Now. You know we have always focused on trying to create events we would want to go to. All whilst making a space for the whisky curious, so the water of life can be accessible and interesting to everyone.

And you know that we specialise in exposing and nurturing new whiskies, at our events, and the only place you can buy these often new or niche liquids is at our festivals. A fleeting opportunity some might say.

So we have decided it is time to ‘join the dots’…

To that end we are absolutely thrilled to announce that we have created our own TWL online shop, so you can ‘shop the show’ all year round! This features brands and bottlers, that you’ll see at our shows, plus we have exciting plans for ‘TWL Exclusive’ bottlings. We hope you’ll agree this is a worthy endeavour and we really appreciate your ongoing support and future custom as always.

You can explore the online shop by simply clicking the button below. It is a work in progress so you will see it evolve before your very eyes…

Explore the TWL Shop

All of this does mean that you will hear from us more regularly, with updates on new bottlings and ranges. However, we will never litter your inbox on a daily, or even weekly basis, and hopefully you’ll still find what you read to be relevant to you!

We are also delighted to introduce Tom, who you may have seen at recent shows, running the festival shop. He will run our in person and online retail operation, as well as tastings in the North-West…

Speaking of tastings…

TWL WHISKY TASTINGS are BACK! 🎉

And not just anywhere – we’re bringing the good stuff to Manchester, Newcastle, and York, to begin with. Starting this June, we’re relaunching our much-loved regular tastings, and trust us, you won’t want to miss what we’ve got lined up.

Kicking things off with a bang…
We’re teaming up with the fantastic folks at Rare Find (Gleann Mor) for our comeback tour. They’ll be guiding us through their latest releases – and yep, it’s as tasty as it sounds:

🥃 Dailuaine 16yo finished in a Foursquare rum cask
🍷 Glen Garioch 16yo with a Ribera del Duero twist
🍇 Glen Ord 10yo aged in Châteauneuf-du-Pape casks (fancy, eh?)
🥴 A cheeky Secret Lowland 11yo from a rich sherry cask
💛 And a crowd-pleaser: the legendary Aultmore 14yo

First stop:
Manchester – 7th June 2025
The Seven Oaks
Manchester
M1 4HL
7pm-8.30pm

Mark it down, clear your diary, grab your tasting buddies. This is going to be a cracker of an evening – great drams, chilled vibes, and plenty of whisky chat. We’ll be announcing the Newcastle and York dates very soon, so keep your eyes on your inbox (and maybe start planning a road trip?). Ready to join us for a dram or five? Oh, and there’s a £5 off voucher for any purchases on the night for every ticket holder…

Click on the button below to book your spots!

Buy Manchester Tasting Tickets Now!

And if that wasn’t enough for you…

Hot on the heels of this years event, which most would agree was probably the best ever, we are releasing the first Early-Birds for next year’s show. Dets:

Newcastle Whisky Festival 2026
Saturday, March 28th
Civic Centre
Barras Bridge
Newcastle Upon Tyne

Early-birds are the same as last year, so if you want the best deal, buy now!

Buy Newcastle Festival Tickets

Don’t forget to get your tickets for the following festivals, coming up this year too…

Sláinte,

Eddie, Amanda and Tom
The Whisky Lounge Team

Personalised Whisky

a unique whisky gift

We personalised every bottle by hand… Our handwritten labels add a unique and personal touch to your whisky gift.

Every bottle is hand filled and individually dipped in wax to seal it and then we add a label that is hand-written with all the whisky details, date bottled and your name or message.

Choose from a range of single cask whiskies; each one offering its own unique style and flavour. As each whisky come from just one cask, there are a limited number of bottles available. Each whisky is bottled at cask strength, natural colour and with no chill-filtration.

Current Whisky Options…

Free Gift Wrapping…

Your order can be gift wrapped in tissue paper and sent directly to an address in the UK. And we can also include a message on a gift tag or a notecard. Simply tick the box next to the item to add gift options to your basket and we will do the rest.

Diploma at the Port of Leith Distillery 🧡

We’ve still got a few spaces left on our next in-person Diploma in Single Malt Whisky (12 & 13 May) at the stunning Port of Leith Distillery. Join us for an immersive two-day experience where you’ll dive deep into the science, history and craftsmanship behind single malt whisky right in the heart of Edinburgh’s vibrant whisky scene. Whether you’re working in the industry or simply passionate about whisky, this is a rare chance to explore flavour, fermentation and distillation with expert tutor Vic Cameron and other like-minded learners.📖  Learn More

Study whisky: explore your passion, kickstart your career. We are the leading provider of certified Scotch whisky education. 12,000+ candidates globally enjoy our SQA-Approved courses. Learn directly from the experts when you study online or in-person.

Raise a Dram to Dad: Tomatin Distillery Unveils the Ultimate Father’s Day Whisky Gift Guide

Highland distiller Tomatin has recommended the perfect dram for every kind of dad ahead of Father’s Day (Sunday 15 June) – whether he’s a seasoned connoisseur, a thrill-seeking adventurer or a vintage soul who savours the classics.

