Brave New Spirits

Islay/Speyside Blended Malt 19 Years Old

ABV: 54.4% 70 cL

BONHAMS PARTNERS WITH BUFFALO TRACE TO LAUNCH EAGLE RARE 30-YEAR-OLD, THE OLDEST AGE STATED WHISKEY FROM THE AMERICAN DISTILLERY

London – In celebration of Eagle Rare 30, the oldest age-stated bourbon to date from Buffalo Trace Distillery, Bonhams will present a curated online auction of the World’s Most-Award Winning Distillery’s rarest and highly-coveted American whiskeys.

Running from 24 April to 8 May 2026 on bonhams.com, the sale will feature the first and second bottles ever produced of Eagle Rare 30 alongside a range of individual lots and curated collections from across the Eagle Rare portfolio – including 10, 12, and 17 Years Old – as well as exclusive experiences and a luxury overnight stay at the historic distillery in Kentucky.

The auction presents a rare moment for collectors, as ultra-aged bourbon is exceptionally uncommon. In Kentucky’s dramatic climate, very few barrels endure to reach 30 years of maturation, making Eagle Rare 30 a significant milestone for both Buffalo Trace Distillery and American whiskey.

Amayès Aouli, Global Head of Bonhams Wine & Spirits, commented: “The global teams of Bonhams are honoured to partner with such an iconic name as Buffalo Trace on this exclusive auction launching Eagle Rare 30. Distilled in the experimental Warehouse P where time and environment are pushed to their limits, this remarkable whiskey represents the pinnacle of the Eagle Rare collection. It also highlights the strength of our global platform, with events across three continents, in our Bonhams salerooms, culminating in our online auction.”

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Eagle Rare 30-year-old

Driven by the belief that the world’s best whiskey has yet to be created, Buffalo Trace Distillery has spent decades pushing the limits of American aging. Eagle Rare 30 builds on Eagle Rare 25, both drawn from Warehouse P, one of the distillery’s two experimental warehouses designed to slow and control maturation.

Created to test whether extended aging could elevate bourbon in the same way it does in more temperate climates such as Japan, Scotland and Ireland, Warehouse P produces whiskey that matures more evenly over time, resulting in Eagle Rare 25 and 30, two expressions that redefine the category’s potential.

“Eagle Rare 25 and 30 aren’t just about time, they’re about what time reveals,” said Master Distiller Harlen Wheatley. Kentucky’s climate makes long aging difficult, but Warehouse P allows those effects to be managed while preserving nuance.

He added that maturity depends on more than years alone, with oak, char and environment shaping the whiskey over decades. Careful monitoring has unlocked exceptional smoothness and complexity, creating something truly distinctive.

Eagle Rare 30-Year-Old

Distilled at Buffalo Trace Distillery since 1989, Eagle Rare has become one of Buffalo Trace’s most celebrated and sought-after collections, spanning from the classic 10-Year-Old to the rare 25 and newly introduced 30-Year-Old, offering age statements more commonly associated with Scotch whisky than bourbon. It has earned international recognition including a record-holding five Double Gold medals at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition as well as Gold and category honours from the International Wine & Spirit Competition and the International Spirits Challenge, reinforcing its standing among the world’s leading whiskeys.

Comprising 15 lots in total, highlights of the auction include:

• Lot #1: The first bottle ever produced of Eagle Rare 30-Year-Old, in addition to a private single barrel tasting experience featuring up to five Buffalo Trace bourbons hosted at either Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, KY or Buffalo Trace Distillery London, its tasting room located in Covent Garden. Estimate: £7,500 – £10,000 ($10,000 – $13,000).

• Lot #2: One bottle each from the entire Eagle Rare collection: 10, 12, 17-Year-Old (3 x 700ml bottles) as Double Eagle Very Rare, 25 and the second bottle produced of 30-Year-Old (3 x 750ml presented in their signature display cases). Also includes one-night luxury accommodations at Stagg Lodge, the Distillery’s VIP, invite-only lodge overlooking the historic campus. Estimate: £20,000-30,000 ($27,000 – $40,000)

• Lot #3: One 700ml bottle each of Eagle Rare 17-, 12- and 10-Year-Old as well as an Eagle Rare 10 single barrel pick experience hosted at either Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, KY or Buffalo Trace Distillery London. Estimate: £7,000-10,000 ($9,000 – $13,500).

