The best of Burns Night

If you’re celebrating on 25 January, we’ve got the bottles for you.

Scots all around the world mark Burns Night on 25 January. The birthday of national poet Robert Burns, it’s a time for verse, haggis, and, of course, a dram or two. Looking for a bottle? We’ve got just the picks.

From Lochlea Our Barley (made on the very same farm Burns called home!) to Bowmore 12 Year Old, Craigellachie 13 Year Old to our very own Chain Pier bottling, our very own Chain Pier bottling, our selection offers the perfect snapshot of Scotch

Discover Burns Night recommendations

Do you have the gift of verse?

This Burns Night, we invite you to weave your words into the heart of Glengoyne’s legacy. Inspired by the devotion of Robert Burns and the artistry of our slow-crafted Highland Single Malt, your poem could become part of our timeless tradition.

Vivienne, our Distillery Ambassador, recites a poem written by the team which invites you share your poem to celebrate Burns Night.

The triumphant poet will be honoured with a bottle of our exquisite Glengoyne 25 Year Old, two Glengoyne Crystal Cut Nosing Glasses and two spaces on our Malt Master Tour.

Unveil your creativity and submit your poem, inspired by Glengoyne, by midnight on January 22, 2025. The winning entry will be revealed on January 24, 2025. This competition welcomes entries from around the globe.

We are eager to read your thoughtful and eloquent entries.

SUBMIT YOUR POEM

Exclusive Warehouse Tastings and Another Three Historic Bottles 

We are hosting two straight from the cask tastings here at our warehouse in Dalgety Bay.

2 pm, 1 March 2025 @ LOTG Warehouse, Dalgety Bay, Fife

The first tasting of 5 drams at the warehouse is a Jolly Toper charity event for a select few fans. The tickets can be purchased from our website. Profits go to the Love Oliver charity. To find out more or donate please check out their website.

First Session 11 am and Second Session 3pm 2 March 2025 @ LOTG Warehouse, Dalgety Bay, Fife

The second tasting of 6 drams at the warehouse is in conjunction with Fife Whisky Festival. A free bus is available from the Dalgety train station. Tickets can be purchased from the Fife Whisky Festival Website.

We have also added another 3 historic LOTG bottles to our website. If you missed out on them the first time or enjoyed it so much you want another one – now is the time. Please see our website for these limited  bottles. We have just added:

Caol Ila 6 year old PX Octave Finish
Port Dundas 17 year old Refill Butt with ex-Oloroso Sherry Finish
Glen Moray 12 year old ex-Amarone barrique

Victoria’s Macaloney’s Island Distillery wins CANADIAN WHISKY OF THE YEAR at 2025 CANADIAN WHISKY AWARDS

In all, 45 Canadian whisky producers were honoured at the prestigious 15th annual event

VICTORIA, B.C. (January 17, 2025) – Macaloney’s Island Distillery took home Canadian Whisky of the Year honours for its Peat Project Moscatel Barrique single malt, at the 2025 Canadian Whisky Awards, held Thursday, January 16, in Victoria, B.C. The 100% malted barley whisky received the top overall score from a panel of 14 judges, who tasted and scored around 200 competing whiskies in blind tastings.

The whisky was distilled using local barley and peat-smoked at the distillery, then matured in a European Moscatel wine barrique. “This remarkably well-balanced whisky, fully matured while brightly youthful, shows a tightly woven interplay of sweet malt, discrete fruitiness, brisk peppers and of course, peat smoke,” says Davin de Kergommeaux, chair of the judging panel and author of Canadian Whisky: The Essential Portable Expert.

De Kergommeaux added: “Canada’s distillers are bringing new practices, sensibilities and flavours to the Canadian whisky landscape, and now, for the first time ever, a Canadian peated single malt whisky distillery has won Canadian Whisky of the Year.”

