It turns out that compiling a weekly whisky newsletter, interviewing whisky people, and working on whisky education articles all at the same time is actually pretty demanding. Who knew?!
The upside though is I’m reconnecting to the greater whisky fabric, both locally and abroad and reigniting my passion around all things whisky and that’s a beautiful thing.
I hope you’re enjoying this journey as much as I am!
Sláinte,
Mark
p.s. the header image is from inside the dunnage warehouse at Springbank, a photo I took almost a decade ago. I wonder what expressions the liquid in those casks went into, and if any of them are still there, maturing?
What’s In Mark’s Glass This Week
I’m flipping the script here! I (and the rest of the Fellowship community) would love to hear what you’re drinking right now. Palates/budgets/availability differ for us all, and I’m genuinely curious to know what it is that you are enjoying. So send in your photos and tasting notes, and let me feature YOU.
Fellowship Conversations: Marc Pendlebury
As the founder of WhiskyBrother, Marc has helped shape the South African whisky scene over the years. From independent bottlings and festivals to exclusive casks, education, and even a presence in Scotland, his guiding philosophy has remained the same: whisky is about people.
In this Fellowship Conversation, Marc reflects on his journey—from early encounters with J&B to building WhiskyBrother through the industry’s highs and lows. We discuss independent bottlers, changing whisky culture, and why the future of whisky depends on welcoming new drinkers to the table.
Pour yourself a dram and join the conversation.
— Read the Interview
Industry News
Duncan Taylor to double its Octave portfolio
Independent bottler Duncan Taylor is responding to demand by bringing nearly 1,000 new Octave releases to market this year — more than doubling its inventory — and adding Jamaican rum, Port and Madeira finishes alongside the established Oloroso and PX. The Octave (a 64-litre cask, roughly an eighth the size of a sherry butt) gives a fast, high-contact second maturation; Duncan Taylor trademarked the name over a decade ago and now sells the range in 50+ countries. A meaningful expansion from a serious cask house.
India slashes its 150% whisky tariff — the biggest market opening in decades
The India–UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) entered into force on 15 July, cutting India’s punishing 150% import tariff on British whisky immediately to 75%, then to 40% over the next decade. India is now the world’s largest whisky market — more than 250 million nine-litre cases a year — but Scotch has been a rich-list luxury behind that tariff wall. The SWA calls it one of the industry’s biggest market-access breakthroughs in decades, estimating a £1 billion export boost over five years. The catch: India’s alcohol market is really dozens of state-level markets, each with its own excise and licensing, so the tariff cut removes one barrier, not all of them.
Gordon & MacPhail releases its final Talisker 39yo
Gordon & MacPhail has unveiled what it describes as its final Talisker release — a 39-year-old single malt bottled at cask strength, drawn from a refill hogshead filled in 1985. The whisky was distilled at Talisker before the distillery passed out of the independent bottler’s long-standing relationship with the site. Expect peppery brine and coastal smoke held together by decades of quiet oak patience.
Laphroaig 15yo returns to the core range after a decade
The peated faithful are rejoicing: Laphroaig has brought back its 15-year-old expression as a permanent core range addition — a bottling that spent a decade in retirement and is back with ex-bourbon maturation and that unmistakeable smoke-and-seaweed signature. This was once considered one of the best value age-statement Islays on the market; it’s now back to reclaim the position. (Mark: The question is, will we get to see it on SA shelves any time soon?)
Brown-Forman begins its CEO search as Lawson Whiting heads for retirement
A significant leadership story in American whiskey: Brown-Forman — the family-controlled owner of Jack Daniel’s and Woodford Reserve — has kicked off a formal search for its next chief executive as long-serving CEO Lawson Whiting prepares to retire. The transition comes at a testing moment for US whiskey, with the category under pressure from soft demand and tariff uncertainty, so whoever takes the reins inherits a genuinely tricky in-tray.
New Releases
Oban – Little Curiosities: a rum-finished distillery exclusive
One of Scotland’s smallest distilleries has bottled something genuinely different. Oban – Little Curiosities (57.5% ABV, NAS) is initially matured in ex-bourbon barrels then finished in ex-rum casks, released to mark the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race calling at Oban until 19 July. Expect guava, papaya, blood orange, honey and vanilla on the nose, then sweet citrus, grapefruit, sea salt and black pepper. Bottled for the distillery’s 1794 heritage and dressed in illustrated “curiosities” livery; £220, exclusively from the Oban distillery shop.
HIP puts serious indie whisky in a 20cl flask
A clever debut from new Stirling-based bottler HIP (backed by the Kilninian Drinks Company): four inaugural releases in pocket-sized 20cl flasks at £19.50 each — a 12yo Tomintoul (refill sherry), a 13yo Bowmore (refill bourbon), a 28yo Invergordon single grain (first-fill bourbon) and a 14yo Foursquare Barbados rum. All bottled at 46% (rum at 53%). The pitch — “drink better, not bigger” — lowers the risk of a full-bottle gamble and is squarely aimed at curious newer drinkers. (Mark: Missed marketing opportunity though. If the bottles had been branded flasks, it would be more impactful, but I guess that would have increased the pricing.)
