COLEBURN DISTILLERY REAWAKENS AFTER 40 YEARS WITH VETERAN MASTER DISTILLER AND SPECIALIST ARCHITECTS

L-R: Mark Winchester, Dale Winchester, Keith Cruickshank, Gwenda Smits

Steps taken to welcome back one of Speyside’s sleeping distilleries within Scotch whisky’s largest region.

 The reinstatement of a working distillery at the historic Coleburn site in Speyside marks a significant leap forward with the appointment of esteemed master distiller, Keith Cruickshank and distillery specialists, Organic Architects.

Founded in 1897 and completed in 1899 under the direction of the renowned distillery architect Charles Doig, the distillery was mothballed in 1985. Now, Coleburn is set to be reborn as part of a major revival that will return whisky production to this storied Speyside location, as part of a transformative vision by D&M Winchester Ltd.

The Distillery at Coleburn represents a notable step forward in the wider masterplan of establishing a world-class whisky and hospitality centre on the authentic grounds of Coleburn, Longmorn, anticipated to be the first of its kind globally.

Keith Cruickshank joins The Distillery at Coleburn as Master Distiller following 27 years at the helm of Benromach. Born and raised in the Speyside town that shares his name, Keith brings over three decades of whisky-making expertise to the role. In 1998, he became part of the team that restarted distilling at Benromach, where he was soon promoted to Distillery Manager under the guidance of industry mentor Bob Murray. With deep roots in Speyside and a lifelong dedication to the craft, Keith is ideally placed to lead Coleburn into its next chapter.

On his appointment, Keith Cruickshank said:

“It is a great honour to be appointed Master Distiller of The Distillery at Coleburn. This is a site with a rich heritage, and I am committed to restoring its distilling tradition with care, precision, and respect for the craft. My focus will be on developing a spirit that reflects the character of Coleburn and the wider Speyside region, using time-honoured methods and a thoughtful approach to production. Our aim is to produce Scotch whisky of the highest possible quality, rooted in authenticity and built to stand the test of time.”

D&M Winchester Ltd, owner of the Coleburn site, has commissioned Organic Architects, leaders in sustainable distillery design, to finalise architectural plans for the operational facility. With construction scheduled to begin shortly and completion targeted for 2027, the project signals a landmark moment in the resurgence of Speyside’s whisky-making legacy.

Mark Winchester, co-owner, commented:

“The development of The Distillery at Coleburn marks a milestone in our vision for this extraordinary site. We are thrilled to embark on this journey of reinstating the distillery with Organic Architects and have already made significant progress. Keith’s appointment as our Master Distiller brings invaluable experience, and we look forward to creating exceptional spirits and welcoming both those from the area and much further afield to the distillery in the years ahead.”

The vision for Coleburn Distillery centres on creating a true sense of arrival, with a seamless visitor journey that flows effortlessly through the site. Marrying heritage and innovation, the design blends the historic character of Coleburn with contemporary elements, delivering an experience that is both rooted in tradition and distinctly cutting-edge.

Bari Reid, Director at Organic Architects, commented:

“It’s great to be part of a project that will contribute to the future of whisky production in Speyside. This is a unique opportunity to bring modern distilling practices together with a strong sense of place. The site’s history and its surroundings have formed our approach – our plan aims to support low-impact production while reflecting the character of the region. We’re looking forward to working with the distillery team to help bring their long-term vision to life.”

Upon completion, the Coleburn Whisky Resort will include whisky lodges, Pagoda penthouse and bistro and is expected to create a significant number of jobs in the local area. Once operational, The Distillery at Coleburn is expected to produce one million litres of whisky annually.

About Coleburn Distillery:

Coleburn Distillery, located in the heart of Speyside, is being brought back to life as part of a landmark project to create a world-class whisky and hospitality destination. Once a working distillery, Coleburn is now being reinstated as a fully operational site, complete with a new distillery and visitor bistro in the first phase of development.

Future plans include whisky lodges, Pagoda penthouse and bistro, making Coleburn a true destination for whisky lovers and visitors from around the world. At its core, the project is about reviving the Coleburn spirit and offering a premium whisky experience rooted in heritage, craft, and place.

About Organic Architects:

Organic Architects was established in 2009. Based in Helensburgh on the west coast of Scotland.  The company is led by a team which includes former National Trust conservation architect Andrea Wise, eco-distilling specialist Gareth Roberts, as well as distillery construction specialist Bari Reid who is based on the Isle of Mull. Organic Architects was amongst the first architects to design a number of the new wave of craft whisky distilleries projects in the UK and internationally. They have become leading experts in environmentally friendly distilling and integrating complex process engineering with new and refurbished buildings.

THE ENGLISH DISTILLERY RELEASES CASK 001 – THE BIRTH OF ENGLISH WHISKY’S REVIVAL

‘Historic’ distillery offers a once-in-a-generation release of the whisky that began a national revival…

… & the perfect toast to the visionary who made it possible

Aged for 18 years, Cask 001 will be the oldest single malt English whisky to ever be released for sale

Alongside this historic release, The English Distillery will additionally honour the memory of its visionary founder, James Nelstrop, with the limited edition release of Founders’ Private Cellar 18 Year Old, the oldest edition of the family’s annual Private Cellar collection to date

The English Distillery today reveals the long-awaited release of Cask 001 – a whisky of rare provenance and deep historical significance. Distilled in 2006, the cask was the inaugural filling by England’s first registered whisky distillery in more than 100 years, making it the defining foundation of England’s modern whisky renaissance.