• Lot #4 – #5: One 700ml bottle of Eagle Rare 17-Year-Old from the 2025 Buffalo Trace Antique Collection. Estimate: £800-1,300 ($1,000 – $1,700).

• Lots #6 – #10: Each offering a six-bottle case of Eagle Rare 12-Year-Old (6 x 700ml, bottles). Estimate: £700-1,000 ($950 – $1,300).

• Lots #11- #15: Each offering a six-bottle case of Eagle Rare 10-Year-Old (6 x 700ml, bottles). Estimate: £200-400 ($260 – $530).

Top: Eagle  Rare 12 Years Old. Bottom: Eagle Rare 20 Years Old.

Sale: Eagle Rare 30-Yea-Old Bourbon Takes Flight: The Ultimate Eagle Rare Release Location: bonhams.com Date: 24 April – 8 May 2026

About The Bonhams Network

Bonhams is a global network of auction houses, with the largest number of international salerooms, offering the widest range of collecting categories and selling at all price points. Bonhams is recognised for its bespoke service, and a dedication to local market relationships, enhanced by a global platform. With 14 salerooms, Bonhams presents over 1,000 sales annually, across more than 60 specialist categories, including fine art, collectables, luxury, wine & spirits, and collector cars.

Founded in 1793, Bonhams has representatives in more than 30 countries and operates flagship salerooms in London, New York, Paris, Los Angeles, and Hong Kong. In 2022, Bonhams added four international auction houses to its network: Bukowskis, Stockholm; Bruun Rasmussen, Copenhagen; Cornette de Saint Cyr, Paris and Brussels; and Skinner, Massachusetts. The success of Bonhams’ global strategy is a result of recognising the shift in growing intercontinental buying and increased digital engagement.

More information and highlights can be found HERE

For a full list of forthcoming auctions, plus details of Bonhams specialist departments, please visit bonhams.com

£279.00

A rare independently bottled Laphroaig 2005! This expression balances the distillery’s unmistakable maritime peat with the depth of long aging. Finished in a sherry butt, it layers classic iodine, sea spray, and smouldering smoke with richer notes of dried fruit, polished oak, and dark spice. Bottled at 20 years old, it offers a more contemplative take on Islay’s bold character — where medicinal intensity meets elegant sweetness with a warming finish.

A real treat for the Laphroaig fans!

Spring sees Tomintoul Distillery reopen with rare visitor-only releases

Tomintoul Distillery has reopened its doors for the 2026 season, inviting visitors back to the heart of the Cairngorms National Park to experience the craft, heritage and warm hospitality behind its award-winning single malt.

Closed to the public over the winter months, the Speyside distillery now resumes its programme of guided tours, offering whisky lovers the chance to step behind the scenes and experience production in one of Scotland’s most quietly distinctive distilleries.

Set against the rugged landscape of the Cairngorms, Tomintoul has been producing single malt whisky since 1965, drawing on traditional methods that have remained largely unchanged for generations.

Guests can now return to explore behind the scenes of the production areas, meet the team and enjoy guided tastings that bring Tomintoul’s story to life – with the reopening arriving just ahead of the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival, when the region welcomes whisky enthusiasts from around the world.

To mark the reopening, Tomintoul has also unveiled two new limited-edition expressions, available exclusively to those visiting the distillery.

Tomintoul 11 Year Old, limited to just 1,009 bottles and priced at £79, showcases the carefully balanced marriage of Oloroso sherry and American oak casks, carefully selected for its depth and gentle complexity.

Alongside it, the Sauternes Barrique Single Cask – a rare release of only 318 individually numbered bottles priced at £225 – brings a rich, fruit-led profile, shaped by its distinctive cask influence while retaining Tomintoul’s signature smooth character.

Robert Fleming, Master Distiller at Tomintoul, said: “There’s something special about welcoming people back into the distillery each spring. It’s a chance to share not just the whisky, but the place, the process and the people behind it.

“These exclusive bottlings are a natural extension of that experience, something visitors can only discover and take away with them from our brand home in the heart of the Cairngorms.”

