Loch Lomond Distillery underlines global growth in Scotch whisky market following exceptional performance at top global awards

Independent distiller gains recognition worldwide for its exceptional whiskies at both San Francisco World Spirts Competition 2024 and IWSC 2024

Loch Lomond Distillery has continued its upwards trajectory in the global Scotch whisky market with category-leading scores in the world-renowned 2024 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

For the second time in the last three years, Loch Lomond Whisky is globally the fastest growing top 50 Single Malt Scotch Whisky, according to the latest data published by IWSR. This growth has been driven in part by the distillery’s commitment to quality and consistency, which has been recognised globally in the top awards.

This also marks the second consecutive year that Loch Lomond Distillery has taken home top scores in the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, with Loch Lomond Whiskies winning ‘Best Single Cask Scotch’ for Cask 21/546-6 Exclusive Cask – 1st Fill Bordeaux Hogshead which was bottled exclusively for the Drammers Club in the US.

On top of the category win, Loch Lomond took home sixteen awards – more awards than any other Scotch whisky brand including a rare Platinum award for Loch Lomond 12 year old Inchmoan single malt for three consecutive years of double golds.

The San Francisco World Spirits Competition results follow hot on the heels of multiple wins at the International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC) 2024, where Loch Lomond 12 Year Old Inchmurrin single malt topped its category to be named the Best Scotch Whisky under 15 Years Old.

Loch Lomond is one of Scotland’s most iconic landmarks, and the remarkable Loch Lomond Distillery sits near its Southern Shores.  One of the most adept and capable distilleries in Scotland with the ability to create not just the flagship Loch Lomond Single Malt Scotch Whisky; but also single grain whisky, Spearhead; and its latest creation Noble Rebel, a trio of blended malt whiskies available in three diverse flavours – Hazelnut Harmony, Orchard Outburst and Smoke Symphony.

Together, these brands have received a total of 20 accolades at the industry-leading San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2024.

The distillery also scooped multiple Gold Outstanding Awards at IWSC 2024, including Best in Category for Loch Lomond Inchmurrin 12 Year Old.

The raft of significant award wins demonstrates the huge momentum the independent distiller is gaining on the global stage and is testament to the exceptional quality of its whiskies.

First opened in 1965, Loch Lomond Distillery has quietly been crafting whisky on the banks of its namesake loch for more than 60 years. In the last decade, investment in innovation and marketing has driven extraordinary growth in global markets, with its diverse portfolio of whiskies now enjoyed by millions of customers worldwide.

Michael Henry, Whisky Master Blender at Loch Lomond Group, said: “This is an incredibly exciting time for Loch Lomond Distillery and a defining moment in our journey.

“While we have been distilling for generations, we are only now realising our full potential and have moved quickly in recent years from being a relatively unknown independent distiller to a major player on the world stage.

“The capabilities of our distillery are unmatched in Scotland. The combination of traditional swan neck stills and our unique straight neck stills, in addition to our own onsite cooperage, give us much greater control over the distillation and maturation process, allowing us to explore flavour in a distinctive way.

“We have been bold in our approach to whisky-making, and while we are guided by the traditions of our craft, we are not beholden to them.

“To be widely recognised by globally renowned spirits experts for the quality of our whiskies underlines our growing credibility as one of the most dynamic distillers of the time. “

The full list of accolades includes:

San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2024

• Loch Lomond Whiskies (16 Awards)
  • 1 x Platinum Award
  • 7 x Double Gold
  • 4 x Gold
  • 4 x Silver
• Cask 21/546-6 Exclusive Cask – 1st Fill Bordeaux Hogshead – Best Single Cask Scotch

IWSC 2024

• Loch Lomond Whiskies Inchmurrin 12 Year Old– Best Single Malt 15 Years and Under
• Loch Lomond Whiskies Perfectly Balanced 12 Year Old – Gold Outstanding (98/100)
• Loch Lomond Whiskies 10 Year Old – Gold Outstanding (95/100)

About the Loch Lomond Group

• Loch Lomond Group is an independent distiller based in Alexandria and is home to several award-winning brands that are sold in more than 125 countries worldwide.
• Loch Lomond distillery has been producing the finest single malt whiskies since 1814.
• Images and interviews with key staff from the Group are available upon request. lochlomondgroup.com

Suntory Global Spirits Receives VIBES ‘Nature Rich Scotland Award’ for Peatland Water Sanctuary™

Scotland, UK (14 November 2024): Suntory Global Spirits is honoured to announce that its Peatland Water Sanctuary™ (PWS™) program has received the prestigious ‘Nature Rich Scotland Award’ from the VIBES Scottish Environment Business Awards. PWS™ was recognised for its long-term advocacy and commitment to restoring and conserving Scotland’s important peatland ecosystems, which helps to re-establish natural habitats, thriving biodiversity, and support healthy water tables.

