LATEST EDITION

In the latest issue of Whisky Magazine, we’re exploring the whiskies of Asia. Japanese whisky has a well-established presence in the whisky world. Now, whisky making is spreading throughout the continent as a new generation of distillers join the craft. On the cover, founder Dhavall Gandhi shares the story behind Kandoblanc. The luxury design house unites the principles of Japanese design, Italian craftsmanship, and single malt Scotch whisky.

We Sell Sanctuary (And It’s Made By Phillips!)

THE VIDEO!

Adam discovers the brand new relaunch of Sanctuary single malt by Fermentorium at Phillips here in Victoria BC. Want to try it? Come and celebrate the launch with us at a very special tasting event and launch party on Dec 7th! Links below.

Fermentorium – The Cask Discovery Tasting

Sunday December 7th at 2pm

Sanctuary Whisky Launch Party

Sunday December 7th at 4pm

Join Phillips Fermentorium and the Deb Rhymer band as they launch their brand new re-imagined Sanctuary whisky at the Sunday Blues Service.

Buy your bottle now 

Bottled at 100 proof, Knob Creek® 21 Year Old is a full-flavored bourbon that reflects our unwavering commitment to pre-Prohibition style craftsmanship.

THE JAMES B. BEAM DISTILLING CO. INTRODUCES KNOB CREEK® 21 YEAR OLD, THE OLDEST EXPRESSION IN DISTILLERY HISTORY

Knob Creek® proudly announces the newest evolution of its Single Barrel Select Program: Knob Creek® Single Barrel Select Cask Strength. 

Each barrel was hand-selected for its distinctive flavor and balance, resulting in a bourbon as rare and bold in character as it is in age

CLERMONT, Ky., – The James B. Beam Distilling Co., home of the The Small Batch Bourbon Collection™, marks a historic moment with the release of Knob Creek® 21 Year Old, the oldest expression to be released from the distillery and the award-winning Knob Creek® portfolio. Discovered at 21 years, this limited-edition bourbon marks a milestone for Knob Creek®—an extra-aged whiskey that embodies Knob Creek® while delivering a distinctive new expression and flavor experience.

Bottled at 100 proof, Knob Creek® 21 Year Old is a full-flavored bourbon that reflects our unwavering commitment to pre-Prohibition style craftsmanship. For more than two decades, these barrels rested patiently in our Kentucky rackhouses, weathering changing temperatures and seasons. During this time, the whiskey didn’t just age; it evolved, gaining extraordinary depth, color, and character that only 21 years in the barrel can bring. Each was then hand-selected by our master distillers for its remarkable balance and complexity – proof that patience, instinct, and respect for the process can create something truly one of a kind.

“When we first laid this batch to rest, we weren’t chasing any specific age statement – we were focused on crafting a great bourbon, just like we always do,” said Freddie Noe, eighth generation master distiller. “After I tasted the whiskey, I knew we had something special. After decades in the rackhouse, the liquid developed a richness and balance we knew Knob Creek® fans and whiskey enthusiasts would want to try. That’s what makes this release special: it’s bold, full of character, and embodies what Knob Creek® stands for.”

Bottled at 100 proof, Knob Creek® 21 Year Old is a full-flavored bourbon that reflects our unwavering commitment to pre-Prohibition style craftsmanship. It opens with aromas of seasoned oak, caramelized sugar, and subtle smoke. On the palate, deep caramel and char build alongside hints of fruit and toasted oak, leading to a long, warm finish of toffee and charred wood — a flavor profile shaped by decades of care and expertise.

Arriving just in time for the holiday season, Knob Creek® 21 Year Old invites bourbon lovers to savor and share it neat to experience the liquid in its purest form. This limited time offering is presented in a distinguished keepsake box – a tribute to the craft and care behind this release – and is available nationwide for a limited time at a suggested retail price of $249.99 for a 750mL bottle.

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 three limited releases, Knob Creek® 15 Year Old Bourbon, Knob Creek® 18 Year Old Bourbon, and Knob Creek® Bourbon x Rye. 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.

