At the start of February, we suggested giving a blind tasting a try. If you’ve ever tried one, you’ll know how revelatory an experience it can be. If not, there’s still time…in the form of this email! Below we’ve shared the Tasting Notes for four last drop bottlings. Intrigued? Click through to find your next favourite whisky.

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The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, The Vaults, 87 Giles Street, Leith EH6 6BZ

Contact: sales@smws.com or call 0131 555 2929 (Mon-Fri 9am-4.45pm). Visit the Society at here for membership information

This is your chance to join and to take advantage of their great offers!

Spot the SMWS bottles in this amusing You Tube video

Join Us for Art & Whisky on the Beach

This Spirit of Speyside, Murray McDavid invites you to experience whisky in a truly creative way.

On Sunday 3 May 2026, join Dean Jode, our Head of Whisky Creation, at the charming beach huts of Findhorn for an inspiring seaside session overlooking the Moray Firth.

This is not your typical tasting…

As you sip a curated selection of three Scotch whiskies, Dean will guide you to explore each dram through art — drawing, painting or sketching not what you see, but what you experience in the glass. Flavours, textures, aromas and emotions will become your creative palette.

This is the Art of Maturation like never seen before.

Art & Whisky on the Beach with Murray McDavid — Findhorn Beach Huts

Sunday 3 May | 4:30pm-6:00pm

BOOK NOW

Your ticket includes:

• 3 x 2cl drams
• All art supplies
• A relaxed, hands-on creative experience
• Access to our on-site shop, including our 2026 Spirit of Speyside Festival Bottling

Driver’s Drams are available to pre-order if required.

Spaces are limited 🎟️

We look forward to raising a glass — and a paintbrush — with you by the sea 🎨

Slàinte,

The Murray McDavid Team

Heaven Hill Earns Top Honors at 2026 World Whiskies Awards America and Icons of Whisky

Bardstown, Ky. – Heaven Hill was recognized with multiple top honors at the 2026 World Whiskies Awards America and Icons of Whisky America ceremony, held February 12 at The Brown Hotel in Louisville.

The awards celebrate the best in American whiskey, recognizing one winner per category along with standout individuals and teams shaping the industry’s future. This year’s results underscore Heaven Hill’s strength across distilling, sustainability, production, public relations, and product excellence.

Icons of Whisky America 2026

Distiller – Winner
Heaven Hill Brands

Sustainable Distillery – Winner
Heaven Hill Distillery

PR Team – Winner
Lauren Cherry Newcomb and Kaitlynn Fish West, Heaven Hill Brands PR Team

Distillery Manager – Highly Commended
Adam Ganoe, Heaven Hill Brands

Production Team – Highly Commended
The Team, Heaven Hill Springs Distillery

With this year’s recognition, Heaven Hill has now been named Distiller of the Year three times at the Icons of Whisky America awards, including back-to-back wins in 2023 and 2024. The 2026 honor further cements the company’s leadership in American whiskey production and reflects sustained excellence across its distilling operations.

Heaven Hill Distillery’s Sustainable Distillery of the Year win marks its second time receiving this distinction, reinforcing a long-term commitment to environmental stewardship and operational responsibility. From energy efficiency and water conservation initiatives to thoughtful investment in infrastructure, sustainability is built into the way the company produces whiskey.

Being named PR Team of the Year highlights the integral strategic work behind the scenes. As the largest, independent family owned and led distilled spirits company of brands in the United States, Heaven Hill continues to invest not only in production but also in ensuring its brands remain culturally relevant and visible through earned storytelling.

Adam Ganoe’s Highly Commended recognition as Distillery Manager, along with the Highly Commended honor for the Heaven Hill Springs Distillery Production Team, underscores the expertise driving operations across the company’s growing footprint. Notably, Heaven Hill Springs Distillery has been officially open for just under one year, making this early recognition especially meaningful as the new facility begins shaping the next chapter of the company’s production legacy.

World Whiskies Awards 2026 – America

Heaven Hill brands also earned category wins in the 2026 World Whiskies Awards America competition.

Best American Rye Whiskey – No Age Statement
Elijah Craig Toasted Rye

Category Winner – 13 to 20 Years
Heaven Hill Heritage Collection — 19-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Wheat Whiskey

These awards reflect both innovation and patience. Coming off the heels of Elijah Craig Rye Barrel Proof being named Whisky of the Year by Whisky Advocate, Elijah Craig Toasted Rye continues to expand the brand’s rye credentials with layered flavor and a distinctive finishing process. The 19-Year-Old Heritage Collection Wheat Whiskey represents decades of stewardship, showcasing the depth of Heaven Hill’s aging inventory and long-term commitment to American whiskey.

