Join the world's finest malt whisky club, The Scotch Malt Whisky Society. Find your nearest branch

Welcome to WhiskyIntelligence.com where we'll be gathering information on the whisky industry and scotch whisky news in the form of press releases, newsletters, events, tasting notes and comments.

Please submit your press releases, newsletters, events, tasting notes or comments.

The Hearach 2018 First Fill Bourbon #1293 The Whisky Shop Exclusive – Scotch Whisky News

STUNNING EXCLUSIVE

The Hearach 2018 First Fill Bourbon #1293

This rare single cask release from The Hearach showcases the distillery’s signature coastal character in its purest form. Distilled on 22nd March 2018 and bottled on 16th June 2025, this bottling, which is exclusive to The Whisky Shop, comes from a First Fill Woodford Reserve Bourbon cask, producing only 252 bottles, making it truly limited edition.

Bottled at 59.3% ABV, this lightly peated single malt opens with soft waves of vanilla and creamy coconut, brightened by a twist of lemon zest and a delicate trace of driftwood smoke. On the palate, a gentle coastal sweetness emerges – sea salt and caramel fudge layered with rolling peat smoke, perfectly balancing richness and restraint. The finish is long and elegant, with lingering maritime notes intertwined with fresh vanilla and a glowing honeyed warmth that endures long after the final sip.

A distillery exclusive single cask, The Hearach 2018 #1293 captures the elemental beauty of Harris – a whisky shaped by sea air, patience, and quiet craftsmanship. A rare and remarkable dram for collectors and connoisseurs alike.

This rare single cask release from The Hearach showcases the distillery’s signature coastal character in its purest form. Distilled on 22nd March 2018 and bottled on 16th June 2025, this bottling, which is exclusive to The Whisky Shop, comes from a First Fill Woodford Reserve Bourbon cask, producing only 252 bottles, making it truly limited edition. Bottled at 59.3% ABV.

£125.00
SHOP NOW ❯

 

Free Next Day Delivery for 12 Months For just £14.95 you can enjoy free next day delivery on all your orders for a whole year! Geographic restrictions apply, see full T&Cs. Find out more

Drinking out loud ‘Ghost Scotch – Speyside Distillery’ – Scotch Whisky News

THE VIDEO

Adam introduces three cask strength editions from the Speyside distillery, a now closed single malt producer that is super hard to find. Try now instore at The Strath in Victoria for free, and save % on your bottles as part of the Strath’s Whisky Sale!

 

Heaven Hill Distillery Celebrates 90 Years of Independent Family Ownership with Limited 9-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Release – American Whiskey News

Heaven Hill Distillery Celebrates 90 Years of Independent Family Ownership with Limited 9-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Release

Special Anniversary Edition Honors Nine Decades of Family Tradition and American Whiskey Excellence with a 107-Proof  Bourbon Aged in Heavy Char Barrels

BARDSTOWN, Ky. (November 4, 2025) — Heaven Hill Distillery, the largest independent, family-owned and led distilled spirits company of brands in the United States, proudly commemorates its 90th anniversary with a special release, Heaven Hill Distillery’s 90th Anniversary 9-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. This exceptional bottling honors nine decades of family craftsmanship, innovation, and dedication to preserving the heritage of America’s Native Spirit.

Crafted from Heaven Hill’s traditional Bourbon mashbill, 78% corn, 12% malted barley, and 10% rye, this 107-proof Bourbon is a thoughtfully constructed blend of 70% Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, and 30% Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey aged in heavy char barrels. Each of the 204 barrels selected for this release was produced on December 13, 2015, marking Heaven Hill’s 80th Anniversary, and matured for nine years and eight months in Rickhouses G and H on the 4th and 6th floors.

The result is a deeply complex Bourbon that showcases the distillery’s mastery of maturation and blending. The use of heavy char barrels, intensely fired to create a deep “alligator” char layer, enhances the whiskey’s smoothness and depth, imparting rich notes of caramel, vanilla, toasted spice, and oak warmth. The whiskey is non-chill filtered to preserve its full character and mouthfeel.

