We’re delighted to reveal that we’ve hit a home run at the 2026 Spirits Business Scotch Whisky Masters, winning Gold with all three of our ‘Heresy’ entries. The SMWS hat-trick includes Batch 39: The five regions, Batch 40: Fruit bomb, and Batch 41: Incognito. So if you’ve never tried one of our award-winning sips, this is a rare moment, as all three are available to enjoy on our website – but only while stocks last.

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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

SINGLE BARREL PROGRAM

Learning Whiskey the American Way!

1-2 bottles every quarter of unique expressions of the best American Whiskey has to offer, meticulously taste-selected by our staff

Background information & tasting notes

Total product cost of up to $125 at a savings of up to 40% off SRP (before shipping & taxes)

Shipped directly or available for store pick-up

To learn more and sign up for any of the clubs, just click HERE

Secondary Whisky Market Shows Signs of Stabilisation Amidst an Emerging “Hourglass Economy”

Whiskystats, the leading authority in whisky market analysis, published its 2026 H1 Insights Report today, revealing that the secondary whisky market is showing crucial signs of stabilisation, with trading values halting their prolonged downward slide.

The report, titled ‘Is Whisky Approaching Its Turning Point?’, offers critical data for collectors and investors, highlighting that while the market is finally edging above its year-on-year comparisons, growth is starkly polarised between the entry-level and ultra-premium tiers.

Notable takeaways:

A Potential Turning Point: After a severe market-wide dive in April, the second quarter of 2026 offered a glimmer of hope. For the first time since the 2022 market peak, the Q2 trading value surpassed its year-on-year comparison, reaching the €25 million mark.

• The “Hourglass Economy”: The market is experiencing a severe polarisation. The most significant growth is concentrated at the absolute extremes of the price spectrum. Conversely, the “middle-tier” price segments cleared much more slowly, reflecting a squeeze on the aspirational consumer base.
• Quality Commands a Premium: Undisputed quality remains the decisive factor. When measured by Whiskybase ratings, collectors are once again willing to pay a premium for the best liquid. For the top 90–95 rating segment, year-on-year growth in trading value consistently outpaced volume growth.
• Record-Breaking Rarities: The absolute top end of the collector’s market remains vivid, largely driven by rare Japanese whiskies. The undisputed crown jewel was a bottle of Yamazaki 50-year-old Club Natsume, which achieved a historic hammer price of over €900,000 ($1 million), setting a new auction record for Japanese whisky.
• Primary Pricing Reality Checks: Today’s buyers are increasingly disciplined, leading to sobering reality checks for exorbitant primary pricing. The Macallan Time:Space 1940 (84-year-old), which originally carried a price tag of around €175,000, failed to sell on five previous occasions before finally clearing at a steep discount for €111,320.

Johannes Moosbrugger, Founder and Head of Data at Whiskystats, said:

“The first six months of this year have presented a fascinating, and at times contradictory, picture of the secondary whisky market. While the second quarter of 2026 offered a crucial glimmer of hope with trading values finally climbing above their year-on-year comparison, the numbers require context. We are recognising a distinct ‘hourglass economy’ where the entry-level and ultra-premium tiers thrive, but the middle-tier segments are squeezed out.”

A full copy of the report is available for Whiskystats subscribers at whiskystats.com/reports.

Note: This press release is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.

Douglas Laing XOP Arran 26 Years Old ABV: 51.9%

£207.50

Distilled in February 1997 and matured for over a quarter of a century in a refill butt, this XOP Arran 26 Years Old is a remarkable single cask release that showcases the elegance, complexity and natural character only time can create. Bottled at a natural cask strength of 51.9% ABV, with no colouring and no chill-filtration, it is presented exactly as the whisky left the cask. Rich aromas of creamy caramel and vanilla oak.

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.

Invergordon Uncharted Whisky Co. You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet Single Grain Whisky 50 Year Old · 1974 Vintage 70cl · 46.1% ABV

Celebrating 5 years of Uncharted Whisky- and what better way to celebrate but by cracking open a 50 year old cask of something truly extraordinary? You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet – a 50-year-old single grain whisky from Invergordon, finished in first-fill bourbon cask and bottled at natural cask strength.

