What lights your fire? Whether it’s sweet smoke or sooty peat, we’ve got whiskies for you and yours…

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The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, The Vaults, 87 Giles Street, Leith EH6 6BZ

Contact: sales@smws.com or call 0131 555 2929 (Mon-Fri 9am-4.45pm). Visit the Society at here for membership information

This is your chance to join and to take advantage of their great offers!

Spot the SMWS bottles in this amusing You Tube video

The Kentucky Bourbon Country Auction & Celebration Launches Inaugural Event President’s Day Weekend

Honoring America’s 250th Anniversary –  A New Kentucky Tradition Kicks off Feb. 13-15, 2026

LOUISVILLE, KY. – An inaugural event celebrating Kentucky’s signature bourbon industry is coming to Louisville in 2026, the Kentucky Bourbon Country Auction and Celebration (KBCA). This first-of-its-kind event brings together Kentucky’s legendary distilleries, rising stars and bourbon enthusiasts from across the nation for a historic three-day experience Feb. 13-15, 2026.

Timed to coincide with President’s Day Weekend and America’s 250th anniversary celebration, the KBCA honors bourbon as America’s native spirit with exclusive opportunities over its three days, celebrating bourbon, cuisine and community, all in the spirit of giving back. Auction proceeds will benefit the Bob Woodruff Foundation, supporting veterans, first responders and their families.​​​​

“Kentucky Bourbon, with its legendary, unmatched quality, is the galvanizing lifestyle that binds us together in this great city and state and is exported around the world daily,” said Andrew Varga, Founder of the Kentucky Bourbon Country Auction. “The Kentucky Bourbon Country Auction and Celebration is one premier way to celebrate its majestic reverence by raising a glass in community while giving back to those who have protected our freedom for 250 years by way of the Bob Woodruff Foundation.”

The KBCA will showcase an extraordinary lineup of award-winning and visionary bourbon brands joining together for this landmark event to auction their exclusive barrels and luxury lots, including brands from Brown-Forman, Four Roses, Heaven Hill and J. Mattingly 1845 Distillery.

These legendary names represent the very best of Kentucky bourbon and are a living reflection of heritage, craftsmanship and innovation. Their participation, as well as others soon to be announced, underscores the state’s continuing influence as the global heart of bourbon culture.Ticket sales begin Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025, online at KYBCA.com. Pricing and availability vary by event and ticket package, with prices starting at $150 for individual events and $1,550 for weekend passes.

In addition to its distinguished bourbon brand partners, the KBCA proudly recognizes its community and business sponsors, Delta Dental, BourbonCountry.com, Louisville Water, Signarama Downtown Louisville, TagSwag, OutFront Media, Kern’s Kitchen Derby-Pie^®, Bourbon Barrel Foods, DMK Development, Unipak Solutions and Mint Julep Experiences, whose leadership and support help make this inaugural celebration possible.

“In Bourbon City, bourbon isn’t just a drink; it’s a culture,” said Louisville Tourism Chief Marketing Officer Stacy Yates. “BourbonCountry.com is proud to help launch an event that celebrates that spirit and the people who shape it.”

The weekend will kick off with the Grand Reveal Tasting, hosted at the Frazier History Museum. This exclusive evening invites guests to savor the rarest bourbons paired with Kentucky-inspired culinary creations, entertainment and immersive experiences, celebrating the beginning of the bourbon year and all things Kentucky.

The signature event, The Kentucky Bourbon Country Auction, will feature a bourbon-paired dinner by Kentucky’s top chefs and a live auction of the world’s most collectible and extraordinary bourbons, with proceeds benefiting the Bob Woodruff Foundation.

Other exciting weekend offerings include an interactive blind-tasting brunch curated by Chef Michael Crouch at Watch Hill Proper, a live culinary experience showcasing a Bourbon-inspired lunch hosted by Chef and owner John Varanese at Savor at River House, and distillery tours at participating distilleries across Bourbon Country, offering behind-the-scenes experiences, tastings, and limited-edition releases available only during the KBCA weekend.

For more information on the Kentucky Bourbon Country Auction and Celebration and tickets to the event, visit www.KYBCA.com.

