Why Do Scotch Whisky Distilleries Have Pagoda Roofs?

It began with a sketch in 1889 and ended up transforming the whisky world. In this new blog post, Master of the Quaich Gavin D. Smith uncovers the story of Charles Doig, the visionary architect behind Scotch whisky’s most recognisable feature. Discover how one man’s design reshaped distilleries across Scotland and helped define the Speyside style.📖 Read the Post

ralfy review 1080 Extras – Taking care of Auction/Vintage Bottles

The Antiquary reveals its selection of classic blended whiskies for Father’s Day 

Highland distiller Tomatin has recommended three classic expressions from The Antiquary, one of Scotland’s oldest whisky brands, as the ideal gifts for discerning dads this Father’s Day (Sunday 15 June).

Following in the footsteps of The Antiquary’s founders, J&W Hardie, who were known for being innovative for their time, The Antiquary focuses on flavours that appeal to modern drinkers while reflecting the history of the brand and its reputation for offering an unusually high malt content.

Each age-statement blend is presented in luxurious packaging, designed to appeal to dads seeking both style and substance this Father’s Day. The elegant bottles, inspired by antiques of the Victorian and Edwardian eras, accentuate The Antiquary’s vintage style with a modern edge, guaranteeing a gift which will take pride of place in any drinks cabinet.

 The Antiquary 15 Year Old

RRP £45.50 | ABV 40% | 70cl

A blend of fine whiskies married in red wine claret casks from the Bordeaux region of France, The Antiquary 15 Year Old offers mahogany, polished leather, pipe tobacco, candied orange, grilled peaches and cloves on the nose, with rhubarb, tamarind, raspberry coulis and vanilla on the palate, leading into a medium finish with warming fruit jam.

Available from www.tomatin.com, Amazon and specialist whisky retailers.

The Antiquary 21 Year Old

RRP £96.50 | ABV 40% | 70cl

Imparting its distinctive flavour from tawny port casks sourced from the Symington Family Estates in Portugal, The Antiquary 21 Year Old is a truly special age statement release to gift this Father’s Day.

This exceptional blend presents camphor, hessian, cut hay, burning heather, dark mocha, saffron and vanilla on the nose, with spiced plum, wild strawberries, dark chocolate, charred game and orange on the nose and finishing with sea salt and red fruits.

Available from www.tomatin.com, Amazon and specialist whisky retailers.

The Antiquary 30 Year Old

RRP £295 | ABV 40% | 70cl

The Antiquary 30 Year Old has been married for more than three years in sherry casks sourced from Jerez, creating hints of passionfruit, mango, grilled pineapple, maple syrup, hints of smoked bacon and aged timber on the nose. Tropical fruit, syrup and rich oak spice are present on the palate, with beeswax, heather honey and a waxy tropical fruitiness on the finish.

Available from www.tomatin.com, Amazon and specialist whisky retailers.

For more Father’s Day inspiration, visit https://tomatin.com.

Tasting notes

Antiquary 15 Year Old

Nose: Mahogany, polished leather, pipe tobacco, candied orange, grilled peaches and cloves.

Palate: Rhubarb, tamarind, raspberry coulis and vanilla.

Finish: Medium with warming fruit jam.

Antiquary 21 Year Old 

Nose: Camphor, hessian, cut hay, burning heather, dark mocha, saffron and vanilla.

Palate: Spiced plum, wild strawberries, dark chocolate, charred game and orange.

Finish: Sea salt and red fruits.

Antiquary 30 Year Old 

Nose: Passionfruit, mango, grilled pineapple, maple syrup, hints of smoked bacon and aged timber.

Palate: Tropical fruit, syrup and rich oak spice.

Finish: Beeswax, heather honey and waxy tropical fruitiness.

The Antiquary is one of Scotland’s oldest whisky brands.

In 1857 John & William Hardie established themselves as wine merchants in a small office and warehouse in Edinburgh. Being small and independent, they were free to experiment. The Victorian boom in Scotch got them curious about blended whisky and so began their quest to create a blend a cut above the rest using their skills as wine merchants to identify the very best whiskies to include in their blended Scotch whisky.

In 1888, using fine and rare malts, they created a blend considered superior to all others. Inspired by a Sir Walter Scott gothic novel – a book redolent with family secrets, stories of hidden treasure and hopeless love – they named it The Antiquary.

