Getting crafty
How should Scotch counter the craft spirits challenge? Beat them? Join them? Or buy them?
How should Scotch counter the craft spirits challenge? Beat them? Join them? Or buy them?
For whisky fans and Hebridean seabirds alike, aromas evoke special memories, discovers Dave Broom.
Clichés are rooted in truth, says Dave Broom, so don’t ignore them – but look beyond them.
A decade after his untimely death, Dave Broom pays tribute to the legendary whisky and beer writer.
As rare malts hog the headlines, isn’t it time that less expensive drams got some respect?
In a joyless age, is whisky allowed to make us smile? Sober thoughts on booze and happiness.
There’s a new breed of bar in town set to revolutionise the way we drink whisky.
With more women than ever enjoying a wee dram why does gender stereotyping still exist at all?
The world has changed since Marty McFly first graced our screens; it has for whisky at any rate.
The global bartending competition has placed Scotch flavour at its heart, writes Dave Broom.
The knowledge and kindness Wallace Milroy afforded Dave Broom will be a lasting memory.
Glasgow’s past is inextricably linked with Scotch – but you wouldn’t necessarily know that today.
The construction and early life of the Islay distillery is part cautionary tale, part inspiration.
Employing all of the senses to accomplish a full appreciation of whisky’s resonance of place.
Bagpiper, McDowell’s and the SWA acting as ‘cultural shock troops’. Where will it all end?
Diageo’s Harry Potter-esque innovations aren’t all that far-fetched, says Dave Broom.
How long does it take to make a whisky cask? More than 200 years, as Richard Woodard discovers.
Aaron Sorkin’s political drama, Johnnie Walker Blue Label and the persistence of marketing messages.
Texture should play more prominence when describing whisky, writes Dave Broom.
Indian drinkers have embraced ‘standard’ whiskies, and Scotch should do the same, says Dave Broom.
Rare Scotch whisky has moved out of the reach of many, but there’s still pleasure to be had.
A complicated trek to Islay reiterates what the whisky festival is all about to Dave Broom.
A trip to Israel reminds Dave Broom of our need to blend spices, tea, music – and whisky.
Like fine wine, great whisky comes from a willingness to make mistakes, says Richard Woodard.
Difficult times can emphasise the resilience of whisky and humanity, writes Dave Broom.
Glenfiddich’s Bourbonisation is a risky but crafty plot to lure Bourbon drinkers, says Becky Paskin.
Dave Broom reflects on the impact the traditional flavoured spirit has on our whisky today.
Long-haul flights prompt reflections on what it is to be Scottish – and what it is to be Scotch.
The simple pleasures make this life blessed: the right music, the right room, the right whisky.
Through sharing our passions we can rediscover why we first fell in love, says Becky Paskin.
Danish creativity reminds Dave Broom that the course of whisky innovation never has run smooth.
The very best of whisky exists on a ‘higher level of bullshit’, writes Dave Broom.
Dave Broom acquires a new t-shirt, and with it a sudden realisation of time passing.
Do you think the regulations governing Scotch whisky are too tough? Be careful what you wish for…
An evening with the great Sir Ian McKellen reminds Richard Woodard of whisky’s immediacy.
A whisky bar’s history reflects the shifting stereotype of its drinkers, says Dave Broom.
David Gates will lead BrewDog’s spirits division, ahead of its first whisky launch.
Commemorating the life of a proud son of Moray and one of Scotch whisky’s best-loved characters.
Counterfeit copies of western brands don’t just disappoint consumers – they can kill them.
Compass Box founder John Glaser on why a change in the law could benefit the entire industry.
The number one Scotch whisky brand’s new platform aims to add a little happiness to the mix.
Distillers are coming up with ever more inventive ways of working with this tricky grain.
The new move by Chivas Regal says a lot about the current state of the Scotch whisky market.
With poor ferry links and crumbling roads, ‘whisky island’ faces a number of challenges.
Brown-Forman has purchased The Benriach Distillery Company for £285 million.
