Whisky Was Never Supposed to Be Fast
For something that’s been around for centuries, whisky feels strangely rushed these days.
New releases disappear before most people even know they exist (yes, we’re looking at you Springbank/Bruichladdich/etc). Reviews hit YouTube within hours. Social media makes it feel like you’re somehow behind if you haven’t tried the latest limited edition before everyone else moves on to the next one.
It’s easy to get caught up in it. I know I do (sometimes).
But whisky has a funny way of reminding you to slow down. You can’t really rush a good dram. You pour it, let it sit for a few minutes, nose it a couple of times, take a sip, chat to the people around you, and before you know it an hour has passed. Not because you’re trying to be mindful or disconnect from technology, but because that’s simply how whisky is best enjoyed. Maybe that’s one of the reasons so many of us fell in love with it in the first place (apart from it simply tasting so damn good).
So this week, instead of worrying about what’s launching next, open something that’s already on your shelf. Share it with someone. Talk nonsense for an hour. Compare tasting notes if you want to, or don’t. The whisky will still be there either way.
Maybe that’s the real luxury in whisky today. Not age. Not rarity. Just knowing that, for the next half hour, there’s nowhere else you need to be.
Sláinte,
Mark
What’s In Mark’s Glass This Week
I’ve been a bourbon fan for several years now, and the Evan Williams Black Label (43% abv) has always been one of the best bang-for-your-buck whiskeys out there. And I’ve nagged the folks at Liquor City (the importers in South Africa) for years to bring in the Bottled-in-Bond expression to no avail. Well, I finally got my hands on one and have been comparing the two side-by-side for the last month.
The verdict: The Heaven Hill DNA is still evident in the Bottled-in-Bond (50% abv), but the bump in abv adds more spice, body, complexity, and a longer finish without becoming “hot”. Picking between the two is a no-brainer!
Norbert (Whisky Emporium / Liquor City), if you’re reading this, bring in the BiB by the container-load please (and price it right), it’s a winner.
What is a “Bottled in Bond” whiskey?
The “Bottled in Bond” designation is a strict set of legal regulations established by the U.S. Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897 to guarantee authenticity and quality. To use this label, any American whiskey must:
- Distillation: Be distilled by a single distiller at a single distillery in a single distilling season.
- Aging: Age for at least four years in a federally bonded warehouse.
- Proof: Be bottled at exactly 100 proof (50% ABV).
- Labeling: Clearly state the producing distillery and the bottling distillery (if different).
Fellowship Conversations: Angelo Skoutellas
I’m excited to present the first in what will be an ongoing series of interviews with people involved in the world of whisky, from distillers, to ambassadors, to collectors, to retailers, to you name it!
First up is Angelo Skoutellas, founder of Decanter Liquor. He discusses rare whisky, building one of South Africa’s leading premium retailers, and why curiosity matters more than collecting hype.
— Read the Interview
Industry News
Kilchoman Rockside 11 Year Old joins the core range
Big news from Islay’s only single-farm distillery: Kilchoman has added Rockside 11 Year Old to its permanent core lineup — its first-ever age statement expression. As the only Single Farm Single Malt in Scotland (grain grown, malted, distilled and bottled on the same farm), Kilchoman’s decision to codify an age statement is a meaningful step for a distillery that has always let the terroir do the talking.
— The Whiskey Wash
Hebridean Whisky Festival unveils its 2026 island lineup
The Hebridean Whisky Trail’s week-long festival returns 5–12 September 2026, spanning eight island distilleries — Talisker, Torabhaig, Raasay, Harris, North Uist, Benbecula, Tiree and Tobermory — and finishing on Raasay. Backed by VisitScotland funding for the first time, a sign of how seriously island whisky tourism is now taken.
— Whisky Intelligence
Ian Macleod cuts Scotch production 30% at Glengoyne and Rosebank
In a sobering signal for the Scotch market, Ian Macleod Distillers has slashed production at two of its flagship distilleries — Glengoyne and the newly revived Rosebank — by 30%, citing weak demand and a 53% drop in profits. It’s a reminder that even prestige distilleries aren’t immune to the global slowdown in premium spirits spending, and that Rosebank’s much-anticipated reopening has landed in a tougher market than anyone hoped.
— The Whiskey Wash
Buffalo Trace returns with a third Prohibition Collection
Buffalo Trace has unveiled the third edition of its Prohibition Collection, again drawing on documents from the distillery’s own archives to tell century-old stories that shaped this year’s whiskeys — a reminder that few American distilleries mine their heritage as deliberately. (Mark: I’m a sucker for stuff like this, in part due to my extensive collection of old bourbon miniatures dating back as far as 1899.)
