DRAWING FROM NATURE

THE MACALLAN X CHARLES RENNIE MACKINTOSH

Introducing The Macallan Art is the Flower and Tree of Life by The Macallan, two limited edition single malts inspired by world renowned Scottish architect, designer and artist, Charles Rennie Mackintosh. Honouring Mackintosh and his enduring legacy, this art collaboration brings a shared interest and deep reverence for nature and its perpetual motion to life.

These expressions have been respectfully crafted to celebrate the circularity of nature captured in Mackintosh’s 1902 stained-glass panel ‘The Spirit of the Rose’.

DISCOVER THE COLLECTION

THE MACALLAN ART IS THE FLOWER

Matured in sherry seasoned European oak casks with notes of rich dried fruits, raisin and fig, polished oak, cherry, almonds, orange and treacle. This expression celebrates the uniqueness of natural beauty and the circularity of life and nature, paying tribute to Mackintosh using his own art and poetic prose.

THE MACALLAN BALLOT ~ We are pleased to share that The Macallan Art is the Flower will be available to purchase online via The Macallan Ballot for the UK and eligible countries in the EU. We will notify you when the ballot is open for entries.

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/

Introducing our latest Hearts and Crafts release

We are delighted to announce the release of our Hearts and Crafts Calvados Single Malt Whisky (55% ABV) – the sixth expression in our annual Hearts and Crafts series.

This series celebrates the Arts & Crafts movement, which flourished in the Cotswolds in the late 19th century and stood for the importance of traditional craftsmanship – the same values upon which the rural distillery was built. This latest expression embodies this spirit, meticulously crafted, thoughtfully matured, and undeniably inspired by the creative soul of the Cotswolds.

For this limited-edition release, our single malt whisky has matured in hand-selected Calvados casks, delivering rich notes of orchard fruits and a gentle, lingering sweetness that beautifully reflects the essence of traditional craftsmanship. A lighter, fruit forward and accessible whisky which is an elegant celebration of subtlety, sweetness and skilled maturation.

This whisky will go on sale for our general release today from 10am (Monday 5th May 2025).

Tasting Notes 

 Nose: Subtle notes of poached pear, baked pastry, and a gentle hint of oak bring warmth and depth to the nose, evoking the aroma of a rustic apple tart straight from the oven.

Palette: Delightfully sweet, this dram opens with pronounced stewed apple and sticky toffee pudding. Hints of vanilla custard and golden sultanas emerge mid-palate, adding softness and richness.

Finish: Clean and balanced, tapering gently into light wood spice with a trace of cinnamon and nutmeg. Lingering flavours of dried apple and sweet malt give it a graceful conclusion without overwhelming the palate.

Hearts and Crafts Calvados Cask Single Malt Whisky ABV: 55% | RRP £100 for a 70cl bottle

Capture the spirit of our Whisky Wanderers Festivals 2025 releases and join us as we embrace adventure and exploration with new casks live this morning.  This year we’re celebrating Scottish whisky festivals differently. You’ll find whiskies you wouldn’t normally expect from certain distilleries or regions with specially selected casks curated to take you on the path less trodden.

EXPLORE THE CASKS

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

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.

Dhavall Gandhi redefines Whisky Maturation for India:

 Introducing SOLARES Cask

Visionary Whiskymaker and maturation expert Dhavall Gandhi has revealed a breakthrough whisky cask designed for Indian* climates, in exclusive collaboration with José y Miguel Martín, Spanish cooperage and wine makers.

SOLARES has been designed to help Indian* distilleries scale without compromising on flavour consistency or quality, SOLARES also delivers significant efficiencies to the maturation process – solving one of the whisky industry’s most pressing challenges. 

Challenge & Opportunity

Dhavall Gandhi said: “Whisky maturation has traditionally been shaped by the cooler climates of Scotland and Ireland. But in tropical regions like India, accelerated extraction due to higher temperatures often results in imbalance – and the unreliable quality of available casks frequently leads to batch-to-batch inconsistency. Our SOLARES cask changes that narrative.”