Led by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), The VIBES Scottish Environment Business Awards celebrate businesses in Scotland that have gone above and beyond to reduce their environmental impact and create a more sustainable future. The ‘Nature Rich Scotland Award’ specifically honours organisations that have implemented initiatives to protect and enhance biodiversity.

Since launching in 2021, Peatland Water Sanctuary™ has completed restoration near the Ardmore distillery in Aberdeenshire in partnership with Forestry & Land Scotland and the James Hutton Institute, at the Airds Moss Nature reserve and The Oa reserve on Islay with RSPB Scotland, and at Craigculter Moss, in partnership with Northern Peat & Moss. With several more projects in planning stages, PWS™ is on track to achieve its 2030 commitment: to restore a minimum of 1,300 hectares of peatlands, enough to produce the same amount of peat that Suntory Global Spirits uses to make its peated whiskies on an ongoing basis.

Suntory Global Spirits marked PWS™ progress this year with a case study video showcasing the importance of peatland restoration, the natural habitats and wetlands that have been revitalised by restoration work, and the charity and conservation partners that are crucial to carrying out such projects. View the video here.

Alistair Longwell, Head of Distillation and Environment, Suntory Global Spirits said: “We are honoured to receive this recognition from the VIBES Awards. PWS™ was launched with ambitious conservation commitments, and it’s incredibly rewarding to see the positive progress we’re making through our collaborations with dedicated environmental partners and experts. We are proud to share this progress with our industry and beyond, and hope that recognitions such as these will continue to raise awareness for this important conservation work.”

Robbie Kernahan, Director of Green Economy at NatureScot, added: “The standard of this year’s VIBES awards was excellent. Suntory Global Spirits is a worthy winner of the Nature Rich Scotland award, which recognises the significant contribution PWS™ has made to peatland restoration in Scotland. Our country’s blanket bogs are amongst the world’s rarest habitats, forming a unique home for a variety of species, improving water quality, reducing flooding, and playing an important role in carbon sequestration. PWS™ is an excellent example of successful collaboration, building business resilience whilst delivering multiple benefits for nature.”

Lisa Tennant, SEPA Chair, commented: “For 25 years SEPA have led the VIBES Awards to recognise sustainable practices and environmental innovation that sets the bar for business. The work of VIBES stretches across the year and the community of winners we have act as a catalyst of change. Their stories of environmental leadership, innovation and sustainable working practices inspire others by showing environmental excellence can go hand in hand with business success.”

The VIBES awards ceremony took place on 12 November 2024 in Glasgow. Suntory Global Spirits was among a select group of businesses recognised for their outstanding contributions to Scotland’s environmental well-being.

About Peatland Water Sanctuary™
The Peatland Water Sanctuary™ is a large-scale series of peatland restoration and watershed conservation projects in Scotland launched in 2021 by Suntory Global Spirits (previously known as Beam Suntory) and its parent company, Suntory Holdings. Through PWS™, the companies have committed to invest more than $4 million to the restoration and conservation of a minimum of 1,300 hectares of peatlands by 2030, enough to produce the same amount of peat that Suntory Global Spirits uses to make its peated whiskies on an ongoing basis. Beyond this, there is a longer-term aim to restore sufficient peatlands by 2040 to equate twice what Suntory Global Spirits uses.

The PWS™ programme began with work to restore and conserve peatland near the Ardmore distillery in November 2021 in partnership with the James Hutton Institute and Forestry & Land Scotland. Since this time, it has also partnered with the RSPB Scotland to regenerate peatland at the Airds Moss reserve in East Ayrshire, Scotland, and at The Oa nature reserve on the island of Islay, Scotland. In 2024, Suntory Global Spirits announced another PWS™ partnership with Northern Peat & Moss to restore peatland using novel techniques at Craigculter Moss in Aberdeenshire, Scotland.

Across its projects, Suntory Global Spirits has already restored 257 hectares of peatland, with a further 677 hectares in active planning stages. The PWS™ programme aligns with the Suntory Group Sustainability Vision and Suntory Global Spirits’ ambitious Proof Positive sustainability strategy, as well as the Scotch Whisky Association’s environmental commitments.

