Discover the World of Single Malt Whisky at the Port of Leith Distillery

Located in Edinburgh’s historic Leith district, the Port of Leith Distillery provides a distinctive learning environment. With its vertical design and waterfront setting, it offers a modern perspective on whisky production (along with some spectacular views). We are thrilled to be hosting our flagship in-person Diploma in Single Malt Whisky at the venue on three occasions in 2025: 10 & 11 March, 12 & 13 May and 15 & 16 September.

Leo Miles, a tour guide at the Port of Leith Distillery, attended the Diploma in March 2024. Reflecting on his experience, he said: “Before joining the distillery, I knew very little about whisky. The Diploma provided thorough material, giving me a strong foundation and a better understanding of the industry’s past and future. Vic’s guidance was outstanding and the course helped me improve my tours by ensuring I can answer as many customer questions as possible. It also deepened my interest in whisky and the incredible world behind it.”

📖 Read the Post

Talnua Distillery Announces Annual St. Patrick’s Day Celebration and Exclusive Olde Saint’s Keep 2025 Release

Arvada, CO – February 2025 – Talnua Distillery, America’s pioneer of Single Pot Still whiskey, is thrilled to announce its highly anticipated St. Patrick’s Day Celebration, taking place at the distillery on March 14 and 15 from 1:00 PM to 9:00 PM. This 21+ event promises an unforgettable experience filled with music, camaraderie, and the annual release of the exclusive Olde Saint’s Keep Special Release Whiskey.

Whiskey enthusiasts and St. Patrick’s Day revelers alike are invited to join Talnua Distillery for two days of festivities featuring live music, pipe and drum bands, traditional Irish music sessions, and incredible food trucks. Guests can also enjoy the Trinity Mobile Cigar Lounge, offering a premium pairing experience for those looking to enhance their whiskey enjoyment.

Event Schedule: A full schedule of entertainment and activities can be found HERE

Introducing the 2025 Olde Saint’s Keep Special Release Whiskey

A cornerstone of Talnua’s annual St. Patrick’s Day tradition, the 2025 Olde Saint’s Keep Special Release Whiskey is an exclusive offering available only at the distillery beginning March 14. Crafted with a meticulous approach to tradition and innovation, this American Single Pot Still whiskey is triple distilled from a mash of 50% unmalted barley and 50% malted barley.

Aging in select barrels has imbued this whiskey with remarkable depth and complexity.

This year’s release was aged for 2 1/2 years in Ex-Bourbon barrels with both French Oak and American Oak staves. From there, the whiskey was transferred into barrels that first held Pedro Ximenez Sherry for 17 years followed by PX Solera Brandy from 1948 for 13 years.

The whiskey rested in those barrels for 2 years and 3 months, giving it a final age statement of 4 years and 9 months.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Apple Orchard, Buttery Maple, Baking Spices
Palate: Honey Graham Cracker, Dried Stone Fruit, Macadamia Nut Cookie
Finish: Cinnamon, Shortbread, Long Finish

At 100 proof (50% ABV), this whiskey delivers a bold yet refined profile, with limited availability of fewer than 1,000 bottles, making it a must-have for collectors and connoisseurs alike.

Don’t miss the opportunity to be part of this incredible celebration and to secure a bottle of the 2025 Olde Saint’s Keep Special Release Whiskey. Join us at Talnua Distillery on March 14 and 15 for a St. Patrick’s Day experience like no other!

ralfy review 1067 Extras – independentspirits.co.uk

Icons of Whisky Award Winner

We are so proud to share that, in addition to winning gold for our Sherry Cask, our team are winning gold too! Our Head of Global Advocacy Rob Patchett has won the ‘Brand Ambassador – World Whisky’ in the 2025 Icons of Whisky Awards!

Rob has been representing our brand around the globe since 2022, and this well-deserved recognition is a testament to his passion and dedication.

“It’s a great honour to receive this award with World Whisky being such an exciting category with so many brilliant people within it. Winning this award is a true testament to our amazing liquids and the wonderful global community that appreciate and champion our whisky.”

