Glen Scotia unveils ‘Campbeltown Malts Festival 2025’ limited edition whisky

Multi-award winning Campbeltown distillery, Glen Scotia has revealed its 2025 Festival Edition in celebration of the Campbeltown Malts Festival, the annual event which draws whisky lovers from around the world to discover the region’s rich whisky-making heritage.

The Campbeltown Malts Festival 2025 release is a charmingly unconventional dram, in keeping with Glen Scotia’s yearly festival bottlings, which are renowned for bringing bold and intriguing flavours and creating an element of surprise.

The new 9-year-old single malt is heavily peated, a unique offering from Glen Scotia which dedicates just four weeks each year to its peated spirit production.

After being fully matured in first-fill bourbon barrels, the whisky has been finished for five months in the finest Ribera del Duero red wine casks, directly sourced from the prestigious wine-making region in Spain.

This process results in vibrant flavours of ripe red fruits, juicy blackberry and a whisper of liquorice, each layer adding to the whisky’s complex character. Glen Scotia’s distinctive maritime style is also present, unfolding with notes of creamy vanilla overlaid with rich peat smoke.

The Campbeltown Malts Festival 2025 edition also returns with a unique on-pack experience, offering an insight into the distillery and the incredible journey to Campbeltown that makes the festival so special each year.

By scanning the on-pack QR code, fans will be able to experience the magical journey to the ‘Wee Toon’ with three of Scotland’s top travel influencers as they embark on the beautiful voyage to the distillery’s Campbeltown home.

Whisky lovers will have the chance to join Chris Lawlor (@chrispaullawlor) who was voted Scottish Travel Influencer of the Year 2024, Graeme Johncock (@scotlands_stories) and Barbara Gajewska (@discovermyscotland) as they travel the remarkable Kintyre peninsula by foot, sea and road.

Available to purchase online and in specialist retailers globally, Glen Scotia’s Campbeltown Malts Festival 2025 release is non-chill filtered, bottled at cask strength (54.3% ABV) and retails for £68.

Iain McAlister, Glen Scotia master distiller and distillery manager, said: “This year’s Festival Release promises a unique experience that will transport you straight to Campbeltown with your first sip. As well as delivering the maritime and salinity notes synonymous with Glen Scotia, this whisky also provides an element of surprise as it develops on the palate. The finish brings a bold burst of vibrant flavour from the Ribera del Duero red wine casks which is a distinctive pairing with the heavy peat.

“The virtual on-pack experience also offers something really special this year – our remote home on the Kintyre peninsula makes for a wild and beautiful journey that not everyone is able to take. Now people can experience what it’s like to make the spectacular journey to Campbeltown with a selection of Scotland’s top travel content creators.

“There’s no better way to savour a dram of this year’s limited edition single malt than by embarking on an unforgettable journey, whether by road, foot, or sea and we look forward to welcoming Glen Scotia fans who are making this journey to join us at the 2025 Campbeltown Malts Festival.”

Glen Scotia’s events at this year’s Campbeltown Malts Festival (20 and 21 May) will see some of its finest drams poured and will celebrate the town’s past as the former ‘Victorian Whisky Capital of the World’. The distillery will present a range of both ticketed and free events which celebrate the region’s rich history and connection to its distilling past.

Among the Glen Scotia experiences on offer, visitors will have the chance to explore the components of the Campbeltown Malts Festival 2025 edition during a deconstructed tasting with Global Brand Ambassador Gary Mills. They will also be able to celebrate a decade of Glen Scotia’s world-famous Victoriana single malt with an in-depth tasting hosted by Master Blender Ashley Smith. Finally, guests will discover the magic of the Glen Scotia Dunnage Warehouse in an exclusive tasting with Master Distiller Iain McAlister.

For further information on the Campbeltown Malts Festival 2025 bottling or this year’s festival, visit: www.glenscotia.com/

Tasting notes:

Nose: Swirling peat smoke, coastal salinity with creamy vanilla.

Palette: Vibrant juicy blackberries and red fruits with luscious oils.

Finish: Soft smoke with a velvety mouthfeel.

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, carefully creating the subtly maritime Campbeltown style the brand has become world-famous for.

Recognition of Glen Scotia’s style and craftsmanship continues to be acknowledged globally.

• In 2021, Glen Scotia’s 25-Year-Old single malt was awarded ‘Best In Show Whisky’ at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Over 3,800 entries across thirty-one categories were judged with Glen Scotia being awarded the overall winner across all countries and styles. Only seven months later, Glen Scotia was also named Scottish Whisky Distillery of the Year at the Scottish Whisky Awards 2021.
• In 2022, Glen Scotia’s Victoriana won ‘Best In Class’ in the Distillers’ Single Malt Scotch – No Age Statement category at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
• In 2023, Glen Scotia won ‘Best Single Cask Single Malt’ at the World Whiskies Awards for a single cask bottling distilled in 2009 and aged for 13 years exclusively in a first-fill bourbon barrel.
• Later that same year, Glen Scotia’s 25-Year-Old won a coveted Platinum award at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2023, which is awarded to the very few entries that receive a Double Gold medal for three consecutive years at the prestigious global event.
• In 2024, Glen Scotia received a number of prestigious awards across its range of single malt whiskies, including Platinum titles at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2024 for both Glen Scotia Victoriana and Glen Scotia 25 Year Old.

