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.

Browse Pour List

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

Keeneland® and Maker’s Mark® Introduce Latest in Commemorative “Greats of the Gate” Bottle Series Honoring Hall of Fame Thoroughbred Lexington

The Annual Release Coincides with the 250th Anniversary of the City of Lexington;  Proceeds will Support Kentucky Nonprofits

LEXINGTON, KY – Wednesday, April 2025 – Keeneland Race Course and Maker’s Mark, the iconic handmade Kentucky bourbon, today announced the second bottle in the “Greats of the Gate” 10-year commemorative bottle series celebrating Thoroughbred racing’s most iconic horses. Proceeds from each year’s limited-edition bottle benefit nonprofits that support Kentucky’s horse racing industry and vibrant culture of hospitality and the arts.

The limited-edition bottle will arrive on shelves on April 11th – the same day as the prestigious $650,000 Maker’s Mark Mile (G1) during Keeneland’s Spring Meet. The bottle will be available exclusively at select Kentucky retailers that sell Maker’s Mark with a suggested retail price of $179.99. The 2025 “Greats of the Gate” bottle will honor the legendary racehorse Lexington, who competed from 1853 to 1855, winning six of seven races, and was famously sold to stud for the highest price ever paid for an American racehorse at the time.

“The ‘Greats of the Gate’ series is a unique opportunity to honor the legendary horses who shaped the sport while also supporting the organizations that allow Kentucky’s culture to thrive,” said Rob Samuels, eighth-generation whisky maker and Managing Director, Maker’s Mark. “We’re incredibly proud to continue our longstanding partnership with Keeneland, which has deep roots in Kentucky’s horse racing heritage and whose patrons enjoyed the very first Maker’s Mark cocktails in the 1950s.”

The bottle features an illustration by Kentucky artist Tyler Robertson with artwork wrapping around the bottle in orange and black – the racing silks colors of Lexington. The bottle’s crown will be dipped in bright orange wax and topped with a white silk ribbon. Every bottle will include a certificate of authenticity signed by Maker’s Mark Managing Director Rob Samuels; Keeneland President and CEO Shannon Arvin; renowned artist Tyler Robertson; and Bret Jones, President of Airdrie Stud, and a descendant of the horse’s owners.

“Keeneland and Maker’s Mark share a mission of service and philanthropy that benefits both the horse industry and our community,” Keeneland President and CEO Shannon Arvin said. “We are proud the commemorative bottles continue to be both a prized collectors’ item for our fans and a successful fundraiser for so many worthwhile organizations.”

Proceeds from the commemorative bottle will benefit the nonprofits Kentucky Classic Arts by providing support for musical theatre performance opportunities for Central Kentucky; Kentucky Harvest by expanding their food rescue and donation efforts across the Commonwealth; Kentucky Arts Center of the Bluegrass providing free entry to guests for the museum along with arts programming; and Blue Grass Farms Charities through building a new pantry opening this summer at The Thoroughbred Center.

Over the course of the 10 years, Keeneland and Maker’s Mark are committed to raising $4 million for various Kentucky nonprofit organizations through this bottle series.

For more information, please visit www.makersmark.com and www.keeneland.com.

About Keeneland Race Course  

Since its first race meet 89 years ago, the Keeneland Association has devoted itself to the health and vibrancy of the Thoroughbred industry. The world’s largest Thoroughbred auction house, Keeneland conducts five on-site sales a year, in January, April, September and November. Graduates of Keeneland sales dominate racing across the globe at every level. In April and October, Keeneland offers some of the highest-caliber and richest Thoroughbred racing in the world. Keeneland hosted the Breeders’ Cup World Championships in 2015, 2020 and 2022. Uniquely structured, Keeneland is a privately held company with a not-for-profit mission that returns its earnings to the industry and the community in the form of higher purses and millions of dollars donated in support of horse industry initiatives and charitable contributions for education, research and health and human services throughout Central Kentucky. Keeneland also maintains Keeneland Library, a world-renowned public research institution with the mission of preserving information about the Thoroughbred industry. To learn more, visit Keeneland.com.

About Maker’s Mark

Maker’s Mark® is the iconic handmade Kentucky bourbon driven by a vision for better flavor and a better world. Maker’s Mark began with the innovative spirit of Margie and Bill Samuels, Sr., who in 1953, fulfilled their dream to create a delicious bourbon without the bite, using soft red winter wheat instead of rye to enhance the softness, sweetness and signature creaminess. Highly desired around the world, Maker’s Mark is handmade, hand-dipped in our signature red wax, and every barrel continues to be rotated by hand and is aged to taste not time.

Always true to the founders’ vision, Maker’s Mark continues to shape the brand’s future through purposeful, flavor-driven innovation. In recent years, the brand has introduced thoughtful, super-premium expressions to its portfolio, including Maker’s Mark 46, Maker’s Mark Cask Strength, and Maker’s Mark Cellar-Aged, all Double Gold winners of the 2024 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, as well as Maker’s Mark Private Selection: the brand’s custom barrel program.

Advancing its mission to cultivate bourbon that betters the world, while crafting the most flavorful product possible for consumers, Maker’s Mark is the largest bourbon distillery in the world to achieve B Corp Certification and the first distillery to achieve Regenified Certification, a reflection of the brand’s dedication to sustainable agriculture practices at Star Hill Farm, home to the Maker’s Mark Distillery. For more information, visit www.makersmark.com.

Maltstock program announcements

Relaxedly but surely our program for 2025 is taking shape! Watch this space as we will start announcing our program in the next couple of weeks! Go on and read all about it.

Annette, Bob, Klaas, Stan and Teun

Confirmed Whisky companies @ Maltstock

Isle of Raasay Distillery

One of Scotland’s most relaxed ‘new kids on the block’ and arguably the one with the best view of the Isle of Skye! Raasay is producing great whisky and wants to come and tell all about it during the Friday Masterclass!

Chichibu Distillery

Chichibu (and Yumi) returns! We are so stoked to be able to announce that long-time Maltstock guest and fan Yumi Yoshikawa will be with us once again. Come and meet her, share a dram and attend her relaxed Drinks with sessions!

Scotch Malt Whisky Society

Last year SMWS were with us and they sponsored the Whisky Quiz. This year SMWS will host the quiz! Join the quiz, test your whisky brain and have relaxed fun!

Hogshead Imports

Those of you who were with us last year, might have seen the around, relaxedly sniffing around Maltstock and promoting their wonderful products to our relaxed guests. We are proud to announce that Hogshead will be with us again!

Buy your Maltstock ticket NOW!

Join the Global Celebration of Canadian Whisky.

Years in the making, the domain for Canadian Whisky Day (™) has finally been secured from the previous owner. The vision is finally coming to fruition…

Canadian Whisky Day is dedicated to promoting the rich heritage and craftsmanship of Canadian whisky. The mission is to educate, inform, and connect whisky enthusiasts worldwide. The aim is to foster a deeper appreciation for Canadian whisky, guiding our community with knowledge and passion.

Canadian Whisky Day (TM) is celebrated across the World on the third Saturday in November. The inaugural celebration is November 15, 2025.

From Grain to Glass, stay tuned as our newsletter launches with details on the forthcoming podcast, and other developments – including the launch of the website.

You can email, or subscribe through info@CanadianWhiskyDay.com

Cheers,

Gerald