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 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

THE DALMORE PRESENTS TWO NEW LIMITED EDITION WHISKIES

WITH THE 2024 RELEASE OF THE VINTAGE COLLECTION

The Dalmore Highland Single Malt Whisky has unveiled The Vintage Collection 2024, offering two exquisite expressions – The Dalmore Vintage 2009 and The Dalmore Vintage 2006.

Released annually, The Dalmore Vintage Collection showcases exceptional whiskies of distinguished character and celebrates a unique tradition, treasured by The Dalmore whisky makers, that dates back more than 50 years and still continues today.

For the last five decades, every November, The Dalmore whisky makers personally assess and nose the casks in each of the warehouses at the distillery in Alness. The Dalmore is home to precious spirit, laid to mature within exemplary casks and nurtured for years, yet no one can truly know what time and nature have given to these whiskies.

November is the optimum time to assess these casks, when they are at rest after the warmer summer months and the cooling temperature allows the spirit to shine. The Dalmore whisky makers take this extra step to meticulously assess and hand-select just a few casks that hold spirit which exemplifies The Dalmore’s quality and style, to be considered for the ‘Vintage Collection’ for the year ahead. Only those deemed the finest at each age, 15 and 18 Years Old, become part of the next Vintage Collection release.

The whiskies chosen for The Dalmore Vintage Collection each have to offer distinctive characteristics that distinguish those two Single Malts above all else and showcase an element of The Dalmore’s house style. For 2024, the flavours of rich decadent desserts are explored, with The Dalmore Vintage 2009 offering key notes of dark plum and morello cherries and The Dalmore Vintage 2006 presenting flavours of dark chocolate and Sherry-soaked raisins.

The Dalmore Vintage 2009 is a 15 Year Old Single Malt Whisky at 48.9% ABV that offers aromas of dark plum, cracked black pepper, whispers of Manuka honey, and hints of clove. To taste, Morello cherries and dates, with elevated notes of candied Seville orange, fresh figs, and light cacao.  To finish, rich plum is complemented by moist ginger cake, roast chestnut, and soft wood spice.

The flavours have been created from an initial maturation in American white oak ex-Bourbon barrels, followed by a dual finish in hand-selected Matusalem Sherry casks and 10 Year Old Tawny Port pipes.

These casks are exclusively sourced by The Dalmore from the finest winemakers, González Byass and Graham’s Port. The Dalmore enjoys an exclusive partnership with these expert makers and their incredible wines which work perfectly with The Dalmore’s spirit, as further showcased in the first two editions of The Dalmore’s Cask Curation Series.

The Dalmore Master Whisky Maker, Gregg Glass shares further thoughts on The Dalmore Vintage 2009: “This is a rich and decadent whisky from The Dalmore where the sweet malt, soft fruit, and citrus flavour characteristics of The Dalmore are enhanced by the influences of sweet vanilla, creamy caramel, and gentle gingerbread.

“This unique spirit was first finessed in 30 Year Old Matusalem Oloroso Sherry Casks from our exclusive partner González Byass, which gives a touch of antique oak to the whisky. The whisky spends a further period in 10 Year Old Tawny Port pipes, sourced from our partner, Graham’s Port, which provide those dark plum, Manuka honey, and gentle wood spice elements.

“The Dalmore Vintage 2009 is best savoured with a splash of water, unless preferred over ice, or at bottle strength, and would pair excellently with game meats or a fruit-forward dessert.”

The Dalmore Vintage 2006 is an 18 Year Old Single Malt Whisky at 47.2% ABV which welcomes you with enticing notes of Sherry-soaked raisins, along with roasted figs, cedar wood, and honey. To taste, dark fruit intertwines with liquorice and cacao, before developing notes of bergamot, and blood orange. Antique Sherry notes linger on the palate to finish, expressing rich berries, liquorice, cassia bark, and dark chocolate.

This whisky has been matured in American white oak ex-Bourbon barrels and enhanced by finishing in hand-selected rare and aged Matusalem, and Amoroso Sherry casks.

Gregg Glass shares additional personal notes on The Dalmore Vintage 2006: “This exquisite whisky has deep vanilla, sweet caramel, and honey notes from its maturation in first-fill American white oak ex-Bourbon. These flavours have been interwoven with antique notes, offered by finishing in those exclusively sourced 30 Year Old Matusalem Oloroso Sherry casks and 30 Year Old Amoroso Sherry casks.

