. Across every region, we are seeing founders creating jobs, opening new markets and challenging established industries.”

Following its Scottish success, Tailored Spirits Co. will now represent Scotland at the UK StartUp Awards national final in September as part of Ideas Fest, where the country’s leading entrepreneurs, investors and business leaders come together to celebrate innovation and business growth.

Find out everything about Scotland’s most exciting bespoke whisky bottler here: https://www.tailoredspirits.co.uk/ 

Rothes Glen Unveils All-Inclusive Weekend Packages

Rothes Glen, the luxurious exclusive-use castle in the heart of Speyside, Scotland has announced its highly anticipated programme of Ultimate Weekends for 2027 – a collection of all-inclusive luxury escapes celebrating the very best of Scotland’s heritage, whisky, food and culture.

Experiences include private distillery tours, unforgettable falconry displays, guided foraging, and a range of bespoke experiences that showcase Scotland’s rich traditions and breathtaking landscapes. New for 2027 is the Ultimate Castle Conspiracy, where guests will spend a thrilling Traitors-inspired murder mystery weekend at Rothes Glen.

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Whether celebrating Scotland’s national poet, immersing themselves in the country’s renowned whisky heritage, enjoying festive traditions or simply escaping to one of Scotland’s most spectacular private castles, guests can expect an unforgettable luxury experience.

Weekend Packages at Rothes Glen

“Our Ultimate Weekends have been carefully created to offer guests far more than a luxury stay,” said Damian Riley-Smith, owner of Rothes Glen. “They’re an opportunity to experience Scotland at its most authentic and memorable, with exceptional hospitality, remarkable food and drink, exclusive access to Speyside’s finest attractions and experiences that simply can’t be replicated elsewhere.”

Set amidst the stunning landscapes of Speyside, Rothes Glen combines elegant castle accommodation with world-class hospitality, making it one of Scotland’s most distinctive luxury destinations.

5 Years in Irish Whiskey

Published in August 2025, Matt Healy’s report looked at a category balancing rapid growth with new challenges; from changing consumer habits and market disruption to rising costs and production slowdowns.

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Years ago, when Maltstock started, we thought it would be a great idea to start the Saturday with a refreshing and relaxed morning walk. We hired a couple of local guides to take us through the wonderful local forest and lakes and tell us all about it… Then someone asked: “Is it ok to bring my whisky and share?”

Annette, Bob, Klaas, Stan, Teun

The Morning Monnik Walk

After a late night of tasting great whisky and sharing relaxed stories, and a little bit of ‘shut eye’, it is time to step into the world of Filey Bay whisky during the Monnik Walk by Tony van Rooijen!

On the relaxed but rugged east coast of England a unique whisky is created that attracts the attention of whisky lovers worldwide: Filey Bay Single Malt. The entire production process, from growing barley to bottling the whisky, takes place on the Yorkshire coast. Tony van Rooijen, also known as Tony the Whiskyliefhebber (Tony the Whisky Lover), will put you on the track of this wonderful dram during our traditional walking start of the day!

For those of you who aren’t familiar with Tony… prepare for total and utter relaxed shenanigans. For this of you who aren’t familiar with our morning walks… The days of the local guides telling us about wildlife are long gone! Bing a glass and a bottle of water!!

Established in March 2019, Kameda distillery doesn’t follow tradition, but is all about innovation! Modern distilling with sustainability in mind and focussed on making great spirits… We are so curious to hear their story. You can too as Hiroyuki Doda will feature in the shared Masterclass with Saburomaru and Drinks with… sessions!

Tickets for Maltstock 2026 

Get relaxed now and get your Maltstock tickets here:

https://www.maltstock.com/shop  

The International Wine & Spirits Competition Releases Results for the North American Spirits and Ready-to-Drink (RTD) categories

Five Spirits Take Gold Outstanding, Including a 99 point Bourbon

LONDON (June 16, 2026) — The Olympics of the Drink Industry concluded in the Bourbon Capital of the World as spirits industry professionals from around the globe descended upon Bardstown, KY, to judge the IWSC’s (International Wine & Spirits Competition) North American Whiskey, Ready to Drink (RTD) competition on June 4-5, 2026.  After two days of sipping, spitting, and double-blind judging, they have released the results.

