The third edition of The Distillers One of One® auction

smashes pre-sale estimate to bring £2.9 million / $3.9 million

Hammer proceeds to primarily benefit the Youth Action Fund in support of disadvantaged young people in Scotland

30 auction records achieved, including The Glenlivet, Port Ellen, Ladyburn, Glenfarclas, The Glendronach, Laphroaig, KANDOBLANC and The Glen Grant

• Third edition of The Distillers One of One Charity Auction totalled £2,895,902 / $3,882,102 (a hammer total of £2,316,722 / $3,105,682), against a pre-sale estimate of £793,400 – $1,433,500
• 30 auction records achieved, resulting in The Distillers One of One breaking a total of 66 records to date
• 35 Scotch Whisky distilleries working collectively in the name of philanthropy
• 39 one-off, never-to-be-repeated auction lots
• 90% of lots exceeded their high estimates (including buyer’s premium)
• 100% of the hammer price will be donated to charity
• £6.6 million / $8.4 million raised for charity since the first auction in 2021

EDINBURGH, 10^th October 2025 – The Distillers One of One® hosted its third biennial Charity Auction in partnership with Sotheby’s, at the historic Hopetoun House near Edinburgh, on Friday 10^th October 2025. Comprising a selection of 39 ultra-rare Scotch whiskies, from 35 companies and distilleries across Scotland, the auction, which attracted lively bidding in the room and on the telephones, was attended by some 200 guests from across the globe, and brought an outstanding total of £2.9 million / $3.9 million (a hammer total of £2.3 million / $3.1 million), smashing the pre-sale estimate. The sale saw unbridled generosity amongst the bidders, who were prepared to go the extra mile to secure the whiskies of their dreams, with bids leaping in increments as much as £140,000 at a time.

Since its inaugural event in 2021, The Distillers One of One Auction has cemented its place as the world’s preeminent charity auction dedicated to rare Scotch whisky, with 100% of hammer proceeds donated to charitable causes. Thanks to the extraordinary generosity of donors and collectors worldwide, the auctions have now raised £6.6 million to date, principally directed to the Youth Action Fund. Established in early 2022 following the first auction, the Youth Action Fund supports disadvantaged young people across Scotland to unlock their potential and contribute positively to their communities. 

Grant Gordon OBE, Chairman Distillers’ Charity, commented: “What pride for me to see that the Scotch Whisky industry continues to come together to raise incredible amounts in support of young people, especially from disadvantaged backgrounds, helping them achieve their ambitions and strengthen our communities. Over nearly four years, between January 2022 and the end of September 2025, the Youth Action fund has helped 2619 young people secure employability, meaning a job apprenticeship, training or education leading to work. We sincerely thank all our those involved for their time and talent, whether they are in the industry, sponsors or craftspeople and the buyers for their support and generosity, whose contribution together helps transform the lives of young people in Scotland.” 

Beanie Espey-Geraedts, MD of Distillers One of One, commented: “We’re so humbled to see such generosity in action for this third Distillers One of One Auction. The resounding success is the result of an incredible collective endeavour across the Scotch whisky industry to create meaningful and lasting change, with much work behind the scenes from passionate individuals who care deeply about their communities. It is very special to us to know that this exceptional sum that has been raised will have a direct impact on Scotland’s disadvantaged youth. We are very much looking forward to the next Distillers One of One Auction in 2027.” 

Jonny Fowle, Global Head of Spirits, Sotheby’s, said: “The third Distillers One of One charity whisky sale has once again surpassed all expectations, delivering an exceptional result that truly reflects the passion and innovation at the heart of the Scotch Whisky community. Our deepest thanks to every bidder who participated and to the distillers who contributed their rare and imaginative creations to this unique auction. The quality and creativity on offer were simply outstanding, showcasing the very best of the whisky world, in every sense. Witnessing the extraordinary response from collectors and enthusiasts worldwide is a reminder of the vibrant spirit of the industry, and it is a privilege to play a part in celebrating and supporting the craftsmanship and charity at the core of The Distillers One of One. What makes this year’s edition particularly memorable is the extraordinary number of brand records achieved. The overall results are a clear indication of the trust and excitement this event continues to build within the global spirits community.”

Across the sale, 30 auction records were achieved: Aberfeldy (Lot 1), Glenfarclas (Lot 4), The Glendronach (Lot 5), Whisk-E Ltd and a bottle from Arran Distillery (Lot 6), Royal Bracka (Lot 7), Hunter Laing and a bottle from Teaninich Distillery (Lot 9), Young Spirits Ferg & Harris (Lot 12), Laphroaig (Lot 14), Bruichladdich (Lot 15), a bottle of Port Ellen (Lot 16), InchDairnie (Lot 17), Lindores Abbey (Lot 18), Ladyburn (Lot 19), The Borders (Lot 20), Aberlour (Lot 22), Adelphi and a bottle from Imperial Distillery (Lot 23), The Glen Grant (24), Ballindalloch (Lot 25), Glen Moray (Lot 26), Livingstone The Macbeth Collection and a bottle from Mortlach Distillery (Lot 28), KANDOBLANC (Lot 29), Tamnavulin (Lot 30), The Glenlivet (Lot 31), Thompson Bros (Lot 33), Gleann Mòr (Lot 34) and Coachbuilt (Lot 38).

The auction was led by The Glenlivet SPIRA 60 Year Old 1965 which smashed its pre-sale estimate to bring £650,000 / $871,358 (est. £60,000-110,000), a new auction record for a bottle of The Glenlivet, following a ten-minute bidding battle. The oldest expression to be released from the distillery to-date, presented in a 1.5 litre spiral decanter hand-blown and shaped by Brodie Nairn at Glasstorm.

An auction record was achieved when The Glen Grant Eternal 77 Year Old 1948, the oldest whisky to be released by the distillery and the oldest whisky presented in this year’s auction, soared to £400,000 / $536,220, five times its low estimate (est. £80,000-120,000).

Port Ellen Prism 46 Year Old 1978 – the oldest whisky ever released by the distillery, housed within a magnum-size 1.5 litre decanter encased in a glass sculpture weighing 100 kilos, created by award-winning German artist Wilfried Grootens – more than doubled its low estimate to bring £375,000 / $502,706 (est. £150,000-300,000), a new auction record for a bottle of Port Ellen.

Ladyburn One of One 2025 Marilyn Monroe by Sam Shaw 58 Year Old 1966, comprising spirit hand-drawn from one of the very last remaining Ladyburn casks from the distillery’s foundation year and distinguished by a label featuring an intimate, rarely seen photograph of Marilyn Monroe by her friend and photographer Sam Shaw, saw bidding increments as high as £30,000, resulting in a final sale price of £225,000 / $301,624 (est. £30,000-50,000) – an auction record for Ladyburn, and more than double the previous record set by The Distillers One of One sale in 2021 of a bottle featuring a David Bailey photograph of John Lennon.

A flurry of bids saw the Laphroaig Capsule 40 Year Old – created from spirit distilled in 1980 and 1981 to become the joint oldest release ever from the Laphroaig distillery and presented in a flawless 1.5 litre curved crystal decanter resembling a medicinal capsule – sell for a record £125,000 / $167,569, more than tripling its low estimate (est. £40,000-80,000).

Dragon In Clouds 60 Year Old by KANDOBLANC – a 1.5 litre hand-blown Murano glass vessel elevated with intricate Japanese lacquer work, encasing an exceptionally rare 60-year-old Speyside single malt – more than doubled the previous auction record for the visionary whisky brand, selling for £106,250 / $142,433 (est. £50,000-100,000).