Canadian Whisky of the Year was just one of more than two dozen awards presented at this year’s 15^th annual edition of the Canadian Whisky Awards. A selection of the honours includes:

• Alternative Grain Whisky of the Year – Wayne Gretzky Distillery Single Grain Oats – Craftsmanship Series
• Blended Whisky of the Year – Signal Hill Founders Select Overproof Whisky
• Corn Whisky of the Year – Bearface Triple Oak Canadian Whisky
• Best Barrel Finished Whisky and Limited Expression – Bridgeland Distillery Glenbow, Canadian Single Malt Whisky, Port Finish
• Rye Whisky of the Year – Sons of Vancouver Distillery Realms of Rye – Release No. 01 ‘Citrus & Botanicals’
• Best Whisky, International Market – Crown Royal Hand Selected Barrel
• Best Whisky Aged 9-15 Years – Alberta Distillers Rare Batch Issue No.1
• Best Cask Strength Whisky – Two Brewers Release 45
• Brand Ambassador of the Year – Chris Thompson, Forty Creek
• Best Whisky Broadcast, Podcast, or Video Series – Mark Gillespie, WhiskyCast

Held annually since 2010 during Victoria Whisky Festival, the Canadian Whisky Awards recognizes the very best Canadian whiskies. An independent panel of experts scores each whisky in blind tastings, based on ranking criteria that reflect the industry’s highest standards.

The Canadian Whisky Awards is fully independent of the Canadian whisky industry. Only whiskies that were distilled and matured in Canada are eligible to compete. The Canadian Whisky Awards Gala in Victoria is grateful to this year’s presenting sponsor, Spirits Canada.

For more information and the full results of the 2025 Canadian Whisky Awards, visit canadianwhiskyawards.com.

CELEBRATING

 25 YEARS 

OF COMPASS BOX  

Since 2000, we’ve been on a mission to make the world of Scotch a more interesting place. To challenge, to experiment, and to push the boundaries of what blended whisky can be – from the liquid on the inside, to the design on the outside and beyond.

Today’s note is a recap of last year and a preview of what is to come. It’s our way of saying: thank you for being part of our first 25 years, here’s to everything the next 25 will bring.

2024

IN REVIEW  

We unveiled a new Core Collection of four whiskies to bring balance and complexity into sharper focus. The collection is a journey through the flavour territories of Scotch, with each whisky available year-round.

We start with Orchard House, a spirit-driven blended malt that invites you for a drink outside amongst the fruit trees. From there we move to Nectarosity where whisky meets patisserie to take our long-held reverence for American oak casks further than ever before. Our journey then sweeps us back to the rugged Scottish coast for The Peat Monster, a graceful colossus enveloped in smoky whispers and velvety richness. Before we finally arrive at Crimson Casks, a king of whiskies that showcases the transformative power of Oloroso sherry casks.

With this new chapter underway, The Spice Tree and The Story of The Spaniard have gracefully entered retirement and Hedonism has stepped back from its daily duties. For the hedonists among you, rest assured that the first whisky from Compass Box endures as a Limited Annual Release, the first of which launched in February 2024, adorned with captivating artwork by Stephanie Rew. More soon on what 2025’s Hedonism will bring.

2025

IN PREVIEW 

This year’s Limited Edition releases will push what’s possible to the extreme. Our aim with these whiskies is to create interesting things, because interesting rules. It’s good, it’s provocative, it’s delicious and it matters.

Interesting comes from being curious, going against the grain, and finding ideas in divergent worlds: art, music, metropolises, science, food, places and people. These are just some of the areas we take our Whiskymaking inspiration from and, moving forward, this newsletter will be your window into that world of interestingness. It will provide a collection of thoughts, stories, and secrets that overthrow the boring, ditch the vanilla, and dive straight into the colourful detail.

This year, we say Long Live Interesting. Embrace the bold and the unexpected, because when you do, the world becomes infinitely interesting. As does your whisky glass.

INTERESTED?

The best way to be interesting is to be interested. And so, what’s interesting you at the moment? A song, a design, an idea, a dish, a city, a craft? This is your invitation to come and tell us…

Compass Box Whisky 3 Water Lane, Richmond, TW9 1TJ

Our New Film Is A Must-Watch For Bowmore’s Fans

The latest documentary from Whisky Magazine, Bowmore: The Making Of A Legend, explores the origins of whisky making on Islay and charts the history of Bowmore Distillery from its earliest beginnings to today.

With interest in Bowmore more intense than ever before, we thought the time was right to sit down with the educators, visionaries, makers, and locals who know the story best to discover how this small Islay distillery became a Scotch whisky icon.

Click the button below to watch the film today. Don’t forget to comment on the video and give it a thumbs up—we’d love to hear your thoughts. Your feedback helps us create content you’ll enjoy.

WATCH NOW

We’re already two weeks + into 2025, how did that happen!?

Firstly, a very Happy New Year to you. We hope you enjoyed the festive break, and that this year brings you happiness, health and a really good dram or two.