Created by legendary master distiller Iain Henderson, this historic spirit was hand casked at The English Distillery in Norfolk, which at the time was a bold, untested venture driven by the singular vision of the distillery’s founder, James Nelstrop. For 18 years, the cask has rested low in the cool stone walls of the distillery’s Bond 1 warehouse, gently shaped by time, climate, and stillness.

Just 60 bottles (RRP: £3,000, 70cl) will be released, each one a quiet monument to the return of whisky distilling on English soil.

“There’s whisky, and then there’s Cask 001,” says Andrew Nelstrop, Chairman of The English Distillery and James Nelstrop’s son. “This isn’t just a remarkable spirit, it’s a historical artefact. My father built this distillery from a dream, and this cask is where it all began.”

James Nelstrop, a Norfolk farmer with deep agricultural roots, founded the distillery not for accolades but for legacy — determined that England could produce whisky as fine as any in the world. With no investors and no roadmap, he created the country’s first operational whisky distillery since 1901, declaring it would make nothing but the finest single malt, no matter how long it took.

That quiet perseverance bore exceptional fruit last year, when The English Sherry Cask won World’s Best Single Malt at the 2024 World Whiskies Awards — beating revered distilleries from Scotland, Japan, and beyond. The award cemented the distillery’s – and England’s – place on the global whisky map, and fulfilled James Nelstrop’s founding ambition.

“Cask 001 is the whisky that lit the spark,” says Andrew. “It slept through the years as we built our range, earned the respect of the whisky world, and finally brought the title of World’s Best home to Norfolk.”

To honour the unique provenance of Cask 001, The English Distillery partnered with Langham Glass – master glassblowers from Norfolk – to craft hand-blown decanters that reflect the craftsmanship and purity of the spirit they hold. Each bottle is a collector’s piece, a work of art forged by local hands, just like the whisky itself.

Unpeated, bottled at natural cask strength, and untouched by chill-filtration or added colour, Cask 001 offers a profoundly pure experience – its depth and complexity shaped by 18 silent years, Norfolk’s air, and a founding promise to do things the right way.

Founders’ Private Cellar 18 Year Old: A Toast to the Man Behind the Mission

To continue the 18th anniversary celebrations, The English Distillery today also unveils the rarest and oldest edition to date of its annual Private Cellar range, offering whisky lovers another limited opportunity to explore the pinnacle of world-class whisky-making at this seminal moment.

The Private Cellar collection features the oldest and rarest whiskies in the distillery’s stocks and delivers the kind of depth, nuance and richness that cannot be replicated or reproduced. Each year the family selects a handful of unique and interesting casks to be placed into their private collection. When ready for drinking, these casks are returned to the distillery for bottling under the Private Cellar range.

“As with Cask 001, this is also a deeply personal release for our family as we celebrate 18 years of whisky making,” adds Andrew Nelstrop. “Founders’ Private Cellar 18 Year Old is composed of the oldest and most characterful casks in our collection, and offers a full-bodied, contemplative single malt that is perfect for sharing, remembering, and raising a glass to my father, the man who made it all possible.”

Product Information:

Cask 001

• Distilled: 2006
• ABV: 54.2%
• Casks: Over the last 18 years this whisky has remained at the distillery, being disturbed just twice – once to be transferred into a single sherry cask,  before being returned to its original American Standard Barrel (ASB) where it has lain quietly, low down in Bond 1, and where the air is cool, the walls thick with history and where time moves slowly. It has matured in silence, shaped by patience, place, and purpose.

• Tasting notes: What a whisky… on the nose there are initially aromas of vanilla, red fruit and sandalwood, leave it a while and this changes to crème brûlée & fresh strawberries. A little taste reveals a rich caramel with plenty of oak & stewed apples. This is a full bodied whisky and hence has a lovely long finish; a whisky to be savoured over a long quiet evening.

• Packaging: Hand-blown decanter by Langham Glass, Norfolk
• Availability: 60 bottles globally from 25^th September
• Price: £3,000/bottle

Founders’ Private Cellar 18 Year Old

• ABV: 55.4%
• Casks: Rum Cask

• Tasting Notes: Full bodied with warming notes of cinnamon and clove underpinned by smooth vanilla, raisins and boiled tropical sweets. Final notes of chocolate and liquorish are finished with a sweet linger of tropical fruit and slight oak smoke.

• Availability: 174 bottles globally from 11^th September
• Price: £395/bottle

Notes 

At a time when world-class whisky made in England was unthinkable, our father and son founders, James and Andrew Nelstrop, took a chance and kickstarted a category. From dream to dram, every aspect of The English is born of their vision.

As the home of the ‘World’s Best Single Malt Whisky’ 2024 and England’s oldest whisky distillery, we believe in working to make great whiskies that aren’t hard work. Nothing weird or wacky, no gimmicks or trends. Just world-class spirits that are approachable but never dumbed down.

We remain a family business with the aim to build a legacy, not an exit strategy. We are proud to have breathed new life into English whisky distilling, and we will continue to set the standard for generations to come.

The distillery has a unique place in history. In 1901 the last recorded whisky distillery in England swapped from whisky to gin production before being destroyed by fire. This saw the end of whisky distilleries in England until The English Whisky Co. Ltd was granted a license to distil whisky by HMRC. In 2006 it opened the first registered, operational whisky distillery in England for over 100 years.