About Suntory Global Spirits

As a world leader in premium spirits, Suntory Global Spirits inspires the brilliance of life, by creating rich experiences for people, in harmony with nature. Known for its craftsmanship of premium whiskies, including Jim Beam® and Maker’s Mark®; Japanese whiskies, including Yamazaki®, Hakushu®, Hibiki® and Toki™; and leading Scotch brands including Laphroaig® and Bowmore®, Suntory Global Spirits also produces leading brands such as Tres Generaciones® and El Tesoro® tequila, Roku™ and Sipsmith® gin, and is a world leader in Ready-To-Drink cocktails, with brands like -196™ (minus one-nine-six) and On The Rocks™ Premium Cocktails.

A global company with approximately 6,000 employees in nearly 30 countries, Suntory Global Spirits is driven by its core values of Growing for Good, Yatte Minahare and Giving Back to Society. The company’s Proof Positive sustainability strategy includes ambitious goals and investments to drive sustainable change and have a positive impact on the planet, consumers and communities. Headquartered in New York City, Suntory Global Spirits is a subsidiary of Suntory Holdings Limited of Japan. For more information, visit www.suntoryglobalspirits.com

*Further information on Knob Creek® awards can be found at www.knobcreek.com
Knob Creek® Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 50% Alc./vol. ©2025 James B. Beam Distilling Company, Clermont KY.

The Whisky Lounge releases 20^th Anniversary Book

Saturday 25^th October, at York Whisky Festival, saw the release of The Whisky Lounge’s first book, to celebrate the 20^th Anniversary of the company’s creation.

The self-published book contains excerpts from interviews with 23 key players in the whisky industry, covering subjects including, ‘do you believe the whisky industry has changed more in the last 20 years, than the previous 200?’, plus memories of their experiences with The Whisky Lounge.

The book includes interviews with friends of The Whisky Lounge, such as Dave Broom, Charlie MacLean, Dr. Nick Morgan, Dr. Bill Lumsden and many more, plus Whisky Lounge founders, Amanda and Eddie Ludlow.

It also contains dozens of photos from the last 20 years of Whisky Lounge events.

Isabel Graham-Yooll, writer, and ‘author’ of the book, came up with the idea, when she realised the importance of marking the occasion. She said;

“Happy 20th Birthday to The Whisky Lounge! 

Over the last twenty years, The Whisky Lounge has created opportunities for thousands upon thousands of new whisky enthusiasts across the UK to taste great whisky, and for whisky brands to connect with those customers. 

Bringing Whisky to the People Since 2005 is a collection of twenty interviews (one for each year of The Whisky Lounge), all with industry veterans. In each interview we discussed a range of whisky topics, including whether the whisky industry had changed more in The Whisky Lounge’s twenty years than the previous 200. Their answers were mostly knowledgeable, sometimes hilarious and often unprintable, but always fascinating.”

Eddie Ludlow, ‘Whisky Evangelist’, Founder and editor of the book, commented;

“When Isabel came to us with the idea, we loved it, yet we probably would not have considered doing it, without her suggestion. The final ‘product’ is way beyond anything we had expected, and is a genuinely fascinating read – we hope everyone will enjoy it. 

We love what we do, and work hard for the industry, and ourselves, and if we have had any kind of impact on the way whisky is perceived by consumers, over the last 20 years, then that makes us happy!” 

Amanda Ludlow, co-founder said; 

“When we started this business twenty years ago, we had one simple mission, which was to turn everyone onto whisky. It has been truly humbling and heart-warming to see the impact The Whisky Lounge has had on the industry and its consumers, over the years.

In a world of change we are proud that we have managed to stay true to our original vision“

The book is available, to buy, for £16.99, from The Whisky Lounge’s website  and at selected Whisky Lounge events.