 — Rob Patchett, Head of Global Advocacy

Scotland’s First Whisky Region

For whisky historians, the name Ferintosh carries deep significance. Famed for producing high-quality spirit long before the modern idea of ‘whisky regions’ emerged, the name is making headlines again with the Clachan Distillery announcing plans to restore the Ferintosh whisky name. This has sparked fresh interest in Ferintosh’s historical importance, but what made it so special in the first place? We asked whisky writer Iain Russell to explain.📖  Read the Post 

BUFFALO TRACE DISTILLERY’S 100 BOURBON SETS FOR 100 CHARITIES INITIATIVE RETURNS TO CONTINUE NATIONWIDE CHARITABLE GIVING

The Distillery to donate 100 sets of its finest whiskeys to support fundraising efforts for 100 nonprofit organizations

FRANKFORT, Ky. (February 26, 2025) – Ahead of Bottled-in-Bond Day, Buffalo Trace Distillery today announces the return of its annual charitable initiative, 100 Bourbon Sets for 100 Charities. The initiative, which honors the legacy of Colonel E.H. Taylor, Jr., celebrates and supports non-profit organizations across the United States that are committed to bringing positive changes to their communities. Taylor, who owned Buffalo Trace Distillery from 1869-1878, is often referred to as the founding father of the modern bourbon industry due to his technological innovations, advancements in distilling, and instrumental efforts leading to the 1897 passage of the Bottled-in-Bond Act. 100 Bourbon Sets for 100 Charities pays homage to the 100 proof alcohol measurement, one of the key requirements for a whiskey to be labeled as Bottled-in-Bond.

In its inaugural year, the 100 Bourbon Sets for 100 Charities initiative supported organizations from 36 states across the country. In total, the program raised more than $134,000 for a variety of causes dedicated to veteran services, youth education and programming, cancer treatment, animal rescue and adoption, among many others.

“It is incredible to see the work being done by nonprofit organizations around the country and we believe Taylor would be proud to know his legacy continues to bring such a positive change to countless communities,” said Andrew Duncan, Global Brand Director, Buffalo Trace Distillery. “The 100 Bourbon Sets for 100 Charities initiative celebrates those who, like Taylor, have a passion for improving the world. We are proud to support nonprofit organizations in their efforts to better lives and communities.”

Featured products for the 100 Bourbon Sets for 100 Charities initiative include lineups from some of Buffalo Trace Distillery’s most sought-after brands, including E.H. Taylor Jr., Blanton’s, Eagle Rare, Weller and more. The number of bottles in each set may vary. Interested nonprofits can apply here. 

Charities of all kinds are encouraged to apply for 100 Bourbon Sets for 100 Charities. Those interested in applying can do so beginning March 3, 2025, in honor of Bottled-in-Bond Day. All applications must be received within 100 days – by June 11, 2025 – for consideration. Selected charities will be announced the week of July 28, 2025. Bottles sets will be delivered within 30 days following the selection announcement.

Organizations interested in applying are encouraged to carefully read over the application. Buffalo Trace Distillery will coordinate the logistics of transporting bottles to selected organizations based on the legal requirements in each state. Once received by the organization, it is the nonprofit’s responsibility for executing a program that complies with each state’s legal specifications. Organizations must use their bottle sets and report back their monies raised by December 31, 2025. 

About the Bottled-in-Bond Act

The Bottled-in-Bond Act was first-of-its kind legislation that saved whiskey in America. Passage of the Act led to increased quality and consumer safety across categories (and the formation of the modern FDA) and paved the way for the focus on quality & innovation that Buffalo Trace Distillery maintains today.

Bottled in Bond required distillers to label aged spirits, mostly American Whiskey, as “bottled-in-bond,” meaning the product meets the following criteria:

• The spirit must be produced in a single distillation season by a single distillery.
• The spirit must mature in a U.S. bonded warehouse for a minimum of four years.
• The aged spirit must be bottled at 50% ABV (or, 100 proof).

For any questions regarding the 100 Bourbon Sets for 100 Charities initiative, please email charity@buffalotrace.com. For more information on Buffalo Trace Distillery and its ongoing charitable efforts, please visit www.buffalotracedistillery.com.

Stay up to date with news from Buffalo Trace Distillery by following along on Instagram and Facebook.

About Buffalo Trace Distillery  

Buffalo Trace Distillery is an American family-owned company based in Frankfort, Kentucky. The Distillery’s rich tradition dates back to 1775 and it is a National Historic Landmark, as well as listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Its history includes such legends as E.H. Taylor, Jr., George T. Stagg, Albert B. Blanton, Orville Schupp, and Elmer T. Lee. Buffalo Trace Distillery is a fully operational Distillery producing bourbon, rye and vodka on site. The Distillery has won more than 40 distillery titles since 2000 and garnered more than 1,000 awards for its wide range of premium whiskies. Its William Larue Weller and Stagg were named Best of Show at the 2024 Denver International Spirits Competition and its Traveller Whiskey is the Most Awarded Super Premium Whiskey Release of 2024. Buffalo Trace Distillery has a deep commitment to supporting charitable initiatives. Nonprofit organizations interested in learning more about the Distillery’s efforts are encouraged to register their charity here. To learn more about Buffalo Trace Distillery, visit www.buffalotracedistillery.com.