Changing ownership throughout the years The Antiquary was eventually purchased by Tomatin in 1996.

Tomatin is located in the Scottish Highlands, 16 miles south of Inverness, and is owned by Japanese company Takara Shuzo International.

It has a proud heritage stretching back to the 15th century when whisky production was likely to be taking place illicitly in the area. Today, it produces some of the finest single malts and blends including Tomatin, The Talisman, Big T, and Cù Bòcan.

In 2022, Tomatin was awarded ‘Scotch Whisky Producer of the Year’ and ‘Outstanding Spirits Producer of the Year’ at the International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC). Later that year, it was recognised as ‘Sustainable Distillery of the Year’ at Whisky Magazine’s Icons of Whisky 2023, in recognition of its continued contribution to sustainably at the distillery.

Whisky Myths: Peat is Added to Whisky

There are no chunks of peat thrown into the pot when making whisky! In fact, peat itself is not even one of the three raw materials permitted by the Scotch Whisky Regulations. Peat smoke is the permitted additive…. During the malting process, peat can be burnt at the kilning stage to flavour the barley. Flavour compounds (called phenols) from the smoking peat stick to the malted barley, imparting that familiar smoky flavour throughout the production process and into the final product.📖 Read More Myths

ralfy review 1080 -Bailie Nicol Jarvie Blended Scotch @ 40%vol: (Auction Vintage)

KENTUCKY DISTILLERS’ ASSOCIATION WELCOMES LEFT BANK BOURBON AS NEWEST MEMBER

BRAND RECREATES HISTORIC DOWNRIVER JOURNEY OF BOURBON

FRANKFORT, Ky. — The Kentucky Distillers’ Association today announced Left Bank Bourbon in Jefferson County as the newest member of the non-profit trade group that unites and leads Kentucky’s signature Bourbon and distilled spirits industry.

Left Bank Bourbon was founded in 2018 and has created a unique Bourbon expression by marrying hand-picked Bourbons with custom-blended oak staves. Beginning its journey in Kentucky, each barrel ages as it floats down the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers to New Orleans for bottling.

The brand’s label also features “alligator horses,” a reference to the tough, versatile, and resilient Kentuckians hailed as “half horse, half alligator” as they helped Andrew Jackson defeat the British in the Battle of New Orleans in 1815, a key event in the War of 1812.

“Joining the KDA is a proud moment for our team as it allows us to celebrate the industry’s rich heritage amongst a community of historical Bourbonmakers,” said Left Bank Bourbon President and Co-Founder, Ken Hagan.

“We have dedicated ourselves to craft spirits with our guiding passion rooted in the journey of early American Bourbonmakers. We’ve created a unique Bourbon expression that recreates the origin story of Bourbon in a bottle.”

KDA President Eric Gregory said, “Our industry continues to see new ideas and practices being used to help differentiate brands, all while creating memorable Bourbon experiences for our visitors.

“As we proudly welcome Left Bank Bourbon to our KDA family, we celebrate how Kentucky Bourbon is brought to those around the world — even through our rivers — and we are reminded of our rich Bourbon legacy that we work to strengthen within our communities.”

Learn more about Left Bank Bourbon at leftbankbourbon.com or visit them in person in their tasting room at the Logan Street Market near downtown Louisville.

Located at 1001 Logan Street, Left Bank joins the growing Bourbon tourism and economic impact in the Louisville Metro region. Jefferson and surrounding counties now have 27 distilleries that are responsible for more than 7,000 jobs and more than $664 million in payroll.

Bourbon brings an economic impact of $3.3 billion and nearly $77 million in local and state tax revenue to the Louisville region each year. In addition, Kentucky Bourbon Trail® distilleries reported nearly 900,000 visitors to the area last year, adding more revenue to local coffers.

Left Bank Bourbon joins KDA as a “Craft” level member, aging between 1 and 1,000 barrels annually. Visit the KDA and its Kentucky Bourbon Trail® adventure at www.kybourbon.com and www.kybourbontrail.com.

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

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.

L-R: Nathan Reed – Co-founder, MD & Head Distiller, Jo Nicholson – Co-founder, Chairman & Farmer, Tom Martin – Co-founder, Holly Reed – Co-founder & COO

Buckinghamshire Farm Distillery sows seeds of success for regenerative spirit production

Aedda’s Farm Distillery, in Adstock, Buckinghamshire, is embarking on an ambitious plan to become a leader in the English spirits market, with an expanded range of products and distillery visitor centre set to launch in the coming months.