Another auction record was set with The Glendronach Arias in Time, a one-of-a-kind collection of four whiskies including the oldest whisky ever released by the distillery, presented upon a bespoke bronze sculptural artwork by Osanna Visconti, which brought £93,750 / $125,677 (est. £60,000-100,000).

A gallon bottle (4.5 litre) of 58 Year Old Glenfarclas, housed in a unique oak presentation case, sold for £81,250 / $108,920 (est. £24,000-45,000) – an auction record for Glenfarclas Distillery.

The Gordon & MacPhail 130th Anniversary Collection, featuring three rare, one-off 50cl single malts from Gordon & MacPhail’s own brands and distilleries, brought £68,750 / $92,163 (est. £50,000-80,000).

A 63 year old single malt distilled at Mortlach Distillery, accompanied by an original, signed illustration by Sir Quentin Blake of William Shakespeare which also appears on the bottle label, achieved £67,500 / $90,487 (est. £20,000-26,000) – an auction record for Livingstone The Macbeth Collection and for a bottle of Mortlach. 

Old Pulteney Polaris, a rare 47 year old whisky and Old Pulteney’s oldest release to date, encased within a Caithness slate structure from Norse Stone symbolising the cliffs that guard the distillery, far-exceeded its estimate to bring £62,500 / $83,784 (est. £26,000-40,000).

Leading the selection of casks on offer was the Bruichladdich Cask of Biodynamic Single Malt 2013, the distillery’s third contribution to The Distillers One of One Auction, which sold for £50,000 / $67,028 (est. £10,000-20,000) – an auction record for Bruichladdich Distillery.

“Elementum” by Vicky Paul, a 21-litre vessel created by the Edinburgh-based contemporary abstract painter, housing a single malt whisky from The Borders Distillery, brought £25,000 / $33,514 (est. £10,000-15,000).

Undeterred by the mystery element surrounding the lot, collectors enthusiastically competed for four unique bottles of single malt donated by The Thompson Bros under the MYSTERY MALT label.  Specifically curated for this year’s auction, the spirits ignited fierce competition amongst collectors in the room, before selling for £20,000 / $33,514; the winning bidder will only find out the identity of the exact whiskies when opening the bottles to reveal the distillery and age statement underneath the capsule.

Finally, a bottle of The Distillers One of One 2025 Founders’ Reserve, a specially created assemblage of Scotch malt whiskies donated by ten of The Distillers One of One 2025 Founder Donors, realised £17,500 / $23,460 (est. £1,000-10,000). Ahead of the auction, The Ethos Foundation and The Hunter Foundation both generously agreed to match the hammer price (£14,000), which they will donate directly to The Distillers’ Charity.*

The entire Distillers One of One team is immensely grateful to all the donors, to everyone who attended and bid, and to the auction sponsors and partners (please see full list below). 

Full list of lots and auction results can be viewed HERE 

For further Distillers One of One updates, please follow us on @distillers_one_of_one

Six leading charities are funded as delivery partners by The Distillers’ Charity to achieve the goals of the Youth Action Fund: Aberdeen Foyer, Action for Children, FARE Scotland, Street League, ENABLE Works and the Talk About Trust. To date, over 3,780 young people have been engaged by the fund (for more details, please see notes to editors below).

Participating Donors (in alphabetical order)

Founder Donors:

1. Bacardi – John Dewar & Sons: Aberfeldy & Royal Brackla
2. Brown-Forman – The Glendronach
3. Campari Group – The Glen Grant
4. Chivas Brothers International Limited – The Glenlivet & Aberlour
5. Diageo – Port Ellen
6. Gleann Mór – Rare Find
7. Gordon & MacPhail
8. International Beverage – Old Pulteney
9. KANDOBLANC
10. Suntory Global Spirits – Laphroaig
11. The Last Drop
12. William Grant & Sons – Ladyburn & House of Hazelwood

Member Donors:

13. Ballindalloch Distillery
14. Berry Bros. & Rudd – Balmenach & Caol Ila
15. The Borders Distillery

1. Livingstone & Elixir Distillers
2. Loch Lomond Group – Glen Scotia
3. R&B Distillers – Isle of Raasay

19. Rémy Cointreau – Bruichladdich
20. Whyte & Mackay – Tamnavulin

Associate Donors:

21. Adelphi Distillery
22. Arbikie Distillery
23. The Artisanal Spirits Company
24. Coachbuilt Whisky

1. Hunter Laing – Ardnahoe

26. InchDairnie – KinGlassie
27. J & G Grant – Glenfarclas
28. La Martiniquaise Bardinet – Glen Moray
29. Lindores Abbey Distillery
30. Master of Malt
31. The Glenturret Distillery
32. Thompson Bros
33. Tomatin
34. Whisk-E – Arran
35. Young Spirits – Ferg & Harris – Springbank 

Distillers One of One Sponsors

Gold Sponsor:

W1M

Programme Sponsors:

Forsyths

Glencairn Crystal

McLaren Presentation

Simpsons Malt Limited

Silver Sponsors:

Hamilton & Inches

Brodies LLP

Partners:

Whisky Magazine & Paragraph Publishing

Berry Bros & Rudd & Hambledon Wines

The Luminaire

*The amount to be donated is separate to the sale total.

About The Distillers One of One® Auction and The Distillers’ Charity

The Distillers One of One Auction is a biennial series of ultra-rare whisky auctions, which launched in 2021. To date, the Auctions have raised £6.6 million, principally awarded to the Youth Action Fund with the aim of supporting young people in Scotland, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds, to reach their potential and make a positive contribution to their communities. The Youth Action Fund’s portfolio charities are Aberdeen Foyer, Action for Children, Enable Works, Fare, Street League and The Talk About Trust (formerly Alcohol Education Trust). They are collectively managed by Inspiring Scotland.

More than 3,780 young people have been engaged through the Youth Action Fund since its inception in early 2022, benefiting from the work the fund’s dedicated charity partners have undertaken, and dramatically increasing their opportunities to enter the workforce. These young people have significantly improved their long-term prospects, either securing employment (33%), progressing to further/higher education (28%), pursuing other vocational training and apprenticeships (19%), or re-engaging with school (15%). The cumulative employability outcome (to September 2025) currently stands at 2,619

A total of 120 unique lots have been donated across the 2021 2023 and 2025 auctions, 67 of which broke world sales records for the distilleries who created and donated them. The Distillers One of One has earned its reputation as a once-in-a-lifetime experience for collectors: no two bottles are ever the same, and no lot will ever be recreated. Each lot is imbued with the spirit of craftsmanship and exclusivity, representing the pinnacle of Scotch whisky.

The Distillers One of One® is a trading name of The Distillers’ Ventures Limited, a company registered in England & Wales under company number 13264121 and registered office at 9 Bonhill Street, London EC2A 4PE.

The Distillers’ Charity is a registered charity in England and Wales (no1193683) and Scotland (SC052075)

One of One® and Distillers One of One® are registered trademarks of The Distillers’ Charity

https://www.distillersoneofone.com/

@distillers_one_of_one

 About Sotheby’s 

Established in 1744, Sotheby’s is the world’s premier destination for art and luxury. Sotheby’s promotes access to and ownership of exceptional art and luxury objects through auctions and buy-now channels including private sales, e-commerce and retail. Our trusted global marketplace is supported by an industry-leading technology platform and a network of specialists spanning 40 countries and 70 categories which include Contemporary Art, Modern and Impressionist Art, Old Masters, Chinese Works of Art, Jewelry, Watches, Wine and Spirits, and Design, as well as collectible cars and real estate. Sotheby’s believes in the transformative power of art and culture and is committed to making our industries more inclusive, sustainable and collaborative.

