Whisky news round-up: Speyburn, Macallan, and more

Peter Ranscombe takes another look at the world of Scotch whisky. SPEYBURN distillery is preparing to welcome visitors for the first time in its 125-year history as part of the Spirit of Speyside whisky festival. Distillery manager Euan Henderson and his assistant, David Rogerson, will lead tours during the festival, which runs from 26 April…

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Raising a glass to this year’s whisky festivals

SCOTLAND’S whisky festival season is getting underway, with The National Whisky Festival returning to SWG3 in Glasgow tomorrow as part of Celtic Connections. The festival began in 2015 and has grown from its Glasgow base to include events in Aberdeen, Edinburgh, and Inverness. Gareth Croll, the festival’s coordinator, said: “After such an incredible year touring…

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Whisky News Round-up: Bond, Bere, and more

Peter Ranscombe pours over more news from the world of Scotch whisky. IT’S been a busy start to the year for Scotland’s whisky distillers. The Macallan’s collection of six bottles to mark the 60th anniversary of the James Bond film franchise goes on sale today. The collection, which was unveiled in September, marks the whisky…

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Whisky news round-up: Glenfarclas, training, and more

Catch-up on all the latest whisky news with Peter Ranscombe‘s tongue-in-cheek round-up. CHIVAS BROTHERS – Scotland’s second-largest distiller and owner of brands including Ballantine’s, Chivas Regal, and The Glenlivet – has reopened its international graduate programme. The company, which is owned by French drinks giant Pernod Ricard, wants to find its next batch of brand…

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Whisky news round-up: Deacon Blue, festivals, and more

Peter Ranscombe sticks his tongue in his cheek to round-up the latest news from the world of whisky. THE National Whisky Festival of Scotland returns to Edinburgh tomorrow. The festival is back at Summerhall, the arts centre in the former Royal Dick Vet School near the Meadows. Gareth Croll, the festival’s co-ordinator, said: “It’s such…

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Scottish Whisky Awards winners are unveiled

THE winners of this year’s Scottish Whisky Awards have been revealed. Raasay carried off the top prize after being named as Scottish whisky distillery of the year. The Hebridean site also carried off the prize for tourism destination of the year. Glenmorangie was the big winner in the tasting competition, carrying off seven medals, including…

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Whisky news round-up: Caskshare, Stannergill, and more

Peter Ranscombe serves up another irreverent dram of whisky news. FORGET the cost-of-living crisis – there’s still life in the whisky market. Caskshare received so much demand for £1,625 bottles of a rare Springbank 30-year-old single malt that it’s opened a ballot for the chance to buy one of the 135 bottles. John Robertson, managing…

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Borders Malt & Rye

Borders Malt & Rye undergoes the taste test from drinks blogger James Robertson. I AM a proud Scotsman and equally proud of our national drink – whisky – but I do have a confession in that I love American bourbon and rye. So when a sample of the new whisky from the Borders Distillery landed…

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Finn Thomson unveils his first whiskies

Richard Bath meets Finn Thomson, who is continuing his family’s whisky connection by setting up his own independent bottling company. I FIRST heard about Finn Thomson through a mutual friend, over a dram in a remote bar in Ardnamurchan. As someone whose day job includes being the editor of both Scottish Field, where whisky coverage…

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Whisky round-up: Halloween special

Peter Ranscombe takes a light-hearted look at how Scotland’s whisky industry is preparing for Halloween and beyond. THE Scotch Malt Whisky Society is holding its first Halloween party on Thursday at its bar on Edinburgh’s Queen Street. A clairvoyant and a tarot card reader will take up residence in the first floor library, while black…

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