The 90-minute guided experience takes visitors through the full whisky-making journey, from raw ingredients to spirit, led by the distillery’s team. Tours conclude with a tutored tasting of three Tomintoul single malts, offering a deeper understanding of the smooth, approachable house style that defines the brand.

Robert Fleming added: “With the Spirit of Speyside Festival just around the corner, it’s an especially exciting time to visit the region, and we’re looking forward to welcoming both new and returning visitors through our doors.”

Tours run from 30th March to 1st November 2026, with advance booking essential. For more information or to book, visit www.TomintoulWhisky.com.

Tomintoul Distillery

Tomintoul Distillery is nestled in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park, within the whisky producing region of Speyside. The distillery, established in 1965, is named after the nearby village of Tomintoul, the highest village in the Highlands of Scotland.

Tomintoul’s signature range includes the popular 10-Year-Old, 14-Year-Old and 16-Year-Old, as well as the multi-award-winning Cigar Malt and premium 21-Year-Old and 25-Year-Old.

The Society’s new Creators Collection, The New Wave: A taste of our next generation gems is now live. Here’s more about the five-bottle collection from our head of whisky creation, Euan Campbell…

“Scotland’s distilling tradition dates back centuries, with some of the oldest distilleries still producing excellent whisky to this day. The last couple of decades have seen a flurry of activity, with new distilleries founded, each looking to continue that legacy. Our New Wave Creators Collection explores and celebrates some of these modern pioneers and provides members with a taste of what’s to come. We’ve worked with many of these newer distilleries from day one, filling our own casks in anticipation. Here were present some cracking drams for all to enjoy. The future looks bright!”

WATCH THE VIDEO

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

Knob Creek® Debuts Blender’s Edition, a Limited Series Celebrating the Art of Blending

Knob Creek® Blender’s Edition 01 is the result of intentional blending craftsmanship, unlocking a sweeter side of the Knob Creek flavor profile

CLERMONT, KY., March 31, 2026 – The James B. Beam Distilling Co., home of The Small Batch Bourbon Collection™, introduces Knob Creek® Blender’s Edition, a new series of limited-edition whiskeys celebrating one of the most skilled and nuanced crafts in whiskey making: blending. Born from the passion, precision and devoted pursuit of bold flavor that define Knob Creek®, the Blender’s Edition series showcases the artistry and deliberate decisions that shape the unique flavor experience in each release.

For the first in the series, eighth generation master distiller Freddie Noe and his trusted team of expert blenders carefully hand-selected barrels to highlight the sweeter side of the Knob Creek flavor profile. The result is a bourbon that opens with rich confectionery sweetness and a full mouthfeel, with notes of vanilla bean, finishing long and soft — all crafted with the same intentionality and care that goes into every expression of Knob Creek®. Knob Creek® Blender’s Edition 01 is aged a minimum of 10 years and bottled at 106 proof, now available nationwide at a suggested retail price of $44.99 for a 750mL bottle.

“The Blender’s Edition series is about slowing down and discovering the story each blend tells —with a unique and new experience in each edition of the series,” said Freddie Noe, eighth generation master distiller. “It is thanks to the passion and precision of our blending team who have uncovered the nuanced flavors you taste in Knob Creek® Blender’s Edition 01.”

Every detail of Knob Creek® Blender’s Edition is by design. Blending is where precision meets creativity, and this series shines a spotlight on the masters behind the craft so with each release, Knob Creek® celebrates the blenders who boldly explore new depths of flavor and redefine what’s possible.

For more information about Knob Creek® Blender’s Edition and Knob Creek® award-winning bourbon and rye portfolios, visit knobcreek.com or follow along on Instagram and Facebook @KnobCreek.