With a carefully curated selection of single malts – including the richly indulgent 12 Year Old Sherry Cask, the bold and approachable Double Cask, and the luxurious 18 Year Old – Tomatin invites whisky lovers to celebrate what truly matters: time well spent together.

Crafted with care in the Scottish Highlands, each expression embodies Tomatin’s commitment to tradition, flavour and the enduring spirit of community.

For the thrill-seeking dad – Tomatin Double Cask

RRP £37 | ABV 40% | 70cl

Adventurous, open-minded and always up for something new, Tomatin Double Cask is the go-to gift for dads who embrace life with arms wide open. Matured in ex-bourbon and ex-Oloroso sherry casks, it’s bold, balanced and full of personality – the perfect companion for dads who prefer the scenic route, whether hiking through the Highlands or tackling new taste frontiers.

Available from Tesco and Amazon.

For the retro dad – Tomatin 12 Year Old Sherry Cask

RRP £50 | ABV 40% | 70cl

For the dad who loves old-school charm and enduring quality, Tomatin 12 Year Old Sherry Cask is a classic reborn. Fully matured in sherry casks for 12 years, it delivers a nostalgic richness with modern flair. Think warm memories, Sunday roasts, and tales of “how it used to be” – this dram is as comforting and characterful as the man himself.

Available at https://tomatin.com/shop and specialist whisky retailers.

For the connoisseur dad – Tomatin 18 Year Old

RRP £126 | ABV 46% | 70cl

Tomatin 18 Year Old is a dram for those who know – and love – their whisky. Rich, complex and award-winning, this expression is matured in traditional oak and first fill Oloroso sherry butts, delivering a depth and sophistication that make it the jewel of Tomatin’s core range. Ideal for dads with refined taste, an appreciation for the finer things, and a whisky shelf worth showing off.

Available at https://tomatin.com/shop and specialist whisky retailers.

For more Father’s Day inspiration, visit https://tomatin.com.

Tasting notes 

Tomatin Double Cask tasting notes 

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 18 Year Old 

Nose: VORS Oloroso Sherry; dried apricot, plum, nougat and distinctive nutty tones. Sweet notes of vanilla fudge and cinnamon baked pears are balanced with a faint suggestion of cigar box and leather-bound books.

Palate: A wonderful marriage of Oloroso Sherry and well-aged Tomatin provides bursts of tropical fruit and mellow savoury notes. Incredibly complex with marmalade, cooked apple, butterscotch and granola, cocoa powder and salted caramel all coming through.

Finish: Full bodied and rich with continued nutty undertones and uplifting orange zest lingering on the palate.

Notes

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/

Launch of the 7th Annual

Scottish Whisky Awards

We are thrilled to announce the launch of the 7th Annual Scottish Whisky Awards — Scotland’s national celebration of excellence in whisky production.

Over the past six years, the Scottish Whisky Awards have grown to become a benchmark of quality, craftsmanship, and innovation across our world-famous whisky industry. This year, we are proud to continue that tradition, shining a spotlight on the outstanding people, products and places that make Scotch whisky a true global icon.

Whether you are a distillery entering your latest creation, a brand championing tradition with a modern twist, or part of the team behind the scenes, this is your chance to be recognised on Scotland’s biggest Scotch Whisky stage.

Check out our entry guide.

LOST LANTERN LAUNCHES MONTHLY DISCOVERY CLUB TO SHOWCASE RISING STARS OF AMERICAN WHISKEY

Members-Only Exclusive Bottlings, Insider Access, and More

Vergennes, VT (May 1, 2025)— Lost Lantern, an award-winning independent bottler known for highlighting innovative and noteworthy whiskies from distilleries across the United States, is delighted to announce the launch of the Lost Lantern Discovery Club, a subscription-based monthly whiskey club designed to help whiskey lovers discover emerging stars and hidden gems in American whiskey.

Every month, Discovery Club members will receive a new, never-before-released Lost Lantern bottling from a rising star or lesser-known distillery that is breaking new ground in the whiskey world. Members will experience firsthand the innovation and diversity shaping American whiskey today. These bottles will be exclusive to Discovery Club members and will not be released any other way.

“Our goal with the Discovery Club is to share our journey of exploration with whiskey enthusiasts,” says Adam Polonski, Lost Lantern Co-Founder and Head of Whiskey Sourcing. “I visit every distillery we work with, and I’m constantly discovering exceptional whiskies from innovative distilleries all across the country. The Discovery Club is our way of sharing these whiskies and these stories directly with passionate whiskey drinkers.”

Membership Details:

• Monthly membership is $90 plus shipping
• Signup bottle shipped upon Discovery Club purchase
• Members receive a new 750ml Discovery Club release every month
• Discovery Club releases are exclusively available to members
• Behind-the-scenes stories and insights into featured distilleries
• Invitations to exclusive events, virtual tastings, and conversations with partner distilleries hosted by Adam Polonski
• Early access to all new Lost Lantern releases
• Access to Discovery Club library bottlings

Beginning May 1, visit the Lost Lantern website to sign up for membership. The initial signup bottle and first monthly release will feature whiskies from two of Lost Lantern’s most sought-after partners. The following 12 monthly releases will come from distilleries Lost Lantern has never previously collaborated with, many of which are only available in one or two states. Club releases will span a wide range of American whiskey styles, with about half being bourbons.