This is the first year the IWSC judging included the Rum category, and of those submitted, two rum entries achieved Gold Outstanding status.

Only Five Spirits Reached Gold Outstanding

• 99 Points – Lochs of Jura Barrel 10 YO Bourbon Whiskey by Bardstown Bourbon Company (Available at retail later this summer)
• 98 Points – Old Bardstown Bottled in Bond 4 YO Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey by Willett Distillery
• 98 Points – Coors Whiskey Company Blended American Malt Whiskey 8 Years by Coors Spirits Company

The IWSC is considered the most prestigious of the spirit award competitions, with a very low overall medal rate, making it all the more meaningful for those brands that do take home the honors.  This year, only 1.3% of entrants received the top honor of Gold Outstanding at the North American competition.  A gold outstanding means the brand has scored between 98-100 points and is described as “an outstanding spirit with a naturally exceptional balance, complexity and power. An example that immediately sets itself apart from others in the category.”

Medals awarded include Gold Outstanding,Gold, Silver and Bronze.  In addition to the Gold Outstanding medals, judges also awarded 44 Gold medals and 176 Silver medals across all categories.

Overall, the judges were impressed by the quality of the submissions and the increasing diversity across North America’s spirits industry.  “Each year, there are more unique submissions and excellent liquids,” continued Davies. “The future looks very exciting for U.S. Whiskey, it was really good to see some whiskeys that were super balanced with some really great oak integration, and generally high quality, particularly within the Bourbon and Rye categories.” 

Top-scoring products advance to the prestigious Trophy Judging round. Winners are revealed at the IWSC Awards Celebration in November 2026 in London.

For a complete list of the 2026 North American tasting results, visit IWSC 2026 tasting results | IWSC

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, it offers benchmarking, recognition and business connections. For consumers, IWSC medals guide excellence in a wide selection of drinks.

Partners of IWSC’s Global Judging in Kentucky include: James B. Beam Distilling Co., Maker’s Mark, Angel’s Envy⁠, Heaven Hill Brands, Kentucky Eagle, Glencairn, Total Wine & More, Mint Experiences, and Buzick Construction.

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.

Certificate in Sensory Appreciation Returns

Who needs to add the yellow EWA pin badge to their collection? We’re chuffed to be offering the one-day Sensory course at the Scotch Malt Whisky Society Queen Street venue again with new dates for May and September 2027 available now. Led by the inimitable Vic Cameron, you can expect lively discussion peppered with plenty of fun exercises to challenge your senses. An example? The same smoky whisky fresh from the freezer, sampled in stages right through to room temperature… yum!

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SCOTLAND’S LARGEST MULTI-CITY WHISKY FESTIVAL RETURNS

Scotland, August 2026; Scotland’s whisky scene will take centre stage from 20th August as Whisky Week returns, transforming Aberdeen, Glasgow and Edinburgh into Scotland’s largest whisky trail through a rolling programme of tastings, tours and exclusive experiences.

Running until 13th September, the festival invites whisky lovers to discover Scotland’s thriving whisky culture through specially curated menus, exclusive drams and unique experiences, while celebrating the country’s world-renowned whisky bars, distilleries and producers.

Whisky Week Dates

• Whisky Week Aberdeen: 20th-30th August 2026
• Whisky Week Glasgow: 27th August-6th September 2026
• Whisky Week Edinburgh: 3rd-13th September 2026

Unlike traditional whisky festivals, Whisky Week doesn’t take place in a single venue. Instead, visitors explore a trail of participating bars, with each one partnering with a different distillery or whisky brand to offer its own exclusive festival menu.

