Savour the moments that matter this season with Tomatin

Highland distiller Tomatin has unveiled its ultimate festive whisky guide for 2025, a curated collection of drams designed to capture the spirit of the season – from cosy Christmas Eve firesides to joyful Hogmanay toasts.

The festive period is built on moments to remember, sharing time with loved ones, honouring family traditions and creating memories that last long after the decorations are packed away. Guided by its ‘To What Matters’ ethos, Tomatin celebrates these occasions with whiskies that embody warmth, generosity and togetherness.

Crafted with care in the Scottish Highlands, each expression reflects Tomatin’s heritage, award-winning quality and enduring sense of community, making it the perfect companion to celebrate the season. From the rich and indulgent Tomatin 12 Year Old Sherry Cask single malt to the luxurious Antiquary 21 Year Old blended Scotch, there is an exquisite whisky for every stage, whether it’s a dram left out for Santa, a thoughtful gift under the tree or a toast to ring in the New Year.

The night before Christmas – Tomatin 12 Year Old Sherry Cask
RRP £52.50 | ABV 40% | 70cl

The anticipation of Christmas Eve deserves a dram that feels timeless. Fully matured in sherry oak casks, Tomatin 12 Year Old Sherry Cask is rich and nostalgic, with notes of caramelised apple, orange peel and warm spice that echo the aromas of festive baking. Perfect for a quiet fireside moment or left out for Santa, it’s a whisky that captures the magic of the night before Christmas.

Unwrapping the day – Tomatin 14 Year Old Tawny Port
RRP £78 | ABV 46% | 70cl

Christmas Day is about giving, sharing and celebrating together. Matured in bourbon and port casks, Tomatin 14 Year Old Tawny Port combines velvety flavours of red berries, honey and soft oak – indulgent yet welcoming. Whether poured as the first toast of the day or enjoyed after a festive meal, it’s a gift that lingers in the memory.

Fireside indulgence – Tomatin 18 Year Old Oloroso Sherry
RRP £126 | ABV 46% | 70cl

After the laughter and bustle of Christmas Day, the days that follow call for a slower pace. Tomatin 18 Year Old Oloroso Sherry is a whisky made for fireside indulgence – rich, complex and award-winning. Matured in traditional oak and Oloroso sherry butt casks, it offers layers of tropical fruit, marmalade and cocoa. Best enjoyed with time to spare and good company close by, it’s the whisky that makes the quieter moments of the season feel just as special.

A twist on tradition – Cù Bòcan 15 Year Old
RRP £97.50 | ABV 50% | 70cl

As the days between Christmas and New Year bring reunions and late-night conversations, Cù Bòcan adds a spark of curiosity. Distilled only in winter, this smoky and experimental lightly peated 15-year-old single malt layers sweet spice, citrus and toasted oak for a whisky that feels playful, modern and full of character. It’s the dram for friends who like to break with tradition while still celebrating it.

A final toast – The Antiquary 21 Year Old
RRP £96.50 | ABV 40% | 70cl

Hogmanay is Scotland’s most treasured celebration and The Antiquary 21 Year Old is the whisky to raise when the bells strike midnight. Elegant and refined, this historic blend marries Highland and Speyside malts with Lowland grains, offering smooth layers of fruit, honey and gentle spice. It’s an expression to carry tradition into the year ahead, and the perfect way to close the season.

For further information about Tomatin whiskies and to buy, visit https://tomatin.com

Tasting Notes

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 14 Year Old Tawny Port
 Nose: Top notes of fresh peach, mandarin, watermelon, and apple with deeper forest fruits like cherry and blackberry. There’s a touch of milk chocolate and a pop of honeycomb. Notes of clove and cardamom grow in intensity before another wave of fruit.  
 Palate: The freshness on the nose has been preserved into a raspberry and strawberry jam, apricot compote, glace cherry, and crystallised ginger. Caramelised figs, prunes and nutty tones are indicative of the rich tawny port that once occupied these casks.  
 Finish: A silky texture coats the mouth with jammy fruits and Byzantium spice.

Tomatin 18 Year Old Oloroso Sherry
 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.

Cù Bòcan 15 Year Old
 Nose: Sun-dried fruit, marmalade, flamed orange peel, autumn bonfire and warm spice.
 Palate: Plum, cinder toffee, coffee, smoked meat and earthy tannins.
 Finish: Long with dried fruit, tobacco smoke, dark chocolate and Christmas cake.

The Antiquary 21 Year Old
 Nose: Camphor, hessian, cut hay, burning heather, dark mocha, saffron and vanilla.
 Palate: Spiced plum, wild strawberries, dark chocolate, charred game and orange.
 Finish: Sea salt and red fruits.   

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 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.

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/

Laphroaig Elements 3.0 Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Launched this summer, the third release in its pioneering Elements Series, Elements 3.0 explores the unexpected flavor impact of an extraordinary event at Laphroaig distillery. Following a kiln fire that burned longer and at significantly higher temperatures than usual, the resulting spirit led to a rich and distinctive whisky, with notes of chocolate and burnt caramel.

