The Luxurious Magazine Whisky Industry News Round-up for February 2025

The Luxurious Magazine Whisky Industry News Round-up for February 2025

Simon Wittenberg gathers together some of the latest news and launches, making the headlines in the world of whisky.


Glenmorangie x Harrison Ford
The Glenmorangie Highland single malt Scotch whisky distillery has teamed up with the renowned American Hollywood icon, Harrison Ford, for its latest global campaign.

Harrison Ford wearing a kilt with a bottle of whisky in his hand by a loch at sunset

Called “Once Upon a Time in Scotland”, a series of films featuring the former Star Wars and Indiana Jones actor, takes viewers behind the scenes at the home of Glenmorangie to showcase the skill and craftsmanship that goes into making each bottle of its complex and elegant whisky.

It also takes a look at the beauty of the surrounding landscape and key landmarks in this part of the Highlands, which has been the location of this popular distillery since 1843.

For more information, visit www.glenmorangie.com.


A bottle of Tiree single malt next to its case

Isle of Tiree Single Malt Scotch Whisky
The Isle of Tiree Distillery on the Hebridean island of Tiree, which sits off the west coast of Scotland, has released the first legal single malt whisky produced at this picturesque location in over 200 years. Aptly named “First Release” (47% ABV), first distillations take place in wide copper wash stills, followed by the 300-litre spirit still.

The exterior of the Isle of Tiree distillery

This whisky is then aged in small casks and matured in the distillery, which sits on the rocky Tiree coastline. Such was its popularity amongst whisky connoisseurs when released last month, that 400 bottles listed in the pre-sale, and costing £199.99 each, sold out in just 12 minutes. A further 400 are also set to go on sale from the 800-strong batch.

To find out more, visit www.tyreegin.com.


Johnnie Walker Blue Label Year of the Snake

A bottle of Johnnie Walker Blue Label Year of the Snake next to its box

Johnnie Walker has partnered with the renowned Asian-American visual artist James Jean for the latest Lunar New Year Limited Edition design for its Blue Label expression. 2025 is the Year of the Snake, and the eye-catching imagery features three serpents, representing the three attributes of wisdom, intelligence, and intuition.

Johnnie Walker Blue Label Year of the Snake (40% ABV) is on sale now priced at £230, and features aromas of peppercorns, ginger cake, and honey, married with notes of citrus, smoked cinnamon bark, and hints of vanilla on the palate.

Johnnie Walker Blue Label is a whisky made using some of the rarest expressions from the unparalleled Johnnie Walker reserves of maturing Scotch, including some irreplaceable casks sourced from long-closed ‘ghost’ distilleries.

For more details, see www.johnniewalker.com.


The Glenlivet 40-Year-Old

Kevin Balmforth holding up a bottle of the 40-year-old

Speyside distillery The Glenlivet has unveiled its oldest-ever permanent expression, which we were fortunate enough to try in an exclusive tasting in the company of the distillery’s Cask Master, Kevin Balmforth.

The Glenlivet 40-year-old, bottled at cask strength (46.9% ABV), has been matured and refined for at least four decades. This exquisite expression has also been carefully finished in custom casks from the heart of Jerez in Spain, which were seasoned with a bespoke blend of Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez Sherries.

It offers rich and fruity notes, with hints of homemade strawberry jam and raisins, coupled with a finish that brings a touch of added spice.

A bottle of the 40-year-old on a table with two full glasses with ice

The Glenlivet 40-Year-Old is presented in an elongated bottle inspired by The Glenlivet’s original, 200-year-old glass silhouette, housed within a sleek and elegant copper-coloured presentation container – a nod to the copper stills at the home of The Glenlivet.

This latest addition to The Glenlivet line-up is available now from The Whisky Shop at an RRP of €5,500 (around £4,600).

For further information, see www.theglenlivet.com.


The MaltyVerse MaltyVerse Scenes

One of the limited edition bottles in front of a comic scene

The MaltyVerse is a unique whisky project from Barrel Global – the USA-based whiskey marketplace. It combines limited edition whiskies and comic adventure with creative stories and custom illustrations, and the two new expressions that have been released, are targeted at collectors and enthusiasts who are after fine spirits and storytelling.

The latest additions to the line-up are the MaltyVerse x Green River Distillery, a bold 6-year-old Bourbon that embodies the resilience of the historic distillery, which was founded in 1885 and recently restored to its former glory.

The MaltyVerse x MB Roland Distillery is a 5-year-old Bourbon with a robust, locally inspired profile. Nestled in Pembroke, Kentucky, USA, MB Roland is celebrated for its artisanal approach, using food-grade white corn and local ingredients.

For more details, see www.maltyverse.com.


Whisky 1901: Exclusive Insight into Whisky Cask Investment from Founder and CEO Aaron Damiano Sparkes

Whisky 1901 casks

International Scotch Day, celebrated annually on the 8th of February, is a tribute to the rich heritage, craftsmanship, and enduring legacy of Scotch whisky. This day honours the centuries-old traditions of whisky production in Scotland, where skilled distillers craft one of the world’s most beloved spirits.

Whisky cask investment has become an increasingly popular way to engage with this heritage. Investors can purchase whisky casks, which may appreciate in value over time, surpassing traditional investment returns. Focusing on the best-performing regions, such as Speyside and Islay, and understanding key trends within the market, helps the mitigation of risks and the creation of a diversified portfolio.

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; investors should still seek professional advice regarding any tax-related investments.

A barrel with a wad of British currency on topThe Luxurious Magazine Whisky Industry News Round-up for February 2025 2

Simon Wittenberg

Senior Editorial Contributor

Born in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, and now based in London, Simon Wittenberg is the senior editorial contributor to Luxurious Magazine® reporting directly to Paul Godbold. A specialist in the automotive sector, he has now expanded his repertoire to encompass all aspects relating to luxury and lifestyle. Simon has worked with some of the world’s most iconic marques such as Lotus Cars, Ferrari and Tesla Motors. His passions include luxury goods, motorsport, fine dining and travel.

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