About The Whisky Lounge

The Whisky Lounge is the UK’s leading whisky events company. It is a family-owned and run, independent business, that has been sharing their passion for whisky with enthusiasts—both seasoned and new—for two decades. Co-founder, Eddie Ludlow, is a Keeper of the Quaich, an IWSC judge, a livery-man for the Worshipful Company of Distillers, and author of the best-selling book, ‘Whisky – A Tasting Course’, published by DK.

For more information;

Product and sales: Eddie Ludlow – eddie@thewhiskylounge.com

Press: Amanda Ludlow – amanda@thewhiskylounge.com

For more information: www.thewhiskylounge.com

XOP Rare Port Dundas 40 Years Old

ABV: 47.6% | Vol: 70cl Anticipate a wonderful vanilla depth running to tropical fruits, peaches in syrup and honey’d cereals with a rich toffee and spiced oak style.

£566.67 

Since 1948 we have had an obsession with the quality of the Scotch Whisky we bottle. This is the inspiration behind our XOP Rare releases. Our precious spirit is finessed in truly exceptional Single Casks, hand selected only by Douglas Laing family members. In the passionate belief that over 70% of the Whisky’s final character is dependent on the quality of the cask in which it is matured, the oak cask is a vital factor in ensuring impeccable quality. Thereafter, each and every bottle of our XOP Rare is bottled by hand with great care and attention and every certificate is individually signed by a member of the family to certify that this Whisky is of outstanding quality and distinctive character.

Smoky Whiskies For Autumn

Looking for something to sip as the leaves are falling? We’ve chosen this selection to match the season, with smoky, peaty flavours that are perfect for sharing beside the fire. With a variety of bottles, you can choose from a range of tasting notes, from the butterscotch and flower-filled Balvenie to the vanilla cream hints of Ki One Unicorn. As the weather gets colder, pour yourself a dram that will chase the chills away.

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HATOZAKI WHISKY LAUNCHES

TRIPLE CASK RESERVE

The latest expression from Master Distiller & Blender Kimio Yonezawa fuses world whisky tradition with Japanese craftsmanship, joining Hatozaki’s core range blended at the Kaikyō Distillery in southern Japan.

Hatozaki Whisky today announces the launch of its newest expression, Hatozaki Triple Cask Reserve, as a permanent addition to the brand’s portfolio. This latest expression showcases a rare finishing technique, Umeshu plum liqueur casks – a method rarely seen in the whisky world and uniquely rooted in Japan.

Hatozaki Triple Cask Reserve embodies Master Distiller Kimio Yonezawa’s vision of a delicate yet beautifully crafted “world whisky,” shaped by generations of Japanese craftsmanship.

A blend of hand-selected malt whiskies, Hatozaki Triple Cask Reserve is first aged in ex-Bourbon and ex-Sherry barrels, then finished for six months in superior Umeshu plum liqueur casks. Known in Japan as ume, Umeshu is a traditional liqueur made by steeping local green plums in alcohol. This additional maturation imparts delicate layers of zesty citrus, tea-like herbal notes, and a subtle plum sweetness, resulting in a complex flavour profile that sets this whisky apart.

Umeshu cask finishing is rarely seen in whisky production, highlighting Hatozaki’s innovative approach to blending whisky whilst rooting the product in Japanese culture and heritage.

“Finishing a whisky in Umeshu casks is rare in the whisky world, and I was eager to see how the Japanese plum liqueur’s flavours would transform the blend,” notes Master Distiller Kimio Yonezawa. “The umeshu influence adds an extra layer of depth and gentle sweetness that truly sets Triple Cask Reserve apart from more traditional whiskies.”

As a true “world whisky” Hatozaki Triple Cask Reserve brings together global distilling influences, refined at the Kaikyō Distillery in Japan with techniques honed over generations. Yonezawa — a fourth-generation distiller — has spent decades mastering whisky craftsmanship and is committed to upholding the high standards set by the Japan Spirits & Liqueurs Makers Association (JSLMA). The resulting spirit honours time-honored Japanese blending artistry while embracing a worldwide whisky heritage.