55.3% ABV | SRP: $165.00

Laphroaig 2025 Càirdeas: Lore Cask Strength

Launched this July, this expression marries five favorite distinct casks, each with its own story to tell, the result is a non-chill filtered whisky with an intense flavor profile. It’s a journey from zesty, salty high notes to the warmth of spices, wood and pepper of Islay peat. Lore Cask Strength offers a true taste of Laphroaig with added depth and impact, putting an exciting twist on one of Laphroaig’s classic and well-loved whiskies.

59.6% ABV | SRP: $110.00

(Photo Credit: Suntory Global Spirits)

Brave New Spirits

Islay/Speyside Blended Malt 19 Years Old

This blended malt was created by vatting malts from Islay and Speyside regions of Scotland. It was distilled on the 9th June 2006 and aged for 19 years in second fill Sherry butt before bottling on the 27th August 2025. Bottled by Brave New Spirits for their Cask Masters collection, at cask strength of 54.4% ABV, at natural colour and no chill filtration. Limited to 592 bottles. 54.4%

£99.00

Our newest Creators Collection is here. Peat Plants II: Elemental whiskies from Scotland’s Western Isles delves deep into the medicinal heart of peat across four bottlings from Islay and Mull.  These elemental drams howl with coastal character and blaze with untamed spirit. Try the ultimate flight in West Coast peat today.

VIEW THE COLLECTION

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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

To celebrate the launch of Brûlée Royale, we’ve partnered with the modern-day maverick pastry chef – world-renowned Dominique Ansel, creator of the Cronut, to reimagine crème brûlée for today. Dominique has developed an exclusive recipe inspired by Brûlée Royale. A Crème Brûlée Fondue, which invites you to dip apples, raspberries, pastries and more into a silky crème brûlée fondue, roll them in caramelised sugar shards, and savour every bite alongside a dram of our whisky. It’s a celebration of fire, flavour and indulgence, to be shared with friends around the table.

Kilchoman 2011 12 Year Old Oloroso Sherry

Free Next Day Delivery for 12 Months For just £14.95 you can enjoy free next day delivery on all your orders for a whole year! Geographic restrictions apply, see full T&Cs. Find out more ❯

We’re bringing back a fan favorite! Virginia Distillery Co. has once again teamed up with Goose Island Beer Co. to create Goose Island Bourbon County Stout Cask Finish American Single Malt Whisky — the second edition of this collaboration.  The first edition recently earned Double Gold and 95 points at the 2025 Global Whisky Challenge.

Aged for over five years in ex-bourbon barrels and finished in casks that once held Goose Island’s legendary Bourbon County Brand Stout, just twenty barrels were sourced for this release. The scent of rich mocha, banana bread, and honeyed nougat merges on the palate with malty beer, a hint of cinnamon, and lingering molasses.

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Available while supplies last. Free shipping over $100.

Glencadam Distillery welcomes new leadership ahead of landmark visitor centre launch

Glencadam Distillery has appointed Michael van der Veen as brand home manager and Lauren Oliver as deputy brand home manager to enhance the future offering at the new state-of-the-art visitor centre, as anticipation builds for the unveiling this autumn.

Both Michael and Lauren bring with them a wealth of experience in the whisky industry and will play a pivotal role in shaping an unforgettable experience at the Brechin destination, set to open in the distillery’s bicentenary year.

Michael, who holds a SVQ Diploma in Single Malt Whisky (EWA) and WSET Level 3 Award in Wines, has over 25 years of experience within the hospitality sector. He joins Glencadam from the Kingsbarns and Darnley’s Distilleries where he was the visitor experience manager, curating educational and engaging experiences. The Netherlands-native also previously held food and beverage and customer experience roles at prestigious private members clubs Skibo Castle and The Eden Club, as well as the five-star Links House at Royal Dornoch.

Michael van der Veen, brand home manager, said: “I love working in whisky and Glencadam Distillery’s values resonate deeply, with a true appreciation for the rich history, heritage and craftsmanship behind the brand.”

“As part of an independently owned business, this role gives me the opportunity to help shape a truly immersive, memorable experience here in the Highlands as we let visitors into the heart of what makes Glencadam truly special with 200 years of stories, substance and soul to uncover.”

Lauren, who holds a GCD in Distilling & Brewing from the Institute of Brewing and Distilling, has over a decade of experience in the whisky sector working in distilleries across the Highlands and Speyside regions. Joining from her role as visitor experience manager at Arbikie Highland Estate Distillery, Lauren is perfectly suited to bring Glencadam’s story alive.

Lauren Oliver, deputy brand home manager, added: “Having spent over a decade immersed in the world of Scotch, I’ve developed not just a deep technical knowledge, but an ever-growing passion for sharing the story of the ‘water of life”

“Being part of the team at Glencadam at such a monumental time as the distillery celebrates 200 years of whisky-making heritage is a fantastic opportunity – one I’m proud to be part of. It’s an exciting chapter for the whisky community but also the entire Angus community as we prepare to open up the world of Glencadam.”

With the visitor centre due to open to the public in late autumn, these appointments mark a key milestone in the project’s journey. The opening is also expected to bring a welcome boost to the Angus economy, generating fresh opportunities and investment in the local area.