“Dark chocolate, rich berries, and wood spice are present from the influence of the Matusalem casks, while Sherry-soaked raisins, and slightly drier, more aromatic, almost herbal notes are offered from the Amoroso casks.

“The result is sumptuous, warming layers of flavour, interweaving to create this rich and robust Single Malt Whisky. The Dalmore Vintage 2006 would pair well with Spanish tapas, a cheeseboard or something sweeter like dark chocolate truffles. As with the 2009 Vintage, savour this whisky with a splash of water, over ice, or neat, as per your preference.”

The Dalmore Vintage 2009 and The Dalmore Vintage 2006 are strictly limited editions and are non chill-filtered, natural colour and each bottled at specially selected strengths chosen by The Dalmore whisky makers.

The Dalmore Vintage Collection is presented in elegant packaging with tones of powder blue, evocative of the Autumn season at the Distillery, when The Dalmore whisky makers select the Vintages. The carton features a refined geometric pattern, with a striking silver accent at the base. The vintage and year of bottling are proudly displayed in silver on pack and on bottle, which both feature the iconic 12-point Royal Stag, which signifies The Dalmore’s Royal heritage, and has become an emblem for the brand recognised the world over.

This release from The Dalmore has become highly anticipated and considered a ‘must have’ collectible for whisky connoisseurs and discerning clientele in the world’s finest outlets.

The Dalmore Vintages Collection is available in select specialists and retailers from this month.

• The Dalmore Vintage 2009 is a 15 Year Old Single Malt, 48.9% ABV, £173 RSP
• The Dalmore Vintage 2006 is an 18 Year Old Single Malt, 47.2% ABV, £403 RSP

About The Dalmore:  

 Founded in 1839 on the shores of the Cromarty Firth in the Scottish Highlands, The Dalmore has been making masterpieces of whisky for over 180 years.

 The 12-point silver stag which proudly adorns each bottle was bestowed upon the first chieftain of Clan Mackenzie in 1263 by King Alexander III of Scotland. The stag became the whisky’s emblem when descendants of the clan took over the distillery in 1878.

 The Dalmore distillery’s collection of idiosyncratic stills creates a New Make spirit of unique character and depth – robust and fruity, particularly well-suited to longer and more complex maturation. This allows renowned Master Whisky Maker Gregg Glass and his team to develop spirit over longer periods, continuing a tradition of visionary whisky-making as they fully express their art using rare casks from some of the world’s finest wineries and bodegas.

The Dalmore
W: www.thedalmore.com Facebook and Instagram: @thedalmore

30 Years of Whisky Excellence: The Coastal Embrace Collection

To celebrate 30 years of pioneering whisky craftsmanship, we’re thrilled to introduce the Coastal Embrace Collection—a stunning limited edition series of 28-year-old blended malt Scotch whiskies.

Each ‘chapter’ in this remarkable collection is a tribute to Scotland’s iconic coastal distilleries, aged and finished in top-quality casks from renowned wine and spirit producing regions that add unique depth and character to every dram.

READ MORE

Join us on a journey through the Art of Maturation, as each chapter in this exclusive series combines Scotland’s coastal heritage with extraordinary influences from around the world. With names like Highland Park, Laphroaig, and Bunnahabhain, these whiskies embody the rugged, timeless spirit of Scotland’s shores.

Sláinte,

The Murray McDavid Team

Aceo Ltd. 5 Royston Road Livingston, Edinburgh EH54 8AH United Kingdom

Multi-award-winning Scotch whisky distillery picks up another accolade to end the year

Loch Lomond Whiskies has been awarded the highly coveted Scotch Whisky Producer of the Year trophy at this year’s International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC), bringing Loch Lomond Group’s tally of prestigious award wins to more than 100 in the past 12 months.

Founded in 1969, the IWSC champions the best wine and spirits producers from around the world.

The renowned accolade was presented only weeks after Loch Lomond Distillery took home 16 awards at the San Franscico World Spirts Competition 2024, including a rare platinum award for Loch Lomond Inchmoan 12 Year Old single malt whisky, and double gold awards for seven whiskies across the range, including Loch Lomond Classic, Loch Lomond 10 Year Old and Loch Lomond 18 Year Old.

IWSC judges praised the distillery for its holistic approach, noting that “Loch Lomond is the whole package with excellent whisky, and the clear work to push the brand to the next level.”

