THE ANATOMY OF A HIGHBALL

As warmer months beckon, the highball is one of the easiest and most refreshing serves to reach for, day or night.

The highball is a simple cocktail consisting of a spirit and a mixer served in a tall, ice-filled glass. While not solely whisky-based, highballs are most commonly made with whisky, excelling at making the spirit even more approachable across a wider range of occasions and times of day.

So why do one? What makes a good one? How can you make our favourite one? We’re handing the reins over to our Whiskymaker (and award-winning bartender) Michael for all the answers…

WHY DO A HIGHBALL?

When we create a highball at Compass Box, it’s less about rules and more about flavour. Essentially we’re setting out to either lengthen the whisky, subtly soften its intensity, or complement its profile. A mixer can highlight what’s already happening in the whisky, or coax out nuances that might not be apparent when you drink it neat.

The choice of highball mixer opens up endless possibilities. Really great quality water adds texture; soda or sparkling water brings effervescence and sometimes salinity and mineral components; green tea delivers freshness and tannins; and coconut water gives you sweetness, particularly with a smoky peated whisky.

Like chef James Sharp talked about recently with food and drink pairings, both the whisky and the mixer need to bring something to the table. You might soften the whisky to create space for the flavours, or try to contrast and evolve its profile with shared compounds, aromatics or fruits. Ginger, for example, does this well as it’s a real enhancer, especially for warming, spicy notes.

THE ORCHARD HOUSE HIGHBALL 

For me, Orchard House’s inherent balance makes it ideal for a highball as it can lead you in many directions. It possesses a dominant fruit profile, with a defined structure and depth, but you still have a lovely honeyed shortbread, malty quality and hint of citrus.

A fruity mixer will naturally complement its character, while a delicate zest of lemon over soda will render it incredibly refreshing. Both approaches will brighten the whisky while still connecting you to the flavour profile.

The crucial element to keep in mind is really your ratio of whisky to mixer. For a standard-size highball glass, with ice, I’d suggest 40ml of ​Orchard House rather than a full double shot as some find it a bit too boozy at 50ml. Again, have a play.

RECIPE: CLASSIC PEAR HIGHBALL

 Easy to make – very easy to enjoy – our Classic Pear Highball has a crisp, layered brightness with just a touch of sweetness.

INGREDIENTS
40 ml Compass Box Orchard House
10 ml Pear Eau de Vie
10 ml Sugar Syrup
20 ml Lemon Juice
20ml Apple Juice
Soda Water

METHOD

Pour the first five ingredients into an ice-filled highball glass. Top with soda water, stir, and add a garnish of pear slices.

🥃 Old Perth x Rioja: Sherry Trail Tasting Night 🍴

Join us for an evening of flavour and flair at RIOJA for an exclusive Sherry Trail Tasting.

Indulge in a carefully curated tasting of three limited edition Old Perth sherry-matured whiskies, each perfectly paired with a delicious tapas dish crafted by RIOJA’s talented Head Chef. It’s a celebration of rich, bold flavours—from cask to kitchen.

Whether you’re a whisky aficionado or simply love a great food and drink experience, this is an evening not to be missed.

Thursday 26th June 2025 | 6:30pm – 11:45pm (Last entry: 6:45pm)
Location: RIOJA, Glasgow | £20 per ticket

Click here for tickets

NEW IN:
KILKERRAN HEAVILY PEATED

We’re thrilled to announce the arrival of an exciting new addition to our shelves – a heavily peated single malt from Kilkerran, distilled at the historic Glengyle distillery in Campbeltown.

Kilkerran’s whiskies are usually lightly peated, but this expression includes far more peated barley. It’s then matured in ex-bourbon barrels with a touch of sherry casks, creating a beautifully balanced whisky that’s complex and punchy. Expect bold smoky peat, hints of freshly baked bramble apple pie, and a swirl of sweet salted caramel, all wrapped up in a long, lingering finish that leaves you wanting more.

Whether you’re a peat lover or simply looking for something truly distinctive, this Kilkerran release is not to be missed.

