Subscribe for £26.64 and receive six beautifully crafted issues — including two on us. That’s a 33% saving across the year.

Drookit Dug 10 Year Old Batch 4, Little Brown Dog

£44.50

On paper, this might look like nothing more exciting than a 10 Year Old blended Scotch whisky. But the headline figures don’t really tell the story of what’s gone into Drookit Dug Batch 4.

This is the final release from the original vatting of casks selected for Batch 2 of Drookit Dug. The casks were chosen because they had experienced more angels’ share than expected, leaving a whisky now bottled at 45.1% ABV, but still at cask strength.

The full cask breakdown can’t be disclosed, but the blend contains a large proportion of Highland malts, alongside some very old grain whiskies that are considerably older than the 10 Year Old age statement suggests.

After being vatted since Batch 2, the whisky continued to mature in second- and third-fill hogsheads, allowing further oxidative and reductive maturation without introducing excessive oak influence. This extended maturation has brought the blend to a richer point in its evolution.

Batch 4 is the final instalment of this particular vatting, bringing an end to a blend that has developed something of a following among whisky drinkers who appreciate what lies beyond the numbers on the label.

Bottled at a relatively approachable 45.1% ABV, it retains the depth and character associated with cask strength whisky while remaining an easy-going session dram made for sharing. And if the suggestion of using champagne corks wasn’t just a joke, it would certainly fit a whisky you might not want to put back in the bottle once you’ve opened it.

TyndrumWhisky.com
The Green Welly Stop
Tyndrumwhisky, Tyndrum
Crianlarich, Perthshire FK20 8RY
United Kingdom

XOP North British 35 Years Old 43.1%

£154.17

A rare 35 Year Old Single Grain Scotch Whisky from the North British Distillery, bottled by Douglas Laing in their prestigious XOP (Xtra Old Particular) range. Distilled in July 1988 and matured in a Refill Hogshead, this natural cask strength release (43.1% ABV) is presented with no colouring or chill-filtration. With just 167 bottles worldwide, this is an exceptional opportunity to secure a truly scarce aged Scotch Whisky.

Our Xtra Old Particular range carries only aged and rare Single Cask Scotch Whiskies from some of Scotland’s most acclaimed and celebrated Distilleries, including those that are long-closed. Each one a marvel in its own right, XOP is bottled at Natural Cask Strength, exceptionally old and truly spectacular. Packed with extraordinary flavour, our Exceptional Single Cask Whiskies exemplify our ‘As Natural As It Gets’ Philosophy by serving a rich reward for those looking to savour a dram straight from the cask.

Say hello to The Smoke and Symphony pair. These two whiskies shouldn’t have much in common, yet there’s an unlikely harmony of fruity flavours that brings them together.

Cask No. 29.313: Jaffa baklava is an Islay malt wreathed in wood smoke complete with herbal fruitiness and mulled-wine spice. Cask No. 84.39: Symphony in yellow is a bright Speyside refrain of yellow fruity aromas, sweet spice and vanilla cream.

This unlikely pairing puts smoke, sticky honey and figs next to poached pears, yellow roses and warming spices, creating a melody that’s really something else. Compare, contrast and enjoy.

READ MORE

BUY NOW

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

The Lost Close Unveils Independently Bottled, Story-Driven Whisky

Edinburgh, 29th July 2026 – The Lost Close, an underground historic whisky attraction just off Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, today announces the launch of a new independently bottled whisky. The release marks the latest milestone in The Lost Close’s ongoing commitment to story-led whisky experiences.

The Lost Close No. 3 is a 30-year-old North British grain whisky with an ABV of 44.6%, distilled in Edinburgh in December 1995 and matured in a single refill hogshead for three decades. This rare release not only represents exceptional cask selection but also tells the story of one of Edinburgh’s most significant distilling institutions: the North British Distillery. With just 238 bottles produced, The Lost Close No. 3 is a whisky deeply rooted in Edinburgh’s heritage.

Founded in 1885 and operational by 1887, North British was established as a co-operative to challenge the monopoly on grain whisky production held by the Distillers Company Limited (DCL). Over its long history, the distillery has endured significant global events, having been repurposed for munitions production during World War I and temporarily closed during World War II due to shortages of raw materials.

These dates place North British only around 60 years younger than The Lost Close itself, reflecting the longevity and resilience both share within Edinburgh’s cultural heritage.

