Through Glasgow’s seemingly interminable rain, hail and gale we can offer this little ray of sunshine, our 178th auction is now live!  We have some really amazing drams in this month running the whole gamut of the whisky world.  With so much to choose from we have picked out a few highlights to get your watchlist moving.

All the way from the land of the rising sun, by way of France, comes this fantastic dram the Karuizawa 1965 50 Year Old Single Cask #8636 for La Maison du Whisky.  While not the oldest Karuizawa ever released this beauty isn’t far off, being distilled in 1965 and spending a frankly astonishing 50 years in cask before being bottled by French whisky specialists La Maison du Whisky.

Next up we have an unusual bottle from much closer to home, this is the Springbank Christmas 2011 Local Barley Private Shareholder Bottling.  While this bottling doesn’t have the jaw-dropping vintage of our last highlight it is almost certainly just as rare.  One of only 66 bottles released to private shareholders this one is, in the parlance of our times, rare as hen’s teeth.

This Midleton 30th Anniversary Pearl Edition was released to celebrate 30 years of Irish distilling giant Midleton’s ‘Very Rare’ range.   A blend of one pot still whisky and one grain whisky, it was then married in a 4th fill bourbon barrel.  The rather hefty and beautifully crafted presentation box also houses a little sample bottle, always a welcome addition to any lot.

Finally, we have another thoroughly aged dram bringing up the rear, this is the Glenlossie 1975 50 Year Old Kingsbury.  As if Glenlossie bottles weren’t rare enough, this 50 year old must be up there with the oldest Glenlossie ever bottled and is one of only 107 bottles released.  We have a number of excellent Kingsbury releases in this month so be sure to check them out.As always we have an enormous selection of drams to suit every budget on offer this month, so now is the time to delve into this month’s offerings and start building that watchlist.

Best of luck to everyone in the auction, and as always………..don’t lose your bottle.

We have also made some changes to our privacy policy this month which can be found here.

The masterclass schedule for this year’s Spirit of Toronto is now online.

Behold no less than seven sessions, guaranteed to leave you with greater insight into the craft, process and thought that goes into the making of great whisky. Click below to explore this year’s offerings:

VIEW MASTERCLASSES

With tickets going on sale Tuesday April 7 at 10am, you now have a couple of days to mull over the schedule, though rest assured that there are no wrong choices here. In fact, I envy all of you and the stellar drams you’ll be tasting next month, while I get to look on with baleful eyes… #noregrets

Happy April,
Johanna

Johanna Ngoh
Founder, Spirit of Toronto and Whisky Social

PS: A reminder that a quarter of tickets to this year’s show have been pre-sold; the rest go on sale Tuesday April 7 at 10am through Roy Thomson Hall’s Box Office.

Every Society cask tells a story influenced by spirit, wood type and maturation. Every monthly Outturn tells 20+ different whisky stories. Every time you twist the stopper off one of our bottles, glug it in the glass and raise it to your nose could be the moment you find your next favourite whisky… but only while it lasts. One new Outturn. All the good stuff. Live now.

TAKE ME TO THE BOTTLES

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, The Vaults, 87 Giles Street, Leith EH6 6BZ

Contact: sales@smws.com or call 0131 555 2929 (Mon-Fri 9am-4.45pm). Visit the Society at here for membership information

This is your chance to join and to take advantage of their great offers!

Spot the SMWS bottles in this amusing You Tube video

ralfy review 1122 – Ardmore 8yo Sherry single cask @57.8%vol: (Adelphi)

Looking for something a little different this Spirit of Speyside?

Join us for a truly unique experience — our Lunchtime Whisky Picnic at Findhorn Beach Huts — where great whisky meets fresh sea air and stunning coastal views.

Set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Moray Firth, you’ll enjoy a relaxed afternoon with the Murray McDavid Team, featuring:

🥃 Three outstanding whiskies

🥪 Delicious sandwiches and light bites

☕ Tea & coffee to round things off

As you sip and savour, keep an eye on the water — you might just spot dolphins, seals or seabirds adding to the experience.