Participating venues include renowned whisky destinations such as The Pot Still, Teuchters Bar, Teuchters Landing, Port of Leith Distillery, The Black Cat, The Grill, The Tippling House and Aberdeen Whisky Shop, with a packed programme of tastings, events and exclusive experiences taking place throughout the festival.

Festival partners include Glenfiddich, Springbank, Glengoyne, Glen Moray, Kingsbarns, Kilchoman, Wemyss Malts, Caol Ila and Tamnavulin, alongside a growing line-up of independent Scotch whisky producers showcasing the diversity of Scotland’s whisky industry.

Gregor Sey, Co-Founder of Whisky Week, said: “Whisky has always been about more than what’s in the glass. It’s about the people you share it with, the stories behind every dram and the venues that bring Scotland’s whisky culture to life. Whisky Week was built around a simple idea: people we like, in places we like, with a drink we love.

“Whether you’re a lifelong whisky enthusiast or trying your first dram, Whisky Week is about discovering something new, supporting brilliant venues and enjoying great whisky in great company. We hope people leave having found a new favourite dram, a new favourite venue and a few great stories to take home with them.”

Every participating venue will offer at least one dram for £5 or less, while Whisky Week wristband holders unlock exclusive festival menus, tastings, tours and whisky experiences throughout the festival.

Whisky Week takes place in Aberdeen (20th-30th August), Glasgow (27th August-6th September) and Edinburgh (3rd-13th September). Advance wristbands are priced at £9 (£12 during each festival) and include access to every participating venue, exclusive festival menus, a printed Whisky Week guidebook and festival wristband.

Tickets for Whisky Week are available now at www.whiskyweek.co.uk.

Whisky Week is a multi-city whisky festival celebrating Scotland’s whisky culture through its bars, distilleries and people. Bringing together whisky lovers, venues and producers across Aberdeen, Glasgow and Edinburgh, the festival offers exclusive drams, curated menus, tastings and experiences designed to encourage discovery and connection.

W: https://whiskyweek.co.uk/
I: https://www.instagram.com/whiskyweekhq
F: facebook.com/whiskyweekhq
L: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/whiskyweek/

Although Maltstock is built around our Gathering where our guests share and enjoy whiskies, we know that many of you also love Maltstock for it’s Masterclasses and Drinks with… sessions!

One Masterclass is going to be a special one where we will see two of the world’s great drinks, whisky and beer, paired. One of our Drinks with… hosts is from a very special independent bottler from Germany. Both are not to be missed!

Want to know more about it? Read more below!

Annette, Bob, Klaas, Stan, Teun

Drinks with…

On our relaxed Saturday we will be featuring 20 minutes sessions, starting every 20 minutes, throughout the afternoon, in 3 different locations.

Our aim is to have small groups of you, our guests, in a more or less intimate, interactive and relaxed setting with the producers and/ or ambassadors to try their products, highlight tidbits, answer questions etc.

These sessions are called “Drinks with…” …and of course these sessions are included in your ticket. No need to reserve or buy a an extra ticket, just turn up at the door well in time and enjoy the sessions!

Scotch Single Malt Circle @ Maltstock

This relaxed whisky club and independent bottler from Germany has been at Maltstock for a number of years now and we always hear great positive feedback on their whiskies and relaxed Drinks with… sessions! So all the more reason to have them host sessions again!

The Circle is a community that is passionate about spreading the word about Scotland’s elite whisky. Its members discern, select carefully, and thus demonstrate their refined taste. They appreciate the value of the highest quality and are willing to pay a premium for the very best. Take your chance at Maltstock to join one of their three sessions and taste what makes their whiskies relaxed and special!

Masterclasses

This year Malstock will feature FOUR exiting and relaxed Masterclasses on Friday. Everyone with a Maltstock ticket will receive an e-mail so they can let us know their preferences. We will allocate all available seats as relaxedly as possible. You will receive your masterclass itinerary a couple of days before Maltstock starts.

Tickets for Maltstock 2026 

Get relaxed now and get your Maltstock tickets here:

https://www.maltstock.com/shop