Our founder James Nelstrop was the younger son of a Lincolnshire farmer. James spent his formative years farming in Lincolnshire before emigrating to Australia, where farms were bigger and opportunities were plentiful. James returned to England in 1976 and went to work the land in Norfolk, Suffolk and Lincolnshire. He also set up farming charities to improve the agricultural industry as the country emerged from 30 years of communist control before returning to Norfolk.

As James neared retirement, a lifetime’s dream to make whisky became a possibility. The dream had grown from a throwaway comment made by James’ father, who said it was a “shame all this barley has to go to Scotland to be turned into whisky.”

The decision to build the distillery in Norfolk was quickly taken and with only one caveat: The distillery would produce only the very finest single malt whiskies, regardless of the time it took to get there. This mantra has become the foundation of everything that we do at The English Distillery.

The distillery is now led by James’ son Andrew, who continues to follow in his father’s footsteps.

Old Perth launches rare limited edition Bodega expression 

Morrison Scotch Whisky Distillers (MSWD) has launched a limited edition Bodega Cask Matured Blended Malt, adding a new expression to its sherry-focused Old Perth range.

Bottled at 52.4% ABV, The Old Perth Bodega expression will be released in the UK on 4 September (£52RRP) via select specialist retailers, before rolling out to key international markets.

With only 1,200 bottles available worldwide, this exceptional and rare release pays tribute to the brand’s deep sherry heritage and long-standing traditions.

Created to celebrate everything that defines Old Perth, the release combines single malts fully matured in Oloroso, Pedro Ximénez and Palo Cortado sherry casks, married with whisky from Old Perth’s historic 70-year-old solera vats. The result is said to deliver “remarkable depth, complexity and elegance”, with notes of spiced oak, orange zest, rich treacle and dark fruits on the nose, followed by silky sweetness, refined nuttiness and a long finish of smooth milk chocolate.

“This release is a true celebration of Old Perth’s DNA – a whisky deeply rooted in tradition, shaped by exceptional casks, and bottled with our signature bold yet balanced style,” said Graeme Mackeddie, head of production at MSWD. “It is crafted for whisky lovers who appreciate the complexity and skill of vatting together big, bold, sherry matured malts.”

The Old Perth Bodega expression will be released in the UK on 4 September via select specialist retailers, before rolling out to key international markets.

Tasting Notes

• Nose: Spiced oak, bright orange zest, rich treacle, and dark fruits.
• Palate: Silky sweetness and refined nuttiness.
• Finish: Long-lasting and juicy, brimming with smooth milk chocolate.

Bottled at 52.4% ABV,  Old Perth Bodega is available from Sept 4th in key markets across the UK, EU and selected international territories (RRP £52). For more information, stockist listings or image assets, visit: www.oldperthwhisky.co.uk/stockists

Morrison Scotch Whisky Distillers (MSWD) is an independent, family-owned company based in Perth, Scotland. Rebranded in 2020, MSWD represents five generations of Morrison whisky heritage under one name, with a focus on single malt production, brand development, blending and bottling. Its flagship brands include Aberargie, Old Perth, Mac-Talla, Càrn Mòr and Bruadar.

Maker’s Mark Cellar Aged Returns in 2025 – A Masterful Blend of the Brand’s Oldest Bourbons

LORETTO, Ky., August 19, 2025 — Maker’s Mark®, the iconic Kentucky bourbon driven by the pursuit of better flavor and a better world, today announced the 2025 release of Maker’s Mark Cellar Aged: the global, limited-release expression that delivers the most mature whisky ever blended by the distillery. Now in its third year, Maker’s Mark Cellar Aged is aged to taste, not time – blending 11-, 13- and 14-year-old Maker’s Mark to unlock new depths of flavor.

“From the beginning, Maker’s Mark has gone to extraordinary lengths to craft an uncompromisingly delicious bourbon, and Cellar Aged 2025 is a continuation of that pursuit,” said Rob Samuels, managing director and eighth-generation whisky maker. “An elevated expression that remains unmistakably Maker’s Mark, Cellar Aged finishes maturing in our LEED-certified limestone cellar, creating a richer, deeper and more complex bourbon.”

Meticulously crafted, Maker’s Mark Cellar Aged 2025 blends 74% 11-year-old, 10% 13-year-old and 16% 14-year-old bourbon for a bold 56.45% ABV (112.9 proof). The result is bright and balanced with vibrant character and a long, smooth finish. The aroma offers rich notes of dark brown sugar, caramelized oak and baked apple. On the palate, creamy fudge, toasted almond and ripe dark cherry interplay with lingering hints of butterscotch, orange zest and soft baking spices.

“Our cellar, built into the natural limestone shelf that surrounds our Star Hill Farm distillery, plays a vital role in shaping the whisky’s final profile — just as our environment has done since our founding,” said Dr. Blake Layfield, Master Distiller, Maker’s Mark. “Aging at consistently cool temperatures slows the extraction of wood tannins, allowing oxidation to do its work and developing a bourbon that’s more complex, yet remarkably approachable. By avoiding the overly bitter, tannic notes that can come with traditional long aging, this one-of-a-kind expression challenges everything you think you know about aged bourbon.”

