Simon Wittenberg gathers together some of the latest news and launches, making the headlines in the world of whisky.
Glen Scotia Elements of Campbeltown Release Number One: Air
Glen Scotia has released an exceptional 50-year-old, its oldest ever whisky to date, as the Scottish distillery debuts its new Elements of Campbeltown Collection.
The series of single malts takes inspiration from the Celtic five-fold knot, where air, water, fire, and earth combine to create the fifth circle in the centre, denoting the spirit.
The first expression in the series, Release Number One: Air (42.3% ABV), captures Campbeltown’s maritime climate and offers an array of aromas, including flaked almonds, vanilla fudge, and salt crystals, as well as sweet, edible seaweed and fresh, glazed apple tart.
A medley of flavours comes to the fore, accompanied by a creamy, sweet, and salty texture, which culminates in a subtle coconut finish.
To mark the release, Glen Scotia has worked together with Devon artist Gina Parr to create a unique piece of art.
Only 100 individually numbered crystal decanters have been made available worldwide at a recommended retail price (RRP) of £35,000 each.
For further details, see www.glenscotia.com.
House of Hazelwood One For The Next Collection
House of Hazelwood has unveiled a new single grain Scotch whisky series called “One For The Next”, which will see the release of five whiskies across five decades up until 2065, using liquid dating back to the very first full year of production at Girvan distillery.
2025 marks the release of an exceptional 60-year-old, commemorating Girvan Distillery’s 60th Anniversary, and costing £10,000 per bottle (with only 25 available). The pinnacle of this collection, in 40 years, is set to be the world’s first-ever 100-year-old single-grain whisky.
Owners of a One For The Next bottle will be invited to a private microsite, which will keep them informed about the Collection, including yearly updates on the whisky’s maturation.
They will be given a certificate of ownership, invitations to private owners’ events, samples, and details on how ownership can be transferred to future generations.
One For The Next is available exclusively for order from House of Hazelwood and WG&S Distillers Libraries.
For more information, visit www.houseofhazelwood.com/pages/one-for-the-next.
Johnnie Walker Vault x Olivier Rousteing
Olivier Rousteing has been named the first cultural partner under the Johnnie Walker Vault platform. Couture Expression marks the inaugural limited-edition whisky collection co-created by Johnnie Walker Master Blender Dr Emma Walker and the French couture designer, bringing together two creatives at the height of their craft, each renowned for pushing the boundaries of their art.
The collection comprises four different blends, each representing a season, and is housed in a square crystal decanter handcrafted by artisans from the renowned French luxury house Baccarat, in tribute to the iconic square bottle created by Alexander Walker in the late 1800s.
Only 25 bottles for each of the seasons will be made available worldwide, priced at £16,000 each.
For more details, see https://www.johnniewalker.com/en-gb/vault.
Littlemill Echoes of the Past Release Number One
Littlemill, Scotland’s oldest licensed distillery, which belongs to the Loch Lomond Group, has unveiled its new Echoes of the Past Collection, where just 50 bottles will be made available each year from a single maturing Oloroso sherry cask up until 2028.
The “Littlemill Echoes of the Past Release Number One” whisky is a 34-year-old single malt (48.5% ABV), which offers a distinctive summertime fruit character with floral notes of rose petals and elderflower with dried apricot, kiwi and peach to the nose, a silk-like mouthfeel of melted brown sugar, honeysuckle and ginger spice with citrus peel on the palate, and finishing with long layers of sweet citrus fruits.
The individually numbered Glencairn decanters are housed in a beautiful solid oak display cabinet, and come with a 50ml miniature and a certificate of ownership. Available now at a recommended retail price (RRP) of £3,900.
For more details, see www.littlemilldistillery.com.
The Dalmore Luminary Series – Third Chapter
The Dalmore has announced a collaboration with Ben Dobbin from architects Foster & Partners for the third chapter of the distillery’s Luminary Series. There are two exquisite single malts which form the latest addition to the collection.
