Glen Scotia unveils ‘Campbeltown Malts Festival 2025’ limited edition whisky

Multi-award winning Campbeltown distillery, Glen Scotia has revealed its 2025 Festival Edition in celebration of the Campbeltown Malts Festival, the annual event which draws whisky lovers from around the world to discover the region’s rich whisky-making heritage.

The Campbeltown Malts Festival 2025 release is a charmingly unconventional dram, in keeping with Glen Scotia’s yearly festival bottlings, which are renowned for bringing bold and intriguing flavours and creating an element of surprise.

The new 9-year-old single malt is heavily peated, a unique offering from Glen Scotia which dedicates just four weeks each year to its peated spirit production.

After being fully matured in first-fill bourbon barrels, the whisky has been finished for five months in the finest Ribera del Duero red wine casks, directly sourced from the prestigious wine-making region in Spain.

This process results in vibrant flavours of ripe red fruits, juicy blackberry and a whisper of liquorice, each layer adding to the whisky’s complex character. Glen Scotia’s distinctive maritime style is also present, unfolding with notes of creamy vanilla overlaid with rich peat smoke.

The Campbeltown Malts Festival 2025 edition also returns with a unique on-pack experience, offering an insight into the distillery and the incredible journey to Campbeltown that makes the festival so special each year.

By scanning the on-pack QR code, fans will be able to experience the magical journey to the ‘Wee Toon’ with three of Scotland’s top travel influencers as they embark on the beautiful voyage to the distillery’s Campbeltown home.

Whisky lovers will have the chance to join Chris Lawlor (@chrispaullawlor) who was voted Scottish Travel Influencer of the Year 2024, Graeme Johncock (@scotlands_stories) and Barbara Gajewska (@discovermyscotland) as they travel the remarkable Kintyre peninsula by foot, sea and road.

Available to purchase online and in specialist retailers globally, Glen Scotia’s Campbeltown Malts Festival 2025 release is non-chill filtered, bottled at cask strength (54.3% ABV) and retails for £68.

Iain McAlister, Glen Scotia master distiller and distillery manager, said: “This year’s Festival Release promises a unique experience that will transport you straight to Campbeltown with your first sip. As well as delivering the maritime and salinity notes synonymous with Glen Scotia, this whisky also provides an element of surprise as it develops on the palate. The finish brings a bold burst of vibrant flavour from the Ribera del Duero red wine casks which is a distinctive pairing with the heavy peat.

“The virtual on-pack experience also offers something really special this year – our remote home on the Kintyre peninsula makes for a wild and beautiful journey that not everyone is able to take. Now people can experience what it’s like to make the spectacular journey to Campbeltown with a selection of Scotland’s top travel content creators.

“There’s no better way to savour a dram of this year’s limited edition single malt than by embarking on an unforgettable journey, whether by road, foot, or sea and we look forward to welcoming Glen Scotia fans who are making this journey to join us at the 2025 Campbeltown Malts Festival.”

Glen Scotia’s events at this year’s Campbeltown Malts Festival (20 and 21 May) will see some of its finest drams poured and will celebrate the town’s past as the former ‘Victorian Whisky Capital of the World’. The distillery will present a range of both ticketed and free events which celebrate the region’s rich history and connection to its distilling past.

Among the Glen Scotia experiences on offer, visitors will have the chance to explore the components of the Campbeltown Malts Festival 2025 edition during a deconstructed tasting with Global Brand Ambassador Gary Mills. They will also be able to celebrate a decade of Glen Scotia’s world-famous Victoriana single malt with an in-depth tasting hosted by Master Blender Ashley Smith. Finally, guests will discover the magic of the Glen Scotia Dunnage Warehouse in an exclusive tasting with Master Distiller Iain McAlister.

For further information on the Campbeltown Malts Festival 2025 bottling or this year’s festival, visit: www.glenscotia.com/

Tasting notes:

Nose: Swirling peat smoke, coastal salinity with creamy vanilla.

Palette: Vibrant juicy blackberries and red fruits with luscious oils.

Finish: Soft smoke with a velvety mouthfeel.

About Glen Scotia

Distiller Glen Scotia has been producing single malt whisky in Campbeltown since 1832 and is one of three surviving distilleries in Campbeltown.