Each expression within The Macallan’s single malt whisky portfolio is a multi-faceted sensorial experience. Embark on a journey of discovery and explore the depth of flavour in our Sherry Oak and Double Cask whiskies. The Double Cask Collection is a complex sensorial journey. Beautifully balanced by European and American Oak, sherry seasoned in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain.

EXCEPTIONAL CRAFTSMANSHIP
DOUBLE CASK COLLECTION

DOUBLE CASK 15 YEARS OLD

Notes of butterscotch, apple and sweet spice.

DOUBLE CASK 18 YEARS OLD

Notes of treacle toffee, sweet ginger and sultanas.

A SENSORIAL JOURNEY
SHERRY OAK COLLECTION

The Sherry Oak Collection is a timeless sensorial journey. Beautifully led by European Oak, sherry seasoned in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain.

SHERRY OAK 18 YEARS OLD

Savour a full bodied range of flavours with this expression including stem ginger, soaked raisins, sticky dates and dark chocolate.

SHERRY OAK 25 YEARS OLD

Notes of raisin, ginger and rich oak.

SHERRY OAK 30 YEARS OLD

Notes of ginger, orange and wood spice.

 EXPLORE THE SINGLE MALTS

Tomatin Distillery cooper named among world’s best with prestigious award win

Allan Bartlett, cooper at Highland distiller Tomatin, has been named ‘Cooper of the Year’ at the 2025 Icons of Whisky Awards.

Allan has been coopering at Tomatin Distillery for 21 years, including five years of training under the distillery’s former head cooper, Iain Duthie, who served for 39 years.

Allan previously won ‘Cooper of the Year for Scotland’ in the 2025 Icons of Whisky regional awards, before progressing to take the global title.

Allan is only the third person to take home the prestigious ‘Cooper of the Year’ accolade in the 19-year history of the awards, and the second from a Scotch whisky distillery. Introduced in 2023, the coveted award was won by Andy Moore from Loch Lomond Distillery in its inaugural year, and by Rafa Cabello from Casknolia in Spain’s Andalusia region in 2024.

As part of his role as Tomatin Distillery’s cooper, Allan is responsible for inspecting each and every cask before it is filled and making repairs when required. In his time at Tomatin Distillery, Allan has worked on more than 37,000 carefully selected casks.

Tomatin is one of just four distilleries in Scotland to have an on-site cooperage. This facility is essential to the distillery’s first-class maturation policy, which begins with the cask. By bringing barrel repairs in-house, Tomatin can closely guard its reputation for quality and work with a wider range of suppliers than most other distilleries.

As well as purchasing casks from cooperages, Tomatin also works directly with wineries, breweries and distilleries to source barrels for maturing its exceptional Highland single malt, allowing the expert team to produce a diverse range of whiskies.

Allan Bartlett, cooper at Tomatin, said: “To be internationally recognised by the Icons of Whisky Awards as a leading figure in the industry is a real privilege, and I’m thrilled to take this award home to Tomatin Distillery. I wouldn’t be here without Iain Duthie, who taught me the tricks of the trade.

“Coopering is a traditional craft which requires care, commitment and skill, taking years to master. I’m proud to play a role in preserving this important part of Scotch whisky heritage at Tomatin.”

With a proud heritage dating back to the 15th century, Tomatin has been a home for the whisky-making team’s dedicated craftsmen and their families since the current distillery was established in 1897.

Run by the team at Whisky Magazine, the Icons of Whisky awards aim to celebrate the best and brightest people and places in the sector.

For more information, visit https://tomatin.com.

About Tomatin Distillery

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’s success continued when the distillery’s ‘Legacy’ was awarded Gold at IWSC. That same year, Tomatin also 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.

At the 2024 IWSC Awards, Tomatin Legacy was awarded the IWSC Trophy for no age statement single malt Scotch, demonstrating its exceptional quality as best in class.

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/

THE GLENALLACHIE CROWNED WORLD’S BEST

SINGLE MALT TWICE IN QUICK SUCCESSION

 Prestigious World Whiskies Awards handed out its top

accolade to the brand’s 12-year-old single malt

Leading independent Scotch whisky brand The GlenAllachie has been named the World’s Best Single Malt at the World Whiskies Awards for the second time, with its 12-year-old expression claiming the title.

