North Port distillery dates from 1820 being established by the Guthrie family in the east coast town of Brechin. Preceding the all changing 1823 Act this is a relatively early establishment date and could be due to an act of 1818 which made legal distillation a degree more attractive. In 1809 founder David Guthrie set up the town’s first bank and along with other family members served as Provost (mayor). His son Dr Thomas Guthrie theologian, philanthropist and founder of Edinurgh’s ragged school has a statue on Princes Street, Edinburgh marking his many noteworthy deeds.

The distillery’s name dates from 1823 when Guthrie’s other sons, David and Alexander, took over and comes from the northern gate in the cathedral city walls. The company was originally called Townhead Distillery Co. but re-named in 1823 as Brechin Distillery Co. then again to Guthrie, Martin & Company just a year later. In 1893 the company became a limited partnership. By the late 19th century annual output was around half a million litres.

In 1905 there were “alterations and additions” followed by internal improvements in 1926. Like all malt distilleries it did not produce between 1917 & 1919 due to restrictions for the war effort. The owning company was bought by DCL and Manchester based W.H. Holt & Company Ltd. in 1922 and later transferred to SMD (Est. 1914) on the dissolution of the DCL/Holt partnership.

There was a period of closure between 1926 and 1937, then again between 1940 and 1947. Internal steam heating of the stills replaced direct firing in 1964. The maltings closed in 1968 when the nearby Glenesk drum maltings were commissioned.

The floor maltings were demolished in 1972 whilst the malt kiln was repurposed. Curiously power was once via an underground waterwheel using overflow from the distillery dam. This water was also used for cooling and travelled to the wheel by a 400m long tunnel cut through solid rock.

PHOTO CREDIT whiskybase.com/royalscotsman

There was a 5 tonne cast iron mash tun, 5 wooden washbacks, two onion shaped stills with worm tubs. Production capacity was .75ML. DCL subsidiary Mitchell Brothers used the malt for the Italian market in ‘Glen Dew’’ a vatted malt as well as in their Heather Dew blend.

After closure in March 1983 the property was sold in 1990 to be developed and the distillery was demolished in 1993/94 with a supermarket and carpark taking its place. Working against the case for mothballing the distillery was its poor condition, limited scope for expansion and superiority of spirit produced elsewhere.

Mark Davidson, aka The Jolly Toper Profile

International Beverage Appoints New Master of Whisky Creation

International Beverage Appoints New Master of Whisky Creation

Premium global spirits business, International Beverage, has named Sarah Burgess as the company’s new Master of Whisky Creation.

In this newly established position, Sarah will spearhead a team of spirits makers and drive International Beverage’s unwavering pursuit to crafting high-quality, flavour-led whiskies. She will also collaborate closely with the company’s global brand advocacy team, sharing her technical expertise and creating connections through International Beverage’s portfolio of premium Scotch whisky brands including Old Pulteney, Balblair, Speyburn and anCnoc single malt whiskies as well as Hankey Bannister blended whisky.

Sarah, formerly the Whisky Maker at The Lakes Distillery, brings more than 25 years of industry experience to the role. Originally from Speyside, she began her career at Cardhu Distillery on her 21^st birthday. In 2003, she joined Diageo’s Auchroisk Distillery on a full-time basis overseeing maturation operations for the North while concurrently pursuing a BA (Hons) in Management from Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen. Over the following two decades, Sarah managed operations at Diageo’s Oban, Glenkinchie and Clynelish distilleries before joining The Macallan in 2017 as their Lead Whisky Maker, where she focused on range creation, innovation and quality control.

In 2022 she became the Creative Director of The Craigellachie Collection before moving to The Lakes Distillery in 2023 as Whisky Maker. She was responsible for all elements of distillation and maturation, the visitor facility, creating new whiskies, and developed the distillery’s first permanent range for both the duty free and domestic markets.

Renowned for her innovative approach to whisky creation, Sarah’s appointment comes at a time when the premium spirits business continues to explore new ways to evolve and expand the business.

Managing Director of International Beverage, Malcolm Leask, welcomed the expertise that she will bring to the business, commenting: 

‘International Beverage is entering an exciting period of growth and we are delighted to have Sarah at the helm of our Scottish spirits portfolio. Her vast industry experience, passion and creative flair, make her the ideal custodian of our award-winning premium spirits brands. 