Nurtured from field to glass, Aedda’s Farm Distillery will use fruit from its own orchard to produce brandy, eau de vie and liqueurs, as well as its own fields to grow a variety of grains for its distinct spirits.

Aspiring to become a core part of the English whisky scene, the farm distillery will eventually produce a light and fruit-forward single malt, as well as other grain spirits which represent the best of English ingredients.

Later in 2025, visitors to the distillery will be able to experience farming life, production, and the best of what the English countryside has to offer with guided tours, before enjoying a glass of the core product range.

The distillery project represents an over £1.5m investment into the rural Buckinghamshire economy. Alongside a team of four founders, it is hoped at least five more jobs will be created in the next three years as part of this commitment, from visitor experience specialists to distillers, and eventually, apprenticeships.

Nathan Reed, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Aedda’s Farm Distillery, commented: “This year marks a series of really exciting milestones for our business. Customers have responded so well to the small range of products we’ve already been able to create and sell, and this has spurred us on to have a range of products ready to go in the coming months.

“The distillery visitor experience will truly bring the brand to life and give our customers a taste of the experimental approach we are taking on the farm. Over time, we will be trialling different grains and finishes to produce a unique range of spirits, something that we are lucky enough to be able to do with our own fields and the expertise of our team.”

In further commitment to sustainability and the surrounding landscape, the farm is proud to champion regenerative practices including polycropping to improve soil health and reduce the need for fertilisers and waste reduction methods whereby by-products from the distillation process will be reused for animal feed or recycled in a way that fits the natural landscape.

Nathan added: “The social, economic and environmental impact of the distillery is of huge importance to us. We know the value of steady employment opportunities in rural areas and will be very proud to expand the team in the near future.

“We look forward to taking both customers and the wider community along on our journey.”

An exclusive Aedda’s Farm Distillery Founders Club will be launching later in 2025, offering early supporters a first look at the distillery as it takes shape, the chance to experience the farm and the craft behind every drop, and privileged access to the evolving range of its small-batch spirits.

For more information, please visit https://aeddasfarmdistillery.com and, for newsletter updates, subscribe here.

About Aedda’s Farm Distillery:

Aedda’s Farm Distillery crafts premium spirits with a true field-to-glass ethos. Nestled in the heart of rural Buckinghamshire, the distillery draws on the land around it—using fruit from its own orchards to create liqueurs, brandy, and eau de vie, and growing select grains for its distinctive range of spirits.

More than just a distillery, Aedda’s Farm Distillery aims to become a leading name in English whisky, while breathing new life into the farm it calls home. The vision extends beyond production—inviting both UK and international visitors to explore and reconnect with England’s countryside.

Aedda’s Farm Distillery is currently developing an immersive visitor experience, set to launch in late 2025. Guests will learn about the journey of spirits from grain to glass, and how regenerative farming methods are being used to protect and enrich the land for future generations.

Visitors will get a true taste of rural life—exploring the farm, witnessing the production process, engaging in outdoor activities, and taking a guided tour, finishing with a tasting of Aedda’s Farm Distillery’s signature spirits.

This project represents an investment of over £1.5 million into the local Buckinghamshire economy. With a founding team of four, the distillery plans to create at least five additional jobs by 2028, ranging from distillers and visitor experience specialists to future apprenticeship opportunities.

Laphroaig 25 Year Old

Introducing our 2023 Laphroaig 25 Year Old Cask Strength ~ A rare single malt whisky made from our own floor-malted barley and bottled at its natural cask strength of 47.3% ABV. Matured for 25 years in ex-bourbon casks, this expression delivers a beautifully balanced dram, unfiltered to preserve every nuance of flavour.

£478.00
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Expect aromas of sweet pear drops, baked pastry, and smoked ham, leading into a rich palate of tropical fruits, gentle spice, and charred orange peel. The finish is long, soft, and smoky – unmistakably Laphroaig, yet evolved with age. A refined and powerful whisky, crafted for those who appreciate depth, heritage, and character in every sip.

Free Next Day Delivery for 12 Months For just £14.95 you can enjoy free next day delivery on all your orders for a whole year! Geographic restrictions apply, see full T&Cs. Find out more ❯