Owned by industry veteran and qualified chemist Billy Walker, whose career in whisky spans 53 years, the Speyside-based distillery previously won the same title in 2021 with its 10-year-old Cask Strength Batch 4 single malt.

The GlenAllachie is the only Scottish whisky brand to win the hotly contested commendation since 2017, with recent winners coming from England, Israel and Japan.

The distillery, built in 1967, produced whisky destined for premium blends until Walker acquired it in 2017.

Since its core range of single malts was launched in 2018, the brand has experienced exponential growth thanks to Walker’s unparalleled reputation and is now distributed to over 50 countries globally.

The GlenAllachie has become renowned for its “heather honey house style” and Sherry-forward maturation regime.

The award-winning 12-year-old (UK RRSP £58) was matured on-site in Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso Sherry, red wine and virgin oak casks.

According to the judges, the result is a flavour profile of “dried apple, gourmet chutney, orange zest, nutmeg and cinnamon.”

Commenting on the exceptional achievement, Walker shares:

“The whole GlenAllachie team are absolutely thrilled at this extraordinary endorsement of the 12-year-old: our flagship expression. When we took the reins at the distillery almost 8 years ago, it was beyond our wildest dreams that a previously low-profile whisky would be crowned the world’s best single malt twice – especially within such a short timeframe.

“At The GlenAllachie, we’re all about offering quality whiskies at approachable prices, and so the fact it’s our signature bottling within our core range that has scooped this top accolade highlights this. This wonderful news will only further motivate our expert team to continue our pursuit of absolute perfection, not absolute consistency. Our whisky is in the best possible hands.”

The GlenAllachie 12-year-old is available worldwide via specialist retailers (more information) and online here.

ABOUT GLENALLACHIE:

At The GlenAllachie, each decision in creating our award-winning Speyside single malt merges logic with instinct. In the experienced hands of legendary whisky maker Billy Walker, a culture of precision, patience and perseverance has been instilled in his small yet accomplished team of whisky experts.

Being independent offers us the freedom to prioritise what matters most: quality. The pursuit is not of consistency, but perfection. Never resting on our laurels, we work tirelessly to refine and enhance each batch of whisky, striving to better the last.

The result of seamlessly coordinated collaboration is a range of carefully crafted and cask-perfected whiskies, each personally approved by Billy. With a quietly confident team of passionate whisky enthusiasts behind The GlenAllachie, you can be sure we have our whisky in good hands.

Our other brands are Meikle Tòir Peated Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky, MacNair’s Boutique House of Spirits—which encompasses Lum Reek Blended Malt Scotch Whisky and Exploration Rum—and White Heather Blended Scotch Whisky.

Further information on the distillery and company can be found at www.theglenallachie.com

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 TASTING NOTES: 

The GlenAllachie 12-year-old – 46% ABV

• Colour: Deep Amber.
• Nose: Hints of dark chocolate, treacle and heather honey, with cinnamon, espresso and sticky raisins in the background.
• Taste: Marzipan and orchard fruit tones, followed by warming mocha, butterscotch and grated nutmeg.

THE SEASONS: SPRING & COMPLIMENTARY TASTING

We’re delighted to present the fourth and final entry into our exclusive collection. The Seasons: Spring is made up of three single cask whiskies, selected to evoke nature waking up after a long winter. These are elegant, expressive whiskies that are perfect for sharing on the first warm and sunny days of the year.

DISCOVER

The Seasons: Spring is available to taste in-store at any of our London shops.

SHOPS

Ever wondered what goes into making the casks that shape your favourite drams? Now’s your chance to find out! Join us at the historic Dallas Dhu Distillery for a hands-on whisky experience like no other — Build Your Own Whisky Cask!

Under the expert guidance of our very own Cooper, Jason Taylor, you’ll roll up your sleeves and try your hand at constructing a whisky cask. Experience the time-honoured craft of cooperage, a skill passed down through generations and essential to the whisky-making process.

After your hard work, relax and reward yourself with three expertly matured drams, while Jason shares his knowledge and stories about this ancient craft.

📍 Dallas Dhu Distillery

🥃 3 x 2cl drams

🙌 In-store discounts

EXPLORE & BOOK

A chance to visit Tamnavulin, home to the world’s fastest-growing single malt, for a very special experience

As part of the Spirit of Speyside festival, Tamnavulin Distillery is opening its doors to a limited number of visitors in early May. Tamnavulin is only open to the public for the festival, making this a unique opportunity to visit a well-loved Speyside distillery and discover more about the single malt with double flavour.

Visitors will follow the journey of a single grain of barley, from seed to sip, and enjoy a tasting of specially chosen whiskies, whilst hearing from the whisky making team about the inspiration behind different expressions. Those who visit during the Spirit of Speyside festival will also be able to purchase whiskies directly from the distillery.