Maker’s Mark Cellar Aged 2025 will be available for a suggested retail price of USD $175 in the United States, Germany and select Global Travel Retail accounts beginning mid-September. Availability will follow in the United Kingdom, Australia, Korea, Japan, and Singapore later this year and into early 2026.

In the United States, in addition to select retailers nationwide, Maker’s Mark Cellar Aged 2025 will be available for purchase at the Maker’s Mark Distillery beginning September 5th — kicking off Bourbon Heritage Month — by booking the Cellar Aged Experience at https://www.makersmark.com//distillery/visit-us.

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

ABOUT MAKER’S MARK  

Maker’s Mark® is the iconic handmade Kentucky bourbon driven by a vision for better flavor and a better world. In 1953, founders Margie and Bill Samuels, Sr. broke from tradition—burning the family’s 170-year-old recipe to create a bold, balanced bourbon made with soft red winter wheat for signature sweetness and creaminess. From the start, the Samuels went to remarkable lengths to craft uncompromisingly delicious bourbon—a perfectly unreasonable spirit that endures today. Every bottle is still hand-dipped in red wax, every barrel rotated by hand and every decision guided by the brand’s higher purpose.

Staying true to its founders’ vision, Maker’s Mark has expanded its portfolio with award-winning, super-premium expressions, including Maker’s Mark 46, Cask Strength, and Cellar Aged, as well as Private Selection, the brand’s custom barrel program. In 2025, the distillery debuted Star Hill Farm Whisky, its first-ever wheat whisky. Award-winning and the first to earn Estate Whiskey certification, Star Hill Farm Whisky inspired the Maker’s Mark Regenerative Alliance, a bold commitment to advance regenerative farming beyond its business, inviting farms, bars and restaurants to join the movement.

Maker’s Mark is proud to be both B Corp and Regenified Certified – milestones driven by the sustainability leadership at Star Hill Farm, home of the Maker’s Mark Distillery, which strives to be the most endearing, culturally rich and environmentally responsible homeplace in the world.

Heaven Hill Distillery® Debuts Artist Series Collection for Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond

Featuring Kentucky Artist Bri Bowers

Limited-Edition Collection Showcases Watercolor Art Celebrating Heaven Hill’s Iconic Legacy

BARDSTOWN, Ky. – (August 28, 2025) – Heaven Hill Distillery is proud to announce the release of the Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond Artist Series Collection, a limited-time collector’s edition packaging that celebrates the distillery’s rich heritage and artistry in bourbon making. Paying tribute to the nine decades long history of Heaven Hill Distillery, this new series combines time-honored tradition with the vibrant creativity of acclaimed Kentucky artist Bri Bowers.

Each bottle in the Artist Series Collection showcases one of five bespoke watercolor illustrations by Bowers, capturing the spirit of the people, places, and history that make Heaven Hill Distillery unique. Offered at Heaven Hill’s two Bardstown Visitor Experience locations are two exclusive labels celebrating the Heaven Hill Bourbon Experience and Heaven Hill’s Championship Barrel Rolling team.

The featured artworks celebrate:

• Heaven Hill Rickhouses – The Bardstown home to 20 rickhouses, some dating back to the 1930s, where barrels mature for Heaven Hill’s award-winning Bottled-in-Bond Whiskeys.
• Bernheim Rickhouses – Iconic brick rickhouses in downtown Louisville, uniquely towering up to twelve floors and representing a distinct part of the distillery’s heritage.
• Heaven Hill Springs Distillery – Opening in September 2025, this new Bardstown facility marks the return of Heaven Hill’s whiskey production to its birthplace after the 1996 fire.
• Heaven Hill Bourbon Experience – *Bardstown Visitor Center Exclusive* – The award-winning visitor experience that celebrates the history and tradition of Kentucky’s native spirit.
• Heaven Hill’s Championship Barrel Rolling Team – *Bardstown Visitor Center Exclusive* – From the rickhouse to the relay, Heaven Hill’s Championship Barrel Rolling Team carries forward a proud Kentucky tradition of strength, skill, and hometown pride.

“This series is a love letter to Heaven Hill’s history and to Kentucky itself,” said Kelly Hendriksen, Senior Brand Manager at Heaven Hill Distillery. “For nearly ninety years, Heaven Hill has been woven into the fabric of Kentucky Bourbon’s story—carrying forward traditions that define America’s native spirit. Bri’s work beautifully captures the people, places, and pride that have shaped not only our bourbons, but also the broader history of Kentucky Bourbon itself.”

The Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond Artist Series Collection will be available nationwide in September. Priced at $49.99 MSRP, the bourbon features the same award-winning liquid as the flagship Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, aged for seven years. The bourbon pours a golden amber color, offering warm aromas of vanilla, honey, and rich caramel sweetness. On the palate, it is smooth, warm, and sweet, with a subtle rye spice; caramel and honey mingle with just enough oak and char to round out the richness. The finish is long and lingering, leaving a satisfying impression. Consumers are encouraged to check with local retailers for availability, as quantities are extremely limited.

“Being asked to be the inaugural artist for this project with Heaven Hill was an honor,” said Artist Bri Bowers. “The thought of seeing my work represent Kentucky on shelves in spaces and homes all over the country is a delight!”