AB Inbev, the owner of Budweiser and Corona beers has purchased online retailer Master of Malt.
Bladnoch distillery will run once again after the site was purchased by an Australian businessman.
The Australian distillery is maturing a cask of whisky aboard a cruise liner.
Two new heavily peated expressions from Loch Lomond distillery have been released.
The £2k Glenfiddich Cask Collection Finest Solera is presented in a crystal Baccarat decanter.
Johnnie Walker Black Label The Director’s Cut marks the release of the sci-fi sequel.
Hoxton’s Iron Stag has a special focus on Scotch whisky cocktails, serving Highballs by the keg.
The new packaging aims to highlight each blended whisky’s ‘craft credentials’.
The 28 Queen Street venue closes temporarily while it undergoes a £300,000 renovation project.
The range includes no-age-statement, 18-year-old and 19-year-old single cask whiskies.
Remaining in the European Union will be better for the Scotch whisky industry, says Ivan Menezes.
The highly regarded 30-year-old single malt originally retailed for only £80.
Compass Box is releasing a new Hedonism expression in honour of its female workforce.
The distillery map from the BBC’s Scotch! The Story of Whisky series will be auctioned for charity.
The International Barley Hub will make Scotland the global centre for barley research.
Glasgow’s whisky renaissance takes a step forward with the opening of Clydeside distillery.
Bruichladdich and InchDairnie have run commercial distillations of pot still rye spirits.
William Grant & Sons is to launch a new range of blended whiskies under the Hazelwood brand.
The Lowland distillery at Fife’s historic landmark is set to begin its first distillation.
Glasgow’s historic Pump House is being converted into a £10.5m Scotch whisky distillery.
Trio of well-known Scotch distillers join forces to help create new George Washington whisky.
Travel retail exclusive 32-year-old commemorates the accession to the throne of King James VI.
The limited edition is the first Bowmore malt to be matured entirely in French oak.
The Highland single malt brand has launched its ‘smokiest’ whisky to date, anCnoc Peatheart.
The owner of Glengoyne single malt is opening the venue with two of Edinburgh’s restaurateurs.
The second edition of No Name is a ‘more refined’ version of the bottler’s peatiest whisky.
The colour-focused line-up is cut as part of a rethink of the single malt’s portfolio.
Producer of Sheep Dip whisky and Edinburgh Gin has changed hands for an undisclosed sum.
Swift in London’s Soho will serve over 240 different whiskies with an opulent 1950s-style vibe.
The musical work, centred on a family-owned Scotch whisky distillery, will tour next month.
The three bespoke whiskies have been designed to pair with BrewDog’s beers.
The founders of London’s Worship Street Whistling Shop are opening a dedicated whisky bar this week.
The independent bottler is to build its own £10m whisky distillery on the banks of the Clyde.
John MacLellan, distillery manager of Kilchoman, has passed away following a battle with cancer.
A new adaptation of Whisky Galore! deserves the iconic status of the original, says Charles MacLean.
Dial up the scream factor for your Halloween movie night with these spooktacular whisky pairings.
This ’90s Scotch whisky cocktail is given a 21st-century revamp with a new recipe and name.
A traditionally rye-based cocktail – but one which can be adapted for a Scotch-loving audience.
The screenwriter discusses The Angels’ Share, the whisky film he wrote for director Loach.
Set in a working distillery, the whisky-themed opera kicked off its Scotland tour in Glasgow.
Take inspiration from these travel titles for your next whisky adventure.
The last of our spring-themed features – and an indispensable guide to seasonal whisky mixing.
From Islay to Utah, the fare offered at top whisky destinations is on the up and up.
Which whisky will you choose to complement your chocolate indulgence this Easter?
Scotch has served the cameraman well as he travels the world in search of natural wonders.
A wide-ranging and frank conversation with one of the UK’s best-selling crime novelists.
The former Scottish international scrum-half talks about his new-found passion for Scotch.