Producing peated and non-peated whiskies, the distillery still maintains much of its original design, including the stillroom and the dunnage warehouse dating from the 1830s. To this day, the distillery team follow in the footsteps of their founders, using traditional methods, carefully creating the subtly maritime Campbeltown style the brand has become world-famous for.

Recognition of Glen Scotia’s style and craftsmanship continues to be acknowledged globally.

• In 2021, Glen Scotia’s 25-Year-Old single malt was awarded ‘Best In Show Whisky’ at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Over 3,800 entries across thirty-one categories were judged with Glen Scotia being awarded the overall winner across all countries and styles. Only seven months later, Glen Scotia was also named Scottish Whisky Distillery of the Year at the Scottish Whisky Awards 2021.
• In 2022, Glen Scotia’s Victoriana won ‘Best In Class’ in the Distillers’ Single Malt Scotch – No Age Statement category at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
• In 2023, Glen Scotia won ‘Best Single Cask Single Malt’ at the World Whiskies Awards for a single cask bottling distilled in 2009 and aged for 13 years exclusively in a first-fill bourbon barrel.
• Later that same year, Glen Scotia’s 25-Year-Old won a coveted Platinum award at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2023, which is awarded to the very few entries that receive a Double Gold medal for three consecutive years at the prestigious global event.
• In 2024, Glen Scotia received a number of prestigious awards across its range of single malt whiskies, including Platinum titles at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2024 for both Glen Scotia Victoriana and Glen Scotia 25 Year Old.

We are delighted to announce the release of The 51, our oldest and most daring whisky to date. The purity of The Glenrothes’ Estate water helps to create a uniquely delicate spirit character, which intensifies over time. The 51 is a celebration of this phenomenon. This “strength in fragility” is shared by the wild orchids that grow hidden on our Highland Estate; the inspiration behind this exceptional single malt.

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This whisky defies expectations – elegant yet powerful, it offers a singular experience for those who truly understand and appreciate rarity.

Laura Rampling

Master Whisky Maker

Crafted from just two casks, The 51 presents a complexity and vibrancy rarely found in whiskies of this age. One cask delivers deeply perfumed notes that evoke the fragility of an orchid’s scent, while the other offers luxurious richness and depth.

The resulting whisky, limited to only 100 bottles, is a rare and fragrant wonder: the orchid of The Glenrothes collection.

Find out More

INTRODUCING:
BEN NEVIS 1996

We’re excited to introduce an exquisite new single malt whisky from Ben Nevis, bottled exclusively for The Whisky Exchange by Douglas Laing. A much-loved independent bottler, Douglas Laing owns warehouses that contain a formidable selection of casks from some of Scotland’s finest distilleries. This Ben Nevis, distilled in 1996 and matured in a single refill butt, is a textbook example of the Highland distillery at its best, balancing smoky depth with vibrant tropical fruit and an earthy backbone. We’re expecting this superb single malt to be in high demand. Discover more and get your bottle below.

DISCOVER

THE LAST DROP DISTILLERS PRESENTS ITS 2025 COLLECTION: A REMARKABLE TRIO OF ULTRA-AGED WHISKIES SHOWCASING THE INTERSECTION OF CULTURE, ART AND INNOVATION

Featuring three rarities from the world’s premier whisky-producing countries: a 27 Year Old Bourbon from Kentucky’s Buffalo Trace Distillery, 55 Year Old Single Malt Scotch from Tomintoul Distillery and 22 Year Old Japanese Blended Malt Whisky

LOUISVILLE, KY (April 1, 2025) – The Last Drop Distillers, curators of the world’s most remarkable spirits, is delighted to announce its 2025 Collection featuring three whiskies that celebrate the unique maturation methods used by the most prestigious distilleries around the world: a 27 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon from Buffalo Trace Distillery (Release No. 37),  a 55 Year Old Single Malt Scotch from the Tomintoul Distillery (Release No. 38) and a 22 Year Old Japanese Blended Malt Whisky (Release No. 39). 

Each release showcases the art of blending and maturation while exhibiting best-in-class American, Scotch and Japanese whisky management techniques, from the innovative aging experiments taking place at Buffalo Trace Distillery, to the exceptional cask program used to age the Tomintoul, and the time-honored art of Japanese distilling, blending and maturation.

