The Glendronach 30 & 40 Year Old: A New Chapter in Sherry Cask Mastery

Two rare releases showcase four decades of patience, craftsmanship, and the art of sherry cask ageing.

For nearly two centuries, The GlenDronach has been synonymous with rich, sherry-cask-matured whisky. From its Highland home in the Valley of Forgue, the distillery continues to prove why it’s regarded as one of Scotland’s masters of maturation. Now, The GlenDronach unveils two remarkable new expressions: the 30-Year-Old and the 40-Year-Old 2025 Edition – each representing the height of its craft.

What Makes The GlenDronach 30-Year-Old So Special?

The GlenDronach 30-Year-Old is a beautifully composed Highland Single Malt that highlights the distillery’s sherry cask artistry. Under the guidance of Master Blender Rachel Barrie, the whisky brings together three distinct sherry cask styles: Pedro Ximénez, Oloroso, and, for the first time, Amontillado.

Barrie explains, “With the 30-Year-Old, we have composed a symphony from our most historic sherry cask styles. Three decades of maturation have resulted in a sublime and charming Single Malt, with generous layers of rich and complex character.”

The inclusion of Amontillado adds elegant notes of toasted hazelnut and crème caramel, perfectly balancing The GlenDronach’s hallmark dark cherry, chocolate, and spiced fruit tones. Presented in a walnut curl veneer case engraved with 30 facets, a nod to the years of patient ageing, this release is priced at £1,000 and available at Selfridges.

How Does the 40-Year-Old Represent the Peak of GlenDronach’s Craft?

The 40-Year-Old 2025 Edition is the distillery’s ultimate expression, a rare whisky composed from a small number of hand-selected Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez casks. Matured over four decades in Spanish oak, it offers an extraordinary depth of flavour and a velvet-smooth texture that speaks to The GlenDronach’s time-honoured expertise.

Barrie shares, “At forty years old, it represents four decades of sherry cask refinement, polished by time to become the ultimate expression of The GlenDronach. It is a privilege to be the custodian of such remarkable casks.”

Expect a nose of black cherry, stewed plum, and blackberry, followed by a palate of bramble compote, prune, raisin wine, and cinnamon-laced chocolate espresso. Bottled at 43.9% ABV (Natural Cask Strength), it’s presented in a dark rosewood case with brass details and a golden plinth, a fitting vessel for a whisky of such stature. Retailing at £5,000, it is available through select global markets and Selfridges.

Why Are These Releases Important for Collectors and Enthusiasts?

The GlenDronach’s reputation rests on its mastery of sherry cask maturation, and these new releases reaffirm that legacy while deepening it. The 30-Year-Old introduces the Amontillado cask for the first time, while the 40-Year-Old showcases the distillery’s commitment to refinement through time, patience, and precision.

In an era of innovation and experimentation, The GlenDronach proves that true artistry still lies in tradition. Each bottle is not merely a whisky. It’s a time capsule of craftsmanship, matured to perfection beneath the cool stone walls of Forgue.

How to Craft the Perfect Whiskey Sour

Few cocktails strike the perfect balance like a whiskey sour. With its simple mix of lemon, syrup, and whiskey, it’s a drink that has stood the test of time. Like a lot of cocktails, the origins of the whiskey sour are scattered throughout history. 

The family of “sour” cocktails can be traced back to 1862, with Jerry Thomas’s guide How to Mix Drinks or The Bon Vivant’s Companion being one of the earliest references to the mix. Originally developed by sailors, a sour mix would feature a base spirit, a sweetener such as syrup, and a bitter citrus fruit juice such as lemon or lime. These were fruits that sailors kept on hand to ward off scurvy and made for excellent pairings with spirits like rum, gin, and, indeed, whiskey.

The oldest recorded reference to a whiskey sour is in an archived copy of the Wisconsin newspaper, the Waukesha Plain Dealer, from 1870. It was later claimed that an English ship steward named Elliott Stubb invented the cocktail while in the Peruvian port city of Iquique. Legends say that Stubb used the uniquely bitter Lemon di Pica from the nearby commune of Pica in his version. However, like all pieces of cocktail lore, this story suffers from a lack of primary sources.

What Ingredients Are in a Whiskey Sour?

The modern whiskey sour is far less picky about its choice of ingredients. According to International Bartenders Association, the classic whiskey sour recipe is:

45ml of bourbon whiskey
25ml of fresh lemon juice
20ml of sugar syrup
Optional: A few drops of egg white
You can also add a slice of lemon and a maraschino cherry for garnish if so desired.

While the IBA calls for bourbon, it’s perfectly possible to make a good whiskey sour with Irish whiskey if you prefer, though this does lack the bourbon’s distinct caramel taste. It’s also possible to use a good Scotch for a Scotch Sour, which, depending on the whiskey used, can lead to a smokier taste. The egg white isn’t necessarily essential; it simply gives the Whiskey Sour a nice creamy texture and offsets some of the bitterness. So, feel free to discard if you prefer.

So, How Do You Make a Whiskey Sour? To make one of these beauties, simply place the whiskey, lemon juice, syrup, and egg white into a cocktail shaker. Do not add ice just yet. A 30-second dry shake (shaking without the ice) will help to create a silky texture and a frothy head, and better balance the flavours in the cocktail.

