​MAJOR MILESTONE AS CASK TRADE OPENS FIRST WAREHOUSE

Cask Trade is opening its own warehouse this month in a milestone move that will elevate its clients’ cask ownership experience. The bonded warehouse with a bespoke tasting room will allow customers to enjoy whisky masterclasses hosted by industry experts, taste whisky straight from their cask, and even watch their own single cask be bottled.

All of this will be in the biggest malt whisky region in Scotland, Speyside. The unit, located in Forres, has the capacity for up to 25,000 casks.

Founder and CEO of Cask Trade, Simon Aron, says the move is an exciting step forward for the company.

“Opening our own warehouse is a natural progression for the business and will enhance the effective management system of our client’s whisky, something we have been working hard to make even better over 2024. This will allow us to provide Delivery Orders (DOs) with greater ease for customers who wish to have one. The amazing location also means we can offer a total single-cask whisky experience for our customers.”

Just 30 minutes from Inverness airport, the warehouse is surrounded by more than 50 world-renowned single malt distilleries and a range of hotels, making Forres the perfect place for customers to visit their cask and explore “Malt Whisky Country”. Visitors will have access to breathtaking landscapes, from stunning beaches on the Moray Firth to mountainous forests in the Cairngorm National Park.

This is another highlight in a successful twelve months for the company, having featured in; The Financial Times Fastest Growing Businesses in Europe for 2024, won The Drinks Trust Caused Based Marketing Campaign for 2024, and been included in Start Ups 100 for the year.

Cask Trade have sold casks from over 170 distilleries across Scotch whisky, rum, Cognac, and Armagnac, making them a leading global company in the sector. They are committed to transparent cask ownership where selling is as important as buying. On top of industry expert account managers, their annual Beyond The Cask magazine helps customers through the whole process of cask ownership.

To take a look inside Cask Trade’s warehouse, you can view a YouTube video here.

To visit the website click here.

ABOUT CASK TRADE:

Cask Trade was set up by Simon Aron in 2018, born from his personal experiences of buying casks as a passionate whisky collector for more than 20 years.

Having found cask ownership difficult to navigate with few reputable companies operating, he envisioned creating a marketplace that made buying and selling casks transparent, open, and honest.

Cask Trade has grown from strength to strength, building its success off several core values:
•    Stockists, not brokers – Cask Trade own all its stock, giving buyers a 100% transactional guarantee and the peace of mind that all casks have been through stringent quality checks.
•    Market leading stocklist – since 2018, Cask Trade has represented over 170 distilleries across the world of whisky, rum, Cognac and Armagnac.
•    End-to-end support – Cask Trade nurtures client relationships beyond the point of sale and offers full cask management, sampling, re-gauges, and multiple exit options when customers come to sell on their cask.
•    Trust and transparency – The company’s casks are held in the best HMRC bonded warehouses, regularly visited and approved by Cask Trade whisky masters. All stock holdings have a complete paper trail.
•    Expert team – above all, the Cask Trade team are passionate about cask ownership and strives to help clients achieve their goals, whether they are looking to buy, sell or bottle their casks.
Alongside cask sale and ownership, Cask Trade has two unique services which help clients sell and bottle their liquid when the time is right:

Auction Your Cask
Auction Your Cask is the world’s first dedicated online cask auction site. With four auctions a year, clients as well as the public can either submit a cask to sell or bid on other casks with 0% seller fees and an agreed reserve.

Regent Street Cask Bottlers
For clients looking to bottle their cask, Cask Trade offers a unique bottling service – Regent Street Cask Bottlers. The expert team take the hard work out of bottling, helping customers bottle for trade purposes, to celebrate a special occasion, or even buy pre-bottled casks.

Recognition
Acknowledgement for the achievements of Cask Trade has been recognised by the FT1000 when the business was ranked as one of the fastest-growing companies in Europe; listed in The Sunday Times Hundred fastest-growing private companies in Britain and named among the UK’s most innovative new businesses’ by StartUps 100 Index.

Our April Outturn is live, and as always, an intriguing selection of whiskies is now available to keep you on your whisky adventure!

