🥃 From Collector to Collector – The Whisky Vault Taiwan Opens Its Private Collection

The founder of The Whisky Vault Taiwan www.whiskyvault.com.tw is opening the doors to his personal collection — but not in the usual way. This is an exclusive opportunity for collectors in Taiwan, or travelers visiting Taiwan from the US, Japan, South Korea, or anywhere else.

Over the past 20 years, he has curated rare and exceptional bottles from all over the world, building a collection that could rival any top-tier whisky store. Now, select bottles are available to fellow collectors — directly, personally, and without the middleman.

Browse, inquire, and connect through www.thewhiskycollector.com , or set up a private meeting the next time you’re in Taiwan. Discuss bottles, negotiate prices, and share your passion with someone who truly understands the art of collecting.

This is your chance to discover extraordinary whiskies at unprecedented prices — a personal, collector-to-collector experience like no other.

@whisky_collector_taiwan

www.thewhiskycollector.com

info@whiskyvault.tw

Producer Of The Year:
The Heart Cut

Winning the Best Independent Bottler award at the World Whiskies Awards in both of their first two years of operation is no small feat. But that’s exactly what husband-wife team Fabrizio Leoni and Georgie Bell have achieved with The Heart Cut.

A new-school bottler curating outstanding single cask whiskies from exciting distilleries around the globe, they take the hard work out of exploring the wide world of whisky – and discovering your next favourite dram. It’s exactly why we’ve named them our first-ever Producer of the Year.

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We love peat. And we love the flavours it creates.

The peat on our Islay home is an essential ingredient in every drop of Laphroaig, allowing us to create the unforgettable taste loved around the world.

Our love for peat also means we need to look to the future and ensure we responsibly extract and restore peatland. And so, we’re on a mission to restore and replenish Islay’s peatlands. Putting back what we take out.

The award-winning Peatland Water Sanctuary™ project on Islay has seen significant restoration already at Glenmachrie-Grianan and The Oa, a stunning coastal area owned by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. Laphroaig has played a leading role in the restoration – typical of our bold character.

Check out the video below for a unique bog-based tasting…

Watch the video

Four Casks. One Remarkable Dram for the Journey.

At Tamdhu, every drop we bottle begins its life in exceptional Oloroso sherry oak. It’s a commitment we don’t waver from, because great whisky deserves nothing less. Our newest Travel Retail exclusive – Tamdhu Cuatro Reserva 12 Years Old – is a celebration of that dedication, brought to life through the remarkable influence of four distinctive cask styles.

This is a single malt shaped by time, tradition and the quiet craft of those who know their casks intimately.

Crafted From Four Distinctive Sherry Casks

To create Cuatro Reserva 12, our Distillery Manager, Sandy McIntyre, hand‑selected a quartet of Oloroso sherry casks from our traditional dunnage warehouses in Speyside. Each one brings its own character:

• European Oak (First‑Fill) – deep spice and intense sherry richness.
• American Oak (First‑Fill) – fresh fruit and sweet vanilla.
• European Oak (Refill) – elegant warmth and balance.
• American Oak (Refill) – subtle sweetness and refined depth.

Individually, these casks shine. Together, they create a single malt of quiet complexity – layered, harmonious and unmistakably Tamdhu.

A Spectrum of Flavour

Cuatro Reserva 12 offers drinkers a guided journey through the essence of sherry‑matured Speyside whisky:

Nose: Rich oak spice leads, followed by dark chocolate brightened with orange zest.
Palate: Deep sherry notes intertwine with mouth‑coating vanilla and vibrant summer berries.
Finish: Long, fruity and rewarding — figs and honeyed oak slowly unfolding into a soft cinnamon warmth.

This is a whisky built for those who appreciate depth, balance and the slow reveal of sherry‑soaked character.

A Travel Exclusive Worth the Detour

Tamdhu Cuatro Reserva 12 Years Old is exclusive to Global Travel Retail — ready to discover in World Duty Free stores across the UK. Whether your journey begins in Edinburgh, Heathrow or beyond, you’ll find it waiting as the Malt of the Month.

At £55 for 70cl, it’s a thoughtful purchase for the sherry‑oak enthusiast, the curious traveller or the whisky fan who loves discovering something a little different on their way through the terminal.

After all, some bottles simply deserve to be taken on the journey.