Glenturret Deux Terrains 21yo Sauternes Cask
The Hosh distillery near Crieff has released the latest in its Deux Terrains series — a 21-year-old Highland single malt finished in Sauternes casks. The sweet Bordeaux wine influence meets Glenturret’s soft, waxy house character across what should be a beautifully integrated expression. The series has been consistently excellent, and two decades in wood before the finish adds serious depth.
Rosemaund Farm Orchard Cut 10yo — English Single Malt
A genuinely interesting one: Rosemaund Farm’s Orchard Cut is a 10-year-old English single malt matured exclusively in ex-bourbon American oak casks. English single malt remains a category worth watching, and Rosemaund’s agricultural roots give it a distinct personality. This is a first look at a decade-old spirit from a producer that’s been quietly building its stocks.
Rare Find Single Cask Collection — four maturation journeys
Independent bottler Rare Find has launched its latest single cask collection, presenting four whiskies each chosen to highlight a distinct style of maturation — from first-fill bourbon through sherry to more unconventional wood types. As always with Rare Find, the curation is the point: this is a bottler that takes the “single cask” brief seriously.
Lancaster Spirits Co. ventures into peated single malt
England’s Lancaster Spirits Co. has launched its first foray into smoky, phenolic spirit — a limited experimental peated single malt programme built from a four-week peated trial producing an exclusive series at varying peat levels. English distilleries experimenting seriously with peat is one of the more quietly exciting sub-plots in world whisky right now.
Reviews Roundup
Glentauchers Duo — 11yo & 17yo (Thompson Bros / Woodrows) (Dramface, 14 July)
Charlie Campbell continues his pursuit of everything he hasn’t yet tried and lands on Glentauchers — and, in the absence of an interesting or available official release, compares two indie bottlings picked up at auction. A useful look at a workhorse Speysider through independent eyes.
— Dramface
The Antelope: Dailuaine / La Frog / Ardbeg / Secret Islay (WhiskyNotes, 1 July)
Four indie bottlings from The Antelope reviewed in a single session — a Dailuaine, La Frog (a blended malt), an Ardbeg, and a secret Islay. Ruben’s notes are concise and precise; this is a good overview of what The Antelope is currently doing with its cask selection, with the peated expressions leading the way.
Thompson Bros: Highland Malt 1976 / Old Rhosdhu 1994 / Side-Burn 35yo (WhiskyNotes, 7 July)
Ruben Luyten takes on three rarities from independent bottler Thompson Brothers — a 49-year-old Highland malt distilled in 1976, a 32-year-old Loch Lomond (Old Rhosdhu) from 1994, and the mysterious Side-Burn 35yo. Three utterly different expressions across five decades of Scotch history, all reviewed in the same sitting. Worth reading in full; the 1976 is a particular standout.
Tormore to the Fore (Whisky Fun, July)
In a fine coincidence, Serge Valentin also spent time with Tormore this week — and found much to like. Both he and Ruben Luyten independently landed on the distillery in the same week, which is either the universe sending a message or a sign that Tormore is finally getting the attention it deserves. Check Serge’s notes for scores and tasting observations across a range of expressions.
Aberfeldy, forty years apart (Whisky Fun, July)
Serge Valentin’s “Time Warp Sessions” set two Aberfeldys against each other — a young, heavily sherried Signatory 11yo 2014 (first-fill oloroso, 88 points and a “best for your buck” contender) and a magnificent SMWS Aberfeldy 1975/2002 (87). A neat companion piece to this week’s Aberfeldy White Port release.
Bourbon Corner
Booker’s Bourbon Batch #2 — “The Milkshake Batch”
Jim Beam’s ultra-premium uncut, unfiltered Booker’s label has unveiled its second batch of 2026 — and it comes with a story. Booker Noe, the late master distiller and bourbon legend, was known for occasionally spiking a chocolate malted milkshake with his own bourbon. Batch #2 pays tribute to that habit, with the characteristic Booker’s intensity (expect big oak, vanilla, and proof heat) dressed in nostalgic packaging.
Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond Spring 2026 — 10 Year Old
Heaven Hill’s decanter-series wheated bourbon returns with a 10-year-old Spring 2026 edition (50% ABV), laid down in spring 2016 and meeting the full bottled-in-bond standard. Crème brûlée, mature oak and citrus oil on the nose; butterscotch, toasted bread, cloves and pepper on the palate. $149.99.
Hard Truth Distilling Co. — Bourbon & BBQ Festival, July 18
Indiana’s Hard Truth Distilling Co. is hosting its second annual Bourbon & BBQ Festival on July 18, and the new-release focus this year is a Double Oaked Rye and a special Amburana-finished Single Barrel Bourbon — the latter using the Brazilian Amburana wood that’s become a fascinating cask choice in craft American whiskey circles. A festival worth knowing about for any stateside WTF members or followers.