Sotheby’s currently holds the world records for any whisky collection ever sold at auction, any private collection of wine ever sold at auction, the most valuable bottle of wine ever sold at auction and the most valuable bottle of spirits ever sold at auction, in addition to the highest total ever achieved for a charity wine auction.

THE BOURBON STATE:

CHALLENGES CONTINUE AMID RECORD BARREL INVENTORY & SKYROCKETING TAXES

KY DISTILLERS PAYING $75 MILLION IN AGING BARREL TAXES

FRANKFORT, Ky. — Boasting more than 125 distilleries, the most since the Repeal of Prohibition, Kentucky now has an all-time high of 16.1 million aging barrels of Bourbon in its warehouses, the Kentucky Distillers’ Association announced today.

And while homegrown distilleries across the Commonwealth have cemented Kentucky’s place as the one, true and authentic home of Bourbon, the record number of barrels comes with a price that no other distiller in the world pays.

Kentucky distillers are footing a crushing $75 million tab in aging barrel taxes this year, a 27% increase from 2024 and an astronomical 163% increase over the last five years alone. Kentucky remains the only place in the world that taxes aging barrels of spirits.

Barrel taxes are based on the assessed value of aging barrels which surged to $10 billion this year, a 25% increase over last year’s record of $8 billion. In addition to the 16.1 million barrels of Bourbon, a million barrels of other spirits are aging for a total of 17.1 million barrels.

The new numbers are based on inventories reported as of Jan. 1, 2025, submitted by distilleries and warehousing companies to the Kentucky Department of Revenue. The numbers represent all distilling companies in Kentucky, the vast majority of which are KDA members.

KDA President Eric Gregory said the barrel inventory record is a mixed blessing.

From a “glass half full” viewpoint, there are now a record 127 licensed beverage alcohol distilleries in the Commonwealth operated by 103 companies. Several more have been announced or are under construction, meaning more jobs and investment for Kentucky.

With distillers now in 49 of Kentucky’s 120 counties, more local communities are enjoying the benefits of Bourbon tourism through the KDA’s Kentucky Bourbon Trail® experiences that attract nearly three million visitors a year from across the globe.

“In more communities across the Commonwealth, Bourbon is a point of pride and opportunity. Our industry delivers unmatched tax revenues and world-class Bourbon tourism that no other state comes close to experiencing,” Gregory said.

“And remember – most of these barrels won’t be ready to bottle until 2030 and beyond. We must be ready for that time. Kentucky is poised long-term to continue leading American whiskey into new global markets, new opportunities and through challenging headwinds.”

From a “glass half empty perspective,” Gregory said continued uncertainty over tariffs, competition for leisure dollars, snowballing taxes and generational shifts in drinking have slowed sales and slashed exports.

“We have been sounding alarms for years on these external factors,” he said. “But just as you can’t make Bourbon overnight, we won’t fix the problems we’re facing overnight. We must continue to work with policymakers to find solutions and ensure Bourbon’s long-term future.”

Gregory said changes made to address the barrel tax issue is a good example. The KDA warned elected officials for years that mounting barrel taxes were unsustainable and put the industry at a competitive disadvantage.

Relief is in sight, however, thanks to a gradual, 20-year phase out of the discriminatory tax passed by the Kentucky General Assembly in 2023. Next year marks the first year distillers will see some relief – a 4% reduction in the taxes.

On the global front, Gregory reiterated the KDA’s call for a speedy return to reciprocal, tariff-free trade that had transformed Kentucky Bourbon into a key export for the Bluegrass. “You’re not going to find a better model for reciprocal trade than Kentucky Bourbon,” he said.

“Kentucky Bourbon is a great American success story. Trade agreements with the European Union, United Kingdom, Canada, Mexico and other allies played a vital role in the Bourbon renaissance that has created thousands of Kentucky jobs and led to billions in investment.”

Gregory said the KDA has recently hosted trade leaders from Canada and Ireland, met with the First Minister of Scotland, and consulted with Kentucky’s Congressional delegation to advocate for the removal of trade barriers to keep Bourbon competitive and to unlock new markets.

“Much of the expansion over the last decade has been geared towards global growth,” he said.“Long-term planning for a product that won’t be ready for years is already tough enough. We need the certainty of tariff-free trade for America’s only native spirit to flourish.”

For pundits who remain unsure whether their glass is half-full or half-empty, Gregory issued a reminder that Kentucky’s signature industry is no stranger to hardship – from the dark days of Prohibition to the downturn of the 1970s and 1980s.

“For 200 years, this industry has survived everything thrown at them,” he said. “This is a resilient industry, and the great American workers who make it possible are steadfast through the ups and downs. For that, we raise a glass to them.

“Every one of our 17.1 million barrels represents a Kentucky Bourbon promise to our farmers, our workforce, our communities and Bourbon lovers worldwide. We are one Bourbon family. We will innovate, problem-solve, adapt and come out stronger than ever.”

“Kentucky is poised long-term to continue leading American whiskey into new global markets, new opportunities and through challenging headwinds.”

— Eric Gregory, KDA President

 Founded in 1880, the Kentucky Distillers’ Association (KDA)  is the Worldwide Voice of Bourbon™.

About the Kentucky Distillers’ Association:

Founded in 1880, the Kentucky Distillers’ Association is the Worldwide Voice of Bourbon™. Its diverse and growing membership produces the overwhelming majority of the world’s Bourbon, from historic, global brands to emerging micro distilleries that are fostering the next generation of the Commonwealth’s timeless craft. Kentucky Bourbon is a $9 billion economic engine generating more than 23,500 jobs and attracting over 2 million visits annually through the KDA’s Kentucky Bourbon Trail® experience. A 501(c)(6) nonprofit organization, the KDA maintains an open membership policy, champions a strong commitment to the responsible and moderate consumption of spirits, and fights to curb underage drinking and drunk driving. Learn more at www.kybourbon.com and www.kybourbontrail.com.

KENTUCKY BOURBON TRAIL®, KENTUCKY BOURBON TRAIL CRAFT TOUR®, KENTUCKY BOURBON AFFAIR™, KBT®, BOURBON TRAIL™ and KENTUCKY BOURBON HALL OF FAME® are trademarks/service marks of the Kentucky Distillers’ Association. Enjoy Bourbon like a true Kentuckian – Responsibly.

Former KY Senator Thayer enters Bourbon Hall of Fame

“This industry owes him a lot of recognition for the changes we’ve seen the last 13 years,” former KY Rep. McCoy says of the Gentleman from Scott

NEW HAVEN, Ky. — The Kentucky bourbon industry toasted noted horse-industry consultant Damon Thayer on Tuesday, inducting the recently retired state senator and Kentucky Senator Bourbon co-owner into the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame® during a ceremony at the Log Still Distillery.

In his 22-year Kentucky Senate tenure, including the last 12 years as Majority Floor Leader, Thayer championed Kentucky’s world-renowned bourbon industry by shepherding through transformative legislation that allowed America’s only native spirit to thrive. The resulting public policy created an environment that helped expand global consumption of bourbon and turn the Commonwealth’s distilleries into a major, cohesive tourism destination centered around the Kentucky Bourbon Trail®.