Add ice and shake for another 10-15 seconds to chill the cocktail before straining it into a chilled lowball glass. And that’s really all there is to the perfect whiskey sour, though, as with all cocktails, there are many variations.

The Best Whiskey Sour Variations

The most famous is likely the New York Sour, which follows the same recipe but with a red wine float atop the mixture. This adds more complexity and fruit-forward notes to the cocktail – the better the wine used, the better the quality of the cocktail.

The Hawaiian Stone Sour adds pineapple juice to the mix for a sweeter tropical taste. Allegedly, this was invented by the “King of Cocktails,” Dale DeGroff, in 2000.

The London Sour is a longer, fruity drink thanks to the addition of 75ml of orange juice and around 5ml of orgeat (almond) syrup. It makes for a sweeter, citrus-packed version of the whiskey sour that has a pleasant almond flavour running through it.

Finally, for the truly adventurous, there is the Whiskey Business, which adds cinnamon syrup and chili liqueur for an extra spicy drink. Depending on your spice tolerance, this one is not for the faint-hearted!

And that’s all you need to know about the whiskey sour. It’s a simple cocktail but with endless opportunities for experimentation. You can mix a hundred of these and they can still surprise you with their range of flavours and textures.

If you have a unique take on this classic cocktail, we would love to hear it! Get in touch on social @thethreedrinkers with your own experiences mixing a whiskey sour or if you have your own signature variation that hasn’t been covered here. Like all the best drinks writers, we are always curious to try something new.

To read more from Liam, make sure you click here!

A Thai Talisman

Prakaan Distillery, Thailand

Thailand invokes certain images. Scenes from the Leonardo Di Caprio film The Beach come to mind. Bright sunshine, pristine white sand and turquoise seas and heat. This is the idle people expect to experience when they visit Thailand. Until this year I had never visited but always thought I would and experience the country as described above. My home country has certain similarities. On the west coast of Scotland are some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, like Thailand the sands are white, and the seas turquoise and crystal clear. There is just one thing missing: the heat. However, there is something my home country makes which Thailand could not offer, and that’s whisky. Until now.

My primary motivation for visiting Thailand this year was to visit their first Single Malt Whisky distillery and taste the whisky it is producing. I did not see one beach on my week-long visit, and the beach wasn’t missed. Instead, I experienced a different side of Thailand. The un-talked about interior.

The company which built the distillery owns many businesses. From hotels and restaurants, a logistics company which operates all over Thailand, and their biggest operation, a beer company, and it is in the same town as a brewery that the whisky distillery is found. The company is called Thai Beverage and their move into making Single Malt Whisky might seem an unusual one for predominantly a beer company in the tropics, but they have form. International Beverage, a subsidiary of Thai Beverage owns four of the best and most traditional distilleries in Scotland. In the far north, they own Pulteney and Balblair, Speyburn and Balmenach in Speyside and just to the east of Speyside, Knockdhu distillery.

Although in Thailand Thai Beverage is known for beer, they have plenty of distilling experience. Some of the great Thai rum brands have been and are still produced by them. They have a rum distillery which they have owned since the 1970’s.

The whisky distillery, unlike their rum distillery is nowhere near Bangkok. It is in Kamphaeng Phet a lesser-known corner of Thailand not frequented by tourists in search of white sands or azure waters. Instead, it sits nestled within the Western Forest Complex, a vast and largely untouched tract of wilderness recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site. It’s hot, it’s humid, it’s rich in biodiversity and surprisingly, it’s perfect for whisky making.

The features in the Kamphaeng Phet Historical Park include archaeological remains of ancient sites such as Mueang Chakangrao to the east of the Ping River and Mueang Nakhon Chum to the west. The whole site covers much of the town and is surrounded by a distinctly shaped wall. It is this heritage site and its surrounding wall which give the whisky its name, Prakaan. Prakaan translates as ‘wall’ or ‘fort’, a tribute to the ancient stonework that once encircled Kamphaeng Phet. Like the whisky, it stands as a symbol of strength, endurance and cultural identity. A section of this wall is the emblem on the whiskies label, and the bricks make up the texture of the bottle. It roots the whisky with a true sense of place.

The water for the distillery comes from deep underground, the source of which flows through the Western Forest Complex and includes Khlong Lan Waterfall. Not far from the distillery the waterfall is a spectacle sitting within the forest, which in itself is a magical place, the waterfall is elegant yet powerful, much like the whisky and well worth seeking out.

Beyond the sense of place in the landscape the whisky evokes, it also has a sense of place rooted in the people, and food. There is a great love for Thai food all over the world, from Khao soi fragrant noodle soup, river prawns, which are the size of small lobsters, an abundance of fresh vegetables and even sticky mango rice, the food in Thailand is incredibly diverse with different regions producing different style.