Murray McDavid

Caperdonich 50 Years Old ULTRA

ABV: 47.1% 70 cL

Old Forester K&L Exclusive Single Barrel “Warehouse L, Floor 1, L-01-020-03” Straight Kentucky Bourbon Whisky (750ml)

$49.99

Don’t get me wrong here, I love barrel proof offerings. It seems like that’s all we’ve gotten lately from the single barrel program, and while they’re great for adding your own dilution, sometimes it’s just nice to have a bottle that’s already perfectly dialed in. There is something to be said for a whiskey you can sip neat or throw into a cocktail and not be afraid to have a couple more. Nailing a barrel right at 100 proof is a skill not every distillery has, but Old Forester knows how to do it right. They were the very first to bottle their own whiskey to protect its integrity, and we got ourselves a fresh one from them. It’s coming in a little shy of 5 years old, essentially making it our own “bonded” bourbon ready to go out the gate. It has that classic Old Forester spice and caramel with chocolatey undertones, almost like a cinnamon graham s’mores in a bottle. Between the clove, anise, root beer, and wet oak, you get mocha latte with a touch of pink peppercorn and red bean mochi. This whiskey begs to be enjoyed next to your favorite pilsner or mixed into an Old Fashioned or Paper Plane. Josh Gelfand

Old Forester has been knocking it out of the park recently. The Whiskey Row series has seen tremendous demand with each release, the Birthday Bourbon is one of the hottest whiskies every year, and the single cask program remains one of the most straight forward, delicious, and accessible programs in Kentucky. This new release was filled into the barrel on February 4th 2021, dumped on December 18, 2025 and bottled the following day. Diluted down to 100 proof, this is a exemplery expression of classic Old Forester, ready for a neat or rocks pour, and perfectly proofed for your favorite bourbon cocktail.

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

Barley During Whisky Production

Another one from the archive of short video explainers here. Vic helps you make sense of how barley – a cereal packed with starch – is used by distillers in the different stages of the Scotch whisky production process.

🎬 Watch the Video | 📖 Read the Post

ralfy review 1124 – Old Perth 2009 Vin: 15yo @53.4%vol:

Hidden in plain sight

Rare Find unveils ‘teaspooned’ single cask collection following strong Spring release demand

Rare Find, the independent bottler recognised for its meticulous cask selection and guided maturation, announces the launch of its latest collection of single cask whiskies, exploring the nuanced and undisclosed world of ‘teaspooned’ malts.

Following strong reception for its Spring 2026 releases, Rare Find has accelerated this latest collection in response to continued demand from retailers and consumers alike – bringing forward a new trio of bottlings that further exemplify the brand’s commitment to rarity, character, and discovery.

Teaspooned malts occupy a quietly compelling space within whisky. Originally conceived to protect distillery identity, these whiskies contain a small addition of a secondary malt, preserving both provenance and discretion. For independent bottlers, they offer a unique opportunity to present spirits of unmistakable heritage, whilst maintaining the label confidentiality that surrounds their origins.

This latest Rare Find collection brings together three distinctive single cask expressions, each showcasing the diversity and intrigue of teaspooned whisky across three regions: Speyside, the Highlands, and Campbeltown. As with all Rare Find releases, each whisky is bottled without compromise – at natural cask strength, natural colour, and without chill filtration.

Speyside 22 Year Old
Finished for 14 months in a 1st fill oloroso hogshead

This ‘teaspooned’ malt whisky has been sourced from a legendary Speyside distillery founded in 1892. It has been finished for 14 months in a medium-charred, American oak 1st fill oloroso sherry cask produced in partnership with Bodegas Barbadillo.

Westport 18 Year Old
Finished for 14 months in a 1st fill oloroso hogshead

An elegant ‘teaspooned’ malt from a Highland distillery famed for its extremely tall stills. This release has been finished for 14 months in a 1st fill oloroso cask from Bodegas Barbadillo, crafted from Spanish oak, seasoned for 24 months and toasted, adding refined depth and complexity.

Campbeltown 10 Year Old
Fully matured in a refill hogshead

A distinguished and characterful blended malt sourced primarily from a distillery located just north of Campbeltown’s Kinloch Park. This release has been matured in a refill hogshead, allowing the region’s distinctive coastal spirit to shine with subtle oak influence and layered complexity.

Speaking on the new collection, John Moffat, Head of Commercial for Rare Find, commented: “The response to our Spring releases has been exceptionally strong, enabling us to bring forward this next collection ahead of schedule. These teaspooned malts represent some of the whisky industry’s best kept secrets—where discretion and character exist in perfect harmony. As ever, our focus remains on selecting and presenting exceptional casks at their peak, allowing each whisky to speak for itself.”

The latest Rare Find releases will be available through select specialist retailers (www.rarefindwhisky.co.uk/stockists) from 16th of April.