The Scott County resident retired from the Kentucky Senate at the end of 2024, but his involvement with the Commonwealth’s $9 billion bourbon industry had gone far beyond legislator, advocate and responsible consumer by then. In 2018, Thayer and Lexington attorney Andre Regard — a direct descendant of the founders of Old Grand-Dad Whiskey — revived the century-old Kentucky Senator bourbon brand that originally had been distilled and bottled by Crigler & Crigler in Covington, Ky.

For all that and more, the 145-year-old Kentucky Distillers’ Association (KDA) selected Thayer as one of five inductees in its class of 2025 for its hall of fame. Established in 2001, the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame was established “to recognize the sacrifice, passion and determination of those who have made Kentucky Bourbon what it is today,” according to the distillers’ association, with induction the organization’s highest honor. No more than five people are in a class, with Thayer inducted in his first year of eligibility.

The KDA had already made Thayer one of the first eight legislators to receive its 100 Proof Award, given to elected officials who promote and protect Kentucky’s home spirit. He’s the only senator to receive the award four times.

The distillers’ association called Thayer “one of the strongest champions of Kentucky Bourbon in the history of the Kentucky General Assembly … directly responsible for stewarding more than 20 pieces of legislation that modernized Kentucky’s signature industry, propelled its amber nectar into an unprecedented golden age and transformed distilling into an economic and tourism powerhouse for the Commonwealth.”

Former Kentucky State Representative Chad McCoy of Bardstown, the CEO of Thousand Acres Distilling Co. and a 2022 Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame inductee, introduced Thayer. He referenced Thayer’s role of Senate Majority Floor Leader, telling the crowd of 300 and YouTube audience that “politics is an absolute blood sport, and Damon was kind of a cage fighter back in the day.

“For 12 years, he was the gate-keeper. If he didn’t get what he wanted, and you had a bill that still had to come through the Senate, your bill was going to die, and there wasn’t anything you could do about it. Think about it from this industry’s perspective … What was this industry doing 13 years ago? Were we allowed to have samples at the distillery? Were we allowed to sell drinks at the distillery? Were we allowed to have fairs and festivals? Were we allowed to ship bourbon? Were we allowed to have barrel picks? Were we allowed to have tasting rooms? Every single one of those changes happened because that man over there pushed it through on the Senate floor…. This industry owes him a lot of recognition for the changes we’ve seen the last 13 years.”

Unleashing “absolute economic giant”

Thayer said that he wasn’t even a bourbon drinker in 2009, when he stood on the Senate floor to express outrage over legislation that added a new wholesale tax on distilled spirits passed on to retail customers. The bill easily passed, but Thayer embarked on a personal mission to create a more business-friendly environment for bourbon in the Commonwealth.

“In my 22 years in the Kentucky State Senate, my main goal was removing artificial barriers to free enterprise, for businesses of all sizes,” Thayer said. “Those of you who work in the bourbon business, you know that there were lots of artificial barriers erected for you by the then-legislature post-Prohibition. What triggered me to become a bourbon advocate was voting ‘no’ on that bill in 2009. I still think it’s one of the dumbest things that the Kentucky General Assembly has done over the past 25 years, putting a hidden alcohol tax on our No. 1 product. And I’m proud to say that after that day, the bourbon industry is undefeated in Frankfort.”

In an earlier interview with KDA vice president of operations Colleen Thomas and Kroger adult beverage specialist Chris Blandford, Thayer emphasized that he stood “on the shoulders of a lot of like-minded people in both parties in the Kentucky General Assembly who saw things the way I did about helping to unleash the absolute economic giant that the bourbon industry has become…. You could see it, because the foundation has been here for such a long time with the great heritage that the bourbon industry has in Kentucky.

“You could see it just needed a little bit of a boost, just simple things like being able to serve a cocktail at a distillery, to be able to have a restaurant, to be able to sell more than a couple of bottles of bourbon out of a gift shop. We already knew people were coming here for the bourbon trail, and you could sense that bourbon was on the ascent. It’s become a cool thing to be a part of. We reached a tipping point where we just started passing these bills, passing these bills, and the industry has flourished and gone from strength to strength ever since.”

In his acceptance speech, Thayer said, “I’m just glad that during my time in the legislature that I had just a few strokes on a masterpiece,” he said. “And that masterpiece is the industry that you make work every day.” Citing the names of some of the bourbon titans, he called his induction “an honor of a lifetime.”

(Literally providing icing on the cake while being feted, Thayer was presented with a full-sized red, white and blue cake to commemorate the fact that he turned 58 Tuesday, with KDA president Eric Gregory leading the audience in singing Happy Birthday.)

Thayer’s work to promote and grow the bourbon industry parallels his legislative support for another iconic Kentucky industry — horses and horse racing — to where Kentucky tracks today form America’s premier year-round racing circuit after being in jeopardy just a few years ago. A racing fan growing up in northern Michigan hundreds of miles from a racetrack, Thayer’s professional career has involved the horse-racing industry in a variety of capacities, including with Thistledown, the Maryland Jockey Club, Turfway Park and the Breeders’ Cup and since 2007 as an industry consultant through his Thayer Communications & Consulting LLC. He’s a part-owner in racehorses through CJ Thoroughbreds and his Half Century Equine Ventures LLC.

As with bourbon, Thayer has been honored for his advocacy for the horse-racing industry, including as 2024 recipient of the Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners’ Warner L. Jones Jr. Horseman of the Year Award and being the keynote speaker at the National HBPA Conference in Tampa in March.

Thayer has received the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce’s MVP Award eight times for his focus on the growth of Kentucky businesses. He is a two-time recipient of the Kentucky League of Cities’ Big Hitter Award for stepping up to the plate and achieving passage of legislation that would significantly impact Kentucky cities. He announced in 2024 that he would not seek re-election in part to spend more time on his growing bourbon enterprise and consulting business.

Exchanging KY Senate post to devote more time to KY Senator

Kentucky Senator Bourbon is a testament to Regard and Thayer’s love of bourbon and history, as well as a shout-out to Thayer’s time as a citizen legislator.

KySenatorBourbon.com says the revived brand “serves up great Kentucky bourbon with a side of Kentucky history.” Distilled, aged and bottled in the Bluegrass State, each release is named for a U.S. Senator from Kentucky. Always bottled at the classic 107 proof, Kentucky Senator Bourbon is at least six years old — the length of a U.S. Senate term.

Kentucky Senator Bourbon has six Kentucky releases, the latest honoring John Edwards, elected Kentucky’s second U.S. Senator on June 18, 1792, and buried in Paris, Ky. The first revival release, in 2021 and aged 15  years, honors Alben W. Barkley of McCracken County, who served as a U.S. Senator from 1927-1949 and again in 1955 until his death in 1956. He was Vice President of the United States under President Harry S Truman from 1949-1953.

The brand kicked off its Louisiana Senator Bourbon this year by recognizing the charismatic Huey P. Long, governor of the Pelican State (1928-1932) before becoming a U.S. Senator until his 1935 assassination.

The Kentucky bourbon industry generates more than 23,100 jobs, with an annual payroll topping $1.63 billion. Bourbon production and consumption in the state pours more than $358 million in annual tax revenue for Kentucky state and local governments.

Also in the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame’s stellar class of 2025 are:

Craig Beam, 66, Bardstown, Ky. A seventh-generation distiller who continues his family’s legacy as Master Distiller at the Jackson Purchase Distillery in Western Kentucky, one of the Commonwealth’s fastest-growing contract distillers.