If you’ve been hit with a bit of the January blues, don’t worry. We’ve got some winter warmers to bring back your glow this month.

Our Visitor Centre is open from Wednesday to Sunday, 10am – 4pm, so why not come and visit us for a tour, tasting, or even a coffee. We’re 100% dog friendly and would be delighted to welcome you and your four-legged friends into the warmth of the distillery. Don’t forget, we’ve got a super offer on the Lindores Day Out voucher (two tours, tasting and charcuterie platter) which is available to purchase here for just £40 (usually £80!).

On Saturday 25th January we’ll be hosting our annual Burns Night celebration and you’re invited! Join us for a hearty plate of haggis, neeps and tatties; an address to the haggis; a piper and a dram of Lindores raised to Robert Burns. There will be entertainment for all and it promises to be a thoroughly enjoyable night. Tickets are £20 per head which includes your supper and a dram. They can be purchased at the distillery or online here.

We’ll be opening up our Legacy Bar from 5:30pm on Friday 31st January for anyone who wishes to join us for our monthly bar night. We’ll have a food truck onsite, so come down for a drink and something to eat without having to worry about the washing up! No booking required.

If you’d like something to enjoy in the comfort of your own home, don’t forget that all our bottles are available to order online, including our newest additions, the 50ml and 200ml Casks of Lindores series – perfect for gifting or drinking!

So really, January isn’t looking all that bad after all! We hope you stay warm and look forward to seeing you soon.

Slàinte Mhath!

Discover Your Passion, Elevate Your Expertise

As the new year unfolds, it’s the perfect time to turn ambitions into action. If whisky is your passion, why not make 2025 the year you dive deeper into its fascinating world?

At Edinburgh Whisky Academy, we offer online and in-person courses tailored for enthusiasts and professionals alike. Whether you’re captivated by the art of whisky production or keen to refine your tasting skills, we’re here to help you reach your goals.

What We Offer

• Certificate Courses: Immerse yourself in Scotch Whisky, Irish Whiskey, or American Single Malt Whiskey and impress friends with your expert knowledge.
• Diploma in Single Malt Whisky: Gain a globally recognised, SQA-certified qualification that opens doors to exciting career opportunities in the whisky industry.
• Approved Course Provider Programme: Turn your passion into a profession by teaching EWA courses and building a rewarding spirits education business.
• Free Taster Courses: Curious but unsure? Try our introductory courses in Scotch Whisky, Irish Whiskey, and American Single Malt Whiskey —for free! Get a glimpse into our learning platform and see if a deeper dive is right for you.

Don’t let another year pass by without taking the first step toward your whisky education journey. 2025 is your opportunity to achieve, grow and savour the richness of whisky knowledge like never before.

Explore Courses

As we bid farewell to another year and usher in a new one, we want to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude to each of you – our esteemed supporters, dedicated followers, and valued partners. Your passion for whisky and your commitment to our events have been the cornerstone of our success.

This past year has been filled with memorable moments, from exquisite tastings in picturesque locations to engaging gatherings that brought us all closer in our shared love for whisky. As we reflect on these moments, we are filled with anticipation for what the New Year holds.

Looking ahead, we promise to continue delivering unparalleled whisky experiences that celebrate the rich heritage and intricate flavors of this remarkable spirit. We are excited about the upcoming events in Bermuda and Las Vegas, and we can’t wait to share more unforgettable experiences with you.

May the New Year bring you joy, health, and prosperity. Let’s raise a glass to new beginnings and the many opportunities that await us in the world of whisky.

Cheers to a spectacular New Year!

Warm regards,

Mahesh Patel Founder, Universal Whisky Experience

Visit our Website

WHISKY LIVE LONDON IS JUST

 3 MONTHS AWAY

Start the new year with something to look forward to: Whisky Live London 2025! Perfect as a post-holiday gift for whisky lovers or as an early treat for yourself, tickets to this event make the ultimate New Year’s present.

BOOK

Here’s what you have to look forward to:

• Engage with exhibitors and unlimited samples

• Street food for every taste

• Special Premium Lounge perks and World Whiskies Awards samples

Whether you’re new to whisky or a seasoned connoisseur, this event promises to be an unforgettable journey through the world of spirits. The 25th anniversary edition of Whisky Live London is set to be our biggest and best yet, with a few surprises in store!

Book now for an unforgettable event!

BOOK NOW