There are limited tickets left for the classic Tamnavulin tour, perfect for those new to its whiskies. An exploration of the Tamnavulin range, this tour includes a paired chocolate tasting from award-winning Highland Chocolatier, Iain Burnett. Tickets are selling out fast and can be purchased here: Tamnavulin Discovery Tour and Tasting Experience – Buy tickets

Already sold out is the Aged and Rare tour, designed for Tamnavulin enthusiasts who want to delve into Tamnavulin’s ageing process and the complex flavours and character in these rare whiskies.

Kirsty Hodge, Blender at Tamnavulin has hand selected the expressions that visitors will taste during the Spirit of Speyside tours. Kirsty said: “I am looking forward to welcoming whisky lovers to Tamnavulin. As we are not normally open to visitors this is a rare chance to see our distillery and discover the magic of Tamnavulin. We have some amazing casks waiting to be discovered, so this is an unmissable experience for fans and those new to Tamnavulin to sample some fantastic whiskies.”

About Tamnavulin:

Tamnavulin, named after the Gaelic term for ‘Mill on the Hill,’ draws its identity from the 16th-century woollen mill that once graced its historic site. It stands as the embodiment of the quintessential Speyside malt. Established in 1966 in the tranquil village of Tamnavulin, Scotland, the distillery’s journey has been one of both tradition and revival. Though the distillery closed its doors in 1995, it was brought back to life and meticulously restored in 2007. Since then, Tamnavulin has been dedicated to crafting exceptional single malt whisky that captures the true essence of Speyside—sweet, smooth, and fruity.

Nestled in the heart of Speyside, a region renowned for housing over half of Scotland’s malt whisky distilleries, Tamnavulin benefits from an environment perfectly suited for whisky production. Speyside’s unique microclimate, with its temperate conditions, provides the ideal setting for whisky maturation, while the region’s plentiful water sources contribute to the whisky’s purity and character. Inspired by this extraordinary location, Tamnavulin expertly marries time-honoured distilling traditions with cutting-edge techniques to craft its signature double cask matured Speyside malt—offering a single malt experience with twice the flavour and depth.

Discover Scotland’s hidden gems.

This year’s Spirit of Toronto is your invitation to explore the lesser-travelled roads of Scotland and its whiskies — drams from distilleries that may not seek the spotlight, but whose spirits fully deserve it.

This is the year to explore the uncompromising craft of Benromach, one of Speyside’s last truly handmade single malts. To taste the bold new voice of Lagg, bringing peated power from the Isle of Arran. To experience Lochlea, a genuine farm distillery crafting single malt from barley grown on its own Ayrshire fields — field to glass, with unmistakable integrity.

And to discover Fettercairn, whose tropical fruits and distinctive copper cooling ring make it one of Scotland’s most quietly original distilleries.

You’ll encounter the unapologetically progressive Bruichladdich, a Victorian distillery guided by terroir, transparency, and radical experimentation — while offering something for every palate, from unpeated elegance to extreme peat.

And then there’s Jura, an island outpost with a cult following, offering evocative, coastal drams that reward slow contemplation. These are the distilleries that fly under the radar — rarely discussed, often overlooked, and all the more rewarding for it. Because Spirit of Toronto isn’t just about the names everyone knows. It’s also about the ones waiting to be discovered.

One night. Infinite discovery.

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GASTRONOMIC EXPERIENCE

A modern metropolis expressed in a menu. The Roca brothers, owners of El Celler de Can Roca, draw inspiration from Joan Roca’s immersion in the dynamic, cosmopolitan essence of Hong Kong and artfully translate the spirit of the city into a culinary exploration.

Their creations mirror the urban landscape of Hong Kong and evoke connections and emotions. The towering skyscrapers, the resolute strength, the vibrant hues and the pulsating energy all manifest in a menu that is a symphony for the senses where flavours and aromas unite to distil the spirit of this dynamic metropolis.

READ MORE

New Maltstock Logo

We started Maltstock 15 editions ago sharing the love for whisky and people. All this time our logo has been a colorful circle.

Annette, Bob, Klaas, Stan and Teun

We have come full circle now with people finding love at Maltstock! Lita has been our highly appreciated member of our crew since the very first edition. Jurgen started as very relaxed guest and has been a fantastic member of our crew now for many years. A couple of weeks ago they had a wonderful wedding and fantastic party! Making them the relaxed whisky couple? 😉

In honour of Lita and Jürgen marrying we decided to change our logo for 2025! Here is it, you can’t miss it as we continue the spread our message of relaxed love!

So we have decided to change our logo. Celebrating the love. The world can use some more love anyway.

• The love for whisky.
• The love for sharing.
• The love for people.
• The love for making new friends.
• The love for meeting old friends.
• The love for fun.
• The love for relaxed

Whisky brings people together and we love that! We hope you all love our new logo.

Buy your Maltstock ticket Now