With all these influences it would be understandable if the whisky didn’t quite manage to encompass that whole sense of place, yet somehow it does, and this I think comes from a tradition rooted in Whisky’s home country of Scotland. All of the International Beverage distilleries are in the highlands, Speyside is in the greater highland region, so Speyburn is still highland. Highland whisky tends to be elegant and fruity. It’s this fruit forward character which Prakaan has in spades. The team at Prakaan, beyond having incredible backgrounds in biochemistry and distilling in Thailand, have spent two years with the teams in Scotland learning about and making single malt Scotch Whisky. The elegance of Scotch shines though in Prakaan, as does the fruit forward nature of the whisky. It is this fruit forward nature which also gives Prakaan its unique identity. Like some highland whiskies, there are a lot of tropical fruits found in Prakaan, and those fruits are diverse and range from light banana and touches of pineapple to guava, passion fruit and dragon fruit which is integral to Thailand. These tropical fruits are joined by honey, citrus peels and touches of ginger, and milk chocolate sit in the background. The back palate allows spice to develop which runs all the way through the finish. These flavours are added to in the Double Cask expression with typical Oloroso sherry cask character which are used for 18 to 30 months. These casks give raisins, cinnamon, nutmeg and dates. Their final expression the Peated Malt has a ppm of 45 in the barley and is lightly peated at 3ppm in the resulting whiskey. The peat is imported from the highland of Scotland giving rich BBQ smoke and oily, earthy peat beyond the tropical fruit notes.

All this fruit flavour is rooted in fermentation which lasts for 72 hours giving fruity flavours and starts at 18- 20°C and is kept under 35°C with cooling jackets. All this flavour shines in their ex-bourbon cask expression. For me ex-bourbon cask maturation allows the spirit character to shine and shows its true character. The spirit from Prakaan is very characterful and this comes through in the whisky well. This character also allows for other types of maturation without losing that distinct character. There are two other expressions in the Prakaan line up. One which has ex-sherry cask maturation included, and a peated expression. Both of these show off their different flavours. The maturation has been deftly handled. In the heat of the tropical sun, it takes skill and care not to overcook the spirit. The warehouses have been built in such a way to help this. By being recessed into the ground by a few metres, the base of the warehouse is cool, and by having huge doors which can open for airflow, the ambient temperature in the warehouse is much cooler than the shade temperatures outside and can be temperature controlled. There is no humidity control, and the angels share reflects this with 13% being lost to the angels in year 1, and then 10% in year two, 9% in year three and 8.5% in year 4, so the volume of liquid loss over the years is considerable, but the abv only decreased 1-3% over the first 5 years. This is all normal for the tropics. Prakaan doesn’t have an age statement on their whisky, and nor should they, as with tropical aging, age is irrelevant, however some of the whisky is older than you would imagine. They first filled barrels in April 2018, so one can work it out from there.

Distillery manager Boyd

Prakaan isn’t trying to be like Scotch, it has its own identity, but the quality is formidable and the overall experience of visiting Prakaan is impressive. The distillery is state of the art and fully automated, yet the skill in their whisky making is rooted in tradition and culture, people and place. These characteristics will sound familiar to Scotch Whisky drinkers and show that Scotland and Thailand as well as having pristine beaches and pure blue seas, now have great whisky in common too.

Colin and Boyd at Prakaan in Thailand

Prakaan Select Cask
Full of tropical fruit and ex bourbon cask flavours.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 43%
Find here: £49.96

Prakaan Double Cask
Rich with baking spice, chocolate and signature tropical fruit.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 43%
Find here: £62.46

Prakaan Peated Cask
Tropical fruits, smoke and earthy flavours and aromas

Size: 750ml
ABV: 43%
Find here: £54.13

If you’ve enjoyed discovering the first single Malt whisky from Thailand and your appetite has been peaked for something Thai, then how about booking a great Thai restaurant in London here.

Words by Colin Hampden-White

The Dalmore Unveils Second Annual Distillery Select Series

If there’s one thing whisky lovers know about The Dalmore, it’s that the Highland powerhouse doesn’t do things by halves. With a history stretching back to 1839 and a reputation for rich, chocolate-orange house style draped in luxury, each release has collectors and connoisseurs leaning in closer. Now, following the sell-out success of last year’s debut, The Dalmore has lifted the curtain on its second annual Distillery Select Series - and it’s a trio worth talking about.

The Distillery Select Series is all about uncovering hidden gems from the distillery’s famed warehouses. These are parcels of spirit chosen for their singular dimension of character, bottled at natural colour, non-chill filtered, and nurtured until The Dalmore’s master whisky makers declare them ready. Think of it as the inside track to some of the distillery’s most intriguing treasures.

Cabernet Sauvignon Cask Finish – 13 Years Old

First up is the Cabernet Sauvignon Cask Finish, a 13-year-old expression bottled at 51.3% ABV, priced at £350, with just 1,002 bottles released. Matured in American white oak ex-bourbon barrels before a two-year slumber in Médoc Cabernet Sauvignon barriques, it’s brimming with charm. On the nose, warm citrus fruits mingle with black toffee, sugared almonds, and ginger spice. The palate unfolds with poached peach, balsamic whispers, chocolate mocha, and soft liquorice, while the finish brings waves of tropical fruits, exotic spice, and lingering berry richness. A dram of finesse indeed.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 51.3%
Price: £350

