Burns Night Whisky – A Highland and Campbeltown Duo from Loch Lomond Group

Multi-award-winning independent distiller Loch Lomond Group is recommending two exceptional single malts to mark Burns Night, showcasing the rich heritage and signature styles from two of its renowned brands.

Loch Lomond Whiskies, based a few miles from the famous loch, uses a combination of traditional swan-neck and unique straight-neck stills to create elegant, fruit- and honey-forward whiskies with a touch of soft smoke. With its own onsite cooperage, every cask is perfectly prepared to mature its award-winning expressions.

Glen Scotia, one of just three surviving Campbeltown distilleries, has been crafting exceptional single malts since 1832. Its team continues to follow traditional methods in original stillrooms and dunnage warehouses, producing bold, maritime-influenced whiskies that reflect the region’s distinctive style.

LOCH LOMOND 18 YEAR OLD, 70CL, 46%,  from £90

Loch Lomond 18 Year Old single malt is a perfect representation of Loch Lomond’s signature style, full-bodied and rounded with a deep fruity character.

The multiple-award winning single malt, which most recently received a Gold Outstanding Medal at IWSC 2025, is aged in three types of American oak casks. It is bottled at 46% and non-chill filtered to keep things as nature intended. With wonderful notes of baked apple and rich toffee with gentle wood smoke on the finish, it is an elegant and complex whisky which embodies Loch Lomond Whiskies’ innovative approach to flavour creation.

Loch Lomond 18 Year Old is available at:

www.lochlomondwhiskies.com/products/18-year-old-single-malt-scotch

Loch Lomond,  18 Year Old | The Whisky Shop

GLEN SCOTIA 12 YEAR OLD, 70CL, 46%, from £45

The newly released Glen Scotia 12 Year Old is a bold yet classic single malt, placing Glen Scotia’s signature style and maritime influence centre stage. This flagship single malt was matured in the finest first-fill bourbon casks and was bottled at 46% ABV. This expression is quintessentially Glen Scotia, full of big Campbeltown character and bold flavours of rich tropical fruits and coastal sea spray.

Hints of citrus and caramelised sugar unfold on the palate, complemented by subtle oak and warming spice on the finish.

The colourway of the packaging reflects the distillery’s iconic features, with the royal blue inspired by Glen Scotia’s renowned dunnage doors and the chalk white represents the historic distillery walls.

Glen Scotia 12 Year Old is available at:

www.glenscotia.com/products/12-year-old-single-malt-whisky

Glen Scotia 12 Year Old | The Whisky Shop

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.

Raise a dram to the Bard with Tomatin this Burns Night

“My heart’s in the Highlands”. Few words feel more fitting for Burns Night, a celebration rooted in place, pride and togetherness. For Tomatin, those words are more than poetry. At the very heart of the Highlands, the distillery has long been shaped by its surroundings and the community that calls it home.

Burns Night is a moment to gather, to share food, drink, stories and tradition around the table and guided by its ‘To What Matters’ ethos, Tomatin celebrates the people, place and purpose that define both its whisky and the spirit of the occasion. This Burns Night, the distillery is inviting hosts and guests alike to mark the evening with a carefully curated collection of whiskies thoughtfully paired to each course of a Burns supper, enhancing the moments that turn a meal into a memory.

Hearty beginnings-  Tomatin 10 Year Old

RRP £42 | ABV 40% | 70cl

A comforting bowl of traditional Scottish Cullen skink sets the tone for the evening, rich and warming yet delicate in flavour and Tomatin 10 Year Old single malt, matured exclusively in bourbon casks, is an ideal companion. Its bright notes of lemon sherbet, green apple and gentle sweetness lift the smoky creaminess of the soup without overpowering it. Light, fresh and approachable, this is a dram that welcomes guests to the table.

Tomatin 10 Year Old is available exclusively at Waitrose and on Amazon.