The Golden Cork Sweepstakes – A Once-in-a-Lifetime Distillery Experience

In conjunction with the release, Heaven Hill is launching the Golden Cork Sweepstakes (available in all markets except UT and VT). Inspired by the magic of a “golden ticket,” select bottles will contain a hidden golden cork beneath the capsule, giving consumers the chance to win an exclusive Kentucky bourbon experience, including visits to both of Heaven Hill’s world-class distilleries, guided tastings with Master Distiller Conor O’Driscoll, and behind-the-scenes access never before offered.

For more information about Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond Artist Series Collection and the Golden Cork Sweepstakes, CLICK HERE

ABOUT HEAVEN HILL DISTILLERY: Founded in Kentucky by the Shapira family in 1935, Heaven Hill Distillery continues its legacy as one of the foremost American Whiskey producers. Heaven Hill has cultivated the traditions and history of America’s Native Spirit with its fierce independence, passionate family ownership, dedication to quality, and thoughtful innovation. Today, Heaven Hill Distillery maintains over 2 million barrels aging in more than 70 warehouses throughout Nelson and Jefferson Counties. It is home to an award-winning collection of American Whiskeys including Elijah Craig Bourbon, Evan Williams Bourbon, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond, Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond, Henry McKenna, Parker’s Heritage Collection along with its extensive and diverse collection of unique and innovative products. In the past five years alone, Heaven Hill Distillery has been named Distiller of the Year eight times, including 2024 and 2023 Whisky Magazine Distillery of the Year. Other recent honors include 2024 and 2025 San Francisco World Spirits Competition’s Most Awarded Distillery and the 2023 Icons of Whisky World’s Best Small Batch Bourbon. For more information, please visit www.heavenhilldistillery.com.

*NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Starts 9/1/2025 12:00AM ET & ends 10/31/2025 11:59PM ET. Open to legal residents of the 50 US/DC [Excluding UT and VT], age 21 or older. Subject to Official Rules available HERE . Void where prohibited.

ABOUT BRI BOWERS: Bri Bowers is an artist and illustrator based in Louisville, Kentucky. Originally from Ohio, she moved to Louisville in 2012 from New York City where she studied Illustration at Parsons: The New School for Design. Bri is most widely know for her watercolor series depicting Louisville’s restaurants, bars and landmarks, a series she continues to build on as the city evolves.  Bri has worked with various clients including Jack Harlow, Louisville Tourism, Churchill Downs and American Express. Whether it’s a sticker on a bike rack or deck of cards in a coffee shop, Bri’s art can be found all over the city. You can shop her work on her website bribowers.com or schedule a shopping appointment in her studio in Shelby Park. Follow her on Instagram @bribowers

KNOB CREEK® AND ELI MANNING RETURN WITH BOLD PICKS: A SEASON-LONG CELEBRATION OF FANTASY FOOTBALL AND UNWAVERING CONVICTION

Knob Creek® Bold Picks returns with a new season of Manning’s expert fantasy football advice and a limited-edition cask strength bourbon, arriving in time for post-season

CLERMONT, Ky., Aug. 19, 2025 — As fans gear up for the 2025-2026 football season, Knob Creek®, a founding spirit of the James B. Beam Small Batch Bourbon Collection™ and a leader in American Whiskey, proudly reunites with legendary quarterback and two-time champion Eli Manning for the next evolution of Knob Creek® Bold Picks—a season-long recognition of the bold selections fantasy football fans are making in pursuit of victory.

To commemorate the season, Knob Creek® and Eli Manning are reuniting for a new limited time offering: Knob Creek® Single Barrel Cask Strength Bourbon, Eli Manning’s Bold Pick: 2026 Batch, available nationwide just in time for the post-season.

“As football fans and bourbon makers, we respect the confidence it takes to win – on the field and at our distillery,” said Freddie Noe, Eighth Generation Master Distiller. “Welcoming Eli back to the distillery, we knew we wanted this year’s release to be bold. The Knob Creek® Eli Manning’s Bold Pick: 2026 Batch is bottled at cask strength; unfiltered, unapologetic, and made for those who stand by their convictions. It’s the kind of whiskey that speaks to the intensity of game day and the high standards we’ve upheld at Knob Creek®.”

As the season heats up, Manning will return with his own picks offering fearless predictions and his own advice to help fans stand out on gameday. All season, fans can follow along on Instagram @KnobCreek for Eli’s bold picks and enjoy ‘Eli’s Gameday Old Fashioned’ with Knob Creek® 9 Year Bourbon – a pour to enjoy from draft day to the big game.

The Bold Picks campaign’s social and digital media plan centers on places where fans go to live and breathe fantasy football. Whether it’s through the social influencers and YouTube channels they follow for lineup advice, their Reddit fantasy football communities, or the sites like Instacart and Fanatics where they go to shop, Knob Creek® will be present to add value and entertainment to their fan experience.

“I appreciate a bourbon that delivers full, bold flavor – that’s why Knob Creek® is my go-to pour and a great partner for another round of bold picks,” said Manning. “To kick off the fantasy football season, I’ll be sharing advice for fans’ fantasy drafts and raising a glass to those who stand by their convictions.”

Fans are also invited to make their own picks and payoff this season by entering the Bold Picks Sweepstakes for a chance to win the ultimate watch party at the James B. Beam Distilling Co. in Clermont, KY. One lucky winner and their fantasy league – or 11 friends – will be treated to an exclusive Knob Creek® experience for the Big Game. Daily Instant Win prizes, including Knob Creek® Old Fashioned Kits, will also be awarded throughout the pre-season to help prepare fans for their fantasy draft parties. Fans can enter by going to www.TheBoldPicksSweepstakes.com. No purchase necessary. Must be 21+ to participate. Sweepstakes ends November 1, 2025.