Loire Valley Wine Cask Finish – 17 Years Old

Ratcheting up the rarity, the Loire Valley Wine Cask Finish comes in at 17 years, 46.8% ABV, and a cool £1,000 - though with only 252 bottles available, blink and you’ll miss it. Finished in sweet wine barriques from Bouvet Ladubay in France’s Loire Valley, this whisky is a tapestry of flavour. Aromas of damson plums, marmalade, and Madagascan vanilla invite you in, before poaching spices, Demerara sugar, and bright orchard fruits take over the palate. The finish is an indulgent mix of Tahitian vanilla, caramel, and soft baking spice - a dram that dances between elegance and decadence.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 46.8%
Price: £1,000

Colheita Tawny Port Cask Finish – 28 Years Old

The jewel of the collection, however, is the Colheita Tawny Port Cask Finish, a venerable 28-year-old presented at 48.2% ABV, with a mere 49 bottles available worldwide. Price? £5,500. This extraordinary whisky spent its final four years in 1997 vintage Colheita casks from Graham’s Port, the very year it was distilled. The result is liquid velvet: aromas of exotic fruits and damson plums, a palate of roasted pineapple, raspberry coulis, coffee beans, and Seville orange, with a finish of star fruit, liquorice, dark cacao, and allspice. Quite simply, a deepened beauty.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 48.2%
Price: £5,500

The collection launches globally on 11 October 2025, available online at The Dalmore website and at select boutiques in Spain, Cambodia, and the Philippines. Members of The Dalmore Guild will get an exclusive two-day head start.

With the inaugural Distillery Select Series of 2024 snapped up by collectors in record time, expect this year’s trio to follow suit. Each bottle captures The Dalmore’s artistry in miniature, proving once again why the stag remains one of whisky’s most coveted emblems. Thirsty for more? Click here.

7 Unique Summer Drinks That Deserve a Spot in Your Glass

Summer has a way of slowing everything down. The heat makes you pause, and the sunshine draws you outside. The days stretch long, and the nights feel even longer - until they’re suddenly gone. So, it’s worth making the most of it. Sit in the garden with some ‘picky bits’ and enjoy drinks crafted with care. Not just another white wine or the same old gin and tonic - there’s nothing wrong with either - but there is a lot more out there to enjoy.

Think drinks with a story. Bottles that shine in the sun and are full of summer flavour. From English fine cider and French apéritifs to floral Cognacs and fruit-forward whiskies, these are summer-ready drinks full of character. They’re versatile, too - perfect for long drinks like Cognac and soda, a combination that will keep you cool in the warm weather. In fact, all of these drinks work beautifully with soda. And soda loves summer. 

Find & Foster Natura Pastorum 2020 Cider

Find & Foster make fine cider in Devon, working to regenerate historic orchards and preserve traditional English cider-making. Natura Pastorum 2020 is a medium-dry sparkling cider crafted using the traditional Champagne method. It spends two years on lees, adding complexity and a soft, rounded mouthful.

Expect notes of fragrant apple, orange blossom, lemon and gentle honey. Elegant and expressive, it is the kind of bottle to have chilled and ready for long afternoons outside. Best served chilled in a wine glass, where it can open up in the sun.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 6%
Find Here: £21.00

Jean Luc Pasquet Marie-Framboise

Jean-Luc Pasquet is an organic Cognac producer behind some of the region's most exciting expressions. Marie-Framboise is a raspberry apéritif made with locally grown organic berries - and it’s shaping up to be a modern classic. It bursts with vibrant raspberry character and carries layers of complexity.

Enjoy it over ice or with soda, but it really shines when splashed into sparkling wine or fine cider, such as Find & Foster. The raspberries are macerated for up to three months, developing notes of freshly picked raspberries, dates, blackcurrant leaf and mint, making it a real taste of summer.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 16%
Find Here: £24.50

Savoia Orancio

Savoia Orancio is an orange wine aperitivo blended with spice and citrus, making it perfect for a refreshing Spritz. It’s a fresh, modern take on the Italian aperitivo tradition. Orange wine is made by fermenting white grapes on their skins, which adds complex aromatics to the glass.

Its bittersweet balance unfolds gradually with the orange wine and spices working together, as the flavours evolve over time. Notes of bitter orange, lime and bergamot meet ginger, pomegranate and a hint of saffron. It's made for sunny evenings, shared plates and great company.

Size: 500ml
ABV: 17.2%
Find Here: £21.95

Bruichladdich Whisky: The Classic Laddie

Bruichladdich’s (pronounced BROOK-Laddie) is a barley-forward single malt Scotch whisky with bright fruit notes and a deep connection to place. The distillery champions sustainability and, through its commitment to reconnecting ‘whisky and agriculture’, it uses 100% Scottish barley in its whiskies. They describe the colour of the whisky as ‘sunlight on early summer barley fields’ - and that is how it tastes too.

Bottled at 50% ABV, it carries plenty of fruity richness and lets the barley flavour shine through. Whisky and soda come into their own in summer, and this is one of the best whiskies to enjoy in that long serve. Expect notes of pear, honey, heather, lemon and a touch of salt.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 50%
Find Here: £49.90

Four Roses Small Batch Whisky

Strawberries are a real summer treat and instantly bring to mind Four Roses Small Batch bourbon, thanks to its fruity profile. Four Roses uses ten different bourbon recipes to create whiskies with a wide range of flavour profiles, making their range an excellent way to explore bourbon and discover how different flavour combinations come together.