The key address- Tomatin Double Cask

RRP £37 | ABV 40% | 70cl

As the haggis is piped in and Burns’ words are recited, Tomatin Double Cask comes into its own. Matured in ex-bourbon and ex-Oloroso sherry casks, it offers soft vanilla, baked apple and warming spice, flavours that sit comfortably alongside the peppery richness of the haggis and the earthy sweetness of neeps and tatties. Balanced and accessible, this is a whisky made for sharing at the heart of the supper.

Tomatin Double Cask is available exclusively at Tesco and on Amazon.

Indulgent endings- Tomatin 12 Year Old Sherry Cask

RRP £52.50 | ABV 40% | 70cl

When dessert is served, Tomatin 12 Year Old Sherry Cask adds a final layer of indulgence to the meal. Fully matured in sherry oak casks, it brings notes of dried fruit, chocolate fudge, honey and gentle spice that pair beautifully with the richness of a clootie dumpling or the creamy sweetness of a cranachan. Deep and comforting, this is a dram to savour as conversation flows and the evening unfolds.

Tomatin 12 Year Old Sherry Cask is available at  www.tomatin.com

The final dram- Tomatin Cask Strength Bourbon and Sherry

RRP £62.50 | ABV 57% | 70cl

Once the plates are cleared and the formalities are over, Tomatin Cask Strength Bourbon and Sherry single malt whisky is the perfect way to close the night. Bottled at natural cask strength and matured in first fill ex-bourbon and ex-Oloroso sherry casks, it delivers bold flavours of golden syrup, malt loaf, marzipan and warming spice. Powerful yet balanced, this is a dram for whiling away the evening around the table and raising a final toast to the Bard.

Tomatin Cask Strength Bourbon and Sherry is available at www.tomatin.com.

For further information about Tomatin whiskies and to buy, visit https://tomatin.com

Tasting notes

Tomatin 10 Year Old

Nose: Aromas of lemon sherbet sweets and crunchy green apples followed by buttery

croissants, white chocolate and macadamia nuts.

Palate: Lemon meringue pie, honey and a touch of toffee are complemented by apricot and

peach.

Finish: Clean and fresh.

Tomatin Double Cask

Nose: Aromas of vanilla-sweetened baked apples and pears lead.

Palate: Dark fruit flavours, gently balanced with ginger and cinnamon.

Finish: Sweet and spicy.

Tomatin 12 Year Old Sherry Cask
 Nose: Caramelised apple, pear, sultana, orange peel, apricot and hints of aged leather.
 Palate: Chocolate fudge, manuka honey, dried fruit and nut.
 Finish: Cinnamon spice.

Tomatin Cask Strength Bourbon and Sherry

Nose: Opens with home-made ice cream drizzled with golden syrup and crushed walnuts, moving on to Seville orange, tablet and black pepper.

Palate: Flavours of malt loaf and marzipan balance with crystallised ginger and orchard fruits.

Finish: Dry, lingering and spicy

Tomatin is located in the Scottish Highlands, 16 miles south of Inverness, and is famous for its portfolio of refined and elegant whiskies.  The distillery has a proud heritage stretching back to the 15th century when illicit production was likely to be taking place, but it wasn’t until 1897 that the first formal distillery was established by John MacDougall as the Tomatin Spey Distillery Company.

In 2022, Tomatin was awarded ‘Scotch Whisky Producer of the Year’ and ‘Outstanding Spirits Producer of the Year’ at the International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC). Later that year, it was recognised as ‘Sustainable Distillery of the Year’ at Whisky Magazine’s Icons of Whisky 2023, in recognition of its continued contribution to sustainably at the distillery.

In 2023, Tomatin took home seven awards at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, while Cù Bòcan, took home three. Tomatin’s 36 Year Old was crowned the ultimate winner at SFWSC for malts, being named ‘Best in Show’, officially making it one of the best whiskies in the world.