Release No. 37: The Last Drop 27 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon from Buffalo Trace Distillery

As one of the oldest bourbons yet to be released from the World’s Most Award-Winning Distillery, this exceptional creation features three of Buffalo Trace’s oldest barrels – distilled in 1995, 1996 and 1997.  These barrels were hand selected and then married together by Master Blender Drew Mayville and Master Distiller Harlen Wheatley. The resulting whiskey pushes the boundaries of bourbon beyond all expectations, retaining a delightful vibrancy while showcasing the depth and character that could only come from decades of careful aging under expert supervision at the distillery’s state-of-the-art maturation facility, Warehouse P.

Uncut and unfiltered, this ultra-rare bourbon is bottled at 121.8 proof (60.9% ABV). Just 508 bottles will be available worldwide at a suggested retail price of $10,500 (700ml + 50ml miniature).

Tasting Notes by Drew Mayville, Master Blender, Buffalo Trace Distillery

APPEARANCE A bright bronze-gold, which catches the light in a most alluring manner.

NOSE Aromas of seasoned oak immediately greet the senses followed by essences of decadent cherry and medjool date. Baking spices and dark fruit notes intertwine with an emerging peppery rye influence that adds a layer of complexity.

PALATE The palate opens with oak tannins, offering a deep, woody foundation that builds into layers of caramel sweetness and dark chocolate-dipped cherries with hints of tobacco and supple leather.

CONCLUSIONS Perfectly aged, the finish is long and satisfying. The dried fruits and caramel are lengthened by the tingling oak spice, producing a smooth and warming sipping whiskey. 

Release No. 38: The Last Drop 55 Year Old Single Malt Scotch from the Tomintoul Distillery

The sister cask to The Last Drop Release No. 36, which debuted in the 2024 Collection as the brand’s oldest single malt release to date, this rich, ultra-aged single malt is comprised of three casks of single malt Scotch Whisky matured in ex-sherry butts and refill sherry hogheads, all distilled in April 1969. To preserve the character and quality of the whisky, these casks were married together and placed into an ex-Matusalem Sherry butt to finish for an additional two years before bottling, bringing a multi-faceted flavor profile to the liquid.

Presented at 86.2 proof (43.1% ABV), a mere 430 bottles will be available worldwide at a suggested retail price of $6,950 (750ml).

Tasting notes by Colin Scott, Master Blender, The Last Drop Distillers

APPEARANCE A deep amber tinged with dusky pink, reflecting its extended ageing​.

NOSE An opulent richness of red fruits and soft notes of ripe peaches, enhanced by toasted almonds and warm toffee.

PALATE Juicy stone fruits and warm baking spices, underpinned by a grassy dryness and liquorice sweetness. The spirit opens up with the exotic flair of a pineapple upside down cake and rich caramel.

CONCLUSIONS A smooth, deeply satisfying spirit with a complex sweet, yet spicy, finish. 

Release No. 39: The Last Drop 22 Year Old Japanese Blended Malt Whisky

Even a quarter century after its closure, Hanyu Distillery is renowned for its exceptionally-elusive whisky. This rare bottling encapsulates the artistry of distilling in the country responsible for some of the most highly-valued whiskies in the world. Featuring malt whiskies distilled and laid for maturation in the year 2000 – the year Hanyu ceased operations – this release is a special marriage of 100% Japanese whiskies derived from two casks, both made from the coveted Mizunara oak. Known for its porous, temperamental nature, Mizunara imparts a distinctive flavor profile with floral, herbal and nutty characteristics.

Presented at 118.2 proof (59.1% ABV), only 319 bottles will be available worldwide at a suggested retail price of $5,500 (750ml).

Tasting notes by Helen Mulholland, Master Blender, Sazerac of Ireland:

APPEARANCE Rich deep gold.

NOSE Like walking into an exclusive spa, the nose is immediately enticed with notes of sandalwood, warming nutmeg and all-spice; further green wood earthiness leads to vanilla and marzipan.

PALATE The surprising flavors of tropical fruits such as banana and coconut combine with red berries to create a silky smooth mouthfeel, while spiced incense and wood briefly return briefly to create a perfectly-balanced and not overly sweet liquid

CONCLUSIONS The cinnamon pastry, sweet spice warming finish builds in heat and then fades beautifully into the memory.​

“The 2025 Curated Collection represents one of The Last Drop’s most anticipated and exceptional releases to date,” says Jess Scheerhorn, Vice President – Emerging Portfolio, Sazerac. “Featuring a remarkable 27-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon, alongside two stunning whiskies from Scotland and Japan, this collection showcases the best of global whisky craftsmanship. Each spirit is a testament to our pursuit of the truly extraordinary, and we are thrilled to share these rare finds with epicureans of fine spirits around the world.”