Mary Dowling, Lawrenceburg, Ky., who died in 1930 at age 71. In an era when women couldn’t vote or own property, Dowling as a young widow overcame anti-Irish sentiments and gender barriers to become a trailblazing bourbon entrepreneur, becoming the first woman to run a major distillery in 1903 and audaciously moving production to Mexico during Prohibition.

Larry Ebersold, 75, a Hebron, Ky., resident and Louisville product who blended corporate experience at Seagram’s with entrepreneurial consulting to leave an indelible mark on the modern bourbon and rye whiskey industry. A key architect of the craft distillery boom, Ebersold’s expertise has shaped facilities for 31 distilleries, including New Riff, Rabbit Hole and Bardstown Bourbon.

Chris Morris, 67, Louisville, Ky., was first inducted into the bourbon hall in 2016 and this time as the recipient of the Parker Beam Lifetime Achievement Award. Morris was named the first Master Distiller Emeritus in Brown-Forman’s 153-year history in 2023. The 50-year veteran of the Kentucky bourbon industry is hailed around the world for elevating Brown-Forman’s whiskey portfolio and crafting innovative brands such as Woodford Reserve Double Oak and its vaunted Master’s Collection. One of the industry’s most respected historians, he is a three-time Chairman of the Kentucky Distillers’ Association Board of Directors

About Kentucky Senator Bourbon

Kentucky Senator Bourbon is an award-winning small-batch Bourbon brand committed to crafting exceptional spirits with a side of American history. Each limited-edition release is named after a U.S. Senator and represents a blend of tradition, character and U.S. heritage; it is distilled and aged in Kentucky for at least six years (the same length as a U.S. Senate term).

Founded by Andre Regard and Damon Thayer, Kentucky Senator Bourbon revives a historic brand once produced by Crigler and Crigler in Covington and later Double Springs Distillers in Bardstown. The brand launched its first revival release in 2021 and has since become known for producing richly aged, 107-proof Bourbon expressions that connect past and present.

Awards & Recognition

• Kentucky Senator Bourbon’s inaugural release, the Alben W. Barkley Release, was highlighted in Forbes’ Online Magazine
• Fred Minnick, a noted Bourbon author, ranked Kentucky Senator Bourbon in his Top 100 Whiskeys of 2021, 2022 and 2023
• Kentucky Senator Bourbon has won Gold ASCOT Awards for taste and a Double Platinum ASCOT Award for marketing and brand design
• Kentucky Senator Bourbon recently won its first Double Gold medal from the San Francisco World Spirits Competition for its 2024 John Brown release

Bimber Distillery announces the launch of The Spirit of the Underground Release No.8

London 08/10/25: Bimber Distillery has today announced the launch of the eighth release in its ongoing and renowned The Spirit of the Underground Collection, produced in collaboration with Transport for London (TfL). facilitated by IMG Licensing.

Release No. 8, comprising four exceptional, hand-crafted single malts, embarks on a journey to celebrate four iconic new stations: Elephant and Castle, Marble Arch, South Kensington, and Kew Gardens.

Each release features stunning iconography that captures a unique facet of London’s rich history, paired with distinctive labels and packaging that reflect the historical significance of each station’s location.

All expressions in The Spirit of the Underground Collection were crafted to Bimber’s exacting standards. The spirit was produced using single-farm barley, malted on a dedicated floor at Warminster Maltings. It underwent a seven-day fermentation in bespoke American oak washbacks, constructed on-site. Distillation took place in Bimber’s direct fire, copper pot stills which possess an increased copper surface area, which results in a rich fruit-forward, layered spirit.

Bottled at natural cask strength and without filtration, each bottle in Release No. 8 showcases a unique yet perfectly harmonious balance of aromas and flavours, embodying Bimber’s passion and craftsmanship.

The Spirit of the Underground Release No.8 is comprised of:

The Spirit of the Underground Collection, which will total 44 individual releases, features a selection of iconic single malt whiskies that celebrate the heritage and diversity of the distillery’s home city. With eye-catchingly unique designs, each bottle presents a different Tube station on the London Underground network – the oldest underground passenger railway service in the world.

Commenting on the launch of the eighth release, Steve Rush, Head of Marketing and Communications at Bimber Distillery, said: “We’re delighted to reveal the next four stations joining  The Spirit of the Underground Collection. Two of these remarkable expressions have been matured exclusively in Ex-Bourbon Barrels, whilst the other two have been finished in a Tawny Port and a Re-Charred Cask – each contributing its own unique character to our fruit-forward single malt London whisky. Four new whiskies – each as distinctive as the iconic stations they celebrate.”

Ellen Sankey, Brand Licensing Manager at TfL, said: “It’s wonderful to see Bimber Distillery use our unique brand and heritage so creatively for this, their eighth collaboration with us. These collaborations show just how innovatively our designs can be used to bring new ideas and more than 160 years of history together for customers across the world.”

Release No. 8 will be available via ballot on Bimber’s Spirit of the Underground website from 10/10/25 to 14/10/25, with an RRP of £135.00 each.

About Bimber: Founded in 2015, Bimber Distillery produces world-class single malt whisky, handcrafted with passion in West London. Our traditionally-focussed approach to whisky creation combines the finest ingredients with heritage production methods that are rarely seen today and an absolute commitment to quality. Our detailed approach has seen us recognised as a leading light in whisky production and garnered multiple industry awards. Producing a wide array of fruit-forward, textural single malts we deliver the ultimate craft whisky experience to a rapidly growing global community of Bimber whisky lovers.

About Transport for London: Transport for London (TfL) is the integrated transport authority responsible for delivering Mayor of London Sadiq Khan’s strategy and commitments on transport. It runs the day-to-day operation of the Capital’s public transport network, including London Underground, London Overground, Docklands Light Railway, London Buses and Elizabeth line services, as well as managing London’s main roads. TfL does all it can to support the millions of journeys that are made every day and keep the city moving, working and growing. TfL reinvests all income generated through fares and commercial revenue to run and improve services and is committed to reducing costs.

About IMG Licensing: IMG Licensing is the global leader in brand licensing, managing licensing programs for the world’s best-known brands and trademarks. With over 25 offices worldwide, IMG Licensing provides a unique one-stop-solution for innovative brand growth across a diverse portfolio of clients from business, entertainment, fashion, food, gaming and sports. IMG Licensing is part of WME Group, a global network of businesses that represent the world’s leading talent, intellectual property, and brands. For more information, visit imglicensing.com.

Tomintoul Distillery marks 60 years with team spirit spanning generations

Speyside single malt distillery, Tomintoul, is raising a toast to two major milestones in 2025: 60 years since it first began crafting its signature single malt, and 25 years under the stewardship of Angus Dundee Distillers.

At the core of its story are the people who have made Tomintoul what it is today. Four members of the original distillery team are still shaping its success today – Neil Robertson, blend centre supervisor and Andrew Lawson, head warehouseman, who were both part of the team before Angus Dundee Distillers took ownership in 2000, alongside Robert Fleming, distilleries director and master distiller, and Nikki Brand, PA to the distilleries director. Together, their decades of service embody the loyalty, craftsmanship and community spirit that define Tomintoul and offer a living bridge between its proud past and bright future.

Angus Dundee Distillers purchased Tomintoul Distillery from Whyte & Mackay in August 2000. Just days later, the very first cask under new ownership was filled – a moment witnessed and signed by key members of the team, including fourth-generation distiller Robert Fleming, who has gone on to lead the distillery and help build Tomintoul’s international reputation.