Building upon this triumph, 2024 saw Tomatin’s 18 Year Old secured Double Gold for the third consecutive year at the SFWSC, elevating it to Platinum status. Meanwhile, both Tomatin’s 45 Year Old and 12 Year Old, alongside Cù Bòcan’s 15 Year Old took home Double Gold Awards, and Cù Bòcan’s 12 Year Old also secured a prestigious Gold Award.

This year, Tomatin has been awarded Gold designation for its Tomatin Sherry Collection Ximénez Edition and Silver for both its Sherry Collection Manzanilla Edition and Sherry Collection Palo Cortado Edition in the inaugural 2025 Whiskey Wash Awards.

‘To What Matters’ is the latest chapter in the brand’s evolution; it is a positive call to arms that represents the spiritual DNA of Tomatin – a belief in savouring what is truly important in life and time spent together.

Tomatin is owned by the Japanese company Takara Shuzo International: www.takara-intl.co.jp/en/

Victoria Whisky Festival Tickets

All remaining tickets are now available online.

Alongside the remaining packages which we’ve been offering for the last couple of weeks, there are now brand-new VIP packages available, plus a whole suite of individual masterclasses for those who want a top-up to their existing itinerary!

SECURE YOUR TICKETS NOW

“Freedom” is First Auction Lot, in Honor of America’s 250th Anniversary

• Elijah Craig Single Barrel experience at Heaven Hill Distillery is first offering
• Winner gets to select their own barrel of Elijah Craig Bourbon, one of the most awarded bourbons in esteemed Heaven Hill Distillery’s portfolio
• Selecting a personal barrel for bottling is a rare opportunity for bourbon enthusiasts

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Kentucky Bourbon Country Auction & Celebration (KBCA) have announced the launch of the “12 Lots of Bourbon,” a festive and historic countdown revealing the rare bourbon bottles, barrels and experiences that will be auctioned during its inaugural event on Presidents’ Day Weekend, Feb. 13–15, 2026.

Between now and the end of the year, KBCA will unveil 12 outstanding lots of the many prestigious bourbons to be auctioned in a spirited nod to the classic “12 days of Christmas,” culminating with the twelfth lot announcement upon the arrival of 2026, America’s 250th anniversary year. More lots will be announced up until the event culmination in February.

“The 12 Lots of Bourbon campaign is about more than simply revealing the hard-to-find, once-in-a-lifetime bourbons that people will have the opportunity to taste and own at our event,” said Andrew Varga, KBCA Founder. “It’s about telling the story of bourbon with the same excitement as a kid awaiting Christmas and celebrating our native spirit as a uniquely American art that honors the values that have shaped our nation for nearly 250 years.”

The First Lot of Bourbon

The “First Lot of Bourbon,” entitled “Freedom,” pays tribute to the most fundamental American value and sets the tone for a series of extraordinary offerings rooted in history and craftsmanship.

The Freedom lot features an exclusive Elijah Craig single-barrel selection experience at Heaven Hill Distillery, inviting the winning bidder to step inside one of Kentucky’s most storied bourbon houses and participate in the deeply personal art of barrel selection. The experience includes guided tastings with distillery experts and the chance to choose a barrel for bottling, a rare opportunity for collectors and bourbon enthusiasts alike.

Elijah Craig is widely credited as the “Father of Bourbon” for allegedly being the first to age whiskey in new, charred oak barrels. Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Rye Whiskey was recently named Whisky Advocate’s  Whisky of the Year, further elevating the significance of this “First Lot of Bourbon” and reinforcing its place among the most prestigious offerings in American whiskey.

“Elijah Craig stands as an enduring symbol of American craftsmanship and ingenuity,” said Max Stefka, Associate Vice President of Global Whiskey Brands, Heaven Hill. “We are honored to showcase what this brand stands for at the Kentucky Bourbon Country Auction with this unforgettable experience that embodies freedom, tradition and the time-honored spirit that connects us all.”

Proceeds from the KBCA will benefit the Bob Woodruff Foundation, supporting veterans, service members and their families, reinforcing the event’s mission to honor America’s native spirit while giving back to those who have protected its freedoms.