“We’re proud of these wins because they reflect both consistency and range,” said Heaven Hill Master Distiller, Conor O’Driscoll. “From premium, innovative rye to well-aged wheat whiskey, it speaks to the breadth of what our teams are capable of. These awards belong to the people who make the whiskey every day, and they reinforce the long-term mindset we bring to the work. We’re building for today, and we’re building for the next generation.”

As the largest, independent family owned and led distilled spirits company of brands in the United States, Heaven Hill continues to invest in distilling, sustainability initiatives, and aged stock to support the future of its portfolio.

Winners from the America round will advance to compete for World’s Best titles at the World Whiskies Awards Global Dinner in March.

For more information, visit World Drinks Awards.

ABOUT HEAVEN HILL BRANDS: Founded in 1935, Bardstown, KY-based Heaven Hill Brands (www.heavenhill.com) is the nation’s largest independent, family-owned and led spirits company of brands, as well as the world’s second-largest holder of Kentucky Bourbon. Heaven Hill has been named a Best Managed Company in both 2024 and 2025 by Deloitte Private and The Wall Street Journal. Heaven Hill’s diversified portfolio of brands includes the Heaven Hill Whiskey family of brands, Evan Williams, Elijah Craig, Widow Jane, Larceny, Old Fitzgerald, and Henry McKenna Bourbons; Rittenhouse Rye Whisky; Deep Eddy Vodka; Admiral Nelson’s Rum; Black Velvet Canadian Whisky; Lunazul and Ocho Tequila; HPNOTIQ Liqueur; and Carolans Irish Cream Liqueur.

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Poitin Now has hit the road for 2026

4 Tastings in 4 Provinces

The exciting new approach from Poitín Now will see all of the best poitín in Ireland being celebrated in a regional way and therefore bringing the festival, and our native spirit, to be accessible in a more regional way for all participants.

These regions all boast quality food and accommodation venues or are easily accesed through mini bus or lift shares for many with ample parking. We look forward to seeing you at Molly’s Bar in Warrenpoint for the first of these brilliant tastings.

Location: Molly’s Bar, Warrenpoing
Date: Saturday, Mar 7 from 4 pm to 6 pm GMT

Buy your Poitín Now Ticket Here

Highly Commended: Sustainable Distillery

Sustainability is central to how we work at the Cotswolds Distillery, from caring for the landscape around us to reducing our environmental impact behind the scenes. This commitment is brought to life through initiatives such as our Wetlands Ecological Treatment System, a living reed-bed landscape that treats the majority of our production wastewater on site while supporting local wildlife. To be highly commended in the Sustainable Distillery category is a meaningful acknowledgement of this approach, and of our belief in doing things thoughtfully, responsibly and with the future in mind. Take a look at the video below to discover more about our wetlands.

WATCH HERE

Congratulations to our Head of Global Advocacy, Rob Patchett, who has been highly commended for Brand Ambassador – World Whisky of the Year award. Since joining the Cotswolds Distillery in 2022, Rob has been a passionate ambassador for our spirits, sharing his knowledge and unmistakable enthusiasm with whisky lovers across the globe. This recognition celebrates the way he brings our story to life, one conversation, tasting and perfectly poured dram at a time.

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Icons Of Whisky 2026

Distillery Manager Award

Our Production Director, Alice Pearson, has been awarded Distillery Manager of the Year in the Icons of Whisky category of the World Drinks Awards. Having been with the Cotswolds Distillery for nearly eight years, this award recognises Alice’s outstanding leadership, vision and dedication over that time. At 25, she is also one of the youngest distillers in the UK. Under her guidance, the distillery continues to push boundaries while staying true to our Cotswolds roots – championing quality and innovation in every drop that we make.

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT ALICE

World Whiskies Awards 2026

We’ve got some rather lovely news to share.  The Cotswolds Distillery has been recognised at the World Whiskies Awards 2026, celebrating not only our carefully crafted spirits, but the people behind them too. Each award is a quiet nod to the care, patience and passion that goes into every bottle we make – from the first cut of spirit to the final pour. We hope you’ll raise a glass with us this evening to celebrate!

SHOP HERE

ONE OF THE WORLD’S LARGEST WHISKY FESTIVALS

LAUNCHES THEIR 2026 PREVIEW

Craigellachie Distillery of the Chairman of Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival, Henry Angus and Steven Dalgarno, Distillery Manager of Craigellachie Distillery who are hosting the opening dinner and this year’s ceilidh.

Now in its 27^th year, the annual celebration of Scotland’s national drink has become one of the largest events of its kind anywhere in the world, bringing thousands of visitors to the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival since 1999.

Contributing over £2.2million annually to the local economy, there is a vast array of over 600 events, over 6-days.  Kicking off on Wednesday, 29^th April 2026, it takes visitors right through the first May bank holiday weekend.