“As we celebrate Heaven Hill’s 90th anniversary, I’m reminded of the vision my father and his brothers had when they founded this company in 1935,” said Max L. Shapira, Heaven Hill Executive Chairman. “Their goal was simple but profound, to build a family business that would craft whiskey with integrity, patience, and pride. Nine decades later, we continue that mission with the same independent spirit, passion for quality, and respect for tradition that has guided us from the start. This 90th Anniversary release is both a reflection of our history and a toast to our future.”

“This release is particularly special because it captures nearly a decade of patient aging and our team’s thoughtful approach to barrel selection,” said Conor O’Driscoll, Master Distiller at Heaven Hill Distillery. “By incorporating Bourbon aged in heavy char barrels, we’ve deepened the flavor profile and created a whiskey with exceptional richness and balance. The result is a spirit that embodies the craftsmanship and character that have defined Heaven Hill for 90 years.”

The Heaven Hill Distillery’s 90th Anniversary 9-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey will be available nationwide in limited quantities beginning in October 2025, with a suggested retail price of $124.99.

ABOUT HEAVEN HILL DISTILLERY: Founded in Kentucky by the Shapira family in 1935, Heaven Hill Distillery continues its legacy as one of the foremost American Whiskey producers. Heaven Hill has cultivated the traditions and history of America’s Native Spirit with its fierce independence, passionate family ownership, dedication to quality, and thoughtful innovation. Today, Heaven Hill Distillery maintains over 2 million barrels aging in more than 70 warehouses throughout Nelson and Jefferson Counties. It is home to an award-winning collection of American Whiskeys including Elijah Craig Bourbon, Evan Williams Bourbon, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond, Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond, Henry McKenna, Parker’s Heritage Collection along with its extensive and diverse collection of unique and innovative products. In the past five years alone, Heaven Hill Distillery has been named Distiller of the Year eight times, including 2024 and 2023 Whisky Magazine Distillery of the Year. Other recent honors include 2024 and 2025 San Francisco World Spirits Competition’s Most Awarded Distillery and the 2023 Icons of Whisky World’s Best Small Batch Bourbon. For more information, please visit www.heavenhilldistillery.com.

The Whisky Barrel ‘Younger Still (Ardbeg) Single Cask’ – Islay Single Malt News

Younger Still (Ardbeg) Single Cask

The Whisky Barrel Unveils Exclusive “Younger Still” 2021 Islay Single Cask — A Modern Legend in the Making

Get ready for a rare take on Islay’s iconic whisky heritage — The Whisky Barrel proudly presents the Younger Still, a bold and limited single malt whisky distilled in 2021 at a secret Islay distillery on Pier Road (the legendary home of the heavily peated and often toasted oak Committee). Bottled in 2025 at a formidable natural cask strength of 61.6% ABV, this exclusive release is limited to just 261 bottles worldwide.

Crafted from one single cask, the Younger Still captures the raw, untamed essence of Islay — from its billowing peat smoke and sea-salt air to its finely balanced citrus and spice. Described by The Whisky Barrel’s team as “smoky, maritime and full of raw power”, this release revives the island’s legendary spirit in a new generation.

“We’ve drawn one single cask from Islay’s iconic heart and bottled it exclusively for our own growing global community — Younger Still is not only a dram, it’s a statement.” — Alastair Brown, Managing Director of The Whisky Barrel.

Priced at £69 GBP (inc. VAT), this limited single-cask release is available only through The Whisky Barrel’s website. For whisky collectors and Islay enthusiasts seeking something truly exceptional, the Younger Still marks a bold chapter in modern Islay single malt history.