‘As a business we are committed to employing the best people to help drive our business forward and Sarah certainly fits the bill. We are looking forward to seeing her talent shine.” 

Speaking on her appointment, Sarah commented:

‘I’m thrilled to step into this new role where I’ll have the opportunity to shape the future of International Beverage’s whisky creation. I’m hoping to bring a fresh new perspective along with a steadfast commitment to enduring quality. I’m also looking forward to working closely with International Beverage’s global brand advocacy team, leading training initiatives and bringing our extraordinary spirits to markets around the world.’  

International Beverage

International Beverage is the international arm of Thai Beverage Public Limited Company. The premium spirits company’s portfolio is led by a range of high-quality brands including Old Pulteney single malt Scotch whisky, Hankey Bannister blended Scotch whisky, Caorunn Gin, PRAKAAN single malt whiskies and Phraya Rum from Thailand, Larsen Cognac, and Cardrona spirits and liqueurs.

A certified Great Place to Work, International Beverage’s success is shaped by its 700-strong team based across the business’ network of nine global sites spanning the UK, France, New Zealand, and Greater China following the company’s recent acquisition of Asiaeuro International Beverage (AIB). For more information, please visit www.interbevgroup.com/.

Old Perth Unveils Limited Edition 21-Year-Old Whisky: a rare vatting of whisky distilled at Macallan & Highland Park Distilleries   

2nd Oct 2025 Morrison Scotch Whisky Distillers (MSWD) is proud to announce the release of its Limited Edition Old Perth 21-Year-Old, an extraordinary and rare expression born from a unique moment in whisky history.

The whisky’s origins date back to 2015, when casks from two legendary Speyside and Orkney distilleries were combined. At the time, the Highland Park component, distilled in 2004, was already 10 or 11 years old, while the Macallan portion was significantly older. This unusual marriage was transferred into hand-selected Oloroso Sherry Butts, where it has matured gracefully for a further decade, making the youngest whisky in the vatting 21 Years Old.

First revealed to whisky enthusiasts as an Old Perth 12-Year-Old release in 2017, followed by 13- and 14-year-old expressions the year following under Morrison Scotch Whisky Distillers, this vatting quickly became a sought-after gem. Now, Old Perth is proud to present it in its fully matured form: a 21-Year-Old limited edition—a whisky of remarkable depth, complexity, and heritage.

“This release is as much about serendipity as it is about craftsmanship,” said Graeme Mackeddie, Production Director at Morrison Scotch Whisky Distillers. “An operational ‘accident’ back in 2015 has given us a whisky that can never be recreated. The union of Macallan and Highland Park, enhanced by long maturation in Oloroso sherry butts, has produced a liquid of exceptional character and rarity.”

Bottled at 43.6% ABV, the whisky is described as offering rich sherried fruit, warming spices, and gentle oak. Its long finish combines Macallan’s elegance with Highland Park’s subtle smokiness.

A limited number of bottles will be available from 3 October 2025 via specialist retailers in the UK and Europe, priced at RRP £178.

The Old Perth 21-Year-Old showcases:

• Distillery Heritage: A unique fusion of whiskies distilled at Macallan and Highland Park Distilleries.
• Cask Influence: Matured exclusively in Oloroso Sherry Butts.
• Unrepeatable Rarity: A whisky born of chance, bottled with intention.

This limited-edition release embodies the essence of Old Perth’s commitment to delivering whiskies of outstanding quality and provenance.

The Old Perth 21-Year-Old will be available in select specialist retailers in the UK and Europe for a RRP of £178 on the 3^rd October 2025.

Tasting Notes:

Rich layers of sherried fruit, warming spices, and gentle oak, with a lingering finish that speaks to both the Macallan’s elegance and Highland Park’s smoky complexity.

For more information, stockist listings or image assets, visit: www.oldperthwhisky.co.uk/stockists

Islay

We are in the beautiful Island of Islay home to heavily peated and maritime styles of whisky. This tiny island boasts ten distilleries each with its own unique smokey character, offering a chance to try the varying styles of peated whisky.   From new kid on the block Ardnahoe to old favourites like Bowmore, Laphroaig  and Lagavulin, there is something to enjoy for all!