Hatozaki Triple Cask Reserve emerges as an elegant yet approachable whisky, best sipped slowly and savored with friends and family. Its thoughtful creation and distinctive finishing technique reflect a commitment to quality and innovation that will appeal to whisky connoisseurs and casual enthusiasts alike.

Master Distiller & Blender Kimio Yonezawa

HATOZAKI TRIPLE CASK RESERVE, 92 PROOF/ABV 46%

COLOR: Golden

NOSE: Fragrant oak spice with black tea and oranges, followed by dried apricots and a touch of vanilla harmonizing with the lightly toasted sweet barley aromas.

MOUTH: The palate opens with a gentle oak spiciness, accompanied by hints of dried peel and flavors of Umeshu. The mid-palate maintains a lightness, revealing more pronounced wood tones and a delicate presence of the spirit.

STYLE: Round, subtle, delicately sweet

Hatozaki Triple Cask Reserve (£58 / $75, 750ml, 46% ABV) joins the brand’s core range of whiskies including Hatozaki Finest Whisky (£38 / $45, 750ml, 40% ABV), and Small Batch Whisky (£50 / $65, 750ml, 46% ABV). All Hatozaki whiskies contain no colouring or chill filtration.

ABOUT HATOZAKI WHISKY

Hatozaki is produced at the Kaikyō Distillery off the southern coast of Japan, where the maritime climate and seaside terroir are ideal conditions for fine whisky maturing. Fourth-generation Master Distiller & Blender Kimio Yonezawa brings blending heritage, skill and passion to the tradition of whisky-making in Japan. The Hatozaki portfolio includes two permanent expressions, Hatozaki Finest Blended Whisky and Small Batch Whisky, and the Omakase Collection: a line of limited edition expressions exclusive to the US, hand-selected by Yonezawa to create unique cask finishes that have included Mizunara, Sakura and other Japanese oak influence. Hatozaki presents a portfolio of expertly crafted whiskies in the Japanese tradition of craftsmanship that are worthy of sipping, savoring, and enjoying with family and friends.

Hatozaki is part of the Marussia Beverages portfolio that includes Akashi-Tai Sake, 135 East Gin, and Torabhaig single malt whisky.

Killowen Distillery would like to announce the Christmas Airport Exclusive 2025 arrival at Dublin & Cork Airport Duty Free
with The Irish Whiskey Collection

As of today, the beloved Killowen Barántúil is available as an exclusive single cask bottling and is now Live in-store (Dublin & Cork). The second Killowen Barántúil Airport Exclusive has been commissioned after last years lightning sellout.

This particular Barántúil will have 60 bottles made available right away through the ‘Duty Free Whiskey Club’ 

The remaining Barántúil stock will be separated between Dublin and Cork airports. The whiskey itself is said to be Christmas in a glass as this Single Pot Still is finished in both PX Sherry & Port casks, offering Christmassy notes of dried fruits which balance perfectly among the ‘pot still spice’ and deep complex Killowen distillate.

Euro pricing as follows:
Christmas Barántúil Exclusive:
Duty Free – 113.50
Duty Paid – 129.00

Also available Killowen Single Malt Irish Whiskey – Signature Style Rum & Raisin; Killowen Peated Single Malt Irish Whiskey – Signature Style Rum & Raisin and Killowen Gloria Coffee Liqueur

Happy Hallow Christmas

The Killowen Distillery Team

XOP

North British 30 Years Old£

325.00

Warm spice and citrus on the nose, rich molasses and vanilla on the palate, finishing dry with smooth coconut and maize. 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.

Penderyn 2015,
Exclusive To The Whisky Exchange

Welsh whisky distillery Penderyn is releasing its 2015 edition, with only 220 bottles available. Exclusive to The Whisky Exchange, this Welsh single malt has been matured in ex-Bourbon casks to deliver glorious fruit flavours in every sip. Delicate and smooth, this dram will surround you with the scents of pear, peach, and beeswax, while your first sip will burst with flavours of pear crumble, banana, vanilla-dusted donuts, and honey.

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