This is whisky at its most relaxed — great drams, good company, and a view you won’t forget.

🥃 Lunchtime Whisky Picnic at Murray McDavid’s Findhorn Beach Huts 🏖️

Friday 1 May | 12:00pm-2:00pm
Sunday 3 May | 12:00pm-2:00pm – SOLD OUT!

BOOK NOW

Save on Japanese Whisky

Whether classic or new wave, a Japanese whisky never disappoints. We’ve put together a handpicked selection of some of the finest bottles from the region, and for just a short while, you can now enjoy any of them for a little less. With such a wide variety of styles on offer, you’re sure to discover something exceptional.

SHOP NOW

Lord-Lieutenant of Lanarkshire presents Glencairn Crystal with

Kings Award for Enterprise for Innovation

The Lord-Lieutenant of Lanarkshire, Lady Haughey (Susan) CBE visited Glencairn Crystal Studio Ltd in East Kilbride (on 20 February 2026) to formally present the company with its trophy for the King’s Award for Enterprise.

One of only a select number of organisations across the UK to receive the honour, Glencairn Crystal was recognised for excellence in Innovation. This marks the fourth time the family-owned business has received this prestigious accolade.

Founded in 1981 and employing more than 70 people, Glencairn Crystal is a family-owned business specialising in premium crystal and glassware for both business and consumer markets, with unrivalled expertise in the spirits industry. The company is renowned internationally for pioneering design, exceptional craftsmanship and advanced production techniques, successfully scaling artisan processes for commercial manufacture.

For more than 20 years, Glencairn has also produced the iconic Glencairn Glass, the first glass designed specifically for whisky and now recognised worldwide as the industry’s official whisky glass.

The company previously received the Queen’s Award for Enterprise for Innovation in 2006, and for International Trade in 2012 and 2017.

The Lord-Lieutenant of Lanarkshire, Lady Haughey (Susan) CBE said: “As the King’s personal representative in Lanarkshire, I was delighted to present the King’s Award for Enterprise – in the Innovation category – to Glencairn Crystal. To receive this prestigious award for the fourth time is a phenomenal achievement, highlighting consistent excellence in design, craftsmanship, and manufacturing, and reflecting the passion, creativity, and dedication of everyone at Glencairn Crystal.”

Scott Davidson, New Product Development Director at Glencairn Crystal, said: “We are incredibly proud to receive this trophy for the King’s Award for Enterprise for Innovation. As a family-run business for over 40 years, innovation has been at the heart of everything we do and this award reflects the dedication and talent of our entire team. To be honoured once again is a proud moment for us all.”

The King’s Awards for Enterprise are the UK’s most prestigious awards for businesses, recognising and encouraging outstanding achievements in four categories: innovation, international trade, sustainable development, and promoting opportunity through social mobility. The awards are given out annually and are a highly regarded mark of excellence for British businesses.

The Award programme, now in its 59th year and previously known as The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise, were renamed in 2023 to reflect His Majesty The King’s desire to continue the legacy of HM Queen Elizabeth II’s by recognising outstanding UK businesses.

For more information about Glencairn Crystal, visit www.glencairn.com

For more information about The Kings Award for Enterprise, visit www.gov.uk/kings-awards-for-enterprise

* 197 organisations nationally were recognised with a King’s Award for Enterprise and a total of 199 Awards were made with two companies being recognised with two Awards.

The 8th Annual Scottish Whisky Awards Are Now Open

Scotland’s national celebration of its greatest global export has returned.

Entries are now open for the 2026 Scottish Whisky Awards, recognising excellence across Scotland’s whisky industry and celebrating the producers, retailers and businesses that continue to drive the success of Scotch whisky around the world.

At the heart of the awards is a highly respected blind tasting competition, ensuring that every whisky is judged purely on its quality, character and craftsmanship by an expert panel of judges. Branding and distillery information are hidden during judging to guarantee a fair and impartial process.

Finalists will be announced in September 2026, with the winners revealed at a prestigious black-tie awards ceremony on Thursday 26 November 2026 at the DoubleTree by Hilton, Glasgow Central.

Check out our entry guide.