Whiskey permeates the family history and works of the man hailed as Ireland’s greatest writer.
Not just for malt whisky: why the humble barley grain could be the next big thing in food circles.
Signe Johansen demonstrates how seaside cooking and drinking can be enjoyed all year round.
Scotland’s rivers are among the world’s best for catching salmon, a perfect match for whisky.
Whisky is an excellent, if not exactly obvious, partner to your summer salads.
Citrus fruit is more than a whisky tasting note – consider these sweet and sour recipes with a dram.
Slow-cooked stews and fruity crumbles, made all the better by pairing with the perfect whisky.
From Morels to Chanterelles, mushrooms offer a quintessentially autumnal touch to the table.
From Scotch blending sessions to funky Bourbon BBQ parties, LCW has it all.
As a surfeit of Masters grips the Scotch whisky industry, the Virgin ponders what comes next.
The Prof takes a break from science to consider the etymology of the lyne arm.
Just a pipe linking still with condenser? No, it’s much more complicated, says the Prof.
Far from being an aesthetic afterthought, the shape and size of a still has a huge effect on whisky.
A burnished copper pot still may have powerful visual appeal, but what are its practical advantages?
Scotch whisky must be at least three years old – but why? War, in part, provides the answer.
The Whisky Virgin puts aside his preconceptions to discover the beauty of youthful Scotch.
Will age-stated Japanese whiskies become an endangered species, the Whisky Virgin wonders?
Our Whisky Virgin heads to Compass Box HQ for the low-down on why blends get a bad rap.
After a year of whisky exploration, the Virgin finally made it to Scotland for a distillery tour.
A search for ancestral roots leads the Virgin on a quest for Irish whiskey’s true style.
The Whisky Virgin searches for help in buying a first bottle of Scotch… and finds it down the pub.
The Whisky Virgin longs for a naked picnic staring deep into Jim Murray's inviting, golden eyes.
A frustrating brush with the latest Ardbeg release leaves the Virgin with a fresh dilemma.
What do the words ‘limited edition’ and ‘Master’s Select’ on a whisky label really mean?
In a post-truth world, fakes are everywhere, but have they invaded your whisky cabinet?
The Virgin heads to Islay to find out if its whisky really is too intense for beginners.
Not all whiskies are bottled by the distilleries; there’s many a gem among the indie bottlers.
With Thanksgiving approaching, our hapless Whisky Virgin sets out to learn about American whiskey.
Why the macho charms of Scratched Cask and Hard Fired have got the Whisky Virgin’s juices flowing.
From disturbed leylines to headless horsemen, distilleries have seen plenty of ghostly goings-on.
The demise of dramming is one of the biggest changes in Scotch whisky in the last 40 years.
‘Hygge’ is the buzzword of 2016. But what exactly does it mean? And can you do it with Scotch?
Are women really better at tasting than men? If so, why? An examination of whisky and gender.
The long and eventful story of Scotch whisky’s longest-established independent bottler.
The fine art of redesigning your product has to balance innovation with respect for heritage.
It is imperative for new releases to convey brand identity, but how do producers achieve success?
As the 34th vintage is launched, we assess the evolution of the ‘pinnacle of Irish whiskey’.
Build a picture-perfect Instagram account with tips from top whisky influencers.
A decade after his death, five leading whisky figures pay tribute to the great writer.
The islands’ early Scotch producers defied the odds to put Orkney's whisky on the map.
How this wine-drinking nation became the world’s biggest consumer of single malts in the 1970s.
The feline heroes famed for their mouse-hunting prowess at Scotland’s whisky distilleries.
It’s a busy time for architects as the boom in new Scotch whisky distilleries continues.
Great night, painful morning: what the hell is going on in your head when the pleasure recedes?
Can the maverick Islay distillery maintain its independence after acquisition by Rémy Cointreau?
As part of our selection of seasonal features, Dave Broom picks the perfect drams for springtime.
Fill your glasses with cask-driven whiskies, overflowing with fruits, wood character and memories.