WALTZING WITH A MOSCOW MULE

CASK NO. 39.265

CASK:  1st fill ex-bourbon barrel

AGE:  10 years

THE STORM BEFORE THE CALM

CASK NO. 55.82

CASK:  1st fill oloroso hogshead

AGE:  15 years

HEATHERY AND LEATHERY

CASK NO. 78.83

CASK:  1st fill HTMC hogshead

AGE:  11 years

RAISIN TOFFEE JAM

CASK NO. 2.138

CASK:  1st fill oloroso butt

AGE:  16 years

SEASHELLS IN A BOX OF BURNT PENCILS

CASK NO. 4.344

CASK:  1st fill ex-bourbon barrel

AGE:  12 years

COAL SHARDS ON CLOTTED CREAM

CASK NO. 53.457

CASK:  1st fill oloroso hogshead

AGE:  9 years

BROWSE APRIL OUTTURN HERE

VIEW ALL BOTTLINGS

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society Canada
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Welcome to

The Murray McDavid Whisky Shop! 

Whisky lovers, we have exciting news!

Today, we open the doors to our first-ever permanent whisky shop, right in the heart of Forres — the Murray McDavid Whisky Shop at The Old Bank. Housed in the stunning former Bank of Scotland building (est. 1852), this isn’t just a shop, it’s set to be a new whisky hub for locals and tourists alike!

We can’t wait to welcome you in for a dram!

READ MORE

Sláinte,

The Murray McDavid Team

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Want to be part of an exclusive whisky community?

Join our Murray McDavid Whisky Club for  a look behind the scenes and opportunities to join in with unique tasting sessions.

EVENTS

From international festivals to local tastings.

Check out our events calendar

The Scotch whisky distilleries using worm tub condensers

While shell and tube condensers are more modern, easier to repair and thought to provide better copper contact, some distilleries still use traditional worm tubs and maintain that this type of condenser affects the characteristics of their spirit (texturally complex, meaty and sulphury are the typical notes given). This blog post lists the Scotch whisky distilleries that use worm tub condensers.

💻 Read the Post

https://youtu.be/_73qKy0uMO4

Jack Daniel’s with an age statement… not something as new as you would’ve imagined.

This style is not a replica as such, but a reimagination of stocks that would have been released over a century ago, under the guidance of the original master distiller, Jack Daniel’s. Now, under the helm of Chris Fletcher, we have a selection of barrels that have been carefully monitored and moved throughout a few different warehouses across Jack Daniel’s estate.

This is the same mash-bill as the much loved Old NO. 7 – with 80% corn, 12% rye, and 8% malted barley. Bottled at a rather tasty 48.5% ABV for those of us wanting as big and manageable flavour that can still deliver without the need to be cask strength.

This was brilliant! The first time I tried, it was rushed, and I just didn’t think much of it. With time in a glass and under calmer conditions, this is an absolute delight of a bottle. It is rich, heavy, layered, oak driven just enough to be flavourful, and backed up by a wonderfully adventurous contrast between the nose, palate, and finish.

If you’re into older, more premium American whiskies, then I wouldn’t overlook this in any way. It is one of the bottles of the year for me.

Whisky Reviews every Wednesday

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Douglas Laing & Co. Unveils Strathearn Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Batch 02

Following the exceptional reception of its inaugural release, independent Scotch Whisky specialist Douglas Laing & Co. proudly presents the second batch of Strathearn Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky. This eagerly anticipated release continues to showcase the meticulous craftsmanship and distinctive character of Scotland’s smallest traditional distillery.

Batch 02 remains true to the signature cask composition that defined the inaugural release—expertly marrying ex-Bourbon, Virgin Oak, and ex-Sherry Oak casks. However, with a deliberate reduction in Virgin Oak influence, Batch 02 delivers heightened creaminess, freshness, and overall balance, offering an evolution of Strathearn’s uniquely rich spirit. Comprising a vatting of 31 carefully selected casks, this release includes both inherited stock and casks distilled under Douglas Laing’s ownership, highlighting the ever-developing expertise of the Strathearn team.

