A postcard from Islay
For whisky fans and Hebridean seabirds alike, aromas evoke special memories, discovers Dave Broom.
For whisky fans and Hebridean seabirds alike, aromas evoke special memories, discovers Dave Broom.
Outdated, sexist stereotyping will only deter the very demographic companies are seeking to attract.
Another high-quality option just made the whisky world that bit more exciting, says Dave Broom.
American firms buying Scotch whisky companies proves the category has a bright future ahead of it.
How long does it take to make a whisky cask? More than 200 years, as Richard Woodard discovers.
A whisky bar’s history reflects the shifting stereotype of its drinkers, says Dave Broom.
'Scotch whisky' is now legally recognised in Botswana. Who cares? Lots of people – and here's why.
These are the trends shaping the whisky industry, according to producers, writes Becky Paskin.
Why Scotch marketers should beware swapping one dead language for another.
Brands have a duty to teach the whole truth, not just their own version, says Becky Paskin.
Whisky can’t improve, says Dave Broom, if it’s focused solely on efficiency and tradition.
With more women than ever enjoying a wee dram why does gender stereotyping still exist at all?
Don’t forget the employees working tirelessly behind the scenes of distilleries, says Dave Broom.
As the Winter Olympics dominates our TV screens, Dave Broom celebrates whisky’s vital role.
Predictions are dangerous, says our chief engineer, so he’s compiled a wish list instead.
Whisky is complex and there’s no room for ‘I’m right, you’re wrong’ attitudes, says Dave Broom.
Has there ever been a more exciting time for whisky? Probably not, says Richard Woodard.
The spectacular vineyards of the Douro Valley may yield valuable lessons for Scotch.
Could gin soon be more popular than Scotch in the UK? Let’s all calm down, says Richard Woodard.
How can it be that in an industry with so much history, Scotch whisky archives are so scarce?
What has driving a handbuilt wooden car around Goodwood race track have to do with whisky?
Innovation is rife around the whisky world, from Midleton to Hakushu. Where does that leave Scotch?
Whisky has become a commodity to be traded and make a few speculators some money.
Dave Broom is inspired by the common dedication and passion shown at the first World Whisky Forum.
China’s thirst for Scotch is being driven by single malts, not blends, finds Dave Broom.
Gender-appropriate whisky has no place in a world devoted to fighting sexism, says Becky Paskin.
Sometimes too much choice makes it hard to see the wood for the trees, says Dave Broom.
The very best of whisky exists on a ‘higher level of bullshit’, writes Dave Broom.
A hike in Tuscany reminds Richard Woodard of the benefits of overseas investment in whisky.
Pure Scot’s ‘puerile’ Instagram posts look depressingly familiar, says Richard Woodard.
The surge in new Scotch distilleries has some striking similarities to the Victorian whisky boom.
How Marxist theory could teach the Scotch whisky industry a lesson on the perils of leadership.
Irish whiskey is resurgent, but are some of the new companies being economical with the truth?
Two new companies – one in the UK, one in China – are opening a fresh chapter in whisky investment.
The end of Diageo’s educational programme signals a major change in philosophy for the company.
Getting under the skin of Russia’s vast and potentially lethal black market in counterfeit spirits.
This small black box could be a game-changer in the fight against counterfeit whisky.
A passionate advocate of Scotch single malt, his name will always be associated with a shop in Soho.
Soaring growth in whisky tourism is paving the way for a new generation of Scotch distillery.
Media reports tell of a single malt Scotch whisky ‘drought’, but the facts tell a different story.
The ‘ultimate whisky troubleshooter’, he lent his expertise to distilleries all over the world.
Once touted as Islay’s ninth whisky distillery, here’s the full story behind Gartbreck.
Distillers are coming up with ever more inventive ways of working with this tricky grain.
Counting down the big news items that made the headlines on Scotchwhisky.com this year.
Special Releases pricing has soared in recent years – but how and why? Let’s crunch some numbers…
Compass Box founder John Glaser on why a change in the law could benefit the entire industry.
Assessing the impact of a hard exit from the EU on the eve of a crucial Commons vote.
No industry appetite for change, says John Glaser – but he still believes that change will come.
As popular blends face major price increases, we assess the likely effects of the move.
As more consumers turn their backs on whisky, distillers are trying a number of fresh ideas.
With poor ferry links and crumbling roads, ‘whisky island’ faces a number of challenges.