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Old Potrero 9 Year Old “K&L Exclusive” Single Barrel Reserve Straight Malted Rye Whiskey (700ml) $89.99 View

Mark’s Whisky Ramblings 566: Balvenie 14 Year Old The Week of Peat

Mark Dermul, Belgian whisky blogger, tries a special Balvenie. Only one week per year does Balvenie (excuse me: The Balvenie) distill a whisky from smoked malt. The peat, by the way, comes from the Speyside. The idea came from Ian Millar, a former distillery manager, after he spent a week on Islay. David Stewart, the legendary master distiller who retired a few years ago, thought it was a great idea because he had tasted Balvenie from the 1940s and 1950s, which were produced with peated malt. He was eager to replicate that.

https://youtu.be/IJlYrjWthus

International Beverage confirms global roll out of PRAKAAN,
Thailand’s first single malt whisky

Historic new whisky bottles rich tapestry of Thai culture and
craftsmanship for international markets

International Beverage is today (2nd June) proud to announce the global roll out of PRAKAAN, Thailand’s first premium single malt whisky, following the success of its launch into domestic and Asian markets last year.

The new whisky is a momentous addition to International Beverage’s award-winning spirits portfolio.

It will debut with a range of three bold and highly distinctive single malts – PRAKAAN Select Cask, PRAKAAN Double Cask and PRAKAAN Peated Malt – all crafted at PRAKAAN Distillery in the north of Thailand.

The launch aims to put Thai whisky and craftsmanship on the global spirits map, whilst showcasing International Beverage’s expertise in producing premium spirits around the world.

With an initial focus on the UK, France and Germany in 2025, and the USA and other markets thereafter, the new global distribution drive will be supported by an ambitious sales and marketing plan to build awareness and long term growth.

Provenance

The new whisky is crafted at PRAKAAN Distillery in the province of Kamphaeng Phet, which sits within Thailand’s northerly Western Forest Complex – part of a vast, unspoiled UNESCO World heritage site.

The area’s rich natural resources and hot, humid climate, combined with the great traditions of local craftsmanship, provide the perfect conditions for making premium whisky with a distinctive Thai character.

This unique setting also inspires the name, with PRAKAAN translating as ‘wall’ or ‘fort’, in tribute to the remains of an ancient wall which once surrounded Kamphaeng Phet, and stood strong in Thailand’s defence
through the centuries.

The whisky

PRAKAAN’s inaugural single malts have been named ‘The Tribura Series’ – inspired by the wall’s three fortified layers and representing the Thai history, provenance and passion that is woven into every step of their creation.

Crafted with the region’s pure, high quality spring water, PRAKAAN’s sustainable, state of the art distillery features two large 30 – 50,000 cask underground warehouses, designed to carefully control maturation in the warm, humid climate. Here the spirit is matured in a mix of American Oak Ex-bourbon casks and Spanish Oak Ex-sherry casks.

The resulting three whiskies are distinctively different in taste, but share the tropical fruit notes and lush, vanilla sweetness which will come to characterize PRAKAAN and Thai whisky amongst global drinkers.

Commenting on the global launch, Veronica Amago, Global Sales Director at International Beverage said: ‘This is a historic day for our business and for Thailand as we launch the country’s first ever single malt whisky onto the world stage. PRAKAAN Distillery is the result of care, precision and skilful planning, and our whisky is defined by the skill and expertise of our formidable whisky creation team in Kamphaeng Phet. The recently awarded inaugural Tribura Series is a celebration of their achievement. We are proud and honoured to be sharing it with the world today.’

Ranging in price between £65 – £74 / €59 – €69 / $70 – $90 / ¥ 10,600 – ¥12,200, PRAKAAN single malt whisky is bottled in 70cl and will be available via specialist retailers within key global markets.

PRAKAAN Select Cask
Aged in Ex-Bourbon Oak casks
NOSE: Soft tropical fruit and zesty citrus with lush honey
sweetness, creamy vanilla, and undertones of lemon cake.
PALATE: Sweetness of caramelized pineapple slices and chewy
toffee, with the rich perfume of freshly-ground spices and hints
of candied lemon peel.
FINISH: Mature and long-lasting with ripe fruitiness.
43% ABV
RRP £65 / €59 / $69.99 / ¥10,600.00

PRAKAAN Double Cask
Aged in Ex-Bourbon and Sherry Oak casks
NOSE: Rich tropical fruit smothered in decadent layers of
melting chocolate and vanilla. Balanced with notes of raisin
and candied citrus peel.
PALATE: Rich and delicious. Pineapples in syrup and ripe
mangoes with elegant oaky vanilla and the dark sweetness of
warm toffee.
FINISH: Full-bodied and smooth with oaky and leathery tones,
with a light touch grated orange zest.
43% ABV
RRP £74 / €69 / $89.99 / ¥12,200.00

PRAKAAN Peated Malt
A unique Smoky Character Whisky
NOSE: Fresh tropical fruit with a layer of soft wood smoke,
evocative of a fire on the beach. Spices and elegantly rich
vanilla sauce.
PALATE: Sweet, textured with smoke to the fore and a gentle
rounded quality. Caramels and runny honey with citrus and
pineapple shining through.
FINISH: Warming and long, descending slowly from bright
fruitiness to sweet smoke.
43% ABV
RRP £69 / €64 / $79.99 / ¥ 11,100.00

www.prakaanmaltwhisky.com

About International Beverage

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 whisky 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

One For The Next

Watch, Comment, Win!