Half a century of patience has given this whisky an unparalleled depth of flavour. The soft creamy spirit paired with the fresh bourbon has created a whisky of absolute distinction. The bourbon cask adds brightness and zing to a beautifully structured spirit, layering fresh vanilla and orchard fruit over a foundation of oak, caramel, and soft spice.

This was distilled in 1974, the year that Bachmann Turner Overdrive topped the charts with the classic “You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet”. We couldn’t think of a more fitting way to describe our sentiment on the Uncharted trail so far or the twists and turns that lie ahead.

Limited to just 268 bottles to split between all of our global markets, this is a time capsule and a rarity.

£249.95

Colour Deep amber-gold with honeyed bronze highlights and a warm mahogany glow.

Nose Fresh vanilla pods mingle with toasted coconut, honeycomb, and a gentle touch of oak.

Palate Waves of baked apple and tropical fruit unfold across the palate, paired with crème brûlée and warming spice for a creamy, layered richness.

Finish Long and lingering, this finish threads sweet oak with buttery pastry, bright citrus peel, and a soft, generous caramel echo that lingers warmly on the palate.

Private Stock Family Favourite Distillery 5 Years Old 50cl £41.67

Matured in a Single Sherry Butt, personally selected by Cara Laing, this Private Stock was bottled directly from the Douglas Laing Family’s Private Whisky Collection. Offered proudly at a high strength, it is presented exactly as the Distiller intended: without added colour or chill-filtration, and at 58.5% ABV. Each bottle is hand-signed by Cara Laing.

Macallan Cask #601648 Macallan 30 Year Old 1993 Murray McDavid ULTRA

£3,432.95

Macallan 30 Year Old 1993 is an extraordinarily rare and luxurious Speyside single malt Scotch whisky, bottled by Murray McDavid for the prestigious ULTRA series. Macallan 30 Year Old 1993 is an extraordinarily rare and luxurious Speyside single malt Scotch whisky, bottled by Murray McDavid for the prestigious ULTRA series. Distilled on 7th December 1993 and bottled on 19th February 2024, this exceptional whisky spent more than three decades maturing in single cask #601648, quietly evolving within Scotland’s atmospheric Victorian warehouses. Bottled at an elegant 43.3% ABV, it represents the pinnacle of long-aged Scotch whisky craftsmanship.

The Murray McDavid ULTRA collection is reserved for exceptionally mature whiskies where time itself becomes a defining ingredient. Three decades of careful maturation have created a whisky of remarkable refinement, complexity, and balance. Rich honeycomb sweetness, creamy malt sugars, dried fruits, polished oak, and gentle spice intertwine seamlessly, showcasing the extraordinary elegance that has made Macallan one of the world’s most sought-after single malt distilleries.

• 30 year old Speyside single malt Scotch whisky from Macallan
• Distilled 7 December 1993, bottled 19 February 2024
• Matured in single cask #601648
• Bottled at 43.3% ABV
• Part of the prestigious Murray McDavid ULTRA series
• An exceptionally mature whisky showcasing the influence of time and traditional warehouse ageing

The Macallan 30 Year Old 1993 Murray McDavid ULTRA is a masterpiece of mature Scotch whisky, delivering extraordinary elegance, complexity, and depth after three decades of patient ageing. Rich with honeyed sweetness, baking spices, chocolate, and delicate sherry influence, it is a truly remarkable whisky for collectors and connoisseurs seeking a rare vintage Macallan experience.

Nose Fresh honeycomb, sweet toffee, creamy barley sugars, and ripe fig with hints of pastry, polished oak, and soft spice.

Palate Silky and indulgent, revealing flavours of milk chocolate, cinnamon, nutmeg, dried fruits, coffee notes, and warming ginger biscuits.

Finish Long and satisfying, with lingering sweet sherry richness, gentle spice, mature oak, and elegant sweetness.