The industry has made great strides in environmental matters, but packaging challenges remain.
Now just an empty shell, the Falkirk distillery could be producing spirit within two years.
As auction prices soar, does whisky’s secondary market have a serious counterfeit problem?
A behind-the-scenes look at the revamp of the world’s third most popular Scotch whisky.
Scotch is experiencing an identity crisis. Why would it want to taste like Bourbon?
Film tells story of nude photographer Spencer Tunick’s project among Colombia’s warring factions.
The whisky has been created to celebrate the Netflix film about the life of Robert the Bruce.
Scottish companies can ‘learn a lot’ from the Scotch whisky industry’s environmental strategy.
The Speyside Heather Centre and newly-opened Whisky Lounge has been destroyed by a fire today.
The amount of rare Scotch whisky sold at UK auctions has hit a record high.
Strike action across Diageo’s Scotch distilleries was due to commence on 17 September.
Further debate on transparency is needed, say SWA members, following our open letter on the issue.
Building work is now underway following a lengthy excavation process at the historical site.
The distillery’s new, limited edition whisky can only be found at Heathrow airport.
For the first time, visitors can explore the distillery and buy exclusive whiskies.
The two limited edition blended whiskies are will ‘continue the legacy’ of Game of Thrones.
The Speyside distillery has claimed an Indian whisky company’s label is too similar to its own.
The launch of Johnnie Walker White Walker and the GOT malts were a big success for Diageo.
The producer has infused its blend with botanicals for an ‘exciting and different’ spirit.
The Irish producer will soon start building its new €6m whiskey and gin distillery.
The new Ncn’ean Botanical Spirit infuses new make spirit with local botanicals and juniper.
Actor Gerard Butler is the latest famous face to be part of Glenturret’s ‘Bottle Your Own’ series.
Events organised by Whisky Extravaganza cater for novice and experienced whisky drinkers alike.
The maker of the Glencairn whisky glass was recognised in the international trade category.
A new report suggests more whiskies aged under 10 years are to come, complete with age statements.
Former Macallan managing director Willie Phillips has been appointed chairman of Ardgowan.
The alliance recognises the new wave of whisky distilleries contributing to the category’s success.
New targets include switching 80% of primary energy supplies to renewable sources by 2050.
Calls to bottle all Scotch in Scotland follow claims that more than 100 jobs are at risk.
The distillery’s new core range will feature age statements, rather than vintages.
GlenWyvis distillery has smashed its initial crowdfunding target by more than £500,000.
The 58-year-old single cask whisky is the distillery’s first commercial bottling in its history.
Work to build Edinburgh’s first malt distillery for nearly 100 years will begin next month.
The Speyside distillery is ‘pushing boundaries’ in a first for the Scotch whisky industry.
The Speyside distillery has launched its first single malt since reopening in 2013.
The distilleries’ visitor centres are to be overhauled as part of Diageo’s ambitious tourism plans.
Latest addition to distillery’s Fine & Rare collection is priced at $10,000 a bottle.
A major research project is underway into yeast’s impact on the creation of whisky flavour.
Production is set to start in April next year, with the first whisky likely to be bottled in 2020.
Balvenie has unveiled the DCS Compendium – a collection of 25 whiskies valued at over £125,000.
The £40m project is being spearheaded by the Scotch Whisky Research Institute.
The Speyside distillery’s new owner plans to release ‘affordable, premium quality’ malts.
The £12m distillery will produce both peated and unpeated Lowland malt whisky.
A large-scale fake whisky operation has been uncovered following a tip-off from an auction website.
The Highland distillery has launched 14 single Sherry and Port cask-matured whiskies.
The city-based distillery has added two new stills to double its whisky making capacity.
Scotch distilleries attracted a record total of 1.6m visits in 2015, up more than 20% on 2010.
An increase in single malt exports helped Isle of Arran Distillers to record a £1m profit in 2015.
Speyside malt is sold by Berry Bros & Rudd seven years after moving in opposite direction.
Fèis Ìle release brings the Scotch whisky transparency debate to the Islay Festival.
Terms such as ‘Scotch whisky’ and ‘Bourbon’ will enjoy continued legal recognition post-Brexit.
The Irish whiskey distillery is the third to open in Dublin in the last four years.
Scottish court ruling questioned by Scotch Whisky Association as case goes to UK Supreme Court.
