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Editor’s Cut: The best whiskies of 2026…so far – Whisky Magazine News

Although we’re now eight months into 2026, the middle of summer always feels like the true annual halfway point. This is the part of the year where people might look back and reflect on what their favourite book has been so far, or favourite film (let’s hear some love for Olivia Wilde’s The Invite). It’s now up to the remaining months of the year to try and top what’s been enjoyed already.

Here at Whisky Magazine, we are now halfway through our six issues of 2026, giving me the perfect moment for my own favourite-so-far reflection. Today, I’m looking back to find out which whiskies have been my top scorers in the Whisky Magazine blind tastings so far this year.

Was I surprised by the results? Well, sort of. I have been championing the increasing globality of the whisky industry, and how whiskies made around the world has never been more accessible. So, I was surprised to find that my six best scoring whiskies thus far are all Scots.

My challenge to the rest of the whisky industry is now clear — can these six Scotch delights be toppled? I can’t wait to find out!

Bradley Weir

Whisky Magazine editor

 

Longmorn 18YO Speyside Single Malt Whisky at K&L California – Scotch Whisky News

Longmorn 18 year old Speyside Single Malt Whisky (750ml) $140.00

David Othenin-Girard

I am completely in love with Longmorn, but the distillery has been sadly absent from our shelves for many years. We used to do exceptionally well with the well-priced 16-year, which was creamy, delicious, and easy to recommend. Eventually, though, the price went wild, and then the whisky was discontinued altogether. When the owners relaunched the brand, they got so much right: a limited-release 18-year-old, non-chill filtered, cask strength, small batch whisky from one of Speyside’s great underappreciated distilleries. There was only one problem: the price was absolutely insane. Nearly $300! Now, at more than half off, we are getting serious about this one. Apparently, this is the last discount they will be offering on the product, but who cares? If the price keeps going down, we will keep reloading. Let’s have a go.

The color is burnished gold (1.1). The nose is absolutely classic Longmorn: rich roasted vanilla, a huge pan of roasted fruits, persimmon, pear, and pineapple, and dense, zingy barrel spice with galangal, cinnamon, more vanilla, and clove. With water, it opens toward Seville orange peel and fresh-baked biscuits, though the core remains firmly centered on roasted fruits and earthy spice. The texture is full-bodied and almost thick, with wildflower honey, wax fruit, roasted malt, dark chocolate, and buttercream. It absolutely loves a splash of water, softening and broadening in a wonderful way without losing its depth. This is still a special luxury whisky, but at this price it feels extremely fair rather than sort of silly and over the top. If you love Longmorn or Speyside whisky in general, this is an easy choice.

Email: wine@klwines.com
Phone: (877) KL-WINES (Toll Free 877.559.4637)
K&L Wine Merchants 3005 El Camino Real Redwood City, CA 94061 USA
San Francisco, Redwood City, Hollywood CA

Edinburgh Whisky Academy ‘Certificate in Scotch Whisky’ – Scotch Whisky News

Certificate in Scotch Whisky

Our bestselling online course continues to introduce thousands of whisky lovers around the world to the history, production, flavours and culture of Scotch whisky – all in an accessible, flexible format.

“The modules were set out very well and easy to understand. I was glad I was able to do the tastings here in Australia. I enjoyed all six very much. Being able to download the information at the end was great, as I can refresh my knowledge going forward.”
Leigh, Australia

Immediate start / self-paced. Samples available in the UK, EU, USA & Australia.

Book Now

Try Before You Study

Before diving into a full course, why not explore one of our free introductions? They’re a great way to experience our learning platform, discover how our courses are structured, and start building your whisky knowledge. Choose from free introductory courses in Scotch Whisky, Irish Whiskey, or American Single Malt Whiskey and get a flavour of what Edinburgh Whisky Academy has to offer.

Knob Creek 9 Year & 9 Month Old “Cask Strength Single Barrel Select – Warehouse J Floor 3 Rick 38” K&L Exclusive Barrel ~ Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey News

Knob Creek 9 Year and 9 Month Old “Cask Strength Single Barrel Select – Warehouse J Floor 3 Rick 38” K&L Exclusive Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
(750ml)
$64.99

Email: wine@klwines.com
Phone: (877) KL-WINES (Toll Free 877.559.4637)
K&L Wine Merchants 3005 El Camino Real Redwood City, CA 94061 USA
San Francisco, Redwood City, Hollywood CA

Whisky Wednesday Review Talisker 47YO Magma Releases – Scotch Whisky News

Talisker 47YO Magma Release

THE REVIEW

New American oak charred with hot basalt rocks? Yes, you heard that right. A throwback to the Isle of Skye’s rugged past, forged and moulded by thousands of years of volcanic activity.

Here we have a nearly five decade old Talisker that spent most of its life in refil American oak hogsheads, before a four month finish in these unusually charred fresh American oak casks. Talisker has done this before with a Special Release bottle, albeit, not as old.

This was another incredible opportunity to try such an old product, but does the flavour balance out the massive price tag?

Whisky Reviews every Wednesday
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Glenfiddich charts a new course in travel retail exclusivity with The Voyage Collection – Scotch Whisky News

Glenfiddich charts a new course in travel retail exclusivity with The Voyage Collection

William Grant & Sons has introduced Glenfiddich The Voyage Collection, a new permanent travel retail-exclusive (TREX) range that showcases key milestones in the brand’s cask maturation and finishing evolution.