About Knob Creek® Bourbon

Knob Creek® has set the standard for super-premium whiskey for three decades by crafting extraordinary full-flavored bourbon with a rich taste. Knob Creek® bourbons and ryes are patiently aged to perfection in new, maximum charred American Oak barrels to impart the biggest and fullest flavor on their whiskey. No matter the expression, Knob Creek® is crafted without shortcuts and embodies the pre-Prohibition style that founding distiller Booker Noe created in 1992. Since then, Knob Creek® has lived up to such standards with the introduction of Knob Creek® Straight Rye Whiskey in 2012, and later on, Knob Creek® Single Barrel Select Rye Whiskey. In recent years, Knob Creek® announced the permanent addition of Knob Creek® 12 Year Old Bourbon and launched four limited releases, Knob Creek® 15 Year Old Bourbon, Knob Creek® 18 Year Old Bourbon, Knob Creek® Bourbon x Rye and Knob Creek® 21 Year Old. Knob Creek® has continued to build out its rye portfolio; the brand announced the addition of an age statement to its flagship rye whiskey, Knob Creek® 7 Year Old Rye Whiskey, and released Knob Creek® 10 Year Old Rye Whiskey.

Welcome to Whisky Show Favourites

Our Welcome to Whisky Show has come and gone, and as always, there were a fair few bottles that stood out from the crowd – classics like Loch Lomond 12 and Jura 14, newcomers on the scene like Torabhaig Taigh, and approachable, easy-drinking drams like Compass Box Orchard House. And that’s barely scratching the surface.

We’ve narrowed down the wide array of fantastic bottles at the show, picking out some of our favourites – trusted old companions as well as exciting fresh releases – that may just become your new whisky loves.

SHOP NOW

SIX NEW WHISKIES INTRODUCED

BY CLYDEBUILT BRAND 

Boutique Scotch whisky label Clydebuilt expands its offering

with new six new Single Cask expressions

Leading independent bottling house Clydebuilt today unveils six new Single Cask Scotch Whiskies, strengthening its extensive product portfolio.

Ardgowan Distillery Company (ADC) – the home of the boutique brand – was established in 2017 and reached a major milestone in June 2025 with the completion of its distillery and commencement of its Single Malt production.

Situated on the Firth of Clyde, Ardgowan named the range in honour of the river’s world renowned shipbuilding heritage, where the term ‘Clydebuilt’ became synonymous with precision, pride and craftsmanship.

Despite challenging conditions across the wider industry, Ardgowan reaffirmed its commitment to the Clydebuilt brand with a £5m investment in mature malt whisky stocks in 2025, with a further £4m to be injected this year.

The firm’s Distillery Manager and Expert Whisky Maker Laura Davies oversaw the maturation of each cask and personally selected the six new expressions from an enviable inventory.

The new Single Cask releases, comprising five Single Malts and one Single Grain, include:

• 2013 Bourbon Barrel, Aberlour Distillery (RRSP £120.00): a Speyside Single Malt matured in a single Bourbon barrel (#300080). Limited to 192 bottles, the nose brings hints of buttery fudge, while the palate offers whipped cream and boiled sweets.
• 2015 Sherry Hogshead, Aultmore Distillery (RRSP £65.00): yielding 305 bottles, cask number 303634 previously held Spanish Sherry before hosting spirit distilled at Speyside’s Aultmore Distillery. The result is a warming Single Malt with flavours of fruit scones topped with jam and cream.
• 2012 Bourbon Hogshead, Benriach Distillery (RRSP £95.00): previously used to mature Bourbon, cask number 750335 subsequently aged Speyside Single Malt from Benriach Distillery. The resulting 226 bottles boast moreish flavours buttercream icing, retro boiled sweets and fruit salad.
• 2005 Bourbon Hogshead, Cameronbridge Distillery (RRSP £79.00): a vintage Single Grain expression matured for 20 long years in a Bourbon hogshead. The bronze liquid brims with buttered popcorn, heather honey and peach cobbler drizzled with cream.
• 2012 Bourbon Barrel, Glen Garioch Distillery (RRSP £85.00): distilled in the Highlands, cask number 4587 was matured on site at Ardgowan Distillery. The cask’s Bourbon history has imparted notes of marzipan, vanilla fudge and hazelnut praline on the resulting 237 bottles produced.
• 2015 Sherry Hogshead, Linkwood Distillery (RRSP £59.00): a Speyside Single Malt matured in a single Spanish Sherry cask (#312013). Limited to 332 bottles, the nose reveals grassy aromas, while the palate offers creamy toffee and gooseberry jam qualities.

As with all Clydebuilt Single Cask bottlings, each whisky was bottled at its natural cask strength, with no added colouring or chill filtration, preserving its character and integrity.