Funding round looks to raise £5.5m to build whisky and gin distillery in castle grounds.
The Striding Man has been transformed into the Striding Woman for a new whisky edition.
Blended Scotch whisky, Johnnie Walker, has become embroiled in a row over its kosher status.
Plans have been approved for the first distillery in the Scottish Borders for almost 200 years.
After years of decline the SWA has predicted Scotch exports will improve within the year.
The Scotch whisky industry has signed a charter to help promote Scottish food and drink overseas.
The chef has partnered with the Scotch whisky brand to explore the ‘true meaning of craftsmanship’.
Two Scotch distilleries opening this summer are on the lookout for distillers to join their teams.
The Speyside distillery is releasing six single casks ahead of its core range launch.
AB Inbev, the owner of Budweiser and Corona beers has purchased online retailer Master of Malt.
A new blend of whisky from five different countries will be labelled as a ‘World Whisky’.
The United States has threatened to impose increased taxes on Scotch and Irish whisky.
The Scotch whisky industry has urged the UK government to avoid a no-deal Brexit.
A new Edinburgh distillery has been designed as a visitor attraction to boost tourism.
Armed police raided Canadian whisky bars for selling SMWS whisky ‘illegally’.
The Scottish government is seeking investment to bring distilling back to Dallas Dhu.
The United States is enforcing a 25% import tariff on single malt Scotch whisky imports.
Deeside Brewery in Aberdeenshire has begun distilling an experimental style of Scotch whisky.
Designs for a whisky and gin distillery in the abandoned Polphail village have been unveiled.
The planned Port of Leith distillery in Edinburgh will be arranged vertically in a 40-metre tower.
The comedian, satirist and ultra-marathon runner takes on a more serious role in Whisky Galore!
Ryan Chetiyawardana serves up a tempting selection of cocktails suited to warmer days and nights.
From Amos Milburn to Metallica, this is how whisky made its mark on music. Rock on!
As campaigners battle to keep Landseer’s painting in Scotland, we delve into its history.
Signe Johansen demonstrates how seaside cooking and drinking can be enjoyed all year round.
We survey the UK restaurant scene to discover an array of pairings for vegan diners.
Scotland’s rivers are among the world’s best for catching salmon, a perfect match for whisky.
In food terms, spring offers invigorating, fragrant flavours as nature revives and revitalises.
Cold weather calls for hearty dishes – and a pinch of the right spice can make all the difference.
Summer is all about cooking outdoors, from barbecues and picnics to terrace drinking and dining.
Slow-cooked stews and fruity crumbles, made all the better by pairing with the perfect whisky.
Whether you’re flipping sweet or savoury pancakes, add a drop of Scotch – you won’t regret it.
It may be an Irish pub in New York, but what does the World’s Best Bar have to offer Scotch fans?
Charting the ‘special relationship’ between the White House and whisky as the latest election looms.
If pre-1960s single malt was so wonderful, why isn’t it being made any more? The Prof answers all.
The Whisky Virgin discovers the price of rare whisky, but its value is another question altogether.
The Whisky Virgin wonders what the gold, silver and bronze awards adorning some bottles really mean.
A frustrating brush with the latest Ardbeg release leaves the Virgin with a fresh dilemma.
Will age-stated Japanese whiskies become an endangered species, the Whisky Virgin wonders?
The Whisky Virgin is a huge fan of grain whisky, but doesn’t think it gets the respect it deserves.
What do the words ‘limited edition’ and ‘Master’s Select’ on a whisky label really mean?
Forget waiting for it to mature – new make spirit is the new darling of Scottish distilling.
The compelling tale of one of the most infamous episodes in British corporate history – 30 years on.
After scandal, revival: how United Distillers helped to mould today’s Scotch whisky industry.
As the wellness trend pushes innovation in low-abv drinks, Scotch is playing catch-up.
Blenders are sharing their whisky secrets – but the reasons behind the move are complex.
The traditional drinking vessel for Scotch whisky is now a medium for artistic expression.
With the distillery’s last warehouses set for demolition, we look back at its history.
From quaich to tumbler to specialist tasting glass, this area of whisky has never stopped evolving.
Experts share their hopes and predictions for Scotch whisky trends in 2017.
One of the world’s most famous collections of whisky has gone on display in the Netherlands.
As technology advances, so too do the tasks and responsibilities of master distillers.
Alternative grains are back in fashion as distillers add oats, rye and wheat to their pots.