Each production shift at Strathearn Distillery yields just one single cask, a testament to the small-batch craftsmanship that defines this super premium Highland Single Malt. The dedicated team of three distillers at Strathearn meticulously handcrafts each barrel, ensuring that quality remains paramount. Maris Otter barley continues to be the grain of choice, lending its signature ultra-rich, creamy character with buttery biscuit notes, honey, and a gentle sweetness.

Bottled at 50% ABV, without chill-filtration or added colouring, Strathearn Batch 02 embodies Douglas Laing’s commitment to authenticity and purity. This second release stands as a testament to the ongoing journey of discovery at Strathearn, refining and enhancing the spirit’s distinctive character while staying true to its artisanal roots. 

Cara Laing, Managing Director of Douglas Laing & Co., comments: 

“The launch of our inaugural Strathearn release was a momentous occasion, and the response exceeded all expectations. With Batch 02, we continue to honour the distillery’s heritage while refining our understanding of its unique spirit. Every bottle of Strathearn embodies the passion, skill, and dedication of our small but mighty team—and we’re incredibly proud to share this latest chapter with whisky lovers worldwide.”

THE GLENALLACHIE CROWNED WORLD’S BEST

SINGLE MALT TWICE IN QUICK SUCCESSION

 Prestigious World Whiskies Awards handed out its top

accolade to the brand’s 12-year-old single malt

Leading independent Scotch whisky brand The GlenAllachie has been named the World’s Best Single Malt at the World Whiskies Awards for the second time, with its 12-year-old expression claiming the title.

Owned by industry veteran and qualified chemist Billy Walker, whose career in whisky spans 53 years, the Speyside-based distillery previously won the same title in 2021 with its 10-year-old Cask Strength Batch 4 single malt.

The GlenAllachie is the only Scottish whisky brand to win the hotly contested commendation since 2017, with recent winners coming from England, Israel and Japan.

The distillery, built in 1967, produced whisky destined for premium blends until Walker acquired it in 2017.

Since its core range of single malts was launched in 2018, the brand has experienced exponential growth thanks to Walker’s unparalleled reputation and is now distributed to over 50 countries globally.

The GlenAllachie has become renowned for its “heather honey house style” and Sherry-forward maturation regime.

The award-winning 12-year-old (UK RRSP £58) was matured on-site in Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso Sherry, red wine and virgin oak casks.

According to the judges, the result is a flavour profile of “dried apple, gourmet chutney, orange zest, nutmeg and cinnamon.”

Commenting on the exceptional achievement, Walker shares:

“The whole GlenAllachie team are absolutely thrilled at this extraordinary endorsement of the 12-year-old: our flagship expression. When we took the reins at the distillery almost 8 years ago, it was beyond our wildest dreams that a previously low-profile whisky would be crowned the world’s best single malt twice – especially within such a short timeframe.

“At The GlenAllachie, we’re all about offering quality whiskies at approachable prices, and so the fact it’s our signature bottling within our core range that has scooped this top accolade highlights this. This wonderful news will only further motivate our expert team to continue our pursuit of absolute perfection, not absolute consistency. Our whisky is in the best possible hands.”

The GlenAllachie 12-year-old is available worldwide via specialist retailers (more information) and online here.

ABOUT GLENALLACHIE:

At The GlenAllachie, each decision in creating our award-winning Speyside single malt merges logic with instinct. In the experienced hands of legendary whisky maker Billy Walker, a culture of precision, patience and perseverance has been instilled in his small yet accomplished team of whisky experts.

Being independent offers us the freedom to prioritise what matters most: quality. The pursuit is not of consistency, but perfection. Never resting on our laurels, we work tirelessly to refine and enhance each batch of whisky, striving to better the last.

The result of seamlessly coordinated collaboration is a range of carefully crafted and cask-perfected whiskies, each personally approved by Billy. With a quietly confident team of passionate whisky enthusiasts behind The GlenAllachie, you can be sure we have our whisky in good hands.

Our other brands are Meikle Tòir Peated Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky, MacNair’s Boutique House of Spirits—which encompasses Lum Reek Blended Malt Scotch Whisky and Exploration Rum—and White Heather Blended Scotch Whisky.