The presentation of the 2024 Scotch Whisky Producer of the Year trophy follows multiple IWSC category wins for Loch Lomond Whiskies, with its 12 Year Old Inchmurrin single malt winning ‘Best in Class for Scotch Whisky Under 15 Years Old’.

The dual IWSC and SFWSC success follows two previous award wins for Loch Lomond’s 18 Year Old, which was named top Scotch in the Gentleman’s Journal Drinks Awards 2024 and The Whisky Exchange’s Whisky of the Year 2024.

Loch Lomond Distillery’s raft of prominent accolades is testament to the exceptional quality of its whiskies and demonstrates the significant momentum behind the independent distiller which continues to gain success on the global stage.

According to the latest IWSR 2023 Scotch Whisky report, Loch Lomond is the world’s fastest-growing top 25 malt whisky brand, a title the distillery has now achieved twice in the past three years.

Michael Henry, Master Blender at Loch Lomond Group, owners of Loch Lomond Whiskies, said:

“To close the year with another prestigious award win is wonderful – a real highlight of our year.

“The capabilities of our distillery are unmatched in Scotland. The combination of traditional swan neck stills and our unique straight neck stills, in addition to our own onsite cooperage, give us much greater control over the distillation and maturation process, allowing us to explore flavour in a distinctive way.

“We’ve always been bold in our approach to whisky-making. While we respect tradition, we’re not afraid to push boundaries. The recognition we’re receiving from top spirits experts only reinforces our belief that we’re on the right path as one of the most exciting distillers around. We are looking forward to continuing this into 2025 and beyond.”

First opened in 1965, Loch Lomond Distillery has quietly been crafting whisky on the banks of its namesake loch for more than 60 years. In the last decade, investment in innovation and marketing has driven extraordinary growth in global markets, with its diverse portfolio of whiskies now enjoyed by millions of customers worldwide.

For more information about Loch Lomond Whiskies, please visit: www.lochlomondwhiskies.com

About the Loch Lomond Group

• Loch Lomond Group is an independent distiller based in Alexandria and is home to several award-winning brands that are sold in more than 125 countries worldwide.
• Loch Lomond distillery has been producing the finest single malt whiskies since 1814.
• Images and interviews with key staff from the Group are available upon request. lochlomondgroup.com

The full list of Loch Lomond Distillery’s 2024 accolades includes:

San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2024

• Loch Lomond Whiskies (16 Awards)
  • 1 x Platinum Award
  • 7 x Double Gold
  • 4 x Gold
  • 4 x Silver
• Cask 21/546-6 Exclusive Cask – 1st Fill Bordeaux Hogshead – Best Single Cask Scotch

IWSC 2024

• Loch Lomond Inchmurrin 12 Year Old – Best Single Malt 15 Years and Under
• Loch Lomond Perfectly Balanced 12 Year Old – Gold Outstanding (98/100)
• Loch Lomond 10 Year Old – Gold Outstanding (95/100)
• Loch Lomond Distillery 2024 Scotch Whisky Producer trophy

Hidden Barn Releases 3rd Annual Madeira Finished Bourbon

Limited Edition Blend Named “Perfect Harmony” Due to its Balance  

SPARTA, KY (Nov. 19, 2024) – Hidden Barn Bourbon is releasing its 2024 Madeira finished bourbon, aged for six years and then finished for seven months in Madeira casks.  Master Distiller Royce Neeley and Master Blender Jackie Zykan named this year’s release Perfect Harmony, due to the balance between the bourbon and the residual Madeira left in the oak barrel.  

Perfect Harmony is created using six-year-old bourbon distilled by Neeley using its mash bill of 70 percent corn, 20 percent rye and 10 percent malted barley, transferred to age in first-use Madeira barrels for an additional seven months, and then open-air vatted for several days allowing oxidation to occur and the entire batch to open up, contributing to the balance.  Then Zykan went to work, blending eight barrels to create Perfect Harmony.  

“It’s rare for a blender to create a blend and know instantly when we’ve hit the mark on what we’re trying to achieve. Very often we think about making tweaks here or there to see what will happen,” said Zykan.  “But this year’s Madeira blend is spot on, with the perfect balance of what I was trying to achieve – the right combination between the oak and Madeira make it come full circle.”  

Zykan’s tasting notes for Perfect Harmony describe it as having toffee, overripe red fruits, apple pie and oxidized rose on the nose.  The palate is gorgeously dense and creamy, with full-bodied vanilla and a hint of raisin.  The finish balances out the sweet viscosity with a slightly dry mint tone and notes of nutmeg and cardamom.  

