More to Learn: Independent Bottlers

You asked, we listened! Thanks in particular to Luc at Belgian Whisky Academy for keeping us on our toes. We’ve just added a brand-new deep dive into independent bottling to the Certificate in Scotch Whisky, exploring everything from how IBs source and mature their whisky to the people shaping the sector today.

Already taken the course? The new content is yours too, simply head back to the course from your dashboard to explore it. Curious what’s new? We’re sharing David Stirk’s fascinating look at the history and evolution of independent bottling on our blog as a taster.

We’re always looking for ways to make our courses bigger and better. And if you’ve been thinking about starting the Certificate? There’s now even more whisky knowledge waiting for you…

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We are the leading provider of certified Scotch whisky education. 14,000+ candidates globally enjoy our QS-Approved courses. Learn directly from the experts when you study online or in-person.

The Ideal Number of Drams

How many whiskies should you serve at a tasting? 2? 4? 8? We asked some of our teachers and contributing experts and, while their answers weren’t identical, they all landed around the same number… even if Gordon went a bit rogue!

Watch to find out why four or five drams might be the perfect tasting line-up. How many whiskies would be in your ideal tasting?

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We are the leading provider of certified Scotch whisky education. 14,000+ candidates globally enjoy our QS-Approved courses. Learn directly from the experts when you study online or in-person.

XOP x Scallywag Tormore 35 Years Old

ABV: 46.2% | Vol: 70cl

£312.50

As part of our 75th Anniversary celebrations, our feisty fox terrier has teamed up with our prestigious XOP series to bring you something truly exceptional. This Single Cask Single Malt Tormore 35 years old limited edition exudes luxury and is the perfect celebratory bottling!

In honour of Douglas Laing’s 75th anniversary, we present a memorable collaboration, our feisty fox terrier has teamed up with our prestigious XOP Black series to bring you something truly exceptional. This extraordinary blend encapsulates our legacy and craftsmanship in a celebration of seven and a half decades of excellence.

Don’t go with the flow, go with the grain

Grain whiskies sit in an odd place in discussions about Scotch. Though capable of astonishing nuance, subtlety and complexity when allowed to mature at length, grain whisky is often left out of the conversation. To help rectify this, we’ve brought together a selection of bottlings that showcase what grain whisky can become with time. From whiskies in their third to even fifth decade of ageing, these are a chance to discover grain whisky at its most nuanced and complex.

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The Loch Fyne Fynest Bunnahabhain 2005 20 Year Old #800467 Description

£125.00

The Eclipse Edition – Finished in Orange Wine Casks

When darkness falls, something stirred in The Gauldrons.

The light went out over Scotland – and won’t again in our lifetimes. Rare things don’t wait around. Neither does this. For the first time, The Gauldrons has been finished in Orange Wine Casks from the ancient cellars of Jerez de la Frontera, southern Spain – where whispers of oak and time linger like ghosts in the air. The result is a Campbeltown Blended Malt that defies convention – bold, uncoloured, and non chill-filtered. Bottled at a natural cask strength of 52.9% ABV, this Whisky captures the spirit of the eclipse: darkly radiant, and utterly bewitching.

Tasting Notes

Nose: Malt, dried apricots, orange peel, toasted almonds.

Palate: Walnuts, honey, ginger, stone fruits.

Finish: Lingering spice and tangy orange with an otherworldly edge.

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At just twenty-eight, Domhnall Macrae is already playing his part in a new generation of island whisky-makers here at the Isle of Harris Distillery.

Known to almost everyone locally as ‘Dol’, he is one of our Harris distillers, a keen shinty player, and part of a young homegrown team working alongside Thomas Macrae, Rebekah Morrison and our head distiller, Norman Ian Mackay, to make whisky here in the heart of our island community.

In our new short film, we follow Dol through a typical day at the distillery as he reflects on what it means to have the opportunity to build a skilled career without having to leave Harris behind.

Today, Dol and his fellow distillers are helping to shape the future of whisky-making in Harris, while building futures of their own.

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THE MACALLAN GLASSWARE

EXPLORE OUR ELEGANT GLASSWARE COLLECTION

Discover The Macallan glassware and barware, crafted from the finest materials and thoughtfully designed to transform every pour into a ritual of appreciation and sophistication.

DISCOVER

Any lover of Single Malt Scotches is undoubtedly familiar with The Macallan, a Speyside stalwart that has been wielding its craft for over two centuries. Founded in 1824 by Alexander Reid, a barley farmer and school teacher, it was one of the first legally licensed distillers in Scotland and since then, has built an unassailable reputation for the consistently outstanding quality and distinctive character of their products which they define as “Mastery of Wood and Spirit”.

Among the key points of distinction in their operations is their use of “curiously small stills”, among the smallest in the region, which give their new make spirit maximum contact with the copper which, in turn, serves to concentrate it and provide the rich, fruity, full-bodied flavors characteristic of their offerings. They also maintain a long-standing tradition of maturing whisky in oak casks which are seasoned with sherry wine in Jerez De La Frontera, Spain. Those proprietary casks themselves are exceptional in that it takes over five years of craftmanship to create them.

Over generations and decades, the Macallan has built a portfolio of Classic Offerings and Limited Releases that their loyal fan base enthusiastically embrace, even with what can be lofty pricing. More recently, in 2021, they launched an innovative set of offerings branded the “Harmony Collection” in which they experiment with new and interesting flavor profiles not typically associated with their famous sherried malt. These intriguing creations not only expand taste horizons for Scotch lovers but also provide a relatively affordable on-ramp to The Macallan’s craftsmanship. We have selected three of our favorites from that collection and invite you to explore these innovative releases, along with other offerings from their portfolio highlighted below.

Cheers!

OUR CLUB PROGRAMS~ Here at D&M we are passionate about American Whiskey and  Single Malt Scotch, . To help make our passions a little easier on your (and our) pocketbook, we have come up with a number of different buying clubs. The purpose of these clubs is to explore these wonderful beverages, trying new things, and to save money. Click HERE to learn more about our club options.

THE MACALLAN HARMONY COLLECTION

Inspired by our deep-rooted connection to the natural world, The Macallan Harmony Collection is a limited series that embraces the use of organic materials in its packaging.

Over the years, The Macallan Whisky Mastery Team have taken inspiration from our collaborations with world-renowned chefs, connoisseurs and artistic creators to create innovative whiskies which unveil unique flavour notes.

We have explored flavours including cacao, coffee and tea – now complemented by coconut in this Collection.

DISCOVER THE COLLECTION