The development of the new visitor centre comes at a momentous time for Glencadam as the distillery celebrates its 200th anniversary. Dating back to 1825, Glencadam is one of Scotland’s oldest working distilleries, steeped in history, heritage and tradition, handcrafting single malt Scotch whisky in a process that’s remained unchanged for two centuries.

The new visitor centre will allow visitors and locals alike to explore Glencadam’s vibrant story, with a dedicated exhibition space showcasing the history of the East Highland distillery and its surroundings. The visitor centre will also house a retail space and tasting rooms, as well as a whisky lounge, café and function suite for corporate hospitality and private hire.

Keep up to date with progress via www.GlencadamWhisky.com or follow on social @GlencadamWhisky.

Note: There has been no impact to production during the construction period.

Glencadam Distillery

Established in 1825, Glencadam Distillery is steeped in history, heritage and tradition, handcrafting single malt Scotch whisky in a process that’s remained unchanged for 200 years. In 2021, Glencadam Distillery re-installed a working internal waterwheel, modelled on the original which was used to power the distillery back in in 1825.

One of Scotland’s oldest distilleries, Glencadam was mothballed for several years before it was purchased and re-opened by Angus Dundee Distillers in 2003.

Today, Glencadam’s multi-award-winning range includes American Oak Reserve, Reserva Andalucía, the 10-Year-Old, 13-Year-Old, 15-Year-Old, 18-Year-Old and 25-Year-Old expressions, as well as a series of special cask finishes.

Visit www.glencadamwhisky.com to find out more.

Major milestone for world whisky with the launch of Sullivans Cove 25 Years Old

Sullivans Cove has earned its status as a pioneer of new world whisky. Founded in Tasmania in 1994, the distillery was among the vanguard of new whisky producers — not just in Australia, but in the worldwide development of whiskies outside of the spirit’s traditional heartlands.

Award-Winning Single Malts- In 2014, the Sullivans Cove cemented its international reputation when it won World’s Best Single Malt at the World Whiskies Awards for its 12-year-old French Oak single-cask whisky — the first distillery outside of Scotland or Japan to do so. Its win shook the whisky landscape, defying expectations of where in the world the best single malt whiskies could come from.

Since then, Sullivans Cove has maintained its world-class status, winning the title of World’s Best Single Cask Single Malt consecutively in 2018 and 2019 for its American Oak and French Oak expressions, showcasing the distillery’s expertise in the precise maturation of single malt whisky.

A Quarter-Century Milestone

Now, Sullivans Cove is marking another major milestone. Revealed this week, Sullivans Cove 25 Years Old is the oldest single malt whisky ever bottled in Australia — and the implications go beyond one country. It’s a significant moment in the coming of age of new world whisky, offering a first taste of high-age statement single malt from non-traditional whisky regions.

The distillery has revealed two single-cask, quarter-century bottlings: Single Cask No HH0056, matured in an American oak ex-bourbon barrel, with a yield of 134 bottles, which will be available by invitation only. With a more generous — although still extremely exclusive — output of 349 bottles, the second release is from Single Cask No HH0010.

Sullivans Cove is releasing its 25 Years Old Single Cask HH0010 by ballot — meaning you have the opportunity taste this highly limited bottling for yourself. Sign up to the ballot for your chance to claim a bottle.

Interesting and Delicious

Matured in a 300-litre American oak second fill cask, the 25-year-old Cask No HH0010 balances “the interesting and the delicious”, according to Heather Tillott, distillery manager. “HH0010 is one of the defining casks in shaping Sullivans Cove’s approach to careful maturation,” she added.

The casks were laid down in 1999 by Patrick Maguire, former Sullivans Cove distillery manager and owner. Patrick couldn’t know then, in the nascent years of Australian whisky, that two-and-a-half decades later these two casks would come to represent the coming of age of new world whisky.

“To see two of our casks mature out to 25 years is something we did not expect,” admitted Patrick. He added, “We had hope that our locally grown barley and pure Tasmanian water would be the basis for great things.”

Precision, Perfected

The hope came true: Sullivans Cove’s expert use of Tasmania’s ingredients and climate has proven itself repeatedly, through its awards, milestones, and international recognition.

Every step in Sullivans Cove’s whisky making is designed to create the ideal conditions for long maturations. Extended fermentation times create rich and complex wash that is distilled in Charentais-style alembic stills. A traditional worm tub condenser adds clarity and texture to the nuanced spirit. Casks are expertly selected — Sullivans Cove uses exclusively large casks, which over the years develop the spirit into a complex, layered whisky.

At the time of its founding, Sullivans Cove was a bold leap: a purpose-built single malt whisky distillery, on the opposite side of the globe from the style’s traditional Scottish home. It takes trust, patience, and a wholehearted respect for the spirit to create a long-aged spirit from these origins, but Sullivans Cove’s dedication to craftmanship and precision was indefatigable.

Thirty years on, the distillery has shown that world-class single malts can come from any region — whether its whisky traditions are years, decades, or centuries old.

Wish to discuss Sullivans Cove award winning range with their team, please email concierge@sullivanscove.com