Suggested retail pricing for the Hidden Barn Perfect Harmony Madeira Finished Bourbon is $89.99. This is the third in the Maderia finish series.  It is available for sale at the Neeley Family Distillery in Sparta, Ky, online, and at retail in Kentucky, Indiana, New York, California, Georgia, Colorado, Nevada, and New Mexico.  

About Hidden Barn Bourbon

Hidden Barn’s name harkens back to the local communities who painted their barns black in solidarity with distillers during Prohibition.  This sense of community is continued today through the passion for quality whiskey and camaraderie shared by its three partners, Jackie Zykan, Royce Neeley and Nate Winegar.  Together, the three friends bring their own strengths – a superior palate, distilling prowess, and a powerhouse connector to form Hidden Barn Bourbon.  Previous Hidden Barn Series releases have earned Best of Class in the Small Batch Bourbon Up to 5 years by The Tasting Alliance, Double Golds at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2023 and 2024, and Best Small Batch, 1st Place at the 2023 New Orleans Bourbon Festival.  Hidden Barn Bourbon is owned by Neeley Family Distillery.   The brand is available online and in select states. For more information visit hiddenbarnwhiskey.com

Lochlea adds Stout Cask Finish to

Limited Editions with Overtone Collaboration

Award-winning farm-to-cask distillery Lochlea in Ayrshire has revealed its first ever single malt whisky matured in stout beer casks: Lochlea Stout Cask Finish.

The UK-exclusive limited edition release is a culmination of various cask experiments with Glasgow-based craft brewery Overtone, renowned for its range of seasonal beers inspired by the culture of music and different musical genres.

Lochlea Stout Cask Finish started life the same as Lochlea’s signature whisky – Our Barley – matured in a combination of ex-bourbon, STR and oloroso sherry casks. The spirit was then placed into casks that had previously been loaned to Overtone Brewery to age their stout in a for a few months. The casks – originally from Lochlea before going to Overtone – were delivered back to the distillery, deliciously seasoned with the brewery’s distinctive rich stout beer – perfect for finishing Lochlea’s floral, fruity Lowland spirit.

The final dram reveals the influence from the stout through a rich nose with hints of all butter shortbread, tropical fruit and macadamia nuts, evolving into sweet toffee notes and a delicious toasted barley flavour on the palate. The spirit finishes with a long moreish fruit and cereal flavour.

Non-chill filtered and bottled at 52% ABV, Stout Cask Finish will be available in select retailers across the UK this winter, highlighting the innovative distillery’s creative local partnerships with likeminded independent creative producers*.

Lochlea’s Trade Sales Manager Emma Kirk said: “One of the benefits of Lochlea’s position as an independent distillery is our ability to be experimental and collaborate with other like-minded brands. When we discovered Overtone – one of Glasgow’s best craft breweries – were on the hunt for whisky casks to mature their first ever double mash stout in, we could not turn the opportunity down. Lochlea gifted the brewery the cask make up of our core expression, Our Barley. On return, our production team filled each stout seasoned cask with ‘Our Barley’, for a year. Our  distillery team have chosen three casks out of the six; the result is this delicious first stout cask finish ever to be released by us that we are really proud of.”

The team at Overtone said: “It’s been a pleasure to have this ongoing yearly side project with a local distillery that’s consistently pushing boundaries and doing incredible things. Our collaboration begins with brewing a rich, robust stout, full of roasty goodness, which is then aged in their freshly emptied casks. After about 8 months, the barrels are emptied and refilled with their whisky, creating a fascinating blend of flavours. I’m excited to see how this partnership evolves in the years to come, and I’m sure craft enthusiasts will enjoy the unique character it brings. We truly value this relationship and look forward to what we can achieve together.”

Lochlea Stout Cask Finish will be available via specialist retailers when it launches on 3^rd December, RRP: £59.99.

*Lochlea has previously partnered with other local producers, including Blackthorn Salt in Ayr.

Lochlea Stout Cask Finish:

52% ABV

Nose: All butter shortbread, layers of tropical fruit and macadamia nuts

Palate: Sweet toffee notes and toasted barley

Finish: Long, silky with moreish fruit, cereal and sweet flavours

About Lochlea Distillery:

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 a several years.