Each bottle from The Last Drop 2025 Collection is wax-sealed and individually numbered, and packaged in a bespoke bottle suspended in an oak frame, held within a signature green case. Each case also includes a 50ml miniature for private enjoyment, a pocket-sized tasting book and an engraved stopper cork.

Rebecca Jago, Director of Brand Experience and daughter of Tom Jago, Co-Founder of The Last Drop Distillers says: “Each release from The Last Drop is unique and irreplaceable, and the 2025 Collection is no exception. It gives me great pride, as custodian of the brand’s legacy, to see the tradition of curating remarkable spirits continue with these three exceptional whiskies. My father and James would undoubtedly be proud of how The Last Drop has flourished, and I look forward to sharing this collection with our friends and customers.”

The Last Drop 2025 Collection will be available in limited quantities to its United States and global distributor networks as of April 2025, which will ship to select high-end retailers, bars and restaurants.

For more information, please visit www.lastdropdistillers.com.

About The Last Drop Distillers

The Last Drop Distillers was founded by two icons of the spirits industry, Tom Jago and James Espey with over 80 years of experience between them. Their aim was to curate the world’s most remarkable spirits by finding treasures across aged spirit categories and sharing them with those who seek the genuinely extraordinary.

Since the company was founded in 2008, The Last Drop Distillers has released just 39 limited bottlings across Scotch Whisky, Cognac, Bourbon and Rum, Japanese Whisky and Irish Whiskey, as well as aged Ports and Pineau des Charentes, comprising fewer than 15,600 to date. Seeking nothing less than the remarkable in the spirits they curate, the company’s unwavering commitment is to the quality of the liquid and the pleasure of sharing the treasures they uncover.

At the heart of this pursuit is The Assembly, a collective of some of the world’s most revered Master Blenders, including luminaries. With decades of expertise across multiple spirit categories, these icons of the industry play a pivotal role in selecting, blending and refining The Last Drop’s releases, ensuring that each bottling is a true masterpiece of craftsmanship and heritage.

In 2016 The Last Drop was acquired by The Sazerac Company, one of America’s oldest private, family-owned, distillers.

About The Sazerac Company

With over 400 years of history, Sazerac is one of the world’s largest distilled spirits companies. Now in the fourth generation of the current family ownership, Sazerac strives each day to bring the finest spirits to consumers and communities around the world.

Over 500 of the world’s most extraordinary brands are part of the Sazerac portfolio, including Buffalo Trace Bourbon, Eagle Rare, Weller, The Last Drop Distillers, Fireball Cinnamon Whisky, Southern Comfort, Wheatley Vodka, Meyers’s Rum, White X Cognac, Sazerac de Forge Cognac, Paddy’s Irish Whiskey, and many more.

Sazerac is also the steward of many fine distilleries internationally, including Buffalo Trace Distillery in Kentucky, United States; Domaine Sazerac de Segonzac in Cognac, France; Paul John Distillery in Goa, India; and Lough Gill Distillery in County Sligo, Ireland. Additional impressive locations can be found in New Orleans, Montréal, London, Cork and Sydney, to name a few.

To learn more visit www.sazerac.com.

Booker’s 7 Year 2 Months 4 Days”Barry”s Batch” #2025-01 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

(750ml) $89.99 View

The first US release of Booker’s 2025 Collection is named in honor of Barry Berish, former Beam Chairman. He was a legend at Beam, guiding the organization for over 40 years.

Email: wine@klwines.com
Phone: (877) KL-WINES (Toll Free 877.559.4637)
K&L Wine Merchants 3005 El Camino Real Redwood City, CA 94061 USA
San Francisco, Redwood City, Hollywood CA

Our April Outturn is live, and as always, an intriguing selection of whiskies is now available to keep you on your whisky adventure!