This particular cask was expertly selected in partnership with Chris Cusiter, former Scotland international rugby union player and now CEO of CASC Whisky Ltd, an independent Scotch whisky bottler. Single cask expressions from North British remain comparatively rare, particularly at this age. While grain whisky is typically matured for use in blends, relatively few casks are left to age for 30 years before being released as single cask bottlings, making this an increasingly remarkable discovery.

Chris Cusiter commented: “A whisky like this is just as much about the story as it is the flavour. You’ve got over 30 years of quiet maturation, tied to a distillery with real history in the city, it all adds to the experience. What I loved about this cask is that it delivers both a beautifully balanced, elegant whisky, and a deeper sense of place and time behind it.”

Katie Scott, Head of Events and Experiences at The Lost Close, said: “The Lost Close No. 3 fits perfectly within our whisky range. It’s a beautiful example of the kind of story-driven spirit we love to share. Every tasting with us is led by our expert Storytellers, and no two experiences are ever the same. This whisky gives us something truly special to explore with guests, connecting flavour, history and Edinburgh’s unique heritage in a meaningful way.”

Mature North British grain whiskies are especially prized for their ability to develop complexity while retaining a silky, elegant texture. After three decades in cask, The Lost Close No. 3 reveals a rich and refined profile. On the nose, it is clean, light and estery, with notes of green apple and underripe pear. The palate is light and airy, with butterscotch, toffee and hints of fresh coconut, leading to a vibrant, quick and citrussy finish.

Distilled during a pivotal cultural moment, the whisky also captures a snapshot of 1995, a year when Scottish culture was experiencing a global revival. Braveheart had reignited global fascination with Scotland and Trainspotting was being filmed on the streets of Edinburgh. The Lost Close offers guests the opportunity to experience another unique aspect of Edinburgh’s history, stepping into a close that was ‘lost’ following the Great Fire of 1824 before being found again in 2019.

The independently bottled range builds on The Lost Close’s growing reputation for expertly curated whisky experiences. By leveraging in-house expertise, the team will continue to expand its portfolio with distinctive, story-led expressions designed to elevate the guest experience.

The Lost Close No. 3 is now available exclusively at The Lost Close for £135, located just off Edinburgh’s historic Royal Mile on Barrie’s Close.

About The Lost Close:

Discovered during excavation works in 2019, The Lost Close lies hidden beneath Edinburgh’s old courthouse – a remarkable underground space. What remains today is all that’s left of an unknown close destroyed during the Great Fire of 1824, now thoughtfully restored to offer a series of premium tasting and storytelling experiences. From whisky tastings to immersive events, The Lost Close invites guests to explore a unique part of Edinburgh’s past, where history, craftsmanship, and atmosphere come together in an unforgettable setting.

https://thelostclose.com/

At The Whisky Shop, we have lots of new releases we’re excited to share with you, and tomorrow, keep an eye on your inbox as we have an exciting announcement!

Our first pick of the week is the brand new Glenallachie 21 Year Old Cask Strength (Batch 7). An opulent, layered single malt, designed to showcase the distillery’s luxuriously sherried style in its purest form. Expertly crafted by Master Distiller Billy Walker from select Pedro Ximénez and oloroso puncheons and hogsheads.

Rich in colour, flavour and finesse, Batch 7 is proudly presented at cask strength of 51.9% abv, free from added colouring or chill filtration.

The nose is richly aromatic, mocha and sticky gingerbread meeting honeycomb, spiced orange and candied hazelnuts, all warmed by a gentle waft of baking spice. Bold fruits, both sweet and dark – black cherries, poached red apples, damsons and raisins – meet brown sugars, buttercream and nutty dark chocolate on the palate, with honeyed oak, treacle and candied ginger lacing the lingering, softly tannic finish.

Why not have a look through our new releases, or let us tell you more about our picks for this week!

American whiskey: Bourbon, rye and beyond

American whiskey is a huge subject, and one that ranges far more broadly than just the big, familiar names (as good as they are). Bourbon is the biggest-selling type of American whiskey and must be made with at least 51% corn (maize) in the grist. The balance of flavours varies in great part on what that other 49% consists of – wheat for smoothness, rye for spice, or more corn for sweetness.

Learn more

DUNCAN TAYLOR SCOTCH WHISKY

LAUNCH FIRST MIZUNARA OCTAVE CASK

Duncan Taylor Scotch Whisky has further expanded its award-winning Octave portfolio, with the introduction of its first-ever Mizunara oak cask finish.  The launch marks another milestone in the company’s continued innovation within this range.