About the Kentucky Bourbon Country Auction

The Kentucky Bourbon Country Auction and Celebration is a first-of-its-kind gathering honoring Kentucky’s bourbon legacy while giving back to the heroes who protect our nation. Founded in Louisville by Andrew Varga, a longtime spirits industry executive, the inaugural KBCA committee includes bourbon industry luminaries, authors and executives such as America’s CEO- Chief Entertaining Officer Tim Laird and Lori Laird, former PriceWeber VP, Exec. Creative Director Larry Profancik and brand strategist Henrietta Pepper. KBCA unites distilleries, chefs and bourbon enthusiasts for three unforgettable days of tastings, events and philanthropy — all “for the greater great.”

DECEMBER 2025 AUCTION ENDING SOON!

It’s almost a wrap for our December auction but there is still time to bid for your favourite bottles, like this delightful bottle of Clynelish, aged for 17 years and then bottled at Cask strength in 1998 as part of the Manager’s Dram series.

Or how about this early expression of Caol Ila, which was bottled by Bulloch Lade under license from DCL. 12 year old Caol Ila was more commonly available under the Flora & Fauna label in the 1990’s before the distillery unveiled it’s core range in 2002 and so this is an interesting bottle.

The 1988 Glasgow Garden Festival was a major event, held on a 120-acre site on the south bank of the River Clyde, from April 26 to September 26, 1988. It attracted 4.3 million visitors and featured hundreds of gardens and pavilions, using derelict dockland to showcase the city’s regeneration. The festival is considered pivotal in reinventing Glasgow’s image, leading to a cultural renaissance and boosting tourism. This offering was distilled at Bowmore Distillery in the late 1970’s, aged for 10 years and then bottled to commemorate this momentous event.

Officially released in the beginning of October 2023, the Hearach derives It’s name from the Gaelic word Na Heardh translating to a person from Harris. The 1,916 bottles produced for this momentous inaugural bottling signifies the total number of people living on the Island. Bottle number 1,048 of only 1,916 bottles produced.

These are only a few of the old, limited and collectable bottles featured in our December 2025 Auction, to view more wee gems visit clickwhiskyauctions.com. Register to bid. Remember, you’ve got to be in it to win it! Auction ends Sunday 21^st December from 8pm GMT.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our customers, whether you have bought sold, placed bids or browsed our auction throughout 2025, we truly appreciate it. Warm wishes also go out to the team at Whisky Intelligence for their amazing, continued support, for which we are very thankful. We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and all the best for 2026!

A special occasion is never defined by a single moment, but by the anticipation and shared experiences that make them memorable. Whether chosen as a gift, or to be savoured with others in celebration, our curated collection of The Macallan has been crafted for sharing with those who matter most this festive season.

FIND THE PERFECT GIFT

THE ART OF GIFTING

We are pleased to offer complimentary gift wrapping on selected products and gift messaging with all orders.

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Big Peat’s Newsletter

’Tis the Season for Smoke & Spice

Another issue is here, and Big Peat has been keeping himself busy as the year begins to wind down. The past few months have seen him pop up at festivals, tastings and gatherings everywhere, spreading his unmistakably smoky charm far and wide. If your Big Peat cupboards are in need of a top up this festive season, have a look at some of the bottles available on our site, including Fèis Ìle 2025, Red Wine Cask Finish and the Christmas Edition.

Have a great Christmas and a cracking New Year – and we’ll raise another dram together in 2026.

READ ISSUE #4 HERE

ralfy review 1109 – Glasgow 1770 Triple : @46%vol:

NEW CLYDEBUILT WHISKIES UNVEILED

AS £5 MILLION IS INVESTED IN BRAND

Distinguished Scotch whisky brand Clydebuilt today issues four new releases, including three Single Cask bottlings.

The boutique label, owned by independent whisky producer Ardgowan Distillery Company, has been laying down stocks since the company was formed in 2016.

Based in Inverclyde, Ardgowan Distillery began distilling its own malt whisky in June. While the spirit matures over the coming years, Clydebuilt “offers the opportunity for us to showcase our expertise in wood management and the art of blending”.

The award winning range is named to honour the River Clyde’s world renowned shipbuilding heritage, with the word ‘Clydebuilt’ ultimately becoming a byword for quality craftsmanship.

The firm demonstrated its continued commitment to the brand by way of a significant investment in mature malt whisky stocks to the tune of £5 million in 2025, with a further £4m planned in 2026.