The Small batch delivers those classic bourbon notes of sweet vanilla oak, caramel, baking spices - cinnamon, nutmeg and clove alongside lashings of ripe strawberries. It is a firm favourite for an old-fashioned cocktail, but for something lighter, try their Kentucky Lemonade cocktail, which keeps things refreshing on a hot day whilst still letting that bourbon shine.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 45% ABV
Find Here: £30.50

Frapin VSOP Cognac

The fruit-forward notes of cognac make it the perfect spirit for summer, and if you’re unsure where to start, Frapin VSOP is a great choice. It is fruit-forward, versatile, and made without compromising on quality. VSOP stands for Very Superior Old Pale and notes that the cognac is at least four years old, giving you greater depth and richness.

Remarkably, this cognac house dates back to 1270, yet the spirit feels modern and accessible. Notes of baked apple, flowers (roses), oak, vanilla, and ginger work wonderfully in a sidecar or with soda for a refreshing fruity-sweet alternative to gin.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find Here: £58.25

Grosperrin Extra Grande Champagne Cuvée Abel Mestreau

Some moments deserve a truly special spirit. This 45-year-old Grande Champagne Cognac comes from Grosperrin, highly regarded négociant-traders who buy and bottle Cognac. It has been bottled under the historic Abel Mestreau label, originally a broker from the early 1900s whose business closed after World War I.

Grande Champagne, which refers to the growing region (also known as cru), is the most prized region in Cognac, famed for long-aging potential and finesse. This bottle offers indulgent notes of old oak, tobacco, leather, plums and warming spices (nutmeg and cinnamon), with a lingering, contemplative finish. This is a rare chance to experience history in a glass.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 43% 
Find Here: £136

For more summer-ready drinks, take a look at this article on English whisky, which highlights whisky that truly shines at this time of year.

8 Scotch Whiskies Perfect for Beginners

Thinking of trying a Scotch whisky but not sure where to begin? You’ve found yourself in just the right space! It can be overwhelming to try to figure out where to start, as there are so many options that it can feel infinite but this list will help give you a solid starting point.

These eight whiskies are not meant to be the definitive beginner’s guide to Scotch whisky; rather, they can work as a diving board into your own exploration of the different regions or even the different styles within a single distillery. Each one offers something a bit special and unique and, hopefully, there will be one or more that catch your eye.

Where is Whisky Made in Scotland?

Scotland has five distinct whisky regions, all with their own unique characteristics. Here’s a quick glance:

Lowland: This region is located south of a line between Dundee and Greenock; these whiskies tend to be unpeated and lean towards a lighter style with sweet floral notes. Typically considered more beginner-friendly due to a general lack of peated styles.

Highland: The largest geographically of the five regions, highland whisky encompasses many of the islands just off the coastline. This region offers massive diversity in taste, from elegant lighter pours to saline coastal malts to peated gems. 

Campbeltown: Once the whisky capital of the world with 30 distilleries, Campbeltown is now the smallest region of the five. You can usually find a hint of salinity in this whisky as well as a touch of smoke. These will have a lot of fruit and vanilla flavours, creating rich and robust offerings.

Speyside: This region is nestled along the River Spey and is the most densely populated region for distilleries. This style is usually light or no peat and very heavy on fruit flavours due to the use of sherry casks.

Islay (pronounced ‘eye-luh’): This region, shockingly, covers the Isle of Islay. These are fiery and heavily peated whiskies. There has been heaps written about the special Islay peat which is unique to the island, and these whiskies usually have tasting notes that lean towards medicinal, mechanical and oily.

What is the difference between Peated and Smoky whisky?

To peat or not to peat, that is the question…

Medicinal. Iodine. Tar. Charcoal. Seaweed. Plasters. Tarmac. Vegetal. You’ve probably heard at least one of these words when a whisky is described as being peated or peaty. These are created during the kilning of malt before distillation. It’s important to also note that ‘smoke’ and ‘peat’ are not really interchangeable, although sometimes they are treated like that- the phrase ‘sisters not twins’ comes to mind. Peat will often create a more oily, vegetal or earthy smell and taste, while smoke refers to aromas or flavours that are drier and more evocative of a campfire or charcoal. So with that now sorted, let’s jump in to 8 stunning bottles of Scotch that you really need to try…

Glasgow 1770 Peated

Region: Lowland
Peated: Yes

This whisky comes from The Glasgow Distillery, independently owned and started by two pals back in 2012. Since then, a small team of 16 works in Hilington in the outskirts of Glasgow while honouring the industrial heritage of The Glasgow Distillery.

One-third of their core range, the Glasgow 1770 Peated, starts maturing in virgin American oak casks before spending eight to 12 months in Pedro Ximénez sherry casks. The result is a smoky, dark fruited whisky that balances sweet and savory in tasty harmony. This would be a tasty treat to sip at a BBQ or alongside a grilled meal.