Rare Find Teaspooned Malts Collection

About Rare Find

Each Rare Find release is an unrepeatable, limited-edition whisky sourced from sought-after distilleries. With every bottle, we celebrate liquid excellence – meticulously selecting, maturing, and finishing in the highest quality casks to deliver whisky that’s rare by design.

From the millions of casks maturing in Scotland, only a small percentage are destined for single malt bottlings, and from those, only the best become a Rare Find.

The IWSC Returns to Kentucky for the 3^rd  Annual Spirited Judging

June 1-6, 2026

The “Olympics of the Drinks Industry” Accepting Entries until April 24

LONDON  Spirits industry professionals from around the world will once again gather in Bardstown, Kentucky — the “Bourbon Capital of the World” — for the 3rd IWSC (International Wine & Spirits Competition) in early June.  This year, in addition to judging North American Whiskey and Ready-to-Drink (RTD) spirits, the categories are expanding to accept gin, vodka, rum, and liqueurs from across the United States.

Founded in 1969, the London-based IWSC evaluates more than 12,000 entries annually from over 90 countries. The North American Spirits Judging marks the competition’s exclusive North American event, reinforcing Kentucky’s role as a global hub for whiskey and other spirits excellence.

The judges — representing the worldwide standard of beverage expertise — provide North American whiskey and other spirit producers a unique opportunity for international recognition from the competition, widely regarded and recognized as one of the most prestigious in the world. The 2026 Judging Panel of experts brings perspectives from distilling, retail buying, hospitality, media, and global distribution, ensuring a comprehensive and balanced evaluation process.

Led by Dawn Davies, Master of Wine, Commercial Buying Director, Speciality Drinks and The Whisky Exchange, the panel of judges will evaluate the entries using the same rigorous judging process as in the UK, which includes double-blind tasting, a limited number of entries judged per day to avoid palate fatigue, and panel discussions between the judges.

In addition to Davies, the other judges for the North American competition are:

• Richard Paterson OBE, Master Blender, Whyte & Mackay
• Tiffanie Barriere, The Drinking Coach
• Jack Beguedou, Spirits Industry Consultant
• Georgie Bell, Ambassador, Scotch Malt Whisky Society and co-founder of The Heart Cut
• Gary Gruver, Director of Global Beverage Strategy, Marriott International
• Molly Horn, Total Wine & More
• Brad Japhe, Spirits Journalist
• Reece Sims, SIP Spirits Consulting & The Flavor Report
• Tristan Stephenson, bartender and co-founder of Black Rock, London

“Over the years, the quality of submissions has changed dramatically.  We’re working in a highly competitive area, and it’s up to international competitions like IWSC to reveal where these changes are happening,” said Richard Paterson OBE, Master Blender, Whyte & Mackay.  “It’s an exciting time, an innovative time, and thanks to the IWSC, we can show the world what gold medal winners are all about.”

Kentucky is one of just seven global locations where the IWSC replicates its London judging model through its Global Judging initiatives. As in London, the Kentucky event pairs rigorous tasting sessions with programming that celebrates the people, places, and spirits that define America’s whiskey culture.

Medals awarded include Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Gold Outstanding. Top-scoring products advance to the prestigious Trophy Judging round. Winners are revealed at the IWSC Awards Celebration in November 2026 in London

How to Enter

Visit the IWSC North American Whiskey & RTD Judging page to submit entries.

Entry deadline: April 24^th

Winners will be announced June 12, 2026

About the IWSC

Since 1969, the IWSC has set the global standard for beverage excellence. Known as the “Olympics of the drinks industry,” the IWSC evaluates more than 12,000 entries annually from 90-plus countries. Judges are key decision-makers in the industry, including Masters of Wine, Master Sommeliers, Master Distillers and Senior Buyers. These experts assess wines, spirits and alternative drinks using a rigorous panel process that ensures fair evaluation. The IWSC stands out for its expert judging, consistent attention, comprehensive categories and global recognition. For producers, its offers benchmarking, recognition and business connections. For consumers, IWSC medals guide excellence in a wide selection of drinks.

About the IWSC Competition Global Judging
Since 2022, the IWSC has held in situ Global Judging events, an initiative introduced by
Strategy and Business Development Director Christelle Guibert. The IWSC is proud to be the first international drinks competition to institute a series such as this. Until today, wine and spirits have been judged in Italy, Austria, Georgia, Turkey, Italy, Argentina, Australia, the United States, South Africa and China. The competition is committed to the initiative due to the opportunities it gives all producers in a region to take part, no matter what their size is, and allows for the drinks entered to be judged in context by judges who are up to date with the region and its most recent developments.