For a full list of Lochlea stockists, visit: Lochlea Distillery stockists

EDEN MILL ANNOUNCE LONG-TERM PARTNERSHIP WITH BIOTECH MIALGAE

Independent Scottish distillery Eden Mill has announced a partnership with leading Scottish biotech company, and Earthshot Prize finalists, MiAlgae, to repurpose whisky effluent, a by-product of distillation, to grow microalgae as a sustainable source of Omega-3s.

Global demand for Omega-3s, traditionally sourced from wild-caught fish, is driving unsustainable overfishing – with 16 million tonnes of wild-caught oceanic fish annually.

MiAlgae offers a circular solution by growing algae – the original source of Omega-3s – through an innovative process that eliminates the need for fish, ensuring a stable and sustainable supply of these essential nutrients.

In this first of-its-kind partnership with a distillery, MiAlgae will utilise whisky by-products from Eden Mill’s distillation process to nurture Omega-3-rich microalgae. MiAlgae’s process operates at scale and is cost effective, ensuring sustainability remains affordable without compromising impact.

Eden Mill has installed an effluent storage tank at its distillery as they progress toward the completion of their brand home, located just seven minutes from St Andrews. Due to re-commence distillation early in 2025, Eden Mill will open its doors to visitors from Spring onwards.

Commenting on the partnership, Rennie Donaldson, Chief Executive Officer at Eden Mill, said: “We are delighted to announce our long-term partnership with MiAlgae, making use of their advanced bio-technology to create sustainable Omega-3 from our distillery’s effluent waste. Sustainability is a hugely important part of our distillery plans, and for our business as a whole, so the team are excited to see a by-product given an environmentally friendly second-use.”

Douglas Martin, Founder and Managing Director at MiAlgae, said: “By partnering with Eden Mill, we will use nutrients from their distillery by-products to grow our eco-friendly Omega-3-rich microalgae. We’ll also upcycle the effluent to clean water. Their shared commitment to sustainability aligns perfectly with our mission to advance biotechnology for good.”

MiAlgae has recently been recognised as a finalist for the prestigious Earthshot Prize – founded by Prince William to find ‘the most innovative solutions to the world’s greatest environmental challenges’. What’s more, the firm also secured £14 million in funding to accelerate its operations and scale production to meet surging global demand.

Eden Mill will distil both gin and single malt Scotch whisky in its new distillery, which will also feature a retail space and cafe, as well as a bar on the top floor looking out over the Eden Estuary. More detail on the visitor centre and ticket bookings will be available soon.

Eden Mill

https://www.edenmill.com/

Eden Mill distillery, established in 2012 on the banks of the Eden Estuary in St Andrews, was the first distillery to make spirits in the region in over 150 years. Today, Eden Mill has a unique selection of limited release Single Malts, and an extensive gin portfolio crafted from the finest botanicals, many sourced from in and around Fife.

Eden Mill has an ambition to create the finest gins and Scotch Whiskies with minimal environmental impact combining traditional distilling techniques with innovation. Eden Mill is building a stunning new distillery at the mouth of the river Eden, overlooking the iconic, historic town of St Andrews. The new distillery sits at the heart of the University of St Andrews Eden Campus, a unique site dedicated to sustainable businesses and research.

MiAlgae

https://www.mialgae.com/

MiAlgae is a biotechnology company which applies leading advances in science and technology to improve food security and reduce the impact of humanity on the planet. Founded in 2016 by Douglas Martin, the company uses the by-products of whisky distillations to grow microalgae rich in marine Omega-3s.

In the past six months, MiAlgae have produced enough Omega-3 rich microalgae to save 2.4 million fish from being caught. They’ve also recycled enough wastewater in a year to fill nearly 300 Olympic-sized swimming pools and prevented the release of 150,000 kg of CO2—equivalent to taking about 500 round-trip flights between London and Edinburgh.

ANGEL’S ENVY® RELEASES 13TH ANNUAL CASK STRENGTH BOURBON – INTRODUCING NEW TWIST WITH ADDED TAWNY PORT FINISH

ANGEL’S ENVY 2024 Cask Strength Bourbon

Beginning in December, just 23,196 bottles of ANGEL’S ENVY 2024 Cask Strength Bourbon will be available for purchase nationwide in the U.S., at the distillery in downtown Louisville, and on angelsenvy.com (for delivery in select markets).

The previous bourbon releases from the highly acclaimed and award-winning Cask Strength program have featured Angel’s Envy’s traditional Ruby Port Wine finish. This year’s annual release offers a new spin by introducing a Tawny Port Wine finish blended with the traditional Ruby Port Wine finish to create a bourbon with extraordinary depth.