— Breaking Bourbon
New Releases
Isle of Harris Distillery — The Signature Single Malt
After a decade of distilling on the Outer Hebrides, Isle of Harris has finally unveiled its flagship Signature Single Malt — the core expression the distillery has been building towards since 2015. Harris is known for its stunning Atlantic terroir and its uncompromising approach to small-batch production. This is a debut worth noting.
— The Spirits Business
Ledaig Castaway
The latest release from the Tobermory distillery, created through dual maturation in Tequila and Rum casks. Mull’s heavily peated Ledaig distillate meets tropical cask influence — an intriguing departure for fans of adventurous finishes. (Mark: I purchased a small sample of this and it’s sitting on my desk, waiting to be tasted!)
— Tobermory Distillery
Bunnahabhain An Cuan Garbh No. 1 — White Port Cask Finish
Bunnahabhain has launched the first expression in a new series called An Cuan Garbh (“The Rough Seas”), finished in White Port casks at a UK RRP of £137.95. The White Port influence aims to add freshness and floral lift to Bunnahabhain’s typically maritime, unpeated house style.
— WhiskyIntelligence
Whisky 1901 “The Ledger Series” — Six-Expression Debut
New independent bottler Whisky 1901 has launched The Ledger Series — a debut of six single casks: Miltonduff 18yo, Dailuaine 12yo, Tamnavulin 13yo, Ardmore 12yo, Glen Garioch 11yo, and Invergordon 21yo grain whisky. Prices range from £125 to £160. An ambitious entry from a new name; cask selection has drawn early trade attention.
— WhiskyIntelligence
Reviews Roundup
Decadent Drinks June 2026 Outturn — inc. Glen Garioch 52yo — Wally Macaulay, Dramface, 7 July
Wally “forgets” to forward on the Decadent Drinks set, then makes up for it with a thorough run through the June outturn. The centrepiece is a Glen Garioch 52 Year Old — one of the oldest expressions to land in this outturn, and by Wally’s reckoning, worth every year of the wait.
— Dramface
Port Ellen 45 Year Old 1980 (G&M Connoisseurs Choice) — Serge Valentin, Whiskyfun, 1 July
A stunning old Islay ghost: a herbalist’s-shop nose of furniture polish, dried herbs and tar giving way to ash, lime, seawater and oyster juice. 92 points, and a reminder of why Port Ellen prices are what they are
— Whiskyfun
Knockando 10yo (Spirit of Scotland) & 15yo (Signatory) — Serge Valentin, Whiskyfun, 6 July
Two rare indie Knockandos: the 10yo a vibrant eau-de-vie style (lemon, Williams pear, wet chalk), the sherry-finished 15yo spicier with dried fruit and pepper. Both 85 points — proof this quiet Speysider deserves more attention.
— Whiskyfun
Two Kornog (Celtic Whisky Distillerie) — OB vs IB — Serge Valentin, Whiskyfun, 3 July
Breton peat done right: the entry-level NAS is a charming, briny young peater (wakame, oysters, lemon, cool ashes) at 87 points, with the 8yo Amateur Spirits bourbon cask edging ahead.
— Whiskyfun
Tormore Timeless 12 & 16 Years (Elixir Distillers) — Ruben Luyten, WhiskyNotes, 3 July
A first proper tasting of the new Tormore official range under Elixir ownership — a rare chance to see this under-the-radar Speyside distillery finally given serious attention as a single malt.
Glen Garioch 52 Year Old 1973 (Decadent Drinks ‘Whiskyland’) — Ruben Luyten, WhiskyNotes, 29 June
Ruben also weighs in on the Glen Garioch 52yo from Decadent Drinks’ June outturn — the same bottle that features in Dramface’s outturn review above. Two trusted critics, one remarkable old whisky. Given how rarely 50+ year old single malts from this region surface, having both perspectives is a genuine luxury.
Ben Nevis Duo (Decadent Drinks 12yo) — sherry vs bourbon — Charlie Campbell, Dramface, 6 July
A head-to-head of two 12yo Ben Nevis single casks from Decadent Drinks, one sherry, one bourbon — a neat way to isolate cask influence on one of the Highlands’ meatiest spirits.
— Dramface
Fenspirits Distillery English Single Malt 3yo — Ally Mann, Dramface, 3 July
A community-donated bottle gives Dramface its first look at the Cambridgeshire distillery, and a candid word on the value of a short break from whisky. A useful window into what the young English scene can do
— Dramface
Glasgow 1770 The Original Cask Strength Batch 02 — The Whiskey Wash, 4 July
A cask-strength Lowlander that stays vibrant rather than fiery: zesty orange, crème brûlée sweetness and oak spice. Evidence the young Glasgow Distillery is hitting its stride.
— The Whiskey Wash
Bourbon Corner
Garrison Brothers 2026 Laguna Madre — August 8 Release
The annual Garrison Brothers Laguna Madre returns for 2026 on August 8 — an 8-year-old Texas straight bourbon finished in Limousin oak, consistently one of the most anticipated summer releases from the Lone Star State.