For updates, auction lot announcements and ticket information, visit KYBCA.com and follow the Kentucky Bourbon Country Auction on social media.

About the Kentucky Bourbon Country Auction

The Kentucky Bourbon Country Auction and Celebration is a first-of-its-kind gathering honoring Kentucky’s bourbon legacy while giving back to the heroes who protect our nation. Founded in Louisville by Andrew Varga, a longtime spirits industry executive, the inaugural KBCA committee includes bourbon industry luminaries, authors and executives such as America’s CEO- Chief Entertaining Officer Tim Laird and Lori Laird, former PriceWeber VP, Executive Creative Director Larry Profancik and brand strategist Henrietta Pepper. KBCA unites distilleries, chefs and bourbon enthusiasts for three unforgettable days of tastings, events and philanthropy, all “for the greater great.”

Happy New Year!

I hope you all had a great holiday season. While January is a quieter month for distillery visitors, it’s certainly not a quiet month for Whisky!

Our friend, whisky writer, and our country’s most knowledgeable whisky expert Davin de Kergommeaux is in town from Ottawa and is coming to our distillery to present the masterclass The Story of Canadian Whisky along with whisky samples from across the country.

The masterclass will happen on Friday, January 23rd 6pm-8pm. For $50 a ticket, you’ll get a copy of his latest book, The Definitive Guide To Canadian Distilleries and a chance to sample 6 incredible whiskies.

GET MASTERCLASS TICKETS

The Story of Canadian Whisky

Learn the surprising story of one of North America’s best-selling spirits, and the only one that, by law, must be made in Canada (But don’t tell Harry Hatch!)

“The story of its whisky is one of Canada’s greatest adventures yet one of its least known. It is a story populated by odd characters, dedicated craftspeople and more than a few con artists. A story replete with family rivalries, failed dynasties and phenomenally successful ones. One brimming with innovations and brands that still set the pace for whisky and brown spirits globally.

During the pandemic, I settled behind my computer following every new lead in my notes. The result, almost five years later, is another book, one which brings new insights to the story of Canadian whisky, and includes new voices, new distillers, and over a dozen overlooked historical distilleries. 

Canada’s First Distillers – gone and except for the myths, almost forgotten.”

Bio:

Spirits writer, author and presenter

For over a quarter of a century Davin has been researching, writing and publishing articles about whisky and spirits on the web and in consumer magazines. He has contributed chapters to 9 spirits, cocktail and whisky books, such as Michael Jackson’s Whisky, The Oxford Companion to Spirits and Cocktails, Canadian Cocktails, and so on. As well, Penguin Random House has published his four Canadian spirits/Canadian whisky books internationally. Since 2010 his research and writing has focused on Canadian whisky. According to The New York Times “To call Davin de Kergommeaux the soul of Canadian whisky is an understatement—he is its guide, its historian, and its leading advocate.” Davin works independently with no brand affiliations or obligations. They say, “Do something you love, and you will never work again.” For him this means whisky, and his passion to share his knowledge has grown stronger as the years and decades have gone by. 

I hope to see you there if you can make it!
In good spirits,

Brennan Colebank
Owner / Master Distiller

Exciting Online Diploma Update: Dave Broom & Iain Russell

Our Online Diploma in Single Malt Whisky is being refreshed for 2026 and it’s our most exciting update yet. You can expect a newly authored World Whiskies module by Dave Broom, bringing fresh insight, storytelling and decades of global whisky expertise. There’ll be an updated tasting pack curated by Dave, featuring six representative world whisky styles. What’s more, in the History module, you’ll find four fascinating new video discussions with Dave Broom and the respected whisky historian Iain Russell.

Global whisky is evolving faster than ever and this refresh ensures our Diploma remains current, authoritative and world-class, while retaining the depth and rigour candidates expect. It is still SQA-certified and trusted by 450+ candidates since 2021. The updated material launches in early January.

🎬 Watch the Video | 📖 Read the Post