For more information about Knob Creek® Bold Picks campaign and Knob Creek’s® award-winning* bourbon and rye portfolios, visit https://www.knobcreek.com/news/bold-picks or follow along on Instagram and Facebook @KnobCreek.

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

Lochlea Distillery launches first ever core series of whiskies:

-introducing The Lochlea Single Estate Range-

Lochlea – the award-winning farm-to-cask distillery in the heart of Ayrshire – is proud to unveil its first permanent core range of single malts, to sit alongside the much-celebrated Our Barley: The Lochlea Single Estate Range.

Following the acclaimed success of its limited edition seasonal releases, the new lineup of whiskies marks a milestone in Lochlea’s journey, offering whisky-lovers a flavour-rich, characterful selection curated entirely on-site from field to cask, available on a permanent basis this autumn.

All of the new expressions are distilled from 100% barley grown on Lochlea Farm, then matured and married on-site at the distillery. This new range reflects not just provenance to its  Ayrshire home, but a commitment to transparency, sustainability, and world-class quality that Lochlea has come to be known for since being founded in 2017.

Lochlea’s master blender Jill Boyd said: “Our new Single Estate Range marks an evolution from our limited, seasonal releases – reflecting both the growing maturity of our stock, our confidence in the distillery and our ability to continue to create consistent, beautiful spirit all onsite here. With access to a wide variety of mature stocks and the cask consistency needed to create a full core series, now felt like the ideal time to embrace the opportunity to put this range together. We aim to root each whisky in the character and creativity of our earlier seasonal expressions, but designed to offer something a little more:  classic much-loved whisky styles with a distinctive Lochlea twist – on a permanent basis.”

The new range comprises: Orchard & Oak, Dark Briar and Smoke without Fire, that will sit alongside the existing core whisky, Our Barley.  Each of these whiskies represents a distinct side of the Lochlea house style, together forming a cohesive collection built on whiskies which define the distillery.

Jill continued: “These components aim to provide structure and variety, while the Lochlea character, fruit-forward with a delicate ribbon of cereal, runs through each expression. The introduction of our three new core expressions to stand alongside Our Barley helps creates a rounder collection of whiskies, individually compelling, yet unmistakably part of the same family. We hope people will enjoy exploring every dram across the range!” 

A closer look at The Lochlea Single Estate Range: 

Orchard & Oak:

A bright, fruit-driven single malt with a grassy freshness and layered sweetness.

Cask Types: matured in a combination of first-fill Bourbon, Virgin American Oak, and Calvados casks.

Tasting Notes:
Nose – Fresh green apple, cut grass, light floral notes
Palate – Apple cake, buttery caramel, grassy and oaky spice
Finish – Sweet oak, cereal, soft citrus lift

ABV: 46% and non-chill filtered

Dark Briar:

A bold and indulgent expression, matured in rich fortified wine casks for depth and complexity.

Cask Types:  matured in a combination of Pedro Ximénez, Oloroso sherry butts, and Port casks.

Tasting Notes:
Nose – Juicy red berries, vanilla caramel, baking spices
Palate – Cherries, stewed plums, ginger cake, warming tannins
Finish – Long, rich, with velvety spice and lingering red fruit

ABV: 46% and non-chill filtered

Smoke Without Fire:

A delicately peated whisky that balances subtle smoke with fruit and floral elegance.

Cask Types: matured in a combination of ex-peated refill Bourbon barrels and red wine casks.

Tasting Notes:
Nose – Red berries, cherry blossom, soft bonfire smoke
Palate – Light citrus, salted smoke, bonfire char, floral sweetness
Finish – Soft phenols, toasted oak, subtle sherbet

ABV: 46% and non-chill filtered

The range also includes the existing Our Barley single malt: 

Tasting Notes:

Nose – Pear syrup, fruit bon bons, warm cut grass, marmalade

Palate – Golden syrup, pepper, rye bread, macadamia nuts, cream soda

Finish – Long finish with a lasting orange beeswax note

ABV: 46% and non-chill filtered.

All of the new expressions will be available from 4^th September 2025, RRP: £50 per 70cl bottle. Stockists include whisky specialists and independent retailers across the UK and in over 30 international markets.

The Lochlea team will also be previewing the new range with drop-in tastings in key accounts across the UK for trade and consumers, kicking off on Monday 1^st September in Glasgow, Tuesday 2^nd September in Edinburgh then onto London on 4^th September, followed by Bristol and Manchester on 5^th and 6^th September.

For more information, please visit: www.lochleadistillery.com or email  info@lochleadistillery.com.

LOCHLEA 

Lochlea was originally a 222 acre livestock farm before being purchased by Neil and Jen McGeoch in 2006. After much consideration of the future of the farm and a successful trial to grow its own barley in 2015, the couple transformed the land and existing farm buildings into a fully-operational distillery in 2017 and started distilling the following year. The farming side has remained a unique part of Lochlea, with the move into barley production – paving the way for Lochlea to be one of the very few fully grain-to-cask distilleries in Scotland. It also has a rich Scottish heritage with strong links to Robbie Burns, with the bard having worked and lived on the farm for several years.

