True Irony
Restless meanderings on irons and irony, kettles, espresso machines and hot water bottles.
Restless meanderings on irons and irony, kettles, espresso machines and hot water bottles.
Gin is hot – and Scottish distillers are cashing in. But the links between the two spirits run deep…
Thousands of people contribute to Scotch whisky’s success, not just an elite few.
There’s no excuse for a poorly made cocktail if it costs the earth.
What’s more outrageous: cocktails served in capsules or the fact it’s a Scotch? asks Becky Paskin.
Gin, the proletariat and how Scotch whisky’s everyman status is coming under increasing threat.
A jaunt around New York uncovers a forgotten Scotch cocktail classic that’s due a revival.
Why Scotch marketers should beware swapping one dead language for another.
The simple pleasures make this life blessed: the right music, the right room, the right whisky.
Looking back at this year’s sun-filled festival – the good, the bad and the downright odd.
With more women than ever enjoying a wee dram why does gender stereotyping still exist at all?
Far from stifling innovation, says Richard Woodard, Scotch’s regulations can inspire it.
Rare Scotch whisky has moved out of the reach of many, but there’s still pleasure to be had.
There’s a camaraderie building between Scotch and ‘other’ whiskies, says Dave Broom.
Dave Broom reflects on the focus on local ingredients at the Tokyo International Bar Show.
There’s no problem categorising whisky flavour profiles, but have we been doing it the right way?
In Scotch whisky and in the wider world, says Richard Woodard, nothing lasts forever.
Whisky-scented moustache wax is another attempt by Johnnie Walker to grab the attention of hipsters.
Does yeast matter in Scotch? Most distillers would say no – but their US colleagues might disagree.
There’s a new breed of bar in town set to revolutionise the way we drink whisky.
Does Scotch single malt’s absence from a leading bar show speak volumes about cocktail snobbery?
Through sharing our passions we can rediscover why we first fell in love, says Becky Paskin.
Whisky bars should take inspiration from coffee shops when designing menus, says Becky Paskin.
Scotch whisky, much like the traditional tobacconist, needs to evolve to appeal to a new audience.
The Scotch industry needs to think hard and fast about its future post-Brexit, says Dave Broom.
Dave Broom reflects on the site so far and why you won’t see any ‘PR fluff’ on here any time soon.
A trip to San Francisco has Dave Broom pondering what lessons whisky can learn from rum.
All branches of the drinks trade are now aiming at common goals, says Dave Broom.
Whisky shows are no longer the sole preserve of Scotch – or indeed whisky – finds Dave Broom.
Swanky visitor centres are no substitute for inspiration and imagination, says Richard Woodard.
The surge in new Scotch distilleries has some striking similarities to the Victorian whisky boom.
Clichés are rooted in truth, says Dave Broom, so don’t ignore them – but look beyond them.
Commemorating the life of a proud son of Moray and one of Scotch whisky’s best-loved characters.
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.
Now just an empty shell, the Falkirk distillery could be producing spirit within two years.
Counting down the big news items that made the headlines on Scotchwhisky.com this year.
The number one Scotch whisky brand’s new platform aims to add a little happiness to the mix.
Compass Box founder John Glaser on why a change in the law could benefit the entire industry.
The challenges of building a £100m new distillery, by the man who came up with the idea.
Investigating the history of the 1926 single malts that sold for US$1m-plus at auction.
The ‘ultimate whisky troubleshooter’, he lent his expertise to distilleries all over the world.
The whisky was never designed specifically for women, its producer explains.
ELLC’s London Rye is the capital’s second whisky to be released in over 100 years.
Macallan’s first UK whisky lounge has opened at London’s Euro-Japanese restaurant Four Degree.
The team behind London’s Black Rock bar have launched a quirky new whisky subscription service.
The festival will bring the capital’s bars together for a celebration of Scotch whisky.
Kaleidoscope at Devonshire Square in the City will be open to non-members of the society.
Swift in London’s Soho will serve over 240 different whiskies with an opulent 1950s-style vibe.
The distillery is launching a pop-up bar to celebrate its new limited edition Glenmorangie Spìos.
The whisky specialist will open a four-storey whisky bar and shop in September.
Hoxton’s Iron Stag has a special focus on Scotch whisky cocktails, serving Highballs by the keg.
The founders of London’s Worship Street Whistling Shop are opening a dedicated whisky bar this week.
The Campbeltown distillery is going on a Grand Tour of the world, starting with the UK.
Music, whisky and vintage vinyl technology unite in the single malt’s 1940s recording booth.
Scotch whisky’s impact on the UK economy is praised as the SWA opens a new London office.
Sample exclusive maturation experiments at the London Whisky Show with Scotchwhisky.com.
Members can try some of the first whiskies created by the London-based distillery.
Explore the future of whisky with Scotchwhisky.com at the London Whisky Show.
The spirits retailer is set to open a second London store on Great Portland Street next month.
Rare breed Galician beef with your Mortlach? London members’ bar uses Scotch in new ‘duets’ menu.
Whiskies printed with ink only visible under UV light will be launched at the London show.
The distillery will launch a trio of 22-year-olds at the London airport’s Whisky Festival.
A custom Highball machine will tour London as part of the brand’s new mixer movement.
A Soho doughnut shop has partnered with the Hebridean distillery to create a heavily peated treat.
The retailer’s new flagship store in London’s Covent Garden features a dedicated whisky room.
The bottle, hand-painted by Irish artist Michael Dillon, fetched £1.2m at auction in London.
The Scotch Whisky Action Fund will spend a further £300,000 to help fight misuse in Scotland.
The Scotch Malt Whisky Society and Dr. Adam Moore give 120 people the chance to drink for science.
Each of the 12 varieties matches a different Scotch Malt Whisky Society whisky flavour profile.
The Highland distillery has finished its latest single malt in Châteauneuf-du-Pape wine casks.
The London distillery is encouraging buyers to open and drink its debut whisky rather than flip it.
The distillery’s new, limited edition whisky can only be found at Heathrow airport.
The new expression marks the end of a two-year closure period for the Mull distillery.
Visitors can expect behind-the-scenes tours and one-off events at the whisky distilleries.
The Murray Marsala Cask Finish is the second in the collection to have a wine cask finish.
Only 