Further information on the distillery and company can be found at www.theglenallachie.com

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 TASTING NOTES: 

The GlenAllachie 12-year-old – 46% ABV

• Colour: Deep Amber.
• Nose: Hints of dark chocolate, treacle and heather honey, with cinnamon, espresso and sticky raisins in the background.
• Taste: Marzipan and orchard fruit tones, followed by warming mocha, butterscotch and grated nutmeg.

Buffalo Trace Distillery April 2025 Flood Update – Tuesday, April 15

FRANKFORT, KY (April 15, 2025) – Nearly one week after flood waters reached their peak at Buffalo Trace Distillery, signs of normalcy have returned to the Distillery. Supported by cleanup and restoration efforts by hundreds of professionals, removal of flood water debris and damage is more than 75% complete. Power has been restored to key areas of the Distillery, which has allowed craft bottling inside Blanton’s Bottling Hall and the main bottling hall operations to resume. The interiors of buildings have been emptied of water and restoration efforts have begun.

“Thanks to the tireless efforts of our contractors and dedicated teams, we’ve made tremendous progress in the Distillery’s flood recovery plan. While there’s still work to be done, the resilience and determination demonstrated this past week is truly inspiring,” said Jake Wenz, Sazerac & Buffalo Trace Distillery CEO and President. “Each day significant progress is made allowing the Distillery to return to normal operations and I am optimistic that, with this same spirit, we’ll be operating normally soon.  We want to thank all of the contractors, our leaders, and our team members for their hard work”

Starting Monday, April 14, Buffalo Trace Distillery reopened to visitors with a limited retail experience. This modified visitor offering includes a small pop-up shopping experience inside the Freehouse building with opportunities to purchase select bottles and complimentary tastings in an outdoor canopy neighboring the building. This modified experience is available to those with previously held tour reservations. Those who are eligible to attend this modified experience will receive an email with instructions on how to book. If capacity allows, additional online reservations will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis. At this time, there will be no tours or walk-ups offered.  We know our fans are eager to visit so we’re making every effort to return to normal tour and gift shop operations. Because we have limited capacity, unlike normal operations, reservations are required to attend the modified experience.

In the coming weeks Buffalo Trace looks forward to sharing details on forthcoming relief initiatives to further support the community. Should you want to support relief efforts in the immediate, the Franklin County Flood Relief Fund has been set up by the city to collect donations and offer aid to those who need it most. Find more information via the following link: https://bgcf.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=1985

For the latest information, or to check for additional reservations, please visit Buffalo Trace Distillery via Instagram @buffalotracedistillery or buffalotracedistillery.com.

APRIL 2025 AUCTION HALFWAY THROUGH!

We thought it would be a great time to take a closer look at a few little belters like this; Distilled by the now closed Speyside distillery Dallas Dhu in 1975 then bottled in 2007 by Elgin independent bottling supremos Gordon & MacPhail.

Following the success of the Rare Malts bottlings by Diageo, annual releases of stock from their closed distilleries were then made available in 2002. These rare releases proved to be incredibly popular given the age and rarity of the whisky from these closed distilleries, none more so than from the Iconic Highland distillery Brora. This particular expression was released in 2017, the last of these incredible bottlings to be released. This is bottle number 290 of only 3,000 bottles.

Or how about this pair of Highland Park expressions, both beautifully presented in solid Oak housing, in contrast to the striking but unusual coloured bottles, showcasing the two natural elements they’re named after, ‘Fire’ and ‘Ice’.

Distilled in 1974 and then aged for 28 years before being bottled at natural Cask strength in 2002, this rare bottling of Glen Moray was signed by distillery manager Ed Dodson. Bottle number 292 of only 676 bottles produced!

These are only a few of the old, limited and collectable bottles featured in our April 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 20^th April from 8pm BST.

THE SEASONS: SPRING & COMPLIMENTARY TASTING

We’re delighted to present the fourth and final entry into our exclusive collection. The Seasons: Spring is made up of three single cask whiskies, selected to evoke nature waking up after a long winter. These are elegant, expressive whiskies that are perfect for sharing on the first warm and sunny days of the year.

DISCOVER

The Seasons: Spring is available to taste in-store at any of our London shops.

SHOPS