From stocking fillers to blowout experiences, we’ve got presents for whisky fans on every level.
Canada’s not the only country forcing its residents to jump hoops in the name of a decent dram.
Drink better during this season’s music festivals with these campsite-friendly novelty hip flasks.
Dave Broom explores how peat is cut and burned, and busts myths surrounding PPM and peaty water.
Rye whisky is no longer a North American specialty, but a worldwide phenomenon.
Looking into the past, present and future of the Highland distillery, founded in 1843.
The trickiest gift to wrap is a bottle of whisky or wine, but with a little flair it needn’t be.
A hefty dose of experimentation characterises the brewer’s foray into spirits production.
The ‘fake’ 1878 Macallan opened at a Swiss hotel has its roots in a saga from the 1990s.
Scotland is set to welcome seven new distilleries in 2017, plus the relaunch of an old favourite.
Take a behind-the-scenes peek at Macallan’s architectural and distilling marvel.
Are you a whisky buff or novice? Test your knowledge in our annual whisky quiz.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s engagement ignites anticipation for more Royal Wedding whiskies.
Heart-warming tales of true love, from a fateful plane crash to whisky’s greatest bromance.
One of Italy’s Scotch whisky pioneers, and the man behind Milan’s legendary Bar Metrò.
The chairman of Douglas Laing & Co. on blended malts, family ties and Clutha distillery.
Brands, marketing and much more from the driving force behind the Classic Malts and Blue Label.
The malt master and a pioneer of double cask maturation reflects on his career.
Dalmore’s eccentric master blender reflects on a lifetime of devotion to whisky.
Britain’s first female Prime Minister, ‘The Iron Lady’, believed in whisky to give you energy.
The story of the African orphan who became a famous figure in the Speyside town of Rothes.
The author of Breakfast at Tiffany’s was a supremely talented writer with a penchant for J&B Rare.
The English-born journalist and polemicist loved controversy, and Johnnie Walker Black Label.
From Martinis to Macallan (via lager), James Bond's taste in alcohol is as varied as his love life.
The baseball legend was famed for his home runs – and his formidable off-field appetites.
Marvel’s hard-drinking noir hero shot to fame in her own critically-acclaimed Netflix series.
The versatile actor was famed for a series of drink-fuelled hellraising antics off-screen.
The Irishman’s work on continuous distillation transformed the world of Scotch whisky.
Tintin’s most loyal companion loves a drop or two of Scotch – particularly Loch Lomond.
America’s most loved singer had a colourful off-stage life, with Jack Daniel’s to the fore.
The extraordinary story of a man hailed as the ‘Great Gatsby’ of the Scotch whisky world.
From Prohibition to the 1950s, the life of one of Scotch whisky’s greatest entrepreneurs.
The farmworker’s son whose unique vision transformed the landscape of Scotch whisky distilleries.
The man who founded Glenury Royal distillery – and who famously walked 1,000 miles in 1,000 hours.
First lady of Laphroaig and much-loved on Islay, Bessie proved Scotch was not just a man’s world.
With a focus on single malt and exports, brothers John and James Grant were ahead of their time.
The saga of ‘Grant of Glenlivat’, the early days of legal distillation – and a fairies’ curse.
The ‘Whisky Baron’ overcame ill-health to create some of Scotch’s most successful blends.
The single malt pioneers supplied politicians and celebrities from their famed London store.
The William Grant distiller on his successes, failures and balancing innovation with brand identity.
The Hong Kong bar owner has developed broad tastes, from Hanyu to Laphroaig and Bowmore.
Myths, escalating prices and how he was ‘trapped’ into collecting the legendary Islay single malt.
The life of a Laphroaig lover – and the difficulties of building such a huge collection today.
The Swedish whisky collector now prefers to open bottles, rather than let them gather dust.
The social side of whisky collecting has had a profound impact on the Swede’s life.
The whisky vlogger on how he ‘collects’ whiskies for others to try as much as for himself.