Key Bottle Information:

  • Distilled: 2021, Secret Islay Distillery on Pier Road
  • Bottled: 2025 at 61.6% ABV
  • Limited to 261 bottles exclusive to The Whisky Barrel

Tasting Highlights:

  • Nose: Billows of peat smoke meet citrus peel, sea salt and charred oak
  • Palate: Coastal smoke, dark malt, sweet spice and hints of fruit
  • Finish: Long and enduring, with embers of peat, maritime salt and warming spice

The Islay Younger Still is available exclusively from: 🔗 The Whisky Barrel – Islay Younger Still

Westward “Milestone” Edition No. 3 ~ American Single Malt Whiskey News

Westward “Milestone” Edition No. 3 American Single Malt Whiskey (750ml)

David Othenin-Girard | K&L Buyer | Review Date: 11/2025

There’s no question that Westward is at the forefront of defining the American Single Malt category, and one thing I think is missing in this category is a truly legendary product that fulfills its true potential in a fully realized way. We’ve had some amazing high-end releases from classic craft producers like St. George, Stranahan’s, and Charbay, but there are so few true diamonds in the category. To that, our friends at Westward have responded, “Hold my beer.” The Milestone is a product that is truly revolutionary in both its conceptual design and execution. Each edition builds on the previous expression, and if last year’s release is any indication, this could easily be one of the most overtly delicious American malts ever bottled. The character is opulent and extremely complex, hearkening to some of the most storied Scottish releases, with beautiful tropical fruit and dense, hyper-developed malt character. It’s truly incredible what they’ve achieved, and having the opportunity—thanks to new partnerships—to actually show our customers this extremely rare and sought-after product is such a joy. This is how you build a new category. Congrats to our friends at Westward.

$240.00

The Westward Whiskey Milestone is considered by the distiller to be their masterpiece. The intent is to showcase “Verum Factum,” the accumulated knowled over 20 years of whiskey production. By reimagining Old World distilling and winemaking techniques, Milestone is raised from a twenty-one-barrel Solera system used exclusively for this annual offering. This meticulous method allows them to continuously age and blend some of our oldest and most precious whiskeys with rare cask types, creating even more complex flavors. This special approach creates a time capsule in a bottle, one that reflects a distinct moment in the distiller’s story that can never be told again.

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

Out now: Your latest edition of Whisky Magazine – Whisky News


LATEST EDITION

In the latest issue of Whisky Magazine, we’re exploring the whiskies of Asia. Japanese whisky has a well-established presence in the whisky world. Now, whisky making is spreading throughout the continent as a new generation of distillers join the craft. On the cover, founder Dhavall Gandhi shares the story behind Kandoblanc. The luxury design house unites the principles of Japanese design, Italian craftsmanship, and single malt Scotch whisky.

We Sell Sanctuary (And It’s Made By Phillips!) – Canadian Whisky News

THE VIDEO!

Adam discovers the brand new relaunch of Sanctuary single malt by Fermentorium at Phillips here in Victoria BC. Want to try it? Come and celebrate the launch with us at a very special tasting event and launch party on Dec 7th! Links below.

Fermentorium – The Cask Discovery Tasting

Sunday December 7th at 2pm

Sanctuary Whisky Launch Party

Sunday December 7th at 4pm

Join Phillips Fermentorium and the Deb Rhymer band as they launch their brand new re-imagined Sanctuary whisky at the Sunday Blues Service.

Buy your bottle now 

THE JAMES B. BEAM DISTILLING CO. INTRODUCES KNOB CREEK® 21 YEAR OLD, THE OLDEST EXPRESSION IN DISTILLERY HISTORY – American Whiskey News

Bottled at 100 proof, Knob Creek® 21 Year Old is a full-flavored bourbon that reflects our unwavering commitment to pre-Prohibition style craftsmanship.

THE JAMES B. BEAM DISTILLING CO. INTRODUCES KNOB CREEK® 21 YEAR OLD, THE OLDEST EXPRESSION IN DISTILLERY HISTORY

Knob Creek® proudly announces the newest evolution of its Single Barrel Select Program: Knob Creek® Single Barrel Select Cask Strength. 

Each barrel was hand-selected for its distinctive flavor and balance, resulting in a bourbon as rare and bold in character as it is in age

CLERMONT, Ky., – The James B. Beam Distilling Co., home of the The Small Batch Bourbon Collection™, marks a historic moment with the release of Knob Creek® 21 Year Old, the oldest expression to be released from the distillery and the award-winning Knob Creek® portfolio. Discovered at 21 years, this limited-edition bourbon marks a milestone for Knob Creek®—an extra-aged whiskey that embodies Knob Creek® while delivering a distinctive new expression and flavor experience.