The Lassies Only Whisky Festival

If there is a group that continues to be underappreciated for their love and interest in whisky, it is women. The simple enjoyment of whisky can still sometimes come off as a 40+ year old man’s exclusive playground. And I am not just saying that because I belong to the demographic. Maybe it is due to tone-deaf marketing. Perhaps it is the confusion and worry that staring at a monumental wall of whisky bottles can foster. Possibly, it is the often impenetrable wall of faux-intellectual gibberish about bottles and dates and styles that any group of anoraks gets into.

We sometimes forget that whisky should be fun and inclusive for everyone who is curious about it. As long as they of legal drinking age, of course.

If you are female with have any interest in tasting whisky or learning more about it, then KWM’s 5th Lassies Only Whisky Festival is for you. Whether you are a seasoned expert or somebody new to sipping whisky on its own — our goal is to make this festival for you.

At this festival, it is Lassies Only for attendees. The people pouring and talking about the whisky behind the tables are also female when possible — this is about showcasing the women that work in the whisky world as much as we can. Myself and the other male staff at KWM will take a back seat and stick to refilling water stations and emptying spit buckets for the most part.

Gender exclusivity is not something we are keen on pushing. Providing a safe and fun space for the enjoyment of whisky around International Women’s Day is a tradition we are proud of, though. We hope to continue with this festival for a long time.

All proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to The Brenda Strafford Foundation’s Heart Home Network of Calgary, which provides support and services for victims of domestic and family violence.

If you are female, or know women that would be interested in doing something a little different to celebrate International Women’s Day, tickets can be found here:

The 5th Annual Lassie’s Only Whisky Festival at Kensington Wine Market

Friday, March 7th from 7 PM to 9 PM

Tickets are $50 with the proceeds being donated to The Brenda Strafford Foundation’s Heart Home Network of Calgary.

403-283-8000

888-283-9004

Regular Store Hours

Mon-Wed 10 AM – 8 PM

Thurs & Fri 10 AM – 9 PM

Sat 10 AM – 8 PM

Sun 11 AM to 6 PM

Maltstock Tickets

Get relaxed now and secure your Maltstock tickets in our shop!

 MALTSTOCK SHOP

Maltstock is an all inclusive whisky weekend. This means you can eat, drink, and sleep at the Maltstock venue and these things are included with our standard ticket. Administrative and transaction costs are also included in the ticket price. Click on our FAQ section below or have a look at our “Program“ and “What is Maltstock“ sections for more information about what is included. All tickets are all inclusive and for the whole weekend. We do not sell day tickets. Prices per person. Maltstock tickets are put to name, and issued on a per person, non-transferable, non-refundable basis. Please note that the 14-day legal right of withdrawal is not applicable for this purchase. If, for any reason, you want to exchange your tickets with someone else you can only do so after permission by, and through the Maltstock organisation.

Diagram: The Structure of a Yeast Cell

Yeast is a single-celled organism which feeds on sugar, producing alcohol, carbon dioxide, heat and flavour compounds in return. But what does a yeast cell look like? This diagram and accompanying blog post details the eight key elements of a typical yeast cell. 📖  Read the Post 

We have just launched our ’20th Anniversary Sessions’ at our Newcastle Whisky Festival. The first of these sees Eddie Ludlow team up with Dave Broom and a panel of industry guests to discuss and chat about the last 20 years of whisky and lounging! Of course, there will be some tasty drams in order to help lubricate lips…!

Included in the price of this session is;

– Early entry to the venue (11am or 4pm, ticket dependent)
– Entry to the 20th Anniversary session, plus drams
– FREE signed copy of, the soon to be published, ‘TWL 20th Anniversary Celebration Book’, with contributions from a whole host of TWL friends

Festival Highlights 2025:

• Over 150 Whiskies from around the world to sample
• All new retail and offers
• All new TWL merchandise 
• New ‘Round Table’ debates or masterclasses with the great and good of the whisky world! 
• The return of Whisky Heaven
• Jam and Dram – Live music at selected events, featuring our very own ‘Blind’ Eddie Ludlow!
• And much much more

Tickets for these sessions are now on general sale and, as a thank you to our loyal whisky-loungers, we are offering you 20% OFF these tickets. Don’t forget you need to have a festival ticket for the relevant session to be able to use these!
Just use code TWLWHISKY20 at the Eventbrite checkout to claim your discount.

In the meantime, you can still buy tickets for Newcastle 29th of March!