Glen Scotia unveils 12 Year Old single malt celebrating distillery’s bold Campbeltown character

Multi-award winning Campbeltown distillery Glen Scotia is introducing a new 12-year-old single malt whisky into its portfolio, placing its signature style and maritime influence centre stage.

Hailing from Scotland’s smallest whisky-making region, the new flagship Glen Scotia 12 Year Old is a bold yet classic addition to the core range. Bringing the unmistakably rich and coastal notes Glen Scotia is renowned for, the new single malt will join the distillery’s prized 10, 15, 18 and 25-year-old aged expressions.

Once known as the Victorian whisky capital of the world, Campbeltown has seen a renaissance in recent years, with Glen Scotia’s resilience at the heart of the region’s whisky revival.

Fully matured in the finest first-fill bourbon casks for vibrant depth and richness of flavour under the watchful eyes of Glen Scotia’s small expert team, the 12-year-old puts the distillery’s big Campbeltown character in the spotlight.

Glen Scotia’s meticulous attention to the small details which contribute to the quality, style and flavour of its whisky has resulted in a single malt with bursts of tropical fruit, balanced by the distillery’s well-loved maritime notes.

This new whisky opens with fresh sea air, honeyed vanilla and hints of exotic tropical fruit on the nose. On the palate, wonderful layers of caramelised sugar, tangy citrus and vibrant pineapple are balanced with subtle toasted oak and a long warming finish.

Glen Scotia 12 Year Old is presented in striking royal blue and chalk white packaging, with its design taking inspiration from the distillery’s iconic blue dunnage warehouse door and exterior wall.

This bold new colourway launches in tandem with Glen Scotia’s new brand identity which will be rolled out across all of its communications and is rooted in the distillery’s bold and resilient character, and pride in its small-town craftsmanship and heritage.

Iain McAlister, Master Distiller and Distillery Manager, of Glen Scotia said: “Located in the historic whisky-making region of Campbeltown on the Kintyre Peninsula, our distillery has an illustrious past and rich history with our story beginning in 1832.

“The Glen Scotia 12 Year Old is a bold new classic that will become the heart of our core range, representing our signature style and offering whisky lovers a true taste of Campbeltown.

“Campbeltown is the smallest whisky-producing region, where our small team use uniquely small stills to craft our whiskies with big Campbeltown flavours that have made big waves across the world. The new 12-year-old is quintessentially Glen Scotia – from the royal blue and chalk white packaging referencing our dunnage door and exterior wall, to the bold Campbeltown character within, bursting with tropical fruit flavours that are perfectly balanced with our maritime influence.”

Glen Scotia 12 Year Old is 46% ABV, natural in colour and non-chill filtered. It will retail for £45 and is available exclusively on glenscotia.com, at Glen Scotia Distillery’s Visitor Centre in Campbeltown, and through The Whisky Shop.

For more information on Glen Scotia 12 Year Old visit: www.glenscotia.com

Tasting notes

Nose: Fresh sea air, honeyed vanilla and hints of exotic tropical fruit.

Palate: Layers of caramelised sugar, tangy citrus and vibrant pineapple, balanced by subtle toasted oak.

Finish: Long and warming with gentle notes of cinnamon and a touch of nutmeg spice.

About Glen Scotia

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

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.

The House of Suntory Unveils Its Oldest Mizunara-Aged Yamazaki Expression to Date: Yamazaki 25 Years Old Mizunara

The Oldest 100% Mizunara-Cask Aged Yamazaki Expression from The House of Suntory

NEW YORK (August, 2025) – The House of Suntory proudly announces the release of Yamazaki 25 Years Old Mizunara, the oldest fully Mizunara-aged expression in Yamazaki’s history. A bold tribute to the artistry and innovation that define the House, this remarkable whisky celebrates two of its most iconic pillars: the revered Mizunara Japanese Oak and the pioneering spirit of Yamazaki.

First embraced by The House of Suntory in the 1940s, Mizunara oak is known for its delicate grain and demanding nature, requiring exceptional craftsmanship. Whiskies must be aged for at least a decade for the wood to reveal its signature character: an intricate aroma woven with hints of sandalwood, coconut, and smoldering incense, resulting in whisky that is subtle, refined, yet complex.

Yamazaki 25 Years Old Mizunara is a rare and refined single malt aged exclusively in Mizunara oak casks. While previous expressions, such as Yamazaki 55 Years Old, featured partial Mizunara maturation, this release marks the oldest expression to be aged 100% in Mizunara casks from Yamazaki. To honor the rarity of this prized wood, it is encased in a handcrafted box, assembled using a traditional Japanese nail-free “locking” method. This new release presents a sweetness like apricot compote, cacao latte-like smoothness, and spiciness evoking nutmeg and cardamom on the nose; a bittersweet, spicy flavor with orange notes and nuances of cream on the palate; and a complex woodiness of Mizunara oak with bittersweet hints of oriental herbal medicine.

Bottled at 48% ABV, Yamazaki 25 Years Old Mizunara is available globally in select markets, both in stores and online, for a SRP $7,500 USD. The new expression meets the Japan Spirits & Liqueurs Makers Association’s criteria for authentic Japanese Whisky: 100 percent distilled, matured, and bottled in Japan.

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

About The House of Suntory   
Since 1923, Suntory has been renowned as the founding house of Japanese Whisky. Founder Shinjiro Torii built Japan’s first malt whisky distillery in Yamazaki, and the Suntory legacy continued with Torii’s son and Suntory’s second Master Blender, Keizo Saji, who continued to establish distilleries including the Hakushu Distillery.