Commenting on the new releases, Davies shares:

“Working with spirit from different distilleries is a great reminder of how diverse Scotch whisky can be. There’s a joy in discovering a whisky where the distillery character shines through. Every cask behaves differently, but these six stood out for their balance between distillery DNA and cask influence. They’re honest whiskies, bottled as if you were sampling straight from the cask: at their natural strength and colour, and without undergoing chill filtration.”

Last September, ADC announced a series of new distribution partnerships for Clydebuilt across key markets in Europe, North America and Asia, significantly expanding its global availability.

The new Clydebuilt Single Cask bottlings will begin rolling out through the specialist retail channel from today. A list of UK stockists and international distributors can be found here.

ABOUT CLYDEBUILT SCOTCH WHISKY:

Some of the greatest ships in the world were built on the River Clyde and so, over time, the word ‘Clydebuilt’ came to stand for craftsmanship, integrity and pride. The Clydebuilt brand was inspired by that exceptional legacy: a fitting tribute as Ardgowan Distillery, the home of the brand, is situated on the Firth of Clyde near Inverkip.

While Ardgowan Single Malt continues to slumber for many years, Whisky Maker Laura Davies applies the same meticulous approach to Clydebuilt. This is a boutique range of thoughtfully selected and matured Scotch whiskies that honour the spirit of the Clyde, emulating and upholding the attention to detail and the pride in quality of those that came before. Discover more.

Further information on Ardgowan Distillery Company can be found at ardgowandistillery.com

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TASTING NOTES:

Clydebuilt 2013 Bourbon Barrel Single Cask, Aberlour Distillery – 58.1% ABV

• Colour: Rich golden.
• Nose: Clean and inviting, with a buttery fudge aroma.
• Taste: Vanilla whipped cream and ‘sherbet fruits’ boiled sweets.  

Clydebuilt 2015 Sherry Hogshead Single Cask, Aultmore Distillery – 56.6% ABV

• Colour: Auburn.
• Nose: Ripe figs and cinnamon sticks.
• Taste: Fruit scones with raspberry jam and clotted cream.  

Clydebuilt 2012 Bourbon Hogshead Single Cask, Benriach Distillery – 56.0% ABV

• Colour: Bright gold.
• Nose: Tropical fruit pavlova.
• Taste: Buttercream icing, retro boiled sweets and fruit salad. 

Clydebuilt 2005 Bourbon Hogshead Single Cask, Cameronbridge Distillery (Single Grain) – 54.3% ABV

• Colour: Bronze.
• Nose: Aromas of buttered popcorn.
• Taste: A thick mouthfeel, with heather honey and peach cobbler drizzled with cream.  

Clydebuilt 2012 Bourbon Barrel Single Cask, Glen Garioch Distillery – 57.2% ABV

• Colour: Amber.
• Nose: Marzipan and brown sugar to the fore.
• Taste: Inviting flavours of hazelnut praline, vanilla fudge and chewy raisins. 

Clydebuilt 2015 Sherry Hogshead Single Cask, Linkwood Distillery – 56.3% ABV

• Colour: Bronze.
• Nose: Grassy aromas, alongside light peat.
• Taste: Tones of creamy toffee and gooseberry jam.

This is a first for the Small Batch Series. Not just another whisky release, the first one that can tell you exactly how long it took to make. Ten years in first-fill ruby port pipes, sourced in 2016 from a vineyard deep in Portugal’s Douro Valley, one of the world’s oldest protected wine regions. Our first age-stated expression in the series, and a whisky that makes the case for itself the moment it hits the glass.

Nose Port aromas drift alongside a delicate whisper of sea salt. Dried fruits slowly emerge – raisins, dark cherries and sultanas, in a deeply vinous embrace that hints at the extraordinary casks at work.

Palate Luscious caramel and smooth vanilla arrive first, underpinned by beautiful wine-soaked flavours. Darker notes follow, gentle oak smoke and the rich sweetness of dates and figs with a supple, full-bodied texture and outstanding depth of flavour.

Finish Long and warming. Caramel and dried fruits linger with quiet confidence, while those signature ruby port notes weave through to the very end.