Members (limited initially to a maximum of 180 people) will also benefit from flexible account management options, including the ability to add additional bottles from the Lost Lantern shop, delay or skip shipments, or pause and cancel their subscription at any time. The Club will be available to customers in states where Lost Lantern can ship through its website, as well as at the Lost Lantern Tasting Room in Vermont.

The Discovery Club underscores Lost Lantern’s commitment to transparency, quality, and exploration, offering a unique opportunity to explore the breadth of American whiskey’s evolving landscape.

For more information or to sign up, visit HERE .

ABOUT LOST LANTERN

Founded by Nora Ganley-Roper and Adam Polonski, Lost Lantern is an award-winning independent bottler of American whiskey based in Vergennes, VT. The brand has been honored as Independent Bottler of the Year at the 2023 Global Icons of Whisky Awards, and founders Nora and Adam were both named to Beverage Information Group’s 40 Under 40 list for 2025 and named to SevenFifty Daily’s 2023 Drinks Innovators of the Year. The company seeks out the most unique and exciting whiskies from across the U.S. and releases them as single casks and blends, always with a deep commitment to transparency. Lost Lantern has now released whiskey from more than three dozen distilleries in over 20 states.

For more information about Lost Lantern, to learn about upcoming, available, and retired whiskies, to visit the tasting room, or to subscribe to Lost Lantern’s newsletter, please visit LostLanternWhiskey.com. Engage with Lost Lantern Whiskey on Instagram and Facebook: @lostlanternwhiskey.

LAPHROAIG ELEMENTS 3 ROADSHOW!

4 venues, 5 incredible drams, 1 iconic brand
and the UK’s number one whisky retailer!

Join The Laphroaig Brand Ambassador this May for an exclusive tasting of The Laphoraig range, in our latest exciting tour at The Whisky Shop. Tickets are £35 and can be redeemed against the purchase of any 70cl bottle of The Laphroaig Elements range and lineup in store on the night.

The Whisky Shop is the exclusive retail launch partner for Laphroaig Elements 3 so to be the first in UK to sample this amazing liquid; pop along to one our events or pick up a bottle online or in store from 9th May.

The evening of all things Laphroaig, which will be hosted by Brand Ambassador Liv Jackson, will feature tastings of not only their new and exciting L3.0, but also a host of other delicious Laphroaig drams including Elements 1 & 2, 10 Year Old Sherry and 18 Year Old.

Starting in Manchester on Wednesday 14th May, Leeds on Friday 16th with Glasgow and Edinburgh the following week on Wednesday (21st) and Thursday (22nd).

These events are incredibly popular with some venues already close to selling out already, so hurry to ensure that you can join these exciting exclusive events in your local area.

BOOK YOUR TICKET TODAY! >

Free Next Day Delivery for 12 Months For just £14.95 you can enjoy free next day delivery on all your orders for a whole year! Geographic restrictions apply, see full T&Cs. Find out more ❯

We have teamed up with our good friends at Fettercairn, the pride of the Highlands, to offer this amazing prize! Until midday on Wednesday 13th May, 3 lucky winners will have the chance to experience life at an exclusive VIP event with Fettercairn at the Chelsea Flower Show on 22nd May 2025.  Travel and accommodation is included so you can relax and enjoy the occasion!

So, what do you have to do?

It is really simple.  Pick up a 70cl bottle of Fettercairn 16 Year Old or one of our qualifying Fettercairn expressions before midday on Wednesday 13 May and you could be enjoying a special tasting in the company of Distillery Manager Stewart Walker!

Good Luck!!

EXPLORE FETTERCAIRN HIGHLAND WHISKY! >

Free Next Day Delivery for 12 Months For just £14.95 you can enjoy free next day delivery on all your orders for a whole year! Geographic restrictions apply, see full T&Cs. Find out more ❯

McMillan Coppersmiths in Prestonpans

Our Founder Kirsty McKerrow recently toured McMillan Coppersmiths in Prestonpans, guided by EWA alumni Olga Gordon and expert coppersmith Declan Rutherford. A rare, up-close look at the craft behind the copper… and the flavour. We look forward to returning in the summer to film material for some exciting future projects (more details to come). 📖 Read the Post

Study whisky: explore your passion, kickstart your career. We are the leading provider of certified Scotch whisky education. 12,000+ candidates globally enjoy our SQA-Approved courses. Learn directly from the experts when you study online or in-person.

Vic Cameron, one of our whisky lecturers says: “Phenols are the chemicals that we get in our peat smoke, that attach themselves onto the malt and then go through the distillation process into our whisky and gives us the peaty, smoky medicinal flavours that we get in our Lagavulin, Lahproaig and our Ardbeg.”

🎬 Watch the Video | 📖 Read the Post

Study whisky: explore your passion, kickstart your career. We are the leading provider of certified Scotch whisky education. 12,000+ candidates globally enjoy our SQA-Approved courses. Learn directly from the experts when you study online or in-person.