HAMILTON, Bermuda, Nov. 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — ANGEL’S ENVY^®, the global brand that produces finished whiskeys at their Louisville-based distillery, today announced its 13th annual Cask Strength Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Port Wine Barrels. This year’s release offers a new spin on the traditional annual release by introducing a Tawny Port Wine finish blended with the traditional Ruby Port Wine finish.

“I’m excited to continue evolving what fans can expect from the ANGEL’S ENVY Cask Strength Program in new yet familiar ways,” said Owen Martin, Master Distiller at ANGEL’S ENVY. “This year’s Cask Strength Bourbon not only honors the familiar flavors our fans love but also adds another layer of complexity with the Tawny finish. It’s a great example of our vision for innovation, staying true to our roots while striving to provide a fresh perspective on our cherished whiskeys and American Whiskey overall.”

ANGELS’ ENVY’S highly acclaimed and award-winning Cask Strength program is a longstanding tradition for the team where, each year, exceptional barrels from its rickhouses are hand-selected for an extended finishing process. This particular aging process imparts distinct characteristics to each release, resulting in a unique nose, palate, and finish. In addition to the Cask Strength Bourbon, last year, the program debuted the first-ever multi-award-winning Cask Strength Rye, further expanding the brand’s innovative portfolio.

Master Distiller Owen Martin and the best-in-class production team blended the mellow finish from Tawny Port barrels with the base bourbon’s heat to integrate seamlessly with the trademark Ruby Port, crafting a rich and complex profile that honors the Cask Strength tradition. The robust oak and toffee from the bourbon harmonize with the hallmark Ruby Port character, while Tawny Port adds a nutty, caramelized fruit quality that bridges the two flavors. Using the Solera Method for the first time at ANGEL’S ENVY, they created a continuous aging process that ensures consistent flavor, resulting in a bourbon of extraordinary depth.

The 13th annual ANGEL’S ENVY Cask Strength Bourbon offers caramelized notes of brown sugar and butterscotch, evolving into stone fruit, pear, and spice. The palate features crisp apple crumble and buttery pie crust, balanced with darker notes of chocolate, oak, and cinnamon honey, both nutty and floral. The finish is pleasant and enduring, with oak tannins mingling with rich port and bright fruits for a sweet and spiced finale. ANGEL’S ENVY recommends enjoying ANGEL’S ENVY 2024 Cask Strength Bourbon neat.

ANGEL’S ENVY Cask Strength Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Port Wine Barrels (118.8-proof; 59.4% ABV) will have 23,196 bottles available for purchase nationwide in the U.S. and on angelsenvy.com (for delivery in select markets) beginning in December at a suggested retail price of $229.99 (on-shelf price may vary by market). Consumers can also purchase ANGEL’S ENVY 2024 Cask Strength Bourbon at the distillery in downtown Louisville beginning November 21 at 9 am ET, where Master Distiller Owen Martin will be on-site to sign bottles. Each bottle will feature a sophisticated design with embossed wings, gold foil labels, and an engraved cork metal medallion, making it a memorable choice for both savoring and gifting.

For more information and purchasing details, visit https://angelsenvy.com or on Instagram, @angelsenvy.

ABOUT ANGEL’S ENVY

ANGEL’S ENVY is a global brand that produces finished whiskeys at their Louisville, Kentucky-based distillery. Founded in 2010, ANGEL’S ENVY was among the first American whiskey producers to employ a secondary finishing process broadly across its portfolio. Today, each of its award-winning whiskeys are finished in hand-selected barrels to add a distinct layer of flavor and complexity, and the ANGEL’S ENVY team continues to produce several highly acclaimed core offerings – a Kentucky Straight Bourbon Finished in Port Wine Barrels, a Rye Whiskey Finished in Caribbean Rum Casks, and a Kentucky Straight Bourbon Finished in a blend of Hungarian, Chinkapin, and French Oak Barrels – as well as a variety of innovative, special releases.

ANGEL’S ENVY opened the doors to its distillery at 500 East Main Street in 2016, making it the first full-production whiskey distillery in downtown Louisville. In June 2022, ANGEL’S ENVY completed an $8.2 million expansion to its distillery, doubling annual guest capacity.

ANGEL’S ENVY is available in all 50 U.S. states and several international markets, and it is produced by Louisville Distilling Company, a subsidiary of Bacardi Limited.