“It’s not just about maturation – it’s about creating the foundation for scalable growth, without compromising on quality or consistency.”

Through proprietary transformation and seasoning techniques, each 225L ex-wine barrique – sourced from Rioja and Ribera del Duero – is precisely adapted to deliver balance, depth, and consistency, redefining the next frontier of tropical whisky maturation. 

Three Distinct Variants 

SOLARES casks are offered in three distinct styles, giving distillers the ability to shape their house character with precision and reliability:

1. DULCE – Rich & sweet.
2. MEDIO – Balanced.
3. SECO – Dry & complex. 

Sustainability, research and testing

SOLARES is not just about innovation – it’s about creating a more sustainable future for whisky production.

By transforming ex-wine casks instead of relying on new oak, SOLARES actively reduces deforestation, minimizes waste, and lowers the carbon footprint of cask production.

At its core, SOLARES is built on circular design:

• Repurposed casks – Eliminate the need for fresh oak harvesting.
• 100% renewable energy – All operations are powered by sustainable sources, resulting in a low environmental impact.

This innovation is backed by years of research and refinement in Puerto de Santa María, Spain. SOLARES casks are now actively used by Indian whisky producers, demonstrating exceptional performance, structural integrity, and cost efficiency in real-world production.

Additionally, SOLARES has been successfully integrated into the maturation of rum, and other tropical spirits, proving its versatility and consistency across categories.

Scalability

Through direct winery partnerships and large-scale sourcing, SOLARES delivers consistent, scalable quality—solving a critical challenge for Indian distilleries: inconsistent supply and variable quality that disrupt production planning and cause batch variability.

Casks are sourced in large batches directly from the wineries, creating a vertically integrated supply chain that ensures reliable, high-quality inventory. These casks undergo transformation within a strict timeframe, resulting in a cleaner, more refined spirit through a rapid, controlled process.

The Visionary Behind SOLARES

Dhavall Gandhi is one of the most sought-after strategic advisors in the world of luxury whisky, trusted by promoter-led businesses, family-owned enterprises, and established whisky houses. With deep expertise in whisky maturation and portfolio architecture, he guides boards and leadership teams in defining the direction, positioning, and long-term vision of their whisky brands.

Formerly the Whiskymaker for The Macallan, Dhavall became the global authority on Sherry casks, transforming The Lakes Distillery with a visionary, Sherry-led house style and groundbreaking production techniques. His advisory firm, DHAVALL GANDHI, is considered the “haute couture” of the whisky world, offering bespoke strategic direction to family-owned businesses, established distilleries, and emerging luxury whisky brands around the world. 

Availability

SOLARES is available exclusively through José y Miguel Martín, S.L. (Spanish coopers and wine makers). For further information, contact Dhavall Gandhi Limited. (solares@dhavallgandhi.com).

LinkedIn: (13) Dhavall Gandhi | LinkedIn

ITG: @dhavall_gandhi

*as well as distilleries located in warmer climates

WHAT IS GRAIN WHISKY?

A grain whisky is any whisky, which is not made using 100% malted barley. The new make spirit used in grain whisky is made from all sorts of cereal, often including 10%-20% malted barley and wheat or corn, but oats and rye are also used.

GRAIN WHISKY IS NOT MADE IN POT STILLS

Grain whisky is most often distilled in a column still. This still has two tall columns: a rectifier and an analyser. It is used to produce large amounts of alcohol more quickly and is significantly more efficient, as it allows for continuous distillation.

Girvan 27 Years Old 1997

Infrequent Flyers

This Lowland single malt from Girvan distillery was distilled in March 1997 and fully matured in Tawny Port hogshead before bottling in November 2024. It was bottled at 55.6% ABV by Alistair Walker for his Infrequeent Flyers collection, at natural colour and no chill filtration. Limited to 319 bottles.