Directly sourced from Japan, the rare Mizunara oak cask was chosen to finish a triple-distilled Auchentoshan single malt over an initial four-month maturation period. The result is a distinctive Octave whisky that showcases the unique influence of this highly prized Japanese oak.

Ian Logan, Senior Spirits Manager at Duncan Taylor, said:  “The ongoing success of our Octave range gave us the opportunity to push the boundaries and experiment with new cask finishes. Auchentoshan’s lighter, triple-distilled spirit, allowed the Mizunara oak to fully express its natural character and the results far exceeded our expectations.”

The Mizunara cask arrived at Duncan Taylor’s headquarters in Huntly, Aberdeenshire, in March after being exported directly from Japan. Although Mizunara is renowned for being one of the most challenging oak species to work with due to its porous nature, it is equally celebrated for producing exceptionally elegant and complex whisky finishes.

Distilled in October 2011, the Auchentoshan matured for 14 years before spending four months in the Mizunara octave. Bottled at 52.1% ABV, the whisky has developed a rich and distinctive flavour profile.

Before octavation, the whisky displayed notes of vanilla yoghurt, honey, ginger, gentle citrus and soft spice. Following its time in the Mizunara octave, those flavours evolved into creamy rice pudding, golden syrup, mandarin, cedarwood and a lingering ginger warmth.

Logan added:  “We started experimenting for this project and the Auchentoshan quickly stood out as the ideal match for the style of the cask. The transformation has been remarkable and we’re delighted with the outcome. This is just the beginning of our exploration with Mizunara and we’re excited to see what other spirit styles work equally well with this exceptional wood.”

To mark the release, Duncan Taylor collaborated with Japanese photographer Kato Shu (FRPS) to capture the bottle alongside a Mizunara oak in an ancient forest at the foothills of Mount Fuji. While much of Japan’s native woodland has changed since the Edo period, this remarkable landscape remains home to towering Mizunara oaks, some more than 300 years old, which continue to thrive against the odds.

The Octave Mizunara finish has yielded just 76 bottles, making it an exceptionally limited release. It will be available exclusively through The Spirits Embassy, priced at £125.

There is more to come from Duncan Taylor’s innovative Octave range, not just with Mizunara casks but also further experimental finishes and new wood types are already in development and will be released later in the year.

HISTORY OF DUNCAN TAYLOR SCOTCH WHISKY 

Duncan Taylor Scotch Whisky is an independently owned scotch whisky specialist which was established as a cask broker and trading company on May 27^th, 1938.

Nearly 90 years after the company was first registered, Duncan Taylor is recognised on the global stage as one of the most innovative and dynamic whisky companies.  The company’s devotion to the principles of providing exceptional casks for filling at the finest distilleries, has been a key feature of its history.

The multi-award-winning company has built a reputation for its ownership of one of the largest privately held collections of some of the world’s most sought after vintage and rare whiskies and it continues to act as a reputable whisky merchant, blender, bottler and cask broker.

Today, the company sits on the periphery of Speyside, in the heart of scenic Huntly, Scotland, where it has its own facilities of a cooperage, cask storage, blending and bottling hall.  It also owns The Bank Restaurant & Café, The Club Room and Whiskies of Scotland shop all located in the Aberdeenshire town centre, close to its headquarters.

Its award-winning portfolio of brands includes Black Bull® Whisky, The Octave®, The Rarest®, Tantalus, and Dimensions®, among others. Find out more at https://www.duncantaylor.com/.

Introducing the Glenfarclas Family Cask 2011: A New Vintage Unveiled

We are delighted to announce the launch of our 2011 vintage, the latest addition to the exclusive Family Cask Collection. Selected during the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival, this exceptional single cask release has been matured in a first-fill Oloroso Sherry Hogshead and bottled at its natural cask strength of 59.8% ABV.

With just 276 bottles available worldwide, this is an extremely limited release that offers whisky enthusiasts and collectors the opportunity to own a unique piece of Glenfarclas history.

The Family Cask Collection is believed to be the largest consecutive collection of Scotch whisky in the world, with 59 vintages from 1952 through to 2011. This remarkable collection showcases a diverse range of cask types, fills, production methods and ages, with each bottle representing a distinct moment in time. Together, they provide a unique insight into the history, craftsmanship and character of Glenfarclas, creating whiskies that can be enjoyed and admired for generations to come.

This very limited release is now available to purchase from our Visitor Centre and will also be available through selected local retailers around the world.

For more information about Glenfarclas and our award-winning whiskies, please visit www.glenfarclas.com