CEO Roland Grain explained the rationale behind the investment: “Our bespoke Infinity Casks for Ardgowan spirit are designed for long maturation by their very nature. The stock we’ve already acquired, and this further investment, ensure Clydebuilt will have solid foundations for the decades ahead until Ardgowan Single Malt is truly ready. This is a key step in achieving our goal to double turnover annually until 2030.”

Experienced Whisky Maker and Ardgowan’s Distillery Manager Laura Davies oversaw and selected the casks, which were aged on site in the distillery’s traditional dunnage warehouses.

Comprising one Blended Malt and three Single Cask Single Malts, the latest tranche of releases from the independent bottling house includes:

• 27 year old 100% Sherry Matured Blended Malt – Speyside, Highland & Island (RRSP £95): a multifaceted expression bringing together Highland and Island whiskies matured in a Pedro Ximénez Sherry hogshead and 33 year old malt distilled at Benrinnes Distillery. A limited edition of 408 bottles.
• 2009 Bourbon Hogshead, Fettercairn Distillery (RRSP £85): distilled in the Highlands, cask number 800292 was matured on site at Ardgowan Distillery. The cask’s Bourbon history has imparted notes of toffee apples and citrus zest on the 272 bottles of Single Malt available.
• 2012 Bourbon Hogshead, Royal Brackla Distillery (RRSP £75): previously hosting Bourbon, cask number 306449 subsequently aged Highland Single Malt from Royal Brackla Distillery. The resulting 290 bottles boast vibrant flavours of lemongrass, green apple and vanilla.
• 2014 Sherry Butt, Ben Nevis Distillery (RRSP £85): an amber Highland Single Malt matured in a single Spanish Sherry cask (#800040). Limited to 327 bottles, the nose brings cinnamon stewed pears while the palate offers butterscotch, nutmeg and brown sugar.

All four of the new Clydebuilt expressions are proudly bottled at their natural cask strength and without added colouring or undergoing chill filtration, preserving their full character and integrity.

Commenting on the news, Davies remarks:

“The Clydebuilt brand stands on craftsmanship and pride in quality, just like the Clyde’s former shipbuilders. With these new releases, we’ve drawn on exceptional whiskies and incredible, rich casks to create expressions full of character and individuality. These malts show just some of the scope we’re working with in our aged stocks. Having invested £5 million this year in securing stock to lay down for Clydebuilt, there’s a very bright future ahead for the brand.”

In September, Ardgowan announced a series of new distribution partnerships for Clydebuilt across key markets in Europe, North America and Asia, significantly expanding its global accessibility.

The new Clydebuilt bottlings will become increasingly available from specialist retailers from today – find a list of UK stockists and international distributors here.

ABOUT CLYDEBUILT SCOTCH WHISKY:

Some of the greatest ships in the world were built on the River Clyde and so, over time, the word ‘Clydebuilt’ came to stand for craftsmanship, integrity and pride. The Clydebuilt brand was inspired by that exceptional legacy: a fitting tribute as Ardgowan Distillery, the home of the brand, is situated on the Firth of Clyde near Inverkip.

While Ardgowan Single Malt continues to slumber for many years, Whisky Maker Laura Davies applies the same meticulous approach to Clydebuilt. This is a boutique range of thoughtfully selected and masterfully matured Scotch whiskies that honour the spirit of the Clyde, emulating and upholding the attention to detail and the pride in quality of those that came before. Discover more.

Further information on Ardgowan Distillery Company can be found at ardgowandistillery.com

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TASTING NOTES: 

Clydebuilt 27 year old Blended Malt – Speyside, Highland & Island, 41.8% ABV

• Colour: Dark auburn.
• Nose: Citrus zest, white pepper and marzipan.
• Taste: Dark cherries, toasted marshmallow, sticky raisins and ‘pear drop’ sweets.

Clydebuilt 2009 Bourbon Hogshead Single Cask – Fettercairn Distillery, 56.3% ABV

• Colour: Bright golden.
• Nose: Lemon sorbet and vanilla fudge.
• Taste: Silky toffee apples and more citrus zest.