Bottled at 100 proof, Knob Creek® 21 Year Old is a full-flavored bourbon that reflects our unwavering commitment to pre-Prohibition style craftsmanship. For more than two decades, these barrels rested patiently in our Kentucky rackhouses, weathering changing temperatures and seasons. During this time, the whiskey didn’t just age; it evolved, gaining extraordinary depth, color, and character that only 21 years in the barrel can bring. Each was then hand-selected by our master distillers for its remarkable balance and complexity – proof that patience, instinct, and respect for the process can create something truly one of a kind.

When we first laid this batch to rest, we weren’t chasing any specific age statement – we were focused on crafting a great bourbon, just like we always do,” said Freddie Noe, eighth generation master distiller. “After I tasted the whiskey, I knew we had something special. After decades in the rackhouse, the liquid developed a richness and balance we knew Knob Creek® fans and whiskey enthusiasts would want to try. That’s what makes this release special: it’s bold, full of character, and embodies what Knob Creek® stands for.”

Bottled at 100 proof, Knob Creek® 21 Year Old is a full-flavored bourbon that reflects our unwavering commitment to pre-Prohibition style craftsmanship. It opens with aromas of seasoned oak, caramelized sugar, and subtle smoke. On the palate, deep caramel and char build alongside hints of fruit and toasted oak, leading to a long, warm finish of toffee and charred wood — a flavor profile shaped by decades of care and expertise.

Arriving just in time for the holiday season, Knob Creek® 21 Year Old invites bourbon lovers to savor and share it neat to experience the liquid in its purest form. This limited time offering is presented in a distinguished keepsake box – a tribute to the craft and care behind this release – and is available nationwide for a limited time at a suggested retail price of $249.99 for a 750mL bottle.

About Knob Creek® Bourbon

Knob Creek® has set the standard for super-premium whiskey for three decades by crafting extraordinary full-flavored bourbon with a rich taste. Knob Creek® bourbons and ryes are patiently aged to perfection in new, maximum charred American Oak barrels to impart the biggest and fullest flavor on their whiskey. No matter the expression, Knob Creek® is crafted without shortcuts and embodies the pre-Prohibition style that founding distiller Booker Noe created in 1992. Since then, Knob Creek® has lived up to such standards with the introduction of Knob Creek® Straight Rye Whiskey in 2012, and later on, Knob Creek® Single Barrel Select Rye Whiskey. In recent years, Knob Creek® announced the permanent addition of Knob Creek® 12 Year Old Bourbon and launched three limited releases, Knob Creek® 15 Year Old Bourbon, Knob Creek® 18 Year Old Bourbon, and Knob Creek® Bourbon x Rye. Knob Creek has continued to build out its rye portfolio; the brand announced the addition of an age statement to its flagship rye whiskey, Knob Creek® 7 Year Old Rye Whiskey, and released Knob Creek® 10 Year Old Rye Whiskey.

About Suntory Global Spirits

As a world leader in premium spirits, Suntory Global Spirits inspires the brilliance of life, by creating rich experiences for people, in harmony with nature. Known for its craftsmanship of premium whiskies, including Jim Beam® and Maker’s Mark®; Japanese whiskies, including Yamazaki®, Hakushu®, Hibiki® and Toki™; and leading Scotch brands including Laphroaig® and Bowmore®, Suntory Global Spirits also produces leading brands such as Tres Generaciones® and El Tesoro® tequila, Roku™ and Sipsmith® gin, and is a world leader in Ready-To-Drink cocktails, with brands like -196™ (minus one-nine-six) and On The Rocks™ Premium Cocktails.

A global company with approximately 6,000 employees in nearly 30 countries, Suntory Global Spirits is driven by its core values of Growing for Good, Yatte Minahare and Giving Back to Society. The company’s Proof Positive sustainability strategy includes ambitious goals and investments to drive sustainable change and have a positive impact on the planet, consumers and communities. Headquartered in New York City, Suntory Global Spirits is a subsidiary of Suntory Holdings Limited of Japan. For more information, visit www.suntoryglobalspirits.com

*Further information on Knob Creek® awards can be found at www.knobcreek.com
Knob Creek® Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 50% Alc./vol. ©2025 James B. Beam Distilling Company, Clermont KY.

