Simon Wittenberg gathers together some of the latest news and launches, making the headlines in the world of whisky.
Bladnoch Loch Maberry: Stories of Bladnoch, Chapter Two
Bladnoch has taken the wraps off the second release in its annual limited edition series after debuting the collection in 2024. Named Loch Maberry: Stories of Bladnoch (lead image), Chapter Two, and priced at £150 for an individually numbered bottle (of which there are 593 in existence), this single malt carries an ABV of 48.6%, has a natural colour and is non-chill filtered.
For this expression, Elizabeth Cobbett, the great-great-granddaughter of Thomas McClelland, who co-founded Bladnoch in 1817, and Master Distiller Dr Nick Savage, collaborated to craft this whisky, and tasted a selection of samples before choosing Cask number 450/2006.
A spirit distilled in 2006, this expression offers hints of coffee, chocolate and almonds, before treating whisky connoisseurs to a sustained nutty almond finish.
The latest arrival from Scotland’s oldest privately owned distillery is encased in a presentation box that contains written letters from Elizabeth and Dr Nick Savage, who describe their experiences of working together to craft this special whisky.
For further information, see www.bladnoch.com.
Ferg & Harris ‘Wings of Kintyre’
Single malt whisky brand Ferg & Harris has created the one-off ‘Wings of Kintyre’ for the forthcoming bi-annual Distillers One of One charity auction, which is taking place this coming week on 10th October at Scotland’s Hopetoun House to raise money for the benefit of the Youth Action Fund charity.
This exclusive expression is an exquisite and organic Springbank 31-year-old (47.6% ABV) produced exclusively with Folle Blanche grapes grown in the Champagne region of France. A finish in an organic Cognac cask adds notes of orchard fruits and spice.
This rare whisky is housed in a bottle featuring a delicate barley stalk in 14-carat gold. The bottle neck comes complete with Victorian sea glass, weathered by many years of pounding waves before being carefully attached to low-carbon Scottish leather. It closes with a stunning asymmetrical glass stopper.
Ferg & Harris ‘Wings of Kintyre’ sits in a beautiful wooden oak case crafted by Scottish woodworker Eoghan Menzies. This one-off release is expected to fetch between £2,500 and £3,400 when the sale concludes.
For more details, see fergandharris.co.uk.
Glen Moray Tequila Cask Finish whiskies
Glen Moray, the distillery based in Elgin, Scotland, has released two limited, small batch editions, namely Glen Moray Tequila Cask Finish (55.2% ABV) and Glen Moray Peated Tequila Cask Finish (58.5% ABV). As the name suggests, these expressions, which belong to the brand’s experimental Warehouse 1 Collection, have been laid down in bourbon barrels for eight years before enjoying the influence from a cask that once housed the well-known spirit from Mexico.
The Glen Moray Tequila Cask Finish (£85) offers soft notes of vanilla custard, scattered with currants, with the Glen Moray Peated Tequila Finish (£95) providing hints of rose petals, dark chocolate and smoked thyme. Only 474 bottles of each edition have been made available for sale.
For more details, see www.glenmoray.com.
Glen Scotia Four Quarters and Icons of Campbeltown Release No.3
Another exclusive whisky set to go under the hammer in the Distillers One of One auction in a few days’ time is the Glen Scotia Four Quarters set of rare vintage single malts.
Having seen it in person at the recent Sotheby’s exhibition, this stunning four-strong line-up houses 25-year-old expressions distilled in 1999 – the year that Glen Scotia re-opened under the ownership of Loch Lomond Distillers.
For this unique collection, the distillery has collaborated with the renowned luxury Scottish jeweller Hamilton & Inches, and each of the whiskies, which have a ranging ABV from 51.9% to 56.6%, are encased in crystal decanters furnished with gold-plated detailing, and sit in a bespoke oak display cabinet, with doors opening outwards to see the Four Quarters in all their glory.
Unveiled today is the third annual addition to the distillery’s Icons of Campbeltown collection, with the latest expression drawing inspiration from the Scottish folktales of the Wulver. Known as a formidable creature with a gentle soul, it is one of the beasts etched into the Scottish town’s famed 14th-century medieval market cross.
This limited edition whisky (51.7% ABV) is an unpeated 12-year-old single malt matured in hand-selected bourbon barrels, before being finished in ex-Tawny Port casks for nine months. The result is a whisky which boasts notes of red fruits, forest berries and dark chocolate. Bringing the Wulver to life on the packaging is artwork by John Holtzman, whose client list also includes the likes of Disney and Marvel. Icons of Campbeltown Release No.3 comes with an RRP of £80.
For more information, see www.glenscotia.com.
Johnnie Walker partners with Sabrina Carpenter and Rahul Mishra
The past few weeks have seen a couple of partnership announcements for Johnnie Walker. The first is a global deal with the award-winning singer Sabrina Carpenter. The collaboration will see a take on the superstar’s favourite classic whisky cocktails, as well as album-inspired content that mirrors the confident and playful spirit of her latest work.
Johnnie Walker has also come together with the renowned and coveted fashion designer Rahul Mishra (above) to create a limited edition design for Blue Label to mark the Indian festive season. Mishra has been inspired by native flora and fauna, which he describes as “blooming flowers and spirited animals”. The intricate bottle design equally encompasses a bright festive night symbolising abundance and joy. The Johnnie Walker x Rahul Mishra 2025 Limited Edition is retailing for £216 at the Whisky Exchange.
For further details, see www.johnniewalker.com.
The GlenAllachie Meikle Tòir Turbo 2025 Edition
The GlenAllachie has unveiled the Meikle Tòir Turbo 2025 Edition – the third instalment in the brand’s revered yearly small-batch peated series. This Turbo release is one of the most anticipated from The GlenAllachie, with “Meikle Tòir” signifying “Big Pursuit”. Mainland peat from St. Fergus delivers this whisky’s signature oaky and sweet smoky character, whilst maturation for half a decade in virgin oak casks and Oloroso Sherry hogsheads imparts additional richness and depth when enjoying this liquid.
With an ABV of 50%, those who are fortunate to sample this five-year-old expression will be treated to aromas of manuka honey, toasted caramel and smoked cedarwood, which give way to flavours of heather honey, roasted hazelnuts, mocha and smouldering oak, prior to a finish of dark chocolate and plum jam.
For further details, see www.meikletoir.com.
Turntable Track 7
Turntable Spirits, the independent whisky blender, has today announced its latest limited edition blend. Called Track 7, it brings together a blend of whiskies from the Ardnamurchan, Lochlea, Isle of Raasay, Nc’nean, and Port Dundas distilleries, and offers sumptuous notes of bonfire marshmallows and a creamy peach-barley finish. As with its predecessors, it is non-chill-filtered and natural in colour, and features an ABV of 53%. Only 1,800 bottles are available at a cost of £80.
For further details, see www.turntablespirits.com.
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