ralfy review 1105 – Ledaig 10yo Hebridean Moon @58.8%vol:

Ballantine’s Unveils Limited-Edition Gorillaz Bottle Featuring Never-Before-Seen Artwork

Ballantine’s, the world’s second most popular Scotch whisky*, unveils the latest limited-edition from its annual True Music Icons series that celebrates groundbreaking artists who have shaped music culture.

This year, the collection celebrates Gorillaz – one of the most pioneering and visually iconic bands in modern music. A global phenomenon known for their genre-blending sound, musical and visual innovation, and boundary-pushing creativity; the four Gorillaz band members Murdoc Niccals, 2D, Russel Hobbs and Noodle perfectly reflect Ballantine’s spirit of staying true to who they are.

Arriving during a landmark season for the band, this release marks 25 years of Gorillaz’s cultural impact. The limited-edition design reveals a never-before-seen illustration of the band, created exclusively for Ballantine’s by British artist and Gorillaz co-founder, Jamie Hewlett, that brings Gorillazs unmistakable band members to life on the bottle. A true collector’s item, it’s a standout addition to any drinks collection and a must-have for whisky lovers and music fans alike.

With a global following and a career built on collaboration, creative innovation and visual storytelling, Gorillaz continue to push the boundaries of how music is made and experienced. This collection celebrates the band’s far-reaching impact across sound, visual art, and culture.

Paul-Andre Vacheron, Global Marketing Director for Ballantine’s at Chivas Brothers, commented:

“This edition of True Music Icons continues our commitment to celebrating artists who defy convention. At Ballantine’s, we’ve always stood for those who stay true to who they are, and this Gorillaz collection is a toast to their pioneering spirit and the impact they’ve made in music. The True Music Icons series continues to offer fans a unique way to celebrate the artists they love by recognising their impact, ongoing influence, and adding something special to their collection.”

Previous editions of the True Music Icons collection have celebrated some of the most influential artists of all time – from the 2023 collection honouring AC/DC and Queen, to the 2024 tribute to Elton John and John Lennon – each embodying Ballantine’s Stay True ethos in their own iconic way.

The Ballantine’s True Music Icons Gorillaz bottle is available in select markets around the world. For more information visit www.ballantines.com or follow @ballantines.

*Source: IWSR 2023

THIS ARTICLE APPEARS WELL AFTER THE ORIGINAL PUBLICATION DATE AND IS PUBLISHED HERE AS A MATTER OF INTEREST.

It will come as no surprise to you that here at North Uist Distillery we love whisky.

We love thinking about whisky, we love talking about whisky, we love making whisky, and of course, we love sharing whisky with friends.

Hospitality lies at the very heart of Hebridean culture – the door is always open, the stove is always lit, and a dram is always ready to pour. It is with this spirit of Hebridean hospitality in mind that we launch The Guest House Series, opening our doors to host some of our favourite distilleries, and inviting you to pull up a chair by the fire.

GUEST HOUSE No.01

Over the last few years of dedicated research for our own uisge beatha we have tasted some truly exquisite drams from friends and neighbours in the world of distilling (it’s a hard job but someone’s got to do it) and we just couldn’t resist buying a cask or two of the delicious spirit we have sampled to share with our fellow whisky lovers.

Over the last months we have been busy tasting, blending and sampling, working on our first release which we are delighted to be bringing you just in time for Christmas!

Created using select casks from distilleries across Scotland to bring you a delicious easy drinking blend, Guest House No.01 was created to be enjoyed by a Hebridean fireside with friends.

Aged in a mix of sherry and bourbon casks and with a lightly peated flavour, this smooth sipper is the perfect way to toast our Uist whisky as it gently ages.

GUEST HOUSE No.01

Pre-order now, with free delivery from early December.

As always, bottles will come gift wrapped with a hand written note, making them the ideal way to show a little love to the whisky fan in your life.

Slàinte.

Team NUD x

BLACK FRIDAY AT BARTELS WHISKY

MASSIVE SAVINGS ON BOTTLES SHOWN BELOW:

NO CODES – DISCOUNT ALREADY SHOWN

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TOBERMORY 2007 – AGED 17 YRS

DISCOUNTED PRICE £60

LEDAIG 2007 – AGED 17 YRS
DISCOUNTED PRICE £70

PORT CHARLOTTE 2008 – AGED 15 YEARS
DISCOUNTED PRICE £99

GLENBURGIE 2007 – AGED 18 YEARS

DISCOUNTED PRICE £69

FREE DELIVERY ON ALL BOTTLES

(sale ends 28/11/2025 )

Remember to share your bottles on social media!

Teapot Dram Batch No. 11 Has Arrived

Today we release Teapot Dram Batch No. 11. Matured exclusively in first-fill sherry casks and bottled at 59.7% ABV, this special release is limited to just 3,000 bottles and priced at £125. This is Glengoyne’s bold tribute to a unique distillery tradition. Don’t miss your chance to own the next exceptional dram in the series. Available exclusively at Glengoyne.com and our Distillery Shop.