The Whisky Lounge Releases 20th Anniversary Book – Whisky Lounge News

The Whisky Lounge releases 20th Anniversary Book

Saturday 25th October, at York Whisky Festival, saw the release of The Whisky Lounge’s first book, to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the company’s creation.

The self-published book contains excerpts from interviews with 23 key players in the whisky industry, covering subjects including, ‘do you believe the whisky industry has changed more in the last 20 years, than the previous 200?’, plus memories of their experiences with The Whisky Lounge.

The book includes interviews with friends of The Whisky Lounge, such as Dave Broom, Charlie MacLean, Dr. Nick Morgan, Dr. Bill Lumsden and many more, plus Whisky Lounge founders, Amanda and Eddie Ludlow.

It also contains dozens of photos from the last 20 years of Whisky Lounge events.

Isabel Graham-Yooll, writer, and ‘author’ of the book, came up with the idea, when she realised the importance of marking the occasion. She said;

“Happy 20th Birthday to The Whisky Lounge! 

Over the last twenty years, The Whisky Lounge has created opportunities for thousands upon thousands of new whisky enthusiasts across the UK to taste great whisky, and for whisky brands to connect with those customers. 

Bringing Whisky to the People Since 2005 is a collection of twenty interviews (one for each year of The Whisky Lounge), all with industry veterans. In each interview we discussed a range of whisky topics, including whether the whisky industry had changed more in The Whisky Lounge’s twenty years than the previous 200. Their answers were mostly knowledgeable, sometimes hilarious and often unprintable, but always fascinating.”

Eddie Ludlow, ‘Whisky Evangelist’, Founder and editor of the book, commented;

“When Isabel came to us with the idea, we loved it, yet we probably would not have considered doing it, without her suggestion. The final ‘product’ is way beyond anything we had expected, and is a genuinely fascinating read – we hope everyone will enjoy it. 

We love what we do, and work hard for the industry, and ourselves, and if we have had any kind of impact on the way whisky is perceived by consumers, over the last 20 years, then that makes us happy!” 

Amanda Ludlow, co-founder said; 

“When we started this business twenty years ago, we had one simple mission, which was to turn everyone onto whisky. It has been truly humbling and heart-warming to see the impact The Whisky Lounge has had on the industry and its consumers, over the years.

In a world of change we are proud that we have managed to stay true to our original vision“

The book is available, to buy, for £16.99, from The Whisky Lounge’s website  and at selected Whisky Lounge events.

About The Whisky Lounge

The Whisky Lounge is the UK’s leading whisky events company. It is a family-owned and run, independent business, that has been sharing their passion for whisky with enthusiasts—both seasoned and new—for two decades. Co-founder, Eddie Ludlow, is a Keeper of the Quaich, an IWSC judge, a livery-man for the Worshipful Company of Distillers, and author of the best-selling book, ‘Whisky – A Tasting Course’, published by DK.

For more information;

Product and sales: Eddie Ludlow – eddie@thewhiskylounge.com

Press: Amanda Ludlow – amanda@thewhiskylounge.com

For more information: www.thewhiskylounge.com

Douglas Laing XOP Rare Port Dundas 40 Years Old – Scotch Whisky News

XOP Rare Port Dundas 40 Years Old

ABV: 47.6% | Vol: 70cl Anticipate a wonderful vanilla depth running to tropical fruits, peaches in syrup and honey’d cereals with a rich toffee and spiced oak style.

£566.67 

Since 1948 we have had an obsession with the quality of the Scotch Whisky we bottle. This is the inspiration behind our XOP Rare releases. Our precious spirit is finessed in truly exceptional Single Casks, hand selected only by Douglas Laing family members. In the passionate belief that over 70% of the Whisky’s final character is dependent on the quality of the cask in which it is matured, the oak cask is a vital factor in ensuring impeccable quality. Thereafter, each and every bottle of our XOP Rare is bottled by hand with great care and attention and every certificate is individually signed by a member of the family to certify that this Whisky is of outstanding quality and distinctive character.


Powered by WordPress