Size: 70cl
ABV: 46%
Find here: £52.00

Arran 10

Region: Highland (unofficially Island)
Peated: No

Located on the Isle of Arran, you’ll find the Lochranza Distillery, which creates whisky that is a beautiful reflection of the island. The water used in distillation is rainwater that pools at Loch na Davie, so Arran’s whisky is a pure expression of the warm microclimate.

Arran 10 is a true all-rounder that offers something for everyone. In the glass, you’ll be greeted by unpeated citrus notes that, when sipped, open up into vanilla, soft oak, apple and just a hint of coconut. This bottle also recently won the World Whisky Awards 2025! 

Size: 70cl
ABV: 46%
Find here: £46.99

Fettercairn 12

Region: Highland
Peated: No

Fettercairn Distillery (est. 1824) is tucked into the foothills of the Cairngorms, and they have been innovators since the beginning. The founder, Sir Alexander Ramsay, was one of the Scottish landowners who campaigned for licensed and legal whisky distillation. For those history buffs out there, look up the 1823 Excise Act.

Their 12-year-old is a part of their core range and is a beautiful unpeated expression using American oak ex-bourbon barrels. Aromas of vanilla and biscuit open into flavours of tropical fruits before deepening into sultanas and a sweet malt. A lower ABV adds to a gentler experience, which is elegant and an utter delight to sip. 

Size: 70cl
ABV: 40%
Find here: £52.99

Nc’Nean

Region: Highland
Peated: No

Organic and sustainable, founder Annabel wanted to make a whisky that coexisted with the nature around it. In 2017, work began, and in 2020, the first bottle came to an eager market. This single malt is made using 100% organic Scottish barley, and the Nc’Nean Distillery is powered using 100% renewable energy.

Using a balance of red wine, American bourbon, and sherry cask, the Organic Single Malt is easy-going and elegant. A sweet barley and citrus on the nose lead to tasting notes of charred tropical fruits before turning towards a decadent chocolate fudge. The finish will leave you with a satisfying vanilla oaked spice. This drama begins with a fun, light twirl that deepens into an elegant glass you can enjoy again and again for beginners and those who are more experienced.

Size: 70cl
ABV: 46%
Find here: £55.50

That Boutique-y Whisky Company Speyside 12-Year-Old

Region: Speyside
Peated: No

When it comes to independent bottlings of whisky, it can be tough to know where to start, but TBWC has your back. Part of their core range, their Speyside 12 is aged in an Oloroso sherry cask, which gives it an incredibly inviting nose of Medjool dates, honey and sticky toffee pudding.

At first sip, there is a gentle warmth that builds the more you drink, accompanied by notes of candied almonds, chewy spices and citrus peel. This bottle is created in batch releases of 1,000 litres and is a brilliant example of what TBWC does best: creating unusual and unique small batches while being passionate about the story behind the liquid in the bottle.

Size: 70cl
ABV: 45.8%
Find here: £44.95

Benriach 10

Region: Speyside
Peated: No, but it has some smoke to it

The Benriach Distillery was first built in 1898 on the site of the old Raich farm in Elgin, the north of the most densely populated distillery region. Their Benriach 10, a core range offering, is triple cask matured in bourbon, sherry and virgin oak barrels. This trifecta creates a nose of big vanilla and bourbon that’s tempered with deeper stewed fruit and a smokiness.

On your first sip, you’ll be greeted by abundant apples, stone fruit (grilled peaches) and a very light almond, almost aniseed hint. These big fruity flavours are complemented by a gentle misting of smoke, almost like you’re drinking it and there’s a bonfire nearby. 

Size: 70cl
ABV: 43%
Find here: £33.95

Glen Scotia Double Cask Rum Finish

Region: Campbeltown
Peated: No

Glen Scotia is one of the smallest distilleries in Campbeltown and was founded in 1832. They make a range of peated and unpeated whisky, but the one selected for this article is a very special one indeed.

The Glen Scotia Double Cask Rum Finish offers a more unusual finish by maturing in American oak barrels before using Guyanese Demerara rum barrels to finish things off. This means notes of molasses and cooked sugar that deepen to reveal stone fruits and coconut. The finish of this whisky is warm and spiced vanilla with a divine hint of salinity. This is a whisky to try if you enjoy rum, delicious and rich. 

Size: 70cl
ABV: 46%
Find here: £43.00

Caol Ila 12

Region: Islay
Peated: Heck Yes!

Caol Ila 12 (pronounced ‘cull-eela’) offers a gentle introduction to the unique world of Islay peat. Located in Port Askig on the Isle of Islay, the distillery was originally built in 1846. Vastly different from the peat found in other regions, this particular bottle delivers fresh and herbal notes in an oily malt that flirts with the medicinal flavours without becoming overwhelming.

You’ll find some citrus notes accompanied by a goodly helping of salinity. This is a whisky for those curious and eager to discover the unique magic of Islay peat.

Size: 70cl
ABV: 43%
Find here: £48.95

What’s the most important thing to remember when it comes to trying whisky for the first time? Have fun with it - make your own beginner’s list - and remember, whisky is best experienced when shared with someone, so grab a pal and happy sipping! If you’d like to read more about the difference between whisky and whiskey, you can check out Whisky vs Whiskey, or if you want to go further off the beaten path, why not check out Rogues of the Regions: Your Guide to the Most Unique Scotch Whiskies (you might even see a familiar bottle)! To see more from Elizabeth, make sure to check out her other articles here.