To commemorate these special anniversaries, members of the distillery team gathered to enjoy a dram of Tomintoul Single Malt in the warehouse, next to the very first cask.

Master distiller Robert Fleming, who last year celebrated his own career milestone with a remarkable five decades in the Scotch whisky industry, said: “Reaching our 60th anniversary is a testament to the passion and dedication of everyone who’s been part of Tomintoul’s journey. From the heart of Speyside, we’ve shared our whisky with the world, and this milestone is a moment to raise a glass to that achievement – and everything still to come.

“Tomintoul has always been about more than just great whisky – it’s about the people who make it. To have Neil, Andrew, Nikki and myself still here 25 years on says everything about the pride and commitment of the team. This is as much a celebration of them, and of our community, as it is of the whisky itself.”

Tomintoul is known as an exceptionally smooth and complex handcrafted whisky thanks to the natural environment surrounding the distillery – from the fresh mountain air of the Cairngorms National Park to the soft, pure water from the Ballantruan Spring.

Earlier this year, its award-winning Tomintoul Pedro Ximénez Sherry Cask Finish launched in over 60 Tesco stores across the country, offering whisky lovers and those new to the category the opportunity to experience the depth and indulgent flavours that make Tomintoul so special.

The distillery also reinforced its community roots by pledging its continued support for the Cairngorm Mountain Rescue Team, entering its second year as the official spirits partner of the voluntary emergency service.

Robert added: “From its beginnings in 1965 to its global reputation today, Tomintoul remains a distillery built on people, place and passion – and the next chapter looks just as promising.”

Visit www.TomintoulWhisky.com to find out more.

Tomintoul Distillery

Tomintoul Distillery is nestled in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park, within the whisky producing region of Speyside. The distillery, established in 1965, is named after the nearby village of Tomintoul, the highest village in the Highlands of Scotland.

Tomintoul’s signature range includes the popular 10-Year-Old, 14-Year-Old and 16-Year-Old, as well as the multi-award-winning Cigar Malt and premium 21-Year-Old and 25-Year-Old.

Glen Moray launches first Tequila cask finished whiskies

Limited edition duo are tenth addition to distillery’s Warehouse 1 Collection

Glen Moray Speyside single malt Scotch whisky has launched two limited edition whiskies that take its cask explorer mission to new levels – Glen Moray Tequila Cask Finish and Glen Moray Peated Tequila Cask Finish.

Joining the Elgin-based distillery’s award-winning, experimental Warehouse 1 Collection, the new intriguingly sweet and herbal single malts mark Glen Moray’s first foray into Tequila cask maturation. 

Non-chill filtered and bottled at cask strength with natural colour, these drams are set to be a treat for both peat lovers and fans of Glen Moray’s famously smooth and fruity Speyside spirit – and will make the perfect gift for whisky lovers over the festive season.

Tasting Notes 

2014 Tequila Cask Finish

Nose: sweet, soft notes of vanilla custard, scattered with currants and toasted almonds.

Taste: earthy tones, overlaid with freshly picked thyme and a subtle citrus note

Finish: intense spice gently fades into notes of aged leather and polished oak

ABV 55.2%

Natural colour, non-chill filtered

2014 Peated Tequila Cask Finish

Nose: rose petals, dark chocolate and smoked thyme

Taste: smooth, sweet and gentle. Ripe roasted bananas studded with hazlenuts

Finish: long and sweet with a lasting impression of burning embers 

ABV 58.5%

Natural colour, non-chill filtered

These small batch editions are true to Glen Moray’s reputation for exploration when it comes to the influence of wood on whisky’s flavour.

Glen Moray Tequila Cask Finish is aged for eight years in Bourbon casks, then laid down in Tequila barrels for finishing. The result is a very special dram which brings even more complex sweetness to the distillery’s smooth and fruity style.

In contrast, to explore how their lightly peated whisky would interact with the tequila cask influence, Glen Moray’s craftsman finished an eight-year-old, Bourbon matured batch in the same way to create Glen Moray Peated Tequila Finish. The resulting luxurious whisky boasts vibrant aromas of dark chocolate and flavours of smoked banana.

Glen Moray Global Brand Ambassador Iain Allan commented: ‘With the innovative whiskies of our Warehouse 1 Collection, we invite whisky lovers to explore a raft of intriguing new flavours. And for this tenth release, we are celebrating our first-ever experiments with Tequila casks, resulting in two small-batch releases which take our smooth, fruity single malt to new heights. Uniting vanilla softness with subtle citrus and thyme, Glen Moray Tequila Cask Finish magnifies our whisky’s sweet complexity, while Glen Moray Peated Tequila Finish is an intriguingly floral and smoky single malt. They will make the perfect gift for any inquisitive whisky lover this festive season.’ 

Glen Moray’s Warehouse 1 collection is named after the distillery’s famed blue warehouse, where its craftsman store their most experimental whisky casks. Each release offers a rare, limited edition taste of Glen Moray’s classic Speyside spirit that is intriguing and collectible for whisky explorers and enthusiasts around the world.

Glen Moray Tequila Cask Finish (RRP £85) and Glen Moray Peated Tequila Finish (RRP £95) are bottled in 70cl. Only 474 bottles of each whisky are available from select specialist UK whisky retailers.

www.glenmoray.com

 www.facebook.com/GlenMorayDistillery

www.instagram.com/Glen_Moray_Whisky

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Glen Moray – Cask Explorer since 1897 

Crafted in the heart of Speyside since 1897, Glen Moray’s smooth, fruity single malt whisky embodies the classic Speyside style. It has been made on the banks of the River Lossie in Elgin for over 125 years using skills passed down through the generations and a process that includes double distillation in copper stills and careful ageing in traditional warehouses. The distillery’s craftsmen are experts in maturing and marrying many different types of casks, creating the array of flavours which inspire Glen Moray’s extensive range. Inclusive and inviting, Glen Moray is perfect for enjoying on its own and in cocktails, by whisky aficionados and new whisky fans alike.

Warehouse 1 Collection

The Warehouse 1 Collection is named after Glen Moray’s most well-known warehouse, where its craftsmen age their most experimental whiskies. Inviting inquisitive whisky explorers to embark on a journey of discovery, its releases include:

• 2015 Rioja Matured : Resulting from some the distillery’s first experiments with Spanish Rioja red wine casks, this whisky is deep and fruity, with notes of cherries, plums and leather.
• 2012 Peated Rioja Cask Finish: this whisky was distilled in 2012, and finished in Rioja red wine casks from Spain for gentle smoke and plummy tastes.
• 2010 Amarone Finish: distilled in 2010, this whisky was finished in Amarone wine casks from Northern Italy, for a vibrantly fruity single malt with unique depth.
• 2013 Amontillado Finish: exploring how the cask of this dry, nutty sherry can influence Glen Moray, this release, distilled in 2013, is rich with notes of leather, wood and spice.
• 2014 Oloroso Fully Matured: the first Glen Moray to be fully matured in Oloroso sherry casks, this complex single malt, distilled in 2014, is rich, nutty and sweet.
• 1998 Barolo Finish: distilled in 1998, this whisky was first matured in bourbon casks, then finished in three Barolo casks for a honeyed and deeply autumnal whisky.
• 2005 Tokaji Finish: distilled in 2005 and finished in oak casks that once held Tokaji Aszú wine, this sumptuous whisky marries Glen Moray spirit and the sweet, nutty notes of Hungary’s decadent dessert wine casks.
• 2008 Manzanilla Finish: distilled in 2008, this whisky brings to Glen Moray’s style, the salty tang of Manzanilla sherry casks, famously only ever produced along the sea estuary of the Guadalquivir river.
• 2006 Sauternes Finish: distilled in 2006, and matured in five Sauternes sweet white wine casks, this whisky is rich and sweet with notes of dark chocolate, Seville orange and spice.