Clydebuilt 2012 Bourbon Hogshead Single Cask – Royal Brackla Distillery, 52.9% ABV

• Colour: Bronze.
• Nose: Ripe peaches, nutmeg and subtle heather.
• Taste: Vibrant flavours of lemongrass, green apple and vanilla pods.

Clydebuilt 2014 Sherry Butt Single Cask – Ben Nevis Distillery, 60.0% ABV

• Colour: Rich amber.
• Nose: Cinnamon stewed pears and brown sugar.
• Taste: Butterscotch sauce and freshly grated nutmeg.

We were transported to a Spanish bakery to celebrate the fruity decadence of Spanish Splendour with the scent of chocolate truffles, rum-soaked raisins, butterscotch sauce and prunes stewed in port wine. Somewhere between Spain and Scotland came a blended malt with notes of chewy highland toffee, oatmeal porridge with dried fruit compote and apple crumble met by churros and a glass of oak-aged rioja. This was Scarlett Marzipan.

SPANISH SPLENDOUR

Age: 10 years

Cask: First Fill American & Spanish Oak Oloroso and Refill Bourbon Hogsheads

Spanish Splendour is the latest addition to the Society’s non-standard ‘Heresy’ series of small-batch bottlings, and even for this collection, it is a bit of an unusual expression as it is a single malt rather than a blended malt. Hailing from the Scottish Highlands, Spanish Splendour will provide you with just the right amount of fruity decadence to celebrate the arrival of autumn.

This small batch single malt displays a wonderfully fruity highland distillate through the lens of oloroso sherry casks, in both Spanish & American oak. The Tasting Panel were taken to a Spanish bakery, where they enjoyed a wealth of luxurious sweet treats. An abundantly, almost extravagantly, rich aroma filled the room with the scent of chocolate truffles, rum-soaked raisins, butterscotch sauce and prunes stewed in port wine. The taste was just as luxuriant, with flavours of a Seville orange cake prepared with raw forest honey, which is a little less sweet and has a slightly salty note. With a drop of water we cracked the crunchy, caramelised crust of an authentic crema catalana to release the characteristic citrus and cinnamon aromas. On the palate, we cut slices of a cake from Brittany, a Far Breton – a flan-style egg and milk custard with prunes which reminded one of us of a similar dessert served in the Spanish Cantabria region, quesada pasiega.

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SCARLETT MARZIPAN

Age: 10 years

Cask: First & Refill American Oak
& Spanish Oloroso
Butts

The blended malt is the rather tasty result of a combination of Speyside and Highland whiskies. Fully matured in sherry seasoned butts, a balance is struck between the use of refill and first-fill wood, and a fusion of Spanish and American oak influence.

On the neat nose we described it as a Scottish-Spanish alliance. Chewy highland toffee, oatmeal porridge with dried fruit compote and apple crumble were met by churros and a glass of oak-aged rioja. The initial taste certainly had those expected tannins but was almost immediately brimming with flavours of red fruits and toasted vanilla. Following reduction, the aroma of terracotta pots, sautéed wild mushrooms and salted almonds, plus farmhouse cider and red-wine pear frangipane tart, made this an utterly entertaining experience. The taste was like traditional Welsh cakes, a cross between a cookie, a scone and a pancake.

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The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, The Vaults, 87 Giles Street, Leith EH6 6BZ

Contact: sales@smws.com or call 0131 555 2929 (Mon-Fri 9am-4.45pm). Visit the Society at here for membership information

This is your chance to join and to take advantage of their great offers!

Spot the SMWS bottles in this amusing You Tube video

THIS WINTER’S RELEASES

It’s official: the latest releases are here! Delicious new bottlings in our Soho Selection and Vintage Reserve collections are available now, just in time for the festive season.

Brand new for your delectation:

🥃 Avon 9 Year Old Soho Selection, £39.95
🥃 Ben Nevis 15 Year Old Soho Selection, £72.95
🥃 Linkwood 11 Year Old Soho Selection, £44.95
🥃 Speyside 14 Year Old Soho Selection, £72.50
🥃 Teaninich 13 Year Old Soho Selection, £49.95
🥃 Vat #3 Blended 30 Year Old Soho Selection, £94.95
🥃 Kildalton 22 Year Old Vintage Reserve, £284.99

Each bottling is highly limited, so secure yours now!

OUR NEW BOTTLES