The Macallan Distillery, founded by Alexander Reid in 1824 as Elchies Distillery near Easter Elchies House—a site dating back to 1700—is a prestigious Speyside malt whisky distillery. Re-commissioned in 2008, the distillery now operates with two still houses housing twenty-one copper stills. A new state-of-the-art facility is under construction, expanding capacity to thirty-one stills and solidifying Macallan’s position among the top whisky producers by volume. On-site maturation occurs in traditional dunnage warehouses and modern large warehouses on the estate. Renowned for its exquisite single malts, popular releases include the Macallan 18 Year Old and the Macallan 30 Year Old.

Dumbarton Cask #50 Dumbarton 60 Year Old 1964 Murray McDavid ULTRA

£1,930.96

Dumbarton 60 Year Old 1964 is a truly historic single grain Scotch whisky, bottled by Murray McDavid for the prestigious ULTRA series. Distilled on 25th December 1964 and matured for an astonishing six decades in single cask #50, this extraordinarily rare release yielded just 200 bottles at a refined 42.3% ABV. Distilled during a bygone era of Scotch whisky production, it stands as a remarkable testament to the transformative power of time. Part of Murray McDavid’s most exclusive collection of long-aged vintage whiskies, this exceptional Dumbarton has developed an extraordinary depth of character through decades of patient maturation. Rich floral honey, orchard fruits, creamy sweetness, and mature oak complexity combine seamlessly in a whisky that reflects both the elegance of aged grain spirit and the rarity of surviving casks from the 1960s. Bottled with minimal intervention, it offers an unforgettable glimpse into Scotland’s whisky heritage.

• 60 year old single grain Scotch whisky from the legendary Dumbarton distillery
• Distilled 25 December 1964
• Matured in single cask #50
• Limited to just 200 bottles worldwide
• Bottled at 42.3% ABV
• Part of the prestigious Murray McDavid ULTRA collection

The Dumbarton 60 Year Old 1964 Murray McDavid ULTRA is an extraordinary whisky of immense rarity and historical significance. Combining six decades of maturation with remarkable elegance, complexity, and refinement, it offers a unique opportunity to experience a piece of Scotch whisky history. Rich, graceful, and profoundly rewarding, this is a collector’s whisky of the highest calibre.

Nose Wild floral honey, baked lemon, and spring orchard fruits with hints of salted butter, mellow cloves, and polished oak.

Palate Silky and luxurious, revealing flavours of nutmeg, rustic marmalade, creamy chocolate, honeyed cereals, and delicate spice.

Finish Exceptionally long and elegant, with lingering apple pastry, ripe pear, gentle oak, and soft sweetness.

Dumbarton Distillery, a lost Lowland grain distillery established by Hiram Walker in 1938 on the site of the former McMillan shipyard, once dominated the banks of the River Leven and River Clyde in Dumbarton. Equipped with a Cincinnati-made continuous still, it grew to become one of Scotland’s largest grain distilleries, primarily using maize and water sourced from Loch Lomond to produce spirit destined for Ballantine’s blended whiskies. Despite its prominence, Dumbarton closed in 2002, with most of its structures demolished by 2008, sealing its fate as a significant yet lost chapter in Scotland’s Lowland whisky heritage. While the site no longer stands, the distillery’s legacy endures through single cask bottlings released by Hunter Laing & Co., preserving Dumbarton’s unique contribution to Scottish grain whisky history.

Whisky and beer. A pairing that’s stood the test of time.

In Scotland, asking for a Hauf n Hauf has long been a rite of passage in pubs across the country — a dram of Scotch whisky served alongside a half pint of beer.

It’s simple, sociable and wonderfully Scottish.

But where did this tradition come from, and why does it work so well?

In our latest blog, we explore the history of the Hauf n Hauf, why whisky and beer are such natural companions, and how this iconic pairing inspired one of our most distinctive whiskies: Our Half ‘N’ Half Crafted Blend.

From Speyside single malts and Highland grain whisky to stout-seasoned casks from our friends at Spey Valley Brewery, discover how we’ve reimagined a Scottish classic through the Art of Maturation.

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