£125.99

SHOP NOW

North British 32 Years Old 1992

Little Brown Dog

This single-grain whisky was distilled in 1992 at the North British Distillery in Edinburgh. It was aged in refill Bourbon Barrels, resulting in fresh, fruity malt with creamy sweetness. It was bottled by Little Brown Dog Spirits, at natural cask strength without chill-filtration or artificial colouring.

£85.00

SHOP NOW

Loch Lomond 28 Years Old

“Caledonian Dreaming”

This single grain from Highland region was distilled in 1996 at the Loch Lomond Distillery. Distilled and matured on the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond, each pour wafts aromas of delicately sweet, buttery lemon shortbread melting into fragrant Palo Santo woodiness and cloves. It was bottled at natural cask strength of 48% ABV, without chill-filtration or artificial colouring.

£79.00

SHOP NOW

Loch Lomond 28 Years Old

Cadenhead’s

This 28 year old single grain from Loch Lomond Distillery was distilled in 1995 and aged in a Bourbon hogshead before being bottled in February 2024. Bottled at natural cask strength of 46.4% ABV. Only 174 Bottles have been produced.

£105.00

SHOP NOW

SERENDIPITOUS CAKE

Cask No. 35.400

This is the 400th cask we’ve bottled from Distillery 35. We hope you’ll love super silky and rare offering as much as we do! A hint of sandalwood incense merged with the vapour from a creamy hot chocolate as they accompanied coconut macaroons, toffee and banoffee pie in a chance encounter. Chocolate-coated raisins and sugar-coated fennel seeds embraced on the palate, adding a layer of lusciousness to cinnamon fudge, vanilla syrup, and toasted coconut flakes. Water released pineapple slices, flambéed in coconut rum, and served on a bed of sponge cake, marzipan and vanilla ice cream. Why the chance encounter? Following the discovery of a leak in its original cask, this whisky was transferred to a freshly emptied second fill barrel. Although not enough time had passed to be considered a second maturation, once sampled, the whisky was divine – so we simply had to bottle it!

READ MORE

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

Australia’s finest | From experimental bottlings to hyper-local whiskies, Australia’s distillers are celebrated far beyond its borders. Here are four to try today. Bold, pioneering and dynamic, Australia’s distillers are at the forefront of an increasingly diverse global whisky category. Some makers are doggedly pursuing flavour creation on their own terms, freely crafting whisky outside of the legal requirements of, say, single malt Scotch or bourbon. Others are taking a hyper-local approach, making their whiskies using grains grown on their doorstep and maturing in casks from nearby wineries. Whatever the philosophy, the spectrum of styles coming out of the country is remarkable. Not sure where to start exploring? These are the whiskies to give you a taste of Australia.

🥃 Starward Left-Field, £32.95
🥃 Hobart Whisky Signature, £120
🥃 Spring Bay Bourbon Cask, £130
🥃 Remnant Whisky Co. Herd Not Seen, £115

See all Australian whisky

Whispers of Spring: A journey of reawakening is an ode to spring. Each of the four bottles in the collection is designed to take you on a sensory journey, offering a unique take on traditional flavours. These casks have been left to mature to perfection over decades in refill wood. The result is a story of transformation and renewal.

Our Head of Whisky, Euan Campbell says, “Sometimes it’s fun to explore the technical and process side of whisky, and sometimes it’s best to let the whisky take you to a time and place and simply revel in sheer enjoyment. Our Whispers of Spring collection does just that. These whiskies present you with fresh floral aromas, juicy fruits and green shoots. They all carry significant age statements and are perfect contemplative drams, to enjoy while considering the year ahead and what spring renewal will bring”  

This Creators Collection celebrates the beauty of new beginnings and the timeless tradition of whisky-making, reimagined for the modern palate.

Whispers of Spring: A journey of reawakening is now available online.

WATCH THE VIDEO

BUY THE COLLECTION

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