As the generations of Suntory’s master blenders carry on, Suntory Whisky remains committed to heritage and innovation. The House of Suntory is proud to confirm that all exported Suntory Japanese Whisky products are 100% distilled, matured, and bottled in Japan and compliant with the new production and labelling standards set by the Japan Spirits & Liqueurs Makers Association (JSLMA). The House of Suntory has been named Distiller of the Year four times at the International Spirits Challenge in London, UK (2010, 2012, 2013, 2014), with Chief Blender Shinji Fukuyo being named Master Blender of the Year for the first time ever and Yamazaki 12 Year Old being recognized as the Supreme Champion Spirit in 2024. Suntory Whiskies are subtle, refined, and complex. The portfolio includes Yamazaki®, Hakushu®, Chita®, Kakubin®, Hibiki®, Suntory Whisky Toki™ and Ao®. The House of Suntory portfolio also offers Roku™ Japanese Gin and Haku™ Japanese Vodka. Created from Japanese ingredients by the master artisans at The House of Suntory, Roku™ Gin and Haku™ Vodka represent the nature and spirit of Japan. In 2023, Suntory Whisky celebrated one hundred years of whisky innovation—a major milestone not only for the brand’s history, but for Japanese spirits culture as a whole. To mark this anniversary, The House of Suntory rolled out its centennial campaign throughout 2023.

BUFFALO TRACE DISTILLERY ANNOUNCES THE JOHN G. CARLISLE CAFE: A PERMANENT NEW DINING OPTION COMING SOON TO THE DISTILLERY

Located on the first floor of the Elmer T. Lee Clubhouse, the John G. Carlisle Cafe is slated to open Spring 2026

FRANKFORT, KY (August 12, 2025) – Buffalo Trace Distillery today announces the John G. Carlisle Cafe – a new, permanent dining option slated to open in Spring 2026 on the Distillery’s grounds. Named in honor of U.S. Congressman John G. Carlisle, a pivotal figure in both American spirits and Buffalo Trace Distillery’s history, the cafe will bring an entirely new visitor experience to guests looking to enjoy food and beverage on-site while visiting the Distillery.

Located on the first floor of the Elmer T. Lee Clubhouse, the John G. Carlisle Cafe is a 4,900-square-foot facility offering indoor and porch-seating capacity for 70 people. Primarily serving lunch, the menu features fresh, made to order items such as sandwiches, salads, soups and more, as well as a kid’s menu. Additionally, the John G. Carlisle Cafe will offer guests a limited cocktail menu featuring select Buffalo Trace products.

“The John G. Carlisle Cafe is an exciting new addition to the Buffalo Trace Distillery visitor experience, allowing our team to connect with guests in a brand new way,” said Tyler Adams, General Manager, Buffalo Trace Distillery. “Offering permanent food and beverage options alongside our complimentary tours and tastings is a natural extension to the Distillery’s legacy of hospitality and craftsmanship. The Cafe will bring a welcoming space that celebrates our history and complements the authentic experience we are known for.”

Whether dining inside or on the porch, the John G. Carlisle Cafe will be the perfect spot for guests to stop before or after a Distillery tour, as well as for shoppers visiting the Buffalo Trace Gift Shop. Though open to the public, those looking to visit the John G. Carlisle Cafe for lunch will need to follow the Distillery’s check-in system inside the Freehouse welcome building located beside the visitor parking lot.

The Cafe’s namesake, John G. Carlisle, played a crucial role in the passage of the Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897 – a landmark law that established quality and safety standards for American whiskey. To honor Carlisle’s contributions, Buffalo Trace Distillery forefather Colonel E.H. Taylor Jr. named one of the two distilleries he built after him. Located alongside Taylor’s O.F.C. Distillery, The Carlisle Distillery was later managed by Albert B. Blanton, who renamed it the Kentucky River Distillery shortly before Prohibition. Though the distillery was demolished during the 1936 expansion to make way for the current mash house, its legacy endures.

A commemorative plaque and stone from the original Carlisle Distillery building, currently located on-site near Guardhouse 1, will be relocated to the flowerbed to the right of the John G. Carlisle Cafe entrance.

Construction of the John G. Carlisle Cafe is already underway, and the facility is slated to open in Spring 2026. Hours of operation will be announced closer to opening.

About Buffalo Trace Distillery  

Buffalo Trace Distillery is an American family-owned company based in Frankfort, Kentucky. The Distillery’s rich tradition dates back to 1775 and it is a National Historic Landmark, as well as listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Its history includes such legends as E.H. Taylor, Jr., George T. Stagg, Albert B. Blanton, Orville Schupp, and Elmer T. Lee. Buffalo Trace Distillery is a fully operational Distillery producing bourbon, rye and vodka on site. The Distillery has won more than 40 distillery titles since 2000 and garnered more than 1,000 awards for its wide range of premium whiskies. Its William Larue Weller and Stagg were named Best of Show at the 2024 Denver International Spirits Competition and its Traveller Whiskey is the Most Awarded Super Premium Whiskey Release of 2024. Buffalo Trace Distillery has a deep commitment to supporting charitable initiatives. Nonprofit organizations interested in learning more about the Distillery’s efforts are encouraged to register their charity here. To learn more about Buffalo Trace Distillery, visit www.buffalotracedistillery.com