The collection brings together four expressions that reflect different stages in Glenfiddich’s maturation journey, from the distillery’s pioneering Solera system through to its first-ever single malt finished in Port pipes.

The Voyage line highlights Glenfiddich’s long-standing focus on wood management, cask finishing and flavour development.

For almost 50 years, cask finishing has been central to Glenfiddich’s whisky-making philosophy. The new collection was curated by Malt Master Brian Kinsman, who has selected expressions that reflect the distillery’s continuing focus on innovation.

The Voyage Collection comprises four whiskies, each showcasing a distinct approach to secondary maturation: Warehouse Eight Solera, 12 Year Old Rum Cask Finish, 5 Year Old Sherry Cask Finish and 18 Year Old Port Cask Finish.

Warehouse Eight Solera pays homage to the Solera Vat system introduced at the Glenfiddich Distillery in 1998. Solera Vat adapted a technique associated with Andalucía to single malt whisky production.

The 12 Year Old Rum Cask Finish highlights one of the distillery’s early experiments in flavour exploration. It combines Speyside character with tropical notes derived from rum cask maturation.

The 15 Year Old Sherry Cask Finish reflects the influence of sherry casks, which have formed part of Glenfiddich’s whisky-making tradition for more than a century.

Completing the range is the 18 Year Old Port Cask Finish, the first Glenfiddich expression to be finished in Port pipes. The expression marks an exciting new development in the distillery’s maturation programme.

Alongside the launch, Glenfiddich has introduced refreshed packaging that combines heritage design with a more contemporary presentation. The revamp incorporates archival references drawn from more than five generations of the Glenfiddich family, while retaining the brand’s stag emblem, which has appeared on the bottle since the 1960s.

The updated stag has been refined to reflect each whisky’s character and is framed by the distillery’s founding year of 1887. The new design language is intended to reinforce Glenfiddich’s Speyside heritage while supporting its positioning within the premium spirits category.

William Grant & Sons Regional Managing Director, Global Travel Retail Rufus Parkinson said, “Global travel retail is a unique space where brands can create desire, engage discerning travellers at a moment of discovery and leave an impression well beyond the point of purchase.

“The Voyage Collection was developed with today’s shoppers in mind: distinctive, elevated and rooted in stories that invite exploration.”

He added: “As a permanent exclusive range, it not only strengthens Glenfiddich’s presence in the channel, but also signals a bold new expression of the brand for consumers around the world.”

Glenfiddich Malt Master Brian Kinsman commented: “What makes this launch so special is the way it brings together different chapters of Glenfiddich in one curated collection. Each expression has its own personality, shaped by a distinctive maturation journey, yet all are united by the same spirit of curiosity and craft of the invisible forces that shape a whisky over years.

“For travellers, it offers a rare opportunity to experience the breadth of Glenfiddich’s cask expertise.

NEW: Old Grand-Dad 7YR Bottled-in-Bond – American Whiskey News

 Old Grand-Dad 7YR Bottled-in-Bond

2026 marks the second year of The James B. Beam Distilling Co.’s annual release of Old Grand-Dad 7-Year Bottled-In-Bond. 

Each year’s release of this high-rye recipe Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey will be produced from a single distillation season in accordance with the Bottled-In-Bond Act. This inaugural release was distilled and barreled in Fall 2018.

Historically inspired by vintage releases, this fine bourbon is cut to 100 proof to reach its optimal and distinctively classic OGD flavor and body.

 Old Grand-Dad 7YR Bottled-in-Bond | SRP: $39.99

Tasting Notes:

Color: Deep copper tones

Nose: Bold caramel and vanilla

Palate: Sweet caramel flavors with notes of charred oak & vanilla notes

Finish: Full-bodied and long with velvety caramel notes

Living Souls Ninety-Nine & One Blended Scotch Whisky at Aberdeen Whisky Shop – Scotch Whisky News

Living Souls

Ninety-Nine & One Blended Scotch Whisky

ABV: 46.3% 70 cL

This release is a phenomenal “3yo” blended Scotch and came about due to a happy accident where a hint of grain met a heavily peated island malt. Imagine yourself in a vibrant spice market, enveloped in rich sherried fruitiness and smoky aromas. The air is alive with dried orange, chili flakes and spicy black pepper. Each sip draws you deeper into this sensory journey. A touch of sea salt, tobacco, and white pepper adds a sophisticated depth, making each moment a memorable exploration of taste.

Product Spotlight – D&M Club Memberships ‘SINGLE MALT SCOTCH AFICIONADOS’ CLUB’ – Whisky News

SINGLE MALT SCOTCH AFICIONADOS’ CLUB

The Best of the Best!

1-2 carefully chosen bottles every quarter

Background information & tasting notes

Total product cost of up to $175 at a savings of up to 40% off SRP (before shipping & taxes)

Shipped directly or available for store pick-up

To learn more and sign up for any of the clubs, just click HERE

The Macallan Double Cask & Valdespino Vermouth Cocktail Bundle – Scotch Whisky News

The Macallan Double Cask 12 Year Old & Valdespino Vermouth Cocktail Bundle

70cl + 75cl · 40% ABV

The Macallan and Valdespino share a long-standing relationship, united by a commitment to excellence. Since 1979, The Macallan has sourced exceptional sherry casks from Valdespino in Jerez. In 2025, Valdespino Origen became the first vermouth crafted with sherry previously used to season The Macallan’s casks—making these two brands the perfect cocktail companions.

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