The festival is renowned for attracting visitors who want to discover more about whisky, in an area that boasts the greatest concentration of beloved brands.  With 51 working distilleries, they make up more than a third of Scotland’s total number in Speyside alone.  Peppering towns including Elgin, Forres, Keith, Aberlour, Dufftown and Rothes, the festival continues to build on its reputation as a globally recognised event, providing high-quality experiences for visitors.

So, what to expect from the line-up this year?  Attendees from over 40 countries who descend on Speyside, will find immersive tours and tastings as well as coopering masterclasses and chefs creating whisky-paired dinners.  There is the chance to meet Master Blenders and get tours behind the closed doors of dunnage warehouses where festival goers can draw samples from the casks themselves.  Visitors can enjoy fireside drams or sipping whisky on Findhorn beach.  Plus, the Dram Tram returns, where passengers can soak in the scenery in their Gold Carriage from Dufftown to Keith whilst savouring a special whisky enroute.  Of course, it wouldn’t be a Scottish whisky celebration without the Friday night ceilidh which will be held at Craigellachie Distillery and is a highlight of the 6-day calendar.

Henry Angus, Chairman of the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival commented; “The festival is the perfect way to launch World Whisky Month and is all about showcasing the very best of what’s in this area.  Whilst we have an amazing quantity of events, the quality of them is what really shines through.  It’s wonderful to see the whole of the Speyside community getting behind it as a highlight on the calendar.  We’ve seen a great increase in visitor numbers and ticket sales in the last couple of years, which tells us that we are continuing to build on how successful this international festival has become to the area.”

Speyside also boasts incredible scenery.  A chance to embrace the country air with aromas from barley malted to make the whisky.  There is a plethora of cosy chic hotels, self-catering pads and B&Bs to choose from. Plus, Stagecoach is extending its local bus service from Aberdeen and Inverness for day trippers.

SSWF 2025 Event Listing Imagery – Dallas Dhu Distillery: Drams from the Archives

The festival will launch with almost 80 events lined up on Wednesday 29^th April, including an industry dinner, co-hosted for the first time by Craigellachie Distillery, as part of their 135^th anniversary celebrations this year.

For those wanting to take a deep dive into whisky making, the 4-day Whisky School is back for its 10^th year.  Providing an incredible insight into the industry from a doyen of industry experts, it starts just a few days before the festival kicks off.   A limited number of spaces are still available on the website.

TICKET INFORMATION

Previews for ticket sales go live at 12noon on 18^th February

Launch of ticket sales is live at 12noon on 24^th February

WEBSITE – https://www.spiritofspeyside.com/

Spirit of Speyside

Spirit of Speyside organises some of the world’s premier whisky events, welcoming visitors to the beauty of Speyside from across the globe each year. The organisation is responsible for the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival each year with hundreds of events incorporating the Whisky School and Whisky Awards. The same team also hosts Spirit of Speyside: Distilled, exclusively for whisky distillers.

Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival

First launched in 1999, the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival’s annual celebration of Scotland’s national drink has developed into one of the largest events of its kind anywhere in the world. This year it will celebrate its 27^th anniversary with a programme of around 500+ whisky-inspired events over 6 days.  The Festival is a true mecca for the curious beginner and the whisky connoisseur alike. Festival events take place throughout Speyside, the biggest whisky-producing region in Scotland, located in the Moray area in the north-east of the country between Aberdeen and Inverness. Over the years, the Festival has developed close links with many Speyside businesses and communities who help to fund the festival. It is a true team effort to deliver an ever-improving range of events and services to make the six days of the festival a truly unforgettable experience.

The wait is over… the events for the 2026 have officially been announced — and we are ready to raise a glass!

From 29 April to 4 May 2026, Speyside will once again become the beating heart of Scotch whisky… and trust us, you’ll want to be part of it.

🎟️ Tickets go live on 24 February — mark your calendar!

We’ve created one of our most exciting and diverse programme of events yet. Whether you fancy bottling your own whisky straight from the cask, stepping inside our atmospheric Victorian warehouses, sipping drams by the sea at Findhorn, or venturing into the hills for a firelit party at The Old Bothy — we have something with your name on it.

This year’s line-up includes:

• • Hands-on warehouse experiences at Coleburn
  • Mission Gold & Benchmark ‘bottle your own’ sessions
  • Award-winning vintage tastings at Dallas Dhu
  • Beach picnics, sea dips & coastal drams
  • Rare & prestigious tastings in the vaults of The Old Bank
  • BBQs, live music and unforgettable nights under the stars
  • And of course, another epic Dallas Dhu Distillery Open Day!

CHECK OUT OUR EVENTS