Tasting Teapot Dram 11 with Robbie

We joined Robbie in Glengoyne’s Warehouse eight for a tasting of Teapot Dram Batch No. 11.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Dates, dark chocolate, lemon meringue, grilled peach, toasted nuts, dry sherry, and a wisp of incense.

Palate: Cherries, strawberry ice cream, blackberry jam, gingerbread, fudge, hazelnut spread, dried apricot.

Finish: Maraschino liqueur, Eton Mess, summer berries.

Master’s Choice Single Malt Whisky

For nearly four centuries, the Worshipful Company of Distillers has embodied the spirit of craftsmanship, camaraderie, and generosity. Founded by Royal Charter in 1638 to uphold the quality of London’s early distilling trade, the Company today brings together professionals and enthusiasts from across the world of fine spirits. Its members share a deep respect for heritage and a commitment to excellence, education, and charity.

Guided by the ancient motto, “Drop as Raine, Distill as Dew,” the Company celebrates both the science and artistry of distillation.

We’re delighted to introduce Master’s Choice, a special limited-edition whisky created to honour our Founder, Daniel Szor’s year as Master of the Worshipful Company of Distillers. This release is a celebration of friendship, tradition, and the enduring craftsmanship that has defined the Company for generations.

Master’s Choice is available from today, exclusively on our website and at our three Cotswolds Distillery shops in Stourton, Broadway, and Bourton-on-the-Water, priced at £SOLD OUT! – while stocks last.

Please note that bottles of this edition are in very short supply and are therefore limited to one bottle per person.

Tasting Notes

Cotswolds Master’s cask is a long awaited marriage of our core casks elevated with 10 years maturation in the Cotswolds. The use of first fill bourbon casks and our signature Red Wine STR casks builds a foundation of sweetness and creaminess.

The nose is elevated and bursts with citrus, apples and marzipan aromas followed by elegant cherries, plums and almonds on the palate. The finish and long and complex with shortbread and dried apricot flavours that all balance to make it unmistakably Cotswolds with all the balanced complexity of rare, hand selected 10 year old casks.

A Toast to 25 Years: 

Glencairn Glass creator Raymond Davidson brings Scotch Whisky legends back together to celebrate

Scotch Whisky legends reunited last week at The Scotch Whisky Experience in Edinburgh as Raymond Davidson – creator of the official whisky glass, the Glencairn Glass – hosted a celebratory dinner to mark the iconic glass’s 25th anniversary. From L-R: Christopher Coates (Whisky Magazine), David Stewart MBE (William Grant & Sons), Richard Paterson OBE (The Dalmore), Julie Trevison-Hunter (The Scotch Whisky Experience) , Raymond Davidson, John Ramsay (formerly Edrington) and world-renowned author Charles MacLean MBE. 

 Scotch Whisky legends reunited last week at The Scotch Whisky Experience in Edinburgh as Raymond Davidson – creator of the official whisky glass, the Glencairn Glass – hosted a celebratory dinner to mark the iconic glass’s 25th anniversary.

The intimate event brought together some of the industry’s most respected and well-known Master Blenders, Distillers and personalities including Richard Paterson OBE (the Dalmore), David Stewart MBE (William Grant & Sons), John Ramsay (formerly of Edrington) and Charlie MacLean MBE (whisky writer and consultant), all of whom helped and supported Raymond when he first designed the glass 25 years ago.

One key figure sadly missing from the 25th anniversary celebrations was the late Michael Jackson, the esteemed whisky writer who was the first personality to be inducted into the industry’s ‘hall of fame’ and the first to endorse the Glencairn Glass. As part of the original group who helped bring Raymond Davidson’s vision to life, his early support and influence played an important role in the glass’s enduring success and reputation within the whisky world. Robert Hicks (formerly Allied Distillers, now Pernod Ricard) was also an original supporter, however was unable to attend this year’s celebration.

Created in 2000, the Glencairn Glass was born from Raymond’s vision to create a whisky glass that would enhance both the aroma and flavour of the dram. With the support of Scotland’s Master Blenders, whisky industry experts and a successful launch at Whisky Live London his original  concept evolved into what is now recognised worldwide as the  official whisky glass. Since its inception a quarter of a century ago, more than 50 million Glencairn Glasses have been sold across distilleries, bars and homes worldwide with over 5 million purchased each year across international markets.

Over the years, the Glencairn Glass has also celebrated a number of prestigious accolades, including the Queen’s Award for Innovation (2006), the Queen’s Award for International Trade (2012 and 2017), and the Malt Advocate Industry Leader Award, among others recognising its lasting contribution to the global whisky industry.

Reflecting on the milestone, Raymond said: “When I first sketched the concept for the Glencairn Glass, I wanted to create something that truly brought out the best in whisky. The input from incredible Master Blenders, whisky friends and  legends in the industry was invaluable – and it’s been a joy to celebrate with them again, 25 years on.”