Whiskey Jypsi + Gibson Tonewood — guitar offcuts in the finish
One of the more genuinely novel American releases of the week: Tennessee “whiskey innovation incubator” Outsiders Spirits has teamed up with guitar maker Gibson to finish two whiskies using toasted maple tonewood offcuts from Gibson’s guitar-building process. The range runs to The Collective (51.5%, $199) and the older, pricier Vol 1 (54.5%, $799 — a blend of 20yo straight bourbon and 14yo bourbon-mash whiskey). Limited quantities, US-only for now.
Available Now — Local Online Retailers
WhiskyBrother
If you blinked this week, you would have missed the Adelphi’s Islay 10 Year Old that sold out fast. These are still available (for now):
| Whisky | Price |
|---|---|
| Ardnamurchan Paul Launois 2026 Edition | R1,590 |
| Ardnamurchan Tokaji Cask | R1,390 |
| Loch Lomond Peated Rioja Finish | R595 |
— Browse WhiskyBrother New Arrivals
Wild About Whisky
Some returning stock to be found at WAW, priced well too:
| Whisky | Price |
|---|---|
| Ledaig Rioja Cask Finish — Sinclair Series | R949 |
| Glenfarclas 10 Year Old | R895 |
| Big Peat (Douglas Laing) | R735 |
| Bunnahabhain Stiuireadair | R949 |
— Browse Wild About Whisky New Arrivals
Decanter Liquor
Some pocket-friendly offerings at Decanter. The Deacon is an interesting looking bottle, I wonder what the juice inside is like?
| Whisky | Price |
|---|---|
| The Deacon | R899.99 |
| Sailor’s Home Journey | R749.99 |
Mother City Liquor
Someone’s just sold their collection to MCL, and now you can snap up some of these interesting bottles if you’re quick.
| Whisky | Price |
|---|---|
| Bruichladdich Octomore 13.4 | R6,999.99 |
| Teeling 21yo Rising Reserve Series 2 | R4,999.99 |
| BenRiach 16 Year Old (2015 Bottling) | R2,999.99 |
| BenRiach 20 Year Old (2013 Bottling) | R5,499.99 |
— Browse Mother City New Whisky Arrivals
Upcoming Events
Bottega Parkhurst’s Loch Lomond Whisky Tasting Experience
Tuesday, 21 Jul | 6:30pm for 7pm | R890pp (includes a 2-course meal & gratuity)
Experience a guided tasting of six exceptional Loch Lomond whiskies, hosted by SA Brand Ambassador Fortune Maseko and whisky enthusiast Sav Cardillo. Discover the unique character of each expression while enjoying a delicious two-course dinner.
RSVP via email to parkhurst@bottegacafe.co.za
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. Book tickets
Bottega Parkhurst’s The Balvenie Whisky Tasting Dinner
Tuesday, 28 Jul | 6:30pm for 7pm | R1,195pp (includes a 3-course meal & gratuity)
Enjoy a guided tasting of four premium Balvenie single malts, hosted by Private Client Manager Muzi Mathe, paired with a three-course dinner in an intimate evening celebrating exceptional Scotch whisky.
RSVP via email to parkhurst@bottegacafe.co.za
WhiskyShop’s American Evening Whisky Experience
Thursday, 06 Aug | 6pm | R650pp (includes a bottle of Woodford Reserve)
Enjoy a guided tasting of four premium American whiskeys, a welcome Old Fashioned, a Woodford Reserve Malt Martini, and an unforgettable evening of whiskey discovery. Book tickets
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
Worth Reading
“Taiwanese Whisky in 2026: Why Kavalan Isn’t the Only One Anymore”
A useful deep-dive into Taiwan’s fast-emerging whisky scene beyond its famous flagship. It profiles Omar (the value pick from state-run Nantou), Maoweiki (the newcomer racking up awards), and the supporting cast of Holy, Bunnyville and the upcoming Chishang — then explains why Taiwan’s subtropical heat matures whisky two to three times faster than Scotland (at an 8–15% annual angel’s share) and how the results compare to Japan and Speyside. If your only Taiwanese reference point is Kavalan, this is the map.
“Snow and spirits at New Zealand’s Cardrona Distillery”
Heather Storgaard reports from the Cardrona Distillery, whose story is bound up with the small New Zealand valley it calls home. A proper sense-of-place feature on how a young Southern Hemisphere distillery is building a serious single malt against a backdrop of alpine seasons — good reading for anyone tracking where the New World is heading.
“Light Whiskey: The American Whiskey Category That Arrived Fifty Years Too Early”
An interesting piece on “light whiskey” — the high-proof, lightly-flavoured category the US government created in 1972 that flopped on arrival, and why its ideas suddenly look prescient in today’s blend-happy, experimentation-friendly market. Good, meaty background reading for anyone who likes the why behind the liquid.
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?
And if you enjoyed it, please forward it on to your friends and family who would be interested. Let’s grow the fellowship. I’ve even added a newsletter signup page to the site now to make things easier ;-D
Until next week, DRAM on!