In our latest mini-documentary, Whisky Magazine editor-at-large Christopher Coates travels to Hazelwood House — the private Speyside home of the Gordon family — to uncover the remarkable story behind One For The Next, the latest release from House of Hazelwood and the start of an unprecedented whisky story.

Want to join the celebration?

One lucky commenter will WIN four rare whisky samples and an online tasting session with House of Hazelwood! The samples have been drawn from House of Hazelwood’s Charles Gordon Collection, which features the Gordon family’s oldest and rarest stocks. One of the industry’s leading figures, among Charles’s achievements was the founding of Girvan Distillery in 1963. Watch our film to learn more about his life and pivotal role in the industry.

The Prize

The winner will receive 25ml samples of the following whiskies before being invited to join an exclusive online tasting session with House of Hazelwood.

The Long Marriage 56-Year-Old Blended Scotch Whisky

48.7% ABV. UK RRSP £4,000 for 70cl. Only 288 bottles worldwide.

A Minute to Midnight 45-Year-Old Blended Scotch Whisky

58.6% ABV. UK RRSP £4,000 for 70cl. Only 154 bottles worldwide.

The Old Ways 1972 Vintage Single Grain Scotch Whisky

50.1% ABV. UK RRSP £3,500 for 70cl. Only 123 bottles worldwide.

The Garden at Hazelwood 47-Year-Old Blended Malt Scotch Whisky

45.8% ABV. UK RRSP £4,500 for 70cl. Only 137 bottles worldwide.

How to Enter:

Tap the link below to watch One For The Next.

Leave a comment on the video telling us what you found most interesting, what you’ve learned, and which aspect of the story you’d like us to explore further in a future film for our YouTube channel.

Don’t wait, watch, comment, and you could win a private tasting! The competition ends  30 June 2025

T&C’s Apply

WATCH NOW

INTRODUCING GLEN ELGIN 1998

We’re proud to present an exclusive release from one of Scotland’s rising independent bottlers: Gleann Mór’s Rare Find Glen Elgin. This well-aged Glen Elgin Speyside single malt was matured in a quality bourbon barrel. On the nose you’ll find lovely aromas of kumquat, lychee and lemon drizzle cake. On the palate, there’s grapefruit sherbet, fresh cut grass and the warmth of a toasty Chardonnay. Bottled exclusively for The Whisky Exchange – and available in limited quantities.

SHOP NOW

Five Years in Scotch Whisky: A Report from the Front Lines

The last five years have been somewhat turbulent for the Scotch whisky industry. From soaring exports and distillery booms to tariff shocks and sobering post-COVID corrections, whisky writer Richard Woodard takes a clear-eyed look at the data and developments that have reshaped the industry in the first half of this decade. We’ve made the article available on our blog, as well as adding it to the Business module of our Certificate in Scotch Whisky course.📖 Read the Post

The Good Dram Show – Episode 597 ‘Isle Of Raasay’

THE VIDEO REVIEW

Welcome to this week’s episode of the show in which I’ll be taking a look at Rassay’s Oak Species Maturation Series tasating pack along with a new collaboration with the Arbikie distillery. The Good Dram Show with Chris Goodrum Episode 597 – A U.S.P Doesn’t Have To Be All Marketing! Filmed in The Study Nottingham.

Featuring

Isle of Raasay Oak Species Maturation Series: Quercus Humboldtil 2021 (4 year old) 50.7%

Isle of Raasay Oak Species Maturation Series: Quercus Petraea 2021 (4 year old) 50.7%

Isle of Raasay Oak Species Maturation Series: Quercus Robur 2021 (4 year old) 50.7%

Isle of Raasay Oak Species Maturation Series: Quercus Muehlenbergii 2021 (4 year old) 50.7%

Isle of Raasay ‘Made with Arbikie Barley 2025’ 50.2% raasaydistillery.com