Julie Trevisan-Hunter, Marketing Director at The Scotch Whisky Experience  said: “It has been a pleasure working with Glencairn over the past 25 years, and hosting this very special celebration is a real honour. Raymond, Paul, and Scott have been part of the whisky family for so long that it’s hard to imagine the industry without them. Their commitment and support genuinely matter to all of us who care about Scotch. The Glencairn Glass fits perfectly with our mission to help the world fall in love with Scotch whisky. Every visitor who comes through our doors heads home with the right glass in hand to continue their Scotch whisky journey, remembering their time with us, and sharing the stories of their travels.”

The reunion dinner is part of a series of celebrations marking this major milestone for family-run business Glencairn Crystal, that was founded by Raymond over 40 years ago and is now run by his sons Paul and Scott Davidson.

For more information and updates on the Glencairn Glass 25th anniversary celebrations, visit www.whiskyglass.com or follow @TheGlencairnGlass on social media channels.

Raymond Davidson – creator of the official whisky glass, the Glencairn Glass – hosted a celebratory dinner to mark the iconic glass’s 25th anniversary this week. The event took place at The Scotch Whisky Experience and was attended by Scotch Whisky legends including: John Ramsay (formerly Edrington), Richard Paterson OBE (The Dalmore), David Stewart MBE (William Grant & Sons) and world-renowned author Charles MacLean MBE.   

Glencairn Crystal Awards:

This year Glencairn Crystal was honoured with a King’s Award for Enterprise for Innovation. The company first received the Queen’s Award for Innovation in 2006 for the Glencairn Glass, followed by the Queen’s Award for International Trade in 2012.

Glencairn Crystal has also been named a finalist in the Department for Business and Trade Exporter of the Year Award at the Lloyds British Business Excellence Awards 2025. The winners will be announced in November.

Other accolades include Whisky Advocate Industry Leader of the Year in the US in 2011. In 2019 Glencairn Crystal was one of only seven Scottish companies to join the London Stock Exchange Group’s ELITE programme for fast-growing companies, and recognition in the 2023 Scottish Export Index as one of the top 20 companies demonstrating excellence in international trade.

Our November 2025 AUCTION ENDS SOON!

Place your bids 7pm (GMT) Sunday 23^rd November 2025.

www.whiskyhammer.com

Every month, we present an incredible selection of whiskies and other fine spirits to our members right across the globe. You will find everything here from limited edition releases and vintage bottles to whole casks of rare whisky. There is certainly something for everyone – whether you are looking to collect, invest or enjoy!

Mortlach – 75 Year Old (1939) Gordon & MacPhail (Generations)

Balblair – 38 Year Old (1966)

Glen Grant – 72 Year Old (1948) Gordon & MacPhail 

Killyloch – 1967

Selling whisky? Why not arrange the pick-up of your bottles using our global courier service? If you’re based in Scotland, you might want to arrange the personal collection of your bottles. Wherever you’re based in the world, we will make getting your bottles into our monthly auction as simple as possible. Get in touch with the Whisky Hammer team now by dropping them a message at sales@whiskyhammer.com.

Join Courage Club by Nov. 30 to Unlock Our Limited Edition Spanish Oak Sherry Cask

Crafted from rare Spanish Oak Sherry casks, our next limited release (just 500 bottles) is one you won’t want to miss.

Join Courage Club by Nov. 30th to unlock guaranteed first access to this exceptional bottling—along with member-only perks, savings, and exclusive member-only releases. If you’ve been waiting for the perfect moment to join, this is it.

Join by 11/30 and your first quarterly club shipment, including Spanish Oak Sherry Cask, will arrive mid-December.**Please note: this limited release is priced at $169.99, which is above our typical club-exclusive range of $75–$100. If you prefer not to receive this higher-priced bottle, you’ll have the option to opt out before shipments go out in mid-December.

JOIN COURAGE CLUB

Spanish Oak Sherry Cask

This whisky showcases the rare character of Spanish Oak (Quercus Robur) sherry butts, coopered in Jerez, Spain, and seasoned with both Oloroso and PX sherries. Spanish Oak is notoriously difficult to work with — the trees grow sprawling and wild, yielding few casks. But the reward is remarkable: a deeply expressive whisky with aromas of lemon, golden raisin, and honeycomb, unfolding into flavors of dried cherry, plum, maple syrup, coffee, leather, and cinnamon.  Aged for over seven years and bottled at cask strength, this is one of our most limited and distinctive releases to date.

Virginia Distillery Company
299 Eades Ln
Lovingston, VA 22949-2325

Williamson (Laphroaig) 15 Years Old Shop Exclusive

This single malt was distilled in 2010 at the Laphroaig Distillery on the picturesque Isle of Islay. It was aged for 15 years in a single bourbon barrel, which allowed the natural distillery style to shine, resulting in notes of gamey meat, tobacco leaf, camphor, and brine. Bottled at natural cask strength without chill-filtration or artificial colouring exclusively for our shop.

£94.00

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