International Beverage ‘Spirit of Our Community’ Awards return for third year

Local community projects across Scotland to share £25k fund

Premium global spirit business, International Beverage, has launched its community charity initiative for a third year, to mark the company’s ongoing commitment to supporting good causes across its whole Scottish network.

Launched in 2022, the International Beverage Spirit of Our Community Awards were founded to celebrate and reward the people and organisations working hard to make a difference to others in the Airdrie and Coatbridge community, where the business’s head office is based. In 2023 the programme was extended to incorporate an additional two regions which surround the company’s distilleries in both the Speyside and Highlands regions.

Now a bi-annual initiative, the 2025 awards will be split into three zones which any local charity or not for profit organisation can enter.

• Zone 1 the ML5 and ML6 Airdrie and Coatbridge region;

• Zone 2 within a 35-mile radius of Aberdeenshire’s Knockdhu Distillery and Speyside-based Speyburn and Balmenach Distilleries;

• Zone 3 within a 35-mile radius of Pulteney Distillery in Wick and Balblair Distillery in Tain.

In Zone 1, there is a £10,000 award on offer for one deserving charity, with two £1,000 runners up awards. Zone’s 2 and 3 will each offer a £5,000 award for the standout entry in their area, plus there will be five runners up across both zones which are set to receive £600 each.

Interested groups and charities now have 8 weeks to submit their entries to meet the deadline – midnight on Friday 28^th November. Every submission will be reviewed by a panel of judges, made up of members of the distillery teams alongside representatives from long standing local charity partners.

Awards organiser, International Beverage Business Support Manager Eileen Rae, is hoping to hear from a wide range of charities across Scotland – with causes that can demonstrate a tangible, positive impact on local lives most likely to stand out with judges.

She commented: ‘Our business has a long-standing commitment to supporting local communities and our Spirit of Our Community awards scheme is testament to this. We are very proud to be back for a third year, and to continue to hear stories from previous award recipents of the difference our support has made to their organisation and to people’s lives. 

‘There are so many fantastic charities and groups that carry out invaluable work in our local communities, and we really want to hear from them. Any organisation that needs a helping hand or has an initiative that needs funding, regardless of their size or cause, is encouraged to apply.’ 

The recipient charity of the 2023 Awards in Zone 1 was Airdrie’s Moira Anderson Foundation, which provides support to children and adults affected by childhood sexual abuse. Funding was used to provide more individual and group therapies and counselling alongside other services and preventative work. Charity Director Gillian Urquhart said:

‘Childhood sexual abuse is happening in our communities every day and it inflicts profound wounds that linger into adulthood and can cast a long shadow over survivors’ lives. This abuse is often hidden but sadly it is not rare. We received 803 new referrals last year, which is a truly daunting statistic, but we continue to rise to the challenge. The invaluable support provided by the Spirit of Our Community Awards has helped the children, young people and adults referred to us to reach their outcomes and not let their abuse define who they are and what they can achieve’. 

Additional recipients of the 2023 Awards included:

• £5000 to The Watermill Foundation, the Nairn-based trust that gives children with physical and developmental disabilities the opportunity to race and ride bikes.
• £5000 to Ormlie Community Hall which provides social services and care to individuals and their families within a deprived area of the Highlands.
• A further £5,000 split amongst seven runners up: St Andrew’s Hospice, Diamonds in the Community, James Support Group, Seaboard Memorial Hall, Culrain and District Hall Committee, Young Enterprise Scotland Highland & Moray and Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance.

To learn more about the awards and to download an entry form, please visit HERE

International Beverage is the international arm of Thai Beverage Public Limited Company. The premium spirits company’s portfolio is led by a range of high-quality brands including Old Pulteney single malt Scotch whisky, Hankey Bannister blended Scotch whisky, Caorunn Gin, PRAKAAN single malt whiskies and Phraya Rum from Thailand, Larsen Cognac, and Cardrona spirits and liqueurs.

A certified Great Place to Work, International Beverage’s success is shaped by its 700-strong team based across the business’ network of nine global sites spanning the UK, France, New Zealand, and Greater China following the company’s recent acquisition of Asiaeuro International Beverage (AIB). For more information, please visit www.interbevgroup.com/.

Douglas Laing & Co. Unveil Winter Wonders with Dual Limited-Edition Releases

As temperatures drop and Whisky lovers reach for something warming, Douglas Laing & Co. proudly unveil not one, but two exceptional seasonal bottlings: Scallywag Winter Edition and, for the very first time, Big Peat Winter Edition. These annual expressions of two of the company’s flagship brands invite consumers to embrace winter in all its bold, rich and flavourful glory.

Scallywag Winter Edition: Frosted by Nature

Returning for its annual appearance, the Scallywag Winter Edition has been reimagined in striking new form for 2025. Sporting a frosted glass bottle and cracked ice design effect, the presentation mirrors the Whisky’s indulgent, wintry soul. This Speyside Malt has been expertly finished in rare Ice Wine Casks sourced from Eastern Europe and is said to deliver “a decadent dram brimming with dark chocolate, candied orange and warm festive spices”. Natural in colour, non-chill filtered and bottled at a natural cask strength of 52.4% ABV, it’s an intense, warming Whisky that captures the very essence of the colder months.

Scott Morrison, Scallywag Senior Brand Manager comments:

“As ever, Scallywag’s Winter Edition is a celebration of the season – but this year’s striking new look adds an extra layer of drama to an already flavour-packed Whisky. It’s a bottle designed to be both admired and enjoyed… can you find our Feisty Fox Terrier lurking beneath the ice?” 

Big Peat Winter Edition: A Powerful New Chapter

In an exciting new development, Big Peat – Islay’s distinctive Malt with a cult-like global following – makes “his” first foray into Winter Editions. Hanging up “his” Santa hat in favour of something more curated this year, Big Peat presents a special limited release, carefully finished in hand-selected Madeira Wine Casks sourced directly from the iconic region, adding sunlit sweetness to “his” trademark smoky Islay Malt.

With this winter warmer you can expect “sweet Malt, sea spray and salted caramel on the nose, followed by a molasses-rich palate with burnt orange, coal dust and phenolic firepower.” Bottled at a punchy 53.6% ABV, and as always with no colouring and no chill-filtration, this limited release is an authentic and powerful winter dram for the devoted peat fan.

Chloe Wood, Big Peat Brand Manager comments:

“This isn’t a reinvention, it’s an evolution. Big Peat has always embraced the elements, and our Winter Edition showcases his depth and adaptability in the face of nature’s coldest, wildest season. Prepare yourself for something truly spectacular!”

Both limited editions are available in formats designed to captivate. Big Peat is presented in a striking carton, featuring embossing and gold foil detailing that reflect the Whisky’s bold character. Scallywag, meanwhile, is offered bottle-only to hero its iconic frosted glass bottle and cracked ice design. Each release is destined to appeal to Whisky connoisseurs, collectors, and seasonal gift-buyers alike.

With winter fast approaching, Douglas Laing invites Whisky lovers to embrace the season boldly, whether through Scallywag’s rich, sherried indulgence or Big Peat’s smoky, sun-touched storm.