HEBRIDEAN HEROES❯

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 ❯

ralfy review 1098 – Little Brown Dog Ardmore 11yo @57.1%vol:

ARDBEG EXPERIMENTS WITH AMONTILLADO CASKS
FOR THE SECOND VINTAGE IN ITS MILLENNIUM SERIES

 < Nutty and smoky 24-year-old whisky is throwback collection’s rarest yet >

Ardbeg Islay single malt Scotch whisky today shares the second ultra-rare release in its millennium vintage series: the delicately nutty and smoky Ardbeg Vintage_Y2K 24 Years Old. Created at a pivotal moment in Ardbeg’s story, this highly limited bottling comprises some of the first Ardbeg ever finished in Amontillado sherry casks.

The year 2000 will go down in Islay history for many reasons. It was, of course, the era of the elusive millennium bug, which sparked fears of computerised chaos across the island and the world at large. But it also marked a new beginning at Ardbeg. Since being saved from extinction in 1997, the Distillery had been renovated and meticulously restored. And in 2000, it finally returned to full production. Created that year, each of the whiskies in Ardbeg’s Vintage_Y2K series is a smoky anomaly. They mark the malt’s revival by uniting unique spirit from the Distillery’s historic 51-year-old still (revered for its long service before being retired in 2001) with whisky-making techniques new to Ardbeg.

To celebrate that throwback spirit in the series’ second release, Ardbeg’s Director of Whisky Creation was inspired to experiment with his favourite sherry casks. And so, Dr Bill Lumsden MBE finished a parcel of that millennium stock in hand-selected Amontillado casks – a first for Ardbeg.  Combined with classic, bourbon-aged Ardbeg, the sherry casks bring to life an exceptionally delicate whisky, filled with notes of creamy toffee, almonds and tobacco. A year older and even more limited than the series’ first Vintage_Y2K release, the 24 Years Old bottling promises to be highly sought-after by collectors of Ardbeg. The whisky’s custom ABV of 47.8% has been especially selected to enhance its smoky flavours.

Dr Bill said: “The ultra-rare whiskies of our Vintage_Y2K series are hugely precious, since they mark the start of a new generation of Ardbeg. Older and even rarer than its predecessor, the 24 Years Old is a real treat for Ardbeg super-fans.

“Distilled in Ardbeg’s historic still, its spirit is some of the last created before it was retired. And while Amontillado sherry is an all-time favourite of mine, we have not used them before to finish an Ardbeg. Combined with classic Ardbeg, their wood creates a sublimely delicate whisky. Sherried notes of toffee and nuts meet bonfire embers and coal tar soap, with an edge of menthol. A fitting celebration of Ardbeg’s rebirth.”

The Ardbeg history books recorded another significant development at the Distillery in the millennium. As a few dedicated fans hatched a plan to ensure the Distillery’s doors never closed again, the Ardbeg Committee was born. A quarter-century later, that loyal fanbase is an Ardbeggian institution, spanning more than 140 countries and 200,000 strong. The Committee is free to join at ardbeg.com.

Ardbeg Vintage_Y2K 24 Years Old was recognised with a Double Gold award at the International Spirits Challenge 2024.

RRP: £680 

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Ardbeg Vintage Y2K 24 Years Old Tasting Notes:

ABV: 47.8%

Colour: Bright Amber

Aroma: Pungent, deep, aromatic and spicy, with beautiful notes of creamy toffee, flowering blackcurrants, creosote, coal tar soap, antique leather and almonds. With a splash of water, hints of charcoal, graphite and damp moss emerge, along with a distinct sooty note. 

Taste:   Astonishingly powerful and spicy on the palate, with a burst of deep intense, smoky flavours. Coal tar mingles with woodsmoke, while antiseptic lozenges meet bonfire embers. The Amontillado sherry casks are present, albeit in the background, with subtle notes of toffee, leather, cinnamon and clove.

Finish:   Long and lingering, with hints of menthol, eucalyptus, linseed oil and charcoal.