WALTZING WITH A MOSCOW MULE

CASK NO. 39.265

CASK:  1st fill ex-bourbon barrel

AGE:  10 years

THE STORM BEFORE THE CALM

CASK NO. 55.82

CASK:  1st fill oloroso hogshead

AGE:  15 years

HEATHERY AND LEATHERY

CASK NO. 78.83

CASK:  1st fill HTMC hogshead

AGE:  11 years

RAISIN TOFFEE JAM

CASK NO. 2.138

CASK:  1st fill oloroso butt

AGE:  16 years

SEASHELLS IN A BOX OF BURNT PENCILS

CASK NO. 4.344

CASK:  1st fill ex-bourbon barrel

AGE:  12 years

COAL SHARDS ON CLOTTED CREAM

CASK NO. 53.457

CASK:  1st fill oloroso hogshead

AGE:  9 years

BROWSE APRIL OUTTURN HERE

VIEW ALL BOTTLINGS

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society Canada
Suite 160
104 – 1240 Kensington Road NW
Calgary, AB  T2N 3P7
403-969-8225
curious@smws.ca
www.smws.ca

Welcome to

The Murray McDavid Whisky Shop! 

Whisky lovers, we have exciting news!

Today, we open the doors to our first-ever permanent whisky shop, right in the heart of Forres — the Murray McDavid Whisky Shop at The Old Bank. Housed in the stunning former Bank of Scotland building (est. 1852), this isn’t just a shop, it’s set to be a new whisky hub for locals and tourists alike!

We can’t wait to welcome you in for a dram!

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Sláinte,

The Murray McDavid Team

JOIN OUR WHISKY CLUB…

A fan of Murray McDavid?

Want to be part of an exclusive whisky community?

Join our Murray McDavid Whisky Club for  a look behind the scenes and opportunities to join in with unique tasting sessions.

EVENTS

From international festivals to local tastings.

Check out our events calendar

Douglas Laing & Co. Unveils Strathearn Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Batch 02

Following the exceptional reception of its inaugural release, independent Scotch Whisky specialist Douglas Laing & Co. proudly presents the second batch of Strathearn Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky. This eagerly anticipated release continues to showcase the meticulous craftsmanship and distinctive character of Scotland’s smallest traditional distillery.

Batch 02 remains true to the signature cask composition that defined the inaugural release—expertly marrying ex-Bourbon, Virgin Oak, and ex-Sherry Oak casks. However, with a deliberate reduction in Virgin Oak influence, Batch 02 delivers heightened creaminess, freshness, and overall balance, offering an evolution of Strathearn’s uniquely rich spirit. Comprising a vatting of 31 carefully selected casks, this release includes both inherited stock and casks distilled under Douglas Laing’s ownership, highlighting the ever-developing expertise of the Strathearn team.

Each production shift at Strathearn Distillery yields just one single cask, a testament to the small-batch craftsmanship that defines this super premium Highland Single Malt. The dedicated team of three distillers at Strathearn meticulously handcrafts each barrel, ensuring that quality remains paramount. Maris Otter barley continues to be the grain of choice, lending its signature ultra-rich, creamy character with buttery biscuit notes, honey, and a gentle sweetness.

Bottled at 50% ABV, without chill-filtration or added colouring, Strathearn Batch 02 embodies Douglas Laing’s commitment to authenticity and purity. This second release stands as a testament to the ongoing journey of discovery at Strathearn, refining and enhancing the spirit’s distinctive character while staying true to its artisanal roots. 

Cara Laing, Managing Director of Douglas Laing & Co., comments: 

“The launch of our inaugural Strathearn release was a momentous occasion, and the response exceeded all expectations. With Batch 02, we continue to honour the distillery’s heritage while refining our understanding of its unique spirit. Every bottle of Strathearn embodies the passion, skill, and dedication of our small but mighty team—and we’re incredibly proud to share this latest chapter with whisky lovers worldwide.”

THE SEASONS: SPRING & COMPLIMENTARY TASTING

We’re delighted to present the fourth and final entry into our exclusive collection. The Seasons: Spring is made up of three single cask whiskies, selected to evoke nature waking up after a long winter. These are elegant, expressive whiskies that are perfect for sharing on the first warm and sunny days of the year.

DISCOVER

The Seasons: Spring is available to taste in-store at any of our London shops.

SHOPS

Our April Outturn is now live. We’ve always thought that the best things in life lie between the *weird and the wonderful. This Outturn offers you the best of both, with an intriguing new selection of casks – available now. 

SHOP OUTTURN

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