More recently developed eco-friendly uses for whisky waste include powering distilleries and cars.
The demise of dramming is one of the biggest changes in Scotch whisky in the last 40 years.
New distilleries are expensive – and you can’t sell a bottle for years. How do you survive the wait?
The popularity of single malt stretches back to the 1820s, when it was a royal favourite.
With over 40 new distilleries opening this decade, is Scotch on course to repeat history?
Stuck for Father’s Day ideas? Then spoil your dad this Sunday with a whisky-filled day out.
The industry shares its hopes for the New Year, from the death of flipping to more NAS whiskies.
Canada’s not the only country forcing its residents to jump hoops in the name of a decent dram.
It’s often not until a distillery’s demise that its worth is fully appreciated, says Dave Broom.
These are the whisky distilleries gaining a reputation for their Scottish gins.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s engagement ignites anticipation for more Royal Wedding whiskies.
Time to celebrate dads everywhere, and to share a glass of his favourite whisky with the old man.
A deconstruction of the unique charms of this much-loved Islay distillery, now 200 years old.
At least nine new whisky distilleries are set to open in Scotland in the next 12 months.
The ‘fake’ 1878 Macallan opened at a Swiss hotel has its roots in a saga from the 1990s.
Can the maverick Islay distillery maintain its independence after acquisition by Rémy Cointreau?
The city that ruled the whisky world is back in the spotlight after decades of decline.
Whisky is a gender-balanced industry, so why is it still considered a man’s drink?
Secondary maturation in Scotch whisky is a recent, but nonetheless fascinating, phenomenon.
IMD’s managing director on rebuilding Rosebank and taking calculated risks.
Brands, marketing and much more from the driving force behind the Classic Malts and Blue Label.
Glenmorangie’s restless experimenter on innovation, LVMH and creating a new whisky in 24 hours.
Glenfiddich’s malt master on chemistry, SPPM and being a world bagpiping champion.
Dalmore’s eccentric master blender reflects on a lifetime of devotion to whisky.
The chairman of Douglas Laing & Co. on blended malts, family ties and Clutha distillery.
From Martinis to Macallan (via lager), James Bond's taste in alcohol is as varied as his love life.
One of Scotland’s greatest monarchs, with a keen interest in warfare, sport – and aqua vitae.
The extraordinary story of a man hailed as the ‘Great Gatsby’ of the Scotch whisky world.
The actor loved whisky so much he claimed to have been born ‘under a distillery in Skye’.
Despite her stern demeanour, the not-so-merry monarch was a great lover of Scotch whisky.
The author of Ivanhoe did more than most to romanticise the Highlands – and Scotch malt whisky.
The Carry On… actor loved Scotch so much he’d insist on bringing a case on-set with him.
The academic and cultural commentator was also an influential writer about Scotch whisky.
The story of the woman whose astuteness helped create one of Scotch whisky’s strongest businesses.
The family behind Ferintosh, Scotland’s oldest distillery and a vast operation at its peak.
'Hal' Currie brought distilling back to the Isle of Arran after more than 150 years.
The Irishman’s work on continuous distillation transformed the world of Scotch whisky.
Was the founder of Royal Brackla distillery really as arrogant and spiteful as we’re led to believe?
Great-grandson of The Glenlivet founder and survivor of both World Wars.
The saga of ‘Grant of Glenlivat’, the early days of legal distillation – and a fairies’ curse.
The Scottish chemist is believed to be the pioneer of Bourbon’s sour mash process.
From Prohibition to the 1950s, the life of one of Scotch whisky’s greatest entrepreneurs.
First lady of Laphroaig and much-loved on Islay, Bessie proved Scotch was not just a man’s world.
The brothers created one of the world’s most successful blended whiskies, Old Vatted Glenlivet.
He was the man behind the distillery’s cult 1960s and 1970s bottlings – but how did he do it?
The saga of the family who went from illegal distillers to pillars of the whisky establishment.
The single malt pioneers supplied politicians and celebrities from their famed London store.
The coded labels, originally born out of necessity, have created a cult whisky range.
This celebrated single malt remains, to many, one of the greatest whiskies ever made.
These early bottlings from Cadenhead challenge the historic narrative of single malt.
The Italian collector on how he amassed one of the world’s most enviable whisky collections.
A rare look inside the German’s 25-year collection, including a series of 1960s Laphroaigs.