— Breaking Bourbon
Knob Creek 9 Year Old Independence Edition (100 proof, $36.99)
A US-250th tie-in wearing the brand’s first-ever blue wax seal and a patriotic label — same 9-year, 100-proof liquid at an accessible price. The kind of commemorative worth grabbing before the label disappears
— Whisky Intelligence
Blade and Bow 12 Year Old Solera Reserve (52%, $64.99)
Diageo’s Stitzel-Weller brand debuts a 12-year Kentucky straight bourbon finished through a multi-vat solera drawing on Cognac, Bordeaux, Moscatel and Port casks — an unusually layered approach for the price, crafted by Nicole Austin.
— Whisky Intelligence
Horse Soldier Farms is officially open
After nearly five years of construction and $200 million in investment, Horse Soldier Bourbon’s distillery and brand home on 240 acres overlooking Lake Cumberland in Kentucky is open to the public. The campus — designed around a fully immersive visitor experience — includes a distillery, outdoor event space, bull-riding arena and wedding chapel. It opened with a grand July 4th weekend celebration headlined by country duo LOCASH. Production capacity: 100,000 barrels annually when at full tilt.
— Whisky Advocate
Barton 1792 adds a 15 Year Old to its range
Buffalo Trace’s sibling distillery Barton 1792 expands its lineup with a new 15 Year Old expression — a meaningful age statement addition to a brand better known for its value-tier releases and the annual Antique Collection. More detail expected as the release rolls out.
— The Spirits Business
WhistlePig offloads its New York warehouse for $17m
WhistlePig has sold its New York ageing warehouse for $17 million — a significant asset disposal as the Vermont rye whiskey brand restructures following a turbulent few years. The warehouse sale signals a shift in how the brand manages its production and maturation footprint.
— The Spirits Business
Available Now — Local Online Retailers
Another rather quiet week on the local front! Two new arrivals at WhiskyBrother have peaked my attention though. The Lagg Kilmory and Lagg Corriecravie have reached our shores from the Isle of Arran.
And there’s an Arran and Lagg tasting coming up soon (see below), which may be worth considering if you would like to “try before you buy” a whole bottle.
Upcoming Events
Arran and Lagg Online Tasting
Thursday, 23 July | 8pm | R495pp
Join WhiskyBrother’s online Zoom tasting hosted by Fred Baumgärtner, Brand Home Ambassador for Lochranza and Lagg distilleries on the Isle of Arran.
The Only Whisky Show 2026
JHB: 13 & 14 August | The Galleria | R690pp
Book JHB
Cape Town: 20 & 21 August | CTICC | R690pp
Book CT
WhiskyBrother’s Helden Distillery Day Trip (Note: The date has changed)
Saturday, 17 October 2026 | Parys Free State | R1,490pp
A full-day experience at South Africa’s Helden Distillery with an in-depth tour led by founder and owner Dr Pieter van Helden — ideal for anyone who hasn’t visited a working distillery before. Book tickets
Auction & Market Watch
Japanese whisky dominated June’s auction market. The top four single-bottle hammer prices for the month were all Japanese — led by Yamazaki, Karuizawa and Hanyu expressions, which collectively pushed out the Macallan from the top tier. A reminder that the secondary market for rare Japanese bottles remains exceptional.
— Whisky Advocate — June Auction Update
Worth Reading
“Never Mix Grape and Grain? Starward Didn’t Get the Memo” — Jonny McCormick, Whisky Advocate, 2 July
A fascinating feature on Starward’s Project Co-Ferment — an Australian spirit made from equal parts grape juice and malted barley, fermented together and aged for six years in French and American oak. Neither whisky nor wine, it’s being positioned as a new spirit category. A genuinely interesting read for anyone curious about where whisky’s boundaries end and something new begins.
— Whisky Advocate
The Boilermaker: Combinations For A Whisky Classic
A deep look at the fine art of pairing whisky with beer — from spicy ryes with rye pale ales through smoky Islays with stouts and schwarzbier. Whisky Advocate’s Stephen Beaumont interviews bar owners and drinks professionals to break down what makes a great boilermaker, then offers three specific pairings to try. A practical summer read worth bookmarking before your next pub session.
— Whisky Advocate
Top 10 Most Popular Whisky Distilleries in 2026
The Spirits Business has compiled its ranking of the world’s most visited distilleries this year, from Scottish institution Glenfiddich through to rising players across Ireland, Kentucky, and Japan. A fascinating lens on how global whisky tourism has evolved — and which distilleries are winning the visitor economy.
— The Spirits Business
And That’s a Wrap!
Thanks for all the support, comments, suggestions and inspiration that helped produce this issue of the digest. What other community-related content would you like to see here?
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Until next week, DRAM on!