£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.

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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.

SENSATIONAL ISLAY SINGLE MALT

Distilled on the island’s shoreline, Bowmore’s single malts are often considered the epitome of Islay whisky. There’s peat smoke, but it’s exactingly balanced. There’s elegant maritime brine, but it never overpowers. Then there’s the signature orchard fruit sweetness. Everything about Bowmore conveys a sense of harmony. And this 20-year-old Chorlton bottling (£146.40) is a masterpiece.

Independent bottler Chorlton has selected and released this exemplary ex-bourbon cask that’s been resting for over two decades. It lets all that character shine through, unhindered by bold finishing. And with just 231 bottles available, it’s a rare treat. Secure yours now.

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Loch Lomond Whiskies Unveils Duo of Limited Edition Single Malts Inspired by  The Spirit of The Open

 The striking new releases celebrate the spirit within, with new packaging designed to reflect the timeless character of golf’s original championship.

The Spirit of The Open, Loch Lomond Whiskies, has unveiled two new limited-edition single malts to mark The 154th Open  at Royal Birkdale.

Presented in striking new illustrative packaging, the releases capture the joy, anticipation and shared celebration of fans coming together around one of golf’s most iconic links courses.

The Open Course Collection 2026 (£195, 46.9 ABV) and The Open Course Special Edition 2026 (RRP £45; 46% ABV) celebrate Loch Lomond Whiskies’ longstanding partnership with golf’s original championship, now entering its ninth year. For 2026, both expressions are presented in a newly enhanced pack design inspired by vintage travel posters, bringing to life the true meaning of the ‘spirit of The Open’ and reflecting the timeless character of links golf on England’s north-west coast.

Both whiskies have been distilled exclusively using Loch Lomond Whiskies’ unique Straight Neck Stills. As the only Scotch distillery to use this innovative distillation technique, Master Blender Michael Henry is able to exert greater control over flavour creation, delivering a distinctive house style defined by notes of fruit, honey and soft smoke found only in the distillery’s single malts.

With just 3,000 bottles available worldwide, The Open Course Collection 2026 is a highly limited release. Patiently matured for 19 years, the whisky began its journey in American Oak before being finished for six months in Tawny Port casks. The finishing brings layers of rich red berries, dried fruits and sweet spice, complementing Loch Lomond’s signature character.

In a fitting tribute to those who have shaped the Championship, the pack also features the date, venue and winner of every Open, from the inaugural tournament at Prestwick in 1860 through to Royal Birkdale in 2026.

The Open Special Edition 2026 was created in collaboration with renowned Scottish golfer Colin Montgomerie, raising a glass to the people, places and moments that make The Open extraordinary. Matured initially in American oak to establish Loch Lomond’s signature style, the whisky has been finished for six months in Argentinian Malbec casks, adding notes of richer dark berries, vibrant red fruits and gentle spice.

Michael Henry, Master Blender at Loch Lomond Whiskies, said: “Royal Birkdale holds a special place in the history of The Open. As one of the purest tests of links golf, it has provided the stage for some of the Championship’s greatest moments. Through these new expressions, we have sought to explore the spirit of the course, the players and the craft that defines this historic venue.

“Each whisky is unmistakably Loch Lomond in character, showcasing our ability to create depth, balance and complexity while remaining true to our house style.”

Henry Keeling, Director – Commercial Partnerships at The R&A, said: “We are delighted to build on our long-standing partnership with Loch Lomond Group across both The Open and the AIG Women’s Open. Working with partners who share our ambition for these championships – and for the continued development of golf – is central to what we do.”

Loch Lomond Whiskies commissioned Bucket List Prints to curate the striking new art-work for its latest golf-inspired expressions.  Known for its vintage-inspired travel posters celebrating iconic destinations, landscapes, and experiences around the world, Bucket List Prints is a UK creative design agency, with global reach. Through its unique artwork it captures a strong sense of place, atmosphere, and story while building the composition to work seamlessly across the different pack formats.

Jack Franks, Bucket List Prints, added: “Courses like Royal Birkdale carry decades of history and character, which lends itself perfectly to a travel poster aesthetic.”

The Open Course Collection 2026 and The Open Course Special Edition 2026 are available from www.lochlomondwhiskies.com as well as key whisky retailers Master of Malt, The Whisky Shop, The Whisky Exchange and Royal Mile Whiskies.

Tasting notes 

Loch Lomond The Open Course Collection 2026

• Nose: Toasted oak, apple, ginger and vanilla.

• Taste: Toffee, pineapple, lemon, cinnamon spice, with red berries and dried fruits from the Tawny Port casks.

• Finish: Long with warming oak spice, dried fruit sweetness and soft smoke.

Loch Lomond The Open Special Edition 2026

• Nose: Dark berries, redcurrant and citrus zest with vanilla, honey and soft malt.

• Taste: Blackberry, raspberry and peach syrup, layered with crisp apple, toffee sweetness and gentle spice. A subtle threadof smoke runs through the palate.

• Finish: Medium length with lingering berry sweetness, soft oak spice and light, smoky warmth.

About Loch Lomond Whiskies

Loch Lomond Whiskies is an award-winning, independent Scotch whisky distiller which has been producing the finest single malt whiskies since 1814.  As a Highland malt, it is part of the largest and most diverse whisky-making region in Scotland.

The original site of the Loch Lomond Distillery was established near Tarbert, towards the northwest end of Loch Lomond. In the 1960s, under the leadership of American entrepreneur and chemist, Duncan Scott (who was instrumental in the ongoing success of Scotland’s oldest licensed distillery, Littlemill), a new site was created in Alexandria, which began a move to a more innovative philosophy and style of whisky-making that is still used today.

Located only a few miles from the famous loch, the distillery has a whisky-making capability like no other, using a combination of traditional swan-neck and its signature straight-neck-stills, which are unique to Loch Lomond Whiskies.

The straight neck stills give Master Blender Michael Henry greater control over the distillation process, allowing him to carefully manipulate the flavour profile of each whisky, and providing a signature fruit, honey and soft smoke flavour profile.

Loch Lomond Whiskies is one of only four distillers in Scotland to have its own onsite cooperage, ensuring that barrel repairs and charring are carried out to an exacting standard, so every cask is perfect for maturing whisky.

The distillery’s multi-award-winning range includes Loch Lomond Original; Loch Lomond 12 Year Old; Loch Lomond 12 Year Old; Loch Lomond Inchmoan 12 Year Old; Loch Lomond Inchmurrin 12 Year Old; Loch Lomond 18 Year Old; Loch Lomond 21 Year Old and Loch Lomond 30 Year Old, as well as Loch Lomond Single Grain (peated and unpeated) and the deluxe blend Loch Lomond Signature.

In 2023, it was recognised as the ‘Most Awarded Distillery’ at the globally renowned San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2023, achieving multiple Double Gold and Gold Awards for its collection of malt whisky brands.

In 2024, Loch Lomond 18 Year Old was revealed as The Whisky Exchange’s coveted ‘Whisky of the Year 2024’, achieving superior scores from the judging panel for its full-bodied and fruity character.