No Longer a Curiosity: The 7 English Whiskies You need to try

English whisky has been building momentum, with a focus on innovation that still pays tribute to tradition. Ever since The English Sherry Cask Matured was voted ‘best single malt in the world’ in the 2024 World Whisky Awards, English distilleries have been challenging the perception that English single malt whisky was here to merely make up the numbers. This is an exciting time to explore English whisky with a groundswell of passion and experimentation up and down the country. What unites them is their commitment to flavour and a curious mind. There is a sense of freedom: to innovate, to play and to reflect the place it is made. The seven whiskies below have been hand selected and tell a story of English whisky’s emergence as the whisky of the 21st century.

Filey Bay Flagship 

If you’re a new whisky drinker and don’t know where to start, this is the whisky for you. This English single malt whisky from Yorkshire manages to be approachable whilst having enough complexity to interest experienced drinkers. Filey Bay has a real connection to place, which carries through every step of production and through the regenerative farming practices at the centre of their approach. Growing 100% of the barley in the carefully nurtured soil on their farm yields a flavoursome barley with hints of caramel. The Flagship bottle is the essence of their style, with notes of soft vanilla ice cream, fruity with peaches and gentle oak spice. It is wonderful in a highball.

Size: 70cl
ABV: 46%
Find here: £55.75

Fielden Rye Whisky

There is a real sense of England captured in this expressive rye whisky. Also based in Yorkshire and employing regenerative farming practices, they are able to extract abundant flavour from heritage grains that are selected for flavour over yield. This considered approach to whisky making supports English farmers and enhances the biodiversity of the English countryside more widely. These efforts happily translate into a uniquely English rye whisky, which is matured in a combination of American oak casks and a selection of ex-wine casks. This is rich and inviting with notes of buttery croissant, berries, caramel and cinnamon. It works exceptionally well in an old-fashioned cocktail.

Size: 70cl
ABV: 46%
Find here: £55.75

Cotswolds Signature Single Malt

In terms of flavour profile, Cotswolds sits between the softer Filey Bay and the rich and full-bodied Fielden. Situated in the beautiful Cotswolds countryside, this single malt whisky uses locally grown barley. It’s an everyday indulgence and a must-try for anyone exploring English whisky. They use a variety of barrels to include ex-Bourbon casks and STR ex-wine casks; shaved, toasted and recharred to remove a few millimetres of wine-soaked wood, toast the fresh surface, then flame-char it: the refreshed oak offers notes of raspberry and caramel that complement the malt forward creamy porridge notes. This whisky is well suited to enjoy after a Sunday stroll in the countryside.

Size: 70cl
ABV: 46%
Find here: £47.90

White Peak Wire Works Whisky Bourbon Barrel

Located at the old Johnson & Nephew Wire Works on the banks of a river nestled in ancient woodland, White Peaks focus on flavour and place, using spent brewers yeast from a local brewery. This whisky follows the distillery’s fruit forward and lightly-peated style, with so-called ‘inactive’ Bourbon barrels imparting minimal flavour and allowing the true characteristics of the whisky to shine. This is a great starting point with Wire Works whisky and peated whisky generally. It offers notes of vanilla sponge, lemon rind, white chocolate, and wisps of gentle smoke. and pairs really well with chalky cheese and crackers.

Size: 70cl
ABV: 53.4%
Find here: £60.75

The Lakes Signature Single Malt

The Lakes Signature is the distillery's first permanent style of sherry-led whisky. It is equally approachable to newer whisky drinkers, offering a ‘treat yourself’ moment of the sublime, while also perfect for those who enjoy sherry-forward whisky. The Lakes know that “to prosper we cannot play safe” which inspires their curiosity. Whisky Maker Sarah Burgess (formerly of The Macallan) builds layers of richness and complexity by making careful adjustments to the location and climate of the cask throughout maturation. This technique is known as élevage, and is traditionally used in cognac production. The whisky has rich notes of leather, medjool dates, figs, sandalwood and gentle oak and is well suited to quiet contemplation accompanied by your favourite album. 

Size: 70cl
ABV: 47%
Find here: £78.50

Circumstance Organic Single Grain Barley Whisky

Circumstance Distillery challenges assumptions about how great whisky is made, and delivers exceptionally flavoursome results. This is authentic, experimental, and exciting whisky. Prioritising flavour, they don’t produce single malts. Instead, they layer flavour using multiple grains, various yeast strains, very long fermentations, and a range of cask types that add a warming texture to the whisky. Committed to sustainability, they’re certified organic and carbon neutral. The result is a velvety whisky that tastes like freshly baked rhubarb crumble, with toasted hazelnuts and lemon zest adding balance. It pairs beautifully with chilled hibiscus kombucha.

Size: 70cl
ABV: 47.7 %
Find here: £45.25

Woven Experience N.22 Pastures New

English whisky has its first English blended whisky thanks to the team at Woven. It represents yet another milestone, bringing together diverse approaches and styles that collectively contribute to a rich and thriving whisky scene. In doing so this bottle signifies that English whisky is here to stay. Blended whiskies are at times unfairly seen as lesser than single malts, but blending is a craft and offers the opportunity for greater complexity compared to single malts. Woven are a refreshingly modern whisky brand who are making whisky inclusive and fun. The blend comprises six whiskies, including Wire Works, Fielden, and Cotswolds. It offers notes of plums, spiced rye bread, wildflowers, and nutmeg. and pairs perfectly with a nice crisp, dry cider.

Size: 70cl
ABV: 49.1%
Find here: £54.95

Together, these whiskies represent a vibrant and thoughtful English whisky scene, deeply tied to place. Be curious. Pick up a bottle and start exploring! If you’d like to read more whisky content click here.

Bushmills Distillery: The Timeless Spirit of Irish Single Malt

Nestled on the rugged northern coast of Northern Ireland, Bushmills Distillery stands as a bastion of Irish whiskey heritage. With a license to distil granted in 1608, it is widely considered the oldest licensed whiskey distillery in the world. Over four centuries later, Bushmills remains a name synonymous with tradition, craftsmanship, and an unwavering commitment to quality, especially when it comes to single malt Irish whiskey.

While many associate Irish whiskey with triple-distilled blends, Bushmills is unique in its focus on 100% malted barley whiskies, distilled in copper pot stills and matured in carefully selected casks. The distillery’s core range of single malts showcases the diversity and elegance that can be achieved in Irish whiskey when tradition is upheld with a modern touch. Only recently they have built a new still house with state of the art equipment to compliment the existing stills and double their capacity to make whiskey.

They make quite a few different whiskies at the distillery, but they have some expressions which will always be available.

The Core Range: A Journey Through Time

Bushmills’ core single malt lineup is anchored by three age-statement expressions: the 10 Year Old, 16 Year Old, and 21 Year Old.

Bushmills 10 Year Old is triple distilled and matured primarily in bourbon casks with a hint of sherry influence. It’s known for its light, honeyed character, with soft fruit notes, vanilla, and a smooth, clean finish. Perfect for those discovering Irish single malts for the first time.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £35

Bushmills 16 Year Old introduces a more complex profile, being matured in a combination of bourbon and sherry casks before a final finish in port wine pipes. This creates layers of dried fruit, spice, and toasted nuts—a whiskey with depth and a velvet texture.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £87.95

Bushmills 21 Year Old, the pinnacle of the core range, is aged in both bourbon and sherry casks for 19 years, then finished for two years in Madeira casks. It’s rich, layered, and luxurious, with dark chocolate, tropical fruit, and a hint of smoke on the palate.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £198

These expressions together form a smooth progression of age, complexity, and influence from wood, reflecting Bushmills’ deep understanding of cask maturation.

They recently launched Bushmills 15 year old which is matured exclusively in ex bourbon barrels and was an expression aimed at the more affordable end of the Irish Whiskey category and can be found in supermarkets.

The Causeway Collection: A Collector’s Dream

For those seeking rarity and innovation, Bushmills offers the Causeway Collection, a limited series of rare single malt releases named after the nearby Giant’s Causeway. This collection celebrates bold maturation choices and exceptional age statements, often including cask-strength bottlings finished in rare casks like cognac, sauternes, and even Tokai.

Each release is non-chill filtered and bottled at natural strength, showcasing the distillery’s adventurous side without compromising its refined house style. The Causeway Collection has become a target for collectors and enthusiasts, representing some of the finest and most daring Irish whiskeys ever bottled.

Millennium Bottlings: A Time Capsule of Excellence

In the year 2000, Bushmills released a series of Millennium bottlings, single casks laid down in 1975 and bottled 25 years later to mark the turn of the century. These bottlings are revered today for their rarity and the pristine quality of the spirit. Collectors fortunate enough to own one prize them not only for their historical significance but for their incredible depth of flavour, drawn from long years in wood.

The 46-Year-Old: A New Benchmark

In 2023, Bushmills made headlines with the release of its 46-Year-Old Single Malt, the oldest expression ever bottled by the distillery. Matured in oloroso sherry butts and bourbon barrels, this whiskey is a testament to the patience and care that define Bushmills. With only a few hundred bottles available globally, it’s not just a whiskey, it’s a celebration of Bushmills' past and future.

Master Blender Alex Thomas in the Bushmills still house with Bushmills 46 Year old

At 46 years, this whiskey displays deep mahogany hues, a nose of dried fig, rich oak, and old leather, and a palate bursting with dark chocolate, spiced fruitcake, and a long, warming finish. It’s a release that firmly places Bushmills among the top-tier luxury distilleries in the world.

Legacy and Innovation

What makes Bushmills remarkable is its ability to balance tradition with innovation. From the approachable sweetness of its 10 Year Old to the daring finishes in the Causeway Collection and the near-mythical prestige of its 46-Year-Old, the distillery has proven that Irish whiskey is far from a one-note category.

Bushmills continues to be a guardian of Irish whiskey history while pushing its boundaries. Whether you're a newcomer exploring the elegance of Irish single malts or a collector seeking rare treasures, Bushmills offers a spectrum of experiences, each one rooted in centuries of craftsmanship. And with fathers day fast approaching, a bottle of Bushmills would certainly show your appreciation.

 Words by Colin Hampden-White