Now available at select retailers and online with a suggested RRP of: 

Scallywag Winter Edition: £60.00 / €68.00

Big Peat Winter Edition: £65.00 / €74.00

Scallywag: scott.morrison@douglaslaing.com / @scallywagwhisky

Big Peat: chloe.wood@douglaslaing.com / @bigpeatwhisky

Website: www.douglaslaing.com

J. Mattingly 1845 Distillery Invites Fall Partygoers to Customize Their Own Whiskey for Halloween

Be the Life of the Party with a Personalized Halloween Bottle 

FRANKFORT, KY (Sept 25, 2025) – This Halloween, even your bottles can be dressed up for the occasion, with J. Mattingly 1845 Distillery’s craft your bottle program. Whiskey fans can go online to www.jmattingly1845.com/crafting/make-your-own and choose between three different double staved™ mashbills (or recipes), including two bourbons and one rye whiskey.  Next, users select their bottle shape, customize their own label and even choose their own wax color from every color of the rainbow. Bottles can be shipped to 46 states.  This program is available online and in person at the Distillery in Kentucky and can result in some frighteningly fun labels and Halloween-themed wax colors. ​​

With Halloween spending projected to be at an all-time high this year, and nearly three-quarters of Americans intending to celebrate Halloween in 2025, according to the National Retail Federation, taking a bourbon with a custom label to your next Halloween party, or creating one yourself to display with your Halloween décor and enjoy as you hand out candy is a spell-binding way to spend All Hallows’ Eve.

“We really get into the Halloween spirit here at J. Mattingly 1845, and have seen some creative plays on words for labels, and wax bottle toppers that range from what you’d think of as traditional Halloween colors of orange and black, to even tri-color wax that looks like candy corn,” said Cameron Mattingly, Master Blender and Vice President of Production. “Since all of our whiskey is double-staved, the product inside the bottle looks and tastes just as good as it looks on the outside.”

Double-staving is a proprietary method developed by founder Jeff Mattingly over a decade ago and is the process of adding additional charred oak staves to each barrel at just the right moment in its aging cycle to coax out additional flavor. Pricing for the custom bottles starts at $99.50 for a 750 mL bottle, and shipping is available to 46 states.  Visit www.jmattingly1845.com to create your custom bottle today.

About J. Mattingly 1845 Distillery

The Mattingly family has been synonymous with distilling in Kentucky for more than two centuries, having a hand in the development of at least nine separate distilleries in the Commonwealth, and with connections to some of the most illustrious names in the distilling industry, including George Garvin Brown, the Willetts and the Samuels.

It all started in 1845, with John Graves Mattingly’s first distillery in Marion County, Kentucky, Registered Distillery #2.  Many historians today believe his distillery was the first registered distillery in Kentucky.

        In 2010, Jeff Mattingly took up the family mantle and started his own craft bourbon business.  Today, Jeff’s son Cameron continues the legacy into the latest generation for J. Mattingly Distillery 1845 in Frankfort, Kentucky, serving as Vice President of Production.  J. Mattingly 1845 Distillery continues to innovate, with their proprietary double-staving process and custom bourbon blending experience unparalleled in the spirits industry, available on-site in Frankfort or online at https://jmattingly1845.com/build-a-bottle/.

For more information about J. Mattingly 1845 Distillery visit www.JMattingly1845.com.

1792 BOURBON WELCOMES COGNAC CASK FINISH

TO ITS PORTFOLIO

The brand’s first permanent cask-finished expression brings new flavor dimensions to its Award-Winning Small Batch Bourbon

BARDSTOWN, kY (September 18, 2025) – 1792 Bourbon, crafted at Barton 1792 Distillery, proudly introduces 1792 Cognac Cask Finish, the first cask-finished expression in its permanent portfolio. Building on the foundation of its Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, this release offers whiskey drinkers an opportunity to explore new dimensions of flavor through extended finishing in Cognac casks.

As the oldest fully operating distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky—the Bourbon Capital of the World—Barton 1792 draws on nearly 150 years of whiskey-making experience. 1792 Cognac Cask Finish builds on this tradition, using the same mashbill, fermentation, and distillation process as 1792 Small Batch Bourbon, which was recently named “Best Kentucky Small Batch Bourbon” at the 2025 World Whiskies Awards.

“We’ve experimented with a range of premium cask finishes, but Cognac immediately stood out for how naturally it complements our Small Batch Bourbon,” says Ross Cornelissen, Barton 1792 Master Distiller. “Extended finishing in Cognac casks reveals dessert-like notes and layered complexity, while showcasing the full-bodied character of the Small Batch Bourbon and its signature high-rye recipe.”

The distillery’s journey into finishing began with 1792 Port Cask Finish, an acclaimed early experiment. This experience laid the foundation for the milestone release of Cognac Cask Finish. The latest release from 1792 transfers Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey from charred American White Oak barrels into hand-selected ex-Cognac casks for its final maturation. These barrels are placed on the top floors of the rickhouses, where rising heat intensifies aging and interaction with the wood. After resting for a minimum of six months in Cognac casks, the bourbon develops soft fruit notes and a refined sweetness.

Bottled at 95 proof, 1792 Cognac Cask Finish opens with a deep, luxurious nose of dark cocoa and rich caramel. On the palate, ripe stone fruit—plum, apricot, and cherry—emerges alongside notes of Bananas Foster and creamy vanilla, finishing with sweet oak.

“1792 Cognac Cask Finish represents a new flavor chapter in this brand’s story,” says Andrew Duncan, Global Brand Director, 1792 Whiskey. “We’re pleased to offer a whiskey that invites both new and experienced spirits fans to enjoy premium cask-finished bourbon. It’s already becoming a favorite among bourbon connoisseurs.”

1792 Cognac Cask Finish is available now at a suggested retail price of $37.99 (750ml) through Sazerac’s United States distributor network, reaching retailers, bars, and restaurants nationwide.

About 1792 Whiskey

1792 Whiskey is produced at Barton 1792 Distillery and is named for the year Kentucky became a state. The 1792 portfolio includes Small Batch, Single Barrel, Bottled in Bond, Full Proof, Aged Twelve Years, Sweet Wheat, and more—each offering a sophisticated and complex flavor profile. Through flawless distillation, distinct recipes, patient maturation, and precise proofing, 1792 whiskeys have earned acclaim from novices and connoisseurs around the world. Recently, 1792 Small Batch was named Best Kentucky Small Batch Bourbon at the 2025 World Whiskies Awards, while 1792 Aged 12 Years, Full Proof, and Small Batch each received Double Gold at the 2025 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. To learn more, visit www.1792bourbon.com.

About Barton 1792 Distillery

Barton 1792 Distillery is an American family-owned company located in Bardstown, Kentucky. Named for the year Kentucky became a state, the Distillery was established in 1879 and continues today as the oldest fully-operating Distillery in the “Bourbon Capital of the World.” The Distillery is part of Barton Brands, which is owned by the Sazerac Company, one of the world’s largest distilled spirits companies with over 400 years of history. Situated in the heart of bourbon country on 196 acres, the Distillery boasts 29 barrel aging warehouses, 22 other buildings including an impressive still house, and the legendary Tom Moore Spring. 1792 Small Batch Bourbon Whiskey, as well as seven limited edition expressions, are produced at Barton 1792 Distillery. The Distillery has garnered a number of prestigious awards for its whiskies, including its 1792 Small Batch winning Best Kentucky Small Batch Bourbon at the 2025 World Whiskies Awards. To learn more about Barton 1792 Distillery, visit www.1792bourbon.com.