RRP: £680

Ardbeg

Ardbeg prides itself on being The Ultimate Islay Single Malt Whisky. Established in 1815, Ardbeg is revered by connoisseurs around the world as the peatiest, smokiest and most complex of all the Islay malts. Despite its smokiness, Ardbeg is renowned for its delicious sweetness, a phenomenon that has affectionately become known as ‘the peaty paradox’. During the 1980s and 1990s, Ardbeg suffered from an uncertain future, and it was not until the brand was purchased by The Glenmorangie Company in 1997 that the Distillery was saved from extinction. Since then, the Distillery has risen like a phoenix and today Ardbeg is well-established as a niche, cult malt, with a passionate following. Today, Ardbeg is one of the world’s most highly awarded smoky single malt whiskies. 

The Ardbeg Committee

The legacy of the whisky was safeguarded in 2000 by the formation of the Ardbeg Committee.  The Committee is made up of thousands of Ardbeg followers worldwide who are keen to ensure that “the doors of Ardbeg never close again”. Today there are more than 200,000 members of the Ardbeg Committee in over 140 countries.  Committee Members are regularly consulted on new bottlings and expressions and are offered exclusive Committee bottlings.  Members also receive invitations to special gatherings, tastings and events.  The Committee, chaired by Master Blender Gillian Macdonald and Visitor Centre Planner Bryony McNiven, is free to join at ardbeg.com.

Awards

Ardbeg is one of the world’s most highly awarded smoky single malt whiskies.  Since 2008, Ardbeg has won more than 50 gold and double gold medals in key whisky competitions.  Ardbeg has twice been awarded ‘World’s Best Single Malt’ at the World Whiskies Awards (2010, 2013).  At the 2014 Global Icons of Whisky Awards, then Distillery Manager Mickey Heads was voted ‘Distillery Manager of the Year’.  The following year, Ardbeg’s expressions took the top three spots in Whisky Advocate magazine’s review of the best single malt Scotch whiskies under US$100.  Meanwhile, both Ardbeg Corryvreckan and Ardbeg Uigeadail have been awarded gold medals at the 2016 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Ardbeg Ten Years Old also won the Best Single Malt Scotch 10 Year Old at the International Whisky Competition 2019, while the Ardbeg Distillery won the Distillery of the Year 2019. In 2020, the International Whisky Competition awarded Ardbeg Corryvreckan first place for Best Single Malt Scotch, Best Single Malt Scotch (No Age Statement), Best cask Strength (Over 57% ABV), Best Peated Scotch and Best Islay Single Malt. Ardbeg Wee Beastie also earned first place for Best Single Malt Scotch Under 10 Year Old and The Ardbeg Distillery achieved another Distillery of the Year award. In 2021, Dr Bill Lumsden was awarded Master Distiller of the Year for the fifth time, and Ardbeg Uigeadail won World Whisky of the Year in the International Whisky Competition. In 2022, at the International Whisky Competition, Ardbeg was awarded The Distillery of the Year Award, while Ardbeg Ardcore won first place in Best New Scotch Release, Best Peated Single Malt and Best Islay Single Malt. In 2023, Ardbeg was awarded four Gold and eight Silver medals at the International Spirits Competition, Silver in the International Wine & Spirits Competition and Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Ardbeg 25 Years Old was named the World’s Best Scotch Whisky at the 2023 New York Wine Spirits Competition, and received a Platinum medal at the 2024 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. In 2025, Ardbeg 17 Years Old was awarded Best Scotch Islay Single Malt at the World Whiskies Awards, and the Distillery was also recognised with the Category Winner awards for Ardbeg 25 Years Old and Ardbeg Corryvreckan. Ardbeg Ten Years OId and Ardbeg 25 Years Old both won Double Gold awards at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2025, and Ardbeg Vintage_Y2K 23 Years Old won Double Gold at the International Spirits Competition. 

Ardbeg Vintage_Y2K series

This series of highly limited smoky anomalies from 2000, celebrates a momentous year for Ardbeg. When the Glenmorangie Company purchased Ardbeg in 1997, it inherited a Distillery ravaged by neglect. It took three years of renovations before full production was able to resume. By then, Ardbeg was under the expert eye of Dr Bill Lumsden, who made a number of changes, including a new cut point and more rigorous cask selection. Created that year, the whiskies of Ardbeg’s Vintage_Y2K series mark Ardbeg’s revival by uniting some of the final spirit from the Distillery’s historic still, with the very best of Dr Bill’s modern whisky-making techniques.

• Released in 2024, Ardbeg Vintage_Y2K 23 Years Old was the series’ inaugural whisky. Crafted from some of Ardbeg’s very first spirit of the millennium, this single malt was aged in the finest bourbon and Oloroso sherry casks around, for notes of lemon balsam, linseed oil, soot and coffee.

Ardbeg’s historic still

While there were many changes during the Distillery’s renovation prior to 2000, the still in which the Ardbeg Vintage_Y2K whiskies were crafted was the same vessel which had served the Distillery for decades. However, the spirit of the Y2K series was some of the last to flow from that still, which was finally retired in 2001 after 51 years of operation. Now it stands proud in the Distillery’s courtyard, a landmark for the thousands of visitors who make the pilgrimage to Ardbeg each year. 

The Glenmorangie Company:

The Company is one of the most renowned and innovative distillers and marketers of Scotch whisky brands worldwide and is part of Moët Hennessy, the wine and spirits division of Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton. Headquartered in Edinburgh, Scotland, the Company produces Glenmorangie Single Highland Malt whisky and Ardbeg Single Islay Malt.

Harvest Series: Wychwood Harvest

We are delighted to announce the release of our fourth Harvest Series expression – Wychwood Harvest Single Malt Whisky (50% ABV).

This limited release of 1,500 bottles is crafted from a rare parcel of port and select bourbon casks laid down nearly ten years ago. It is our most accomplished tribute to port cask maturation to date and offers a bold and expressive single malt whisky.

Named after the ancient Wychwood Forest, near Witney in Oxfordshire, this latest release delivers a concentrated dark fruit character with structure and depth, featuring notes of stewed berries, blackcurrant, and dark fruit compote. These layers are complemented by soft vanilla from carefully selected bourbon barrels, with a gentle wisp of peat.

With its rich profile and striking presentation, Wychwood Harvest is a whisky to be savoured and collected.

This whisky is now available to buy on our website and in our three retail shops for £100 per bottle in Stourton, Broadway and Bourton-on-the-Water. Don’t miss out, buy yours while stocks last!

The liquid offers deep crimson hues from being aged in the Port casks and delivers a concentrated dark fruit character with structure and depth, featuring notes of stewed berries, blackcurrant and dark fruit compote.

These layers are complemented by soft vanilla from carefully selected bourbon barrels, with a gentle wisp of peat.

Head of Production – Alice Pearson

We release a new Harvest Series expression once a year, which celebrates the Cotswolds scenery through the art of painting by a local artist paired with our whisky is carefully selected by our Head of Production, Alice Pearson. This year’s release was inspired by a piece of art created by Oxfordshire-based artist Andrea Bates, which beautifully showcased the farming landscapes of the Cotswolds beneath a dramatic, cloudy sky.

At 25 years of age, our Head of Production, Alice Pearson, is one of the youngest female distillers in the UK. She personally selected the Port casks, which made this whisky such a distinctive expression, with its deep red colour and depth of flavour.

“I am really excited to introduce this latest Harvest expression both to UK and international consumers. We wanted to create a whisky that celebrates the traditions of the farming community which is bold and expressive.” – Alice Pearson

Listen to a snippet of Alice’s Harvest journey in her own words below. Keep your eyes peeled for the full video going live Friday 3rd October.

The Artist – Andrea Bates

The design for the presentation tube for this release was produced by Oxfordshire-based artist Andrea Bates, shown on the shelves in this image. Taking inspiration from the Cotswolds landscape and a nod to the farmland that produces the harvest, it depicts a stunning farming landscape set amongst a cloudy sky.

COMPASS BOX BRULEE ROYALE

The beloved, trailblazing blending house Compass Box has unveiled its latest release, Brulee Royale. This blended malt perfectly evokes the classic dessert, thanks to a stunning combination of single malts from Clynelish, Benrinnes, Speyburn and Ardbeg.

Silky vanilla custard and rich toffee notes define this limited edition blended malt from Compass Box. Combining single malts from Clynelish, Benrinnes, Speyburn and Ardbeg, it balances creamy sweetness with subtle smoky depth. Matured in ex-bourbon and custom American oak barrels, the whisky offers a layered flavour reminiscent of a caramelised dessert, with gentle spice and a hint of smoke.

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