The Dalmore Luminary 2025 Edition – The Rare, a 52-year-old whisky sporting a multi-cask finish, is the oldest to be released in The Luminary line-up. It is presented in an eye-catching bronze asymmetric sculpture featuring dramatic waves and rods, smooth curves, and straight lines.
The other single malt launched as part of the third chapter is The Dalmore Luminary No.3 – 2025 Edition – The Collectible. This is a 17-year-old, which has been finished in an impressive combination of seven casks, including both vintage and aged Calvados, rare Matusalem Sherry, Apostoles Sherry, select red wine casks from Bordeaux and Châteauneuf-du-Pape, and fully matured American White Oak.
This expression also draws inspiration from ‘The Rare’ (above) and is housed in a bespoke, fold-out presentation case.
Only 20,000 bottles have been made available for sale worldwide.
For further details, see www.thedalmore.com.
Tomatin’s Master Distiller Retires
Graham Eunson, Master Distiller and Distillery Operations Director at Tomatin, has retired after 34 years in the whisky sector.
Graham has carefully looked after more than 156,000 casks each year, including the heritage casks in Warehouse 6, which play an integral part in crafting Tomatin’s oldest and rarest Highland single malt whiskies.
To mark Graham’s remarkable contribution to the Scotch whisky industry across three decades, the Tomatin Legacy Makers – Graham Eunson edition single malt Scotch whisky (56.1% ABV), limited to only 514 bottles worldwide, has been unveiled, priced at £150.
The baton has now passed to Distillery Manager Jamie Muir, HSQE Director Fiona Birkinshaw, and to the brand’s Blender and Global Brand Ambassador, Scott Adamson.
For more information, see https://tomatin.com.
Trossachs Cooperage set for launch
Following a £1.3 million investment, Trossachs Cooperage has opened in Callander, Stirlingshire. Founded by Gary Drummond, a second-generation cooper with over two decades in the trade, four long-service coopers, who bring more than 120 years of combined experience to the business, are some of the first to join the team.
Trossachs Cooperage is also investing in the next generation of coopers, with four apprentices earmarked to be recruited.
Built with sustainability at its core, the facility is committed to achieving zero waste, meaning materials, such as offcuts and sawdust, will be recycled, repurposed, or converted into firewood. The cooperage will also be powered by 100% renewable energy, emanating from both solar and wind sources, ensuring minimal environmental impact across its operations.
Whisky 1901: Exclusive Insight into Whisky Cask Investment from Founder and CEO Aaron Damiano Sparkes
The recent finalisation of the £4.8 billion United Kingdom-India trade agreement represents a defining moment for the Scotch whisky industry and for the broader landscape of British exports. This milestone accord introduces significant opportunities for expansion, investment, and long-term growth.
Central to this agreement is the phased reduction of India’s historically prohibitive whisky import tariffs. These duties, previously at 150%, will be reduced to 75%, with a further decrease to 40% over the next decade. This shift provides Scotch whisky with unprecedented access to the world’s largest whisky-consuming nation, home to over 1.4 billion people and a rapidly growing middle class with increasing demand for premium spirits.
The UK-India Free Trade Agreement could unlock up to £1 billion in additional Scotch whisky exports over five years, contributing to a wider £4.8 billion boost for the UK economy, according to the Scotch Whisky Association. For Whisky 1901, this marks a key strategic moment. With India’s tariffs set to drop, Scotch whisky will enter a major emerging market more easily, driving demand, visibility, and rising cask prices.
Clients can expect greater liquidity, asset valuation increases, and improved exit options. Stronger demand, especially for casks linked to iconic brands, may lead to notable appreciation. This agreement enhances Scotch’s future and strengthens the case for investing in whisky casks.
Find out more about Whisky 1901 at www.whisky1901.com.
*Disclaimer* – Whisky cask investments are unregulated in the UK. The value of investments is variable and can go down as well as up. An investor may get back less than the amount invested. Information on past performance, where given, is not necessarily a guide to future performance.
The capital invested can fluctuate, and the price of casks can go down as well as up, and is not guaranteed. The investments and services offered by Whisky 1901 may not be suitable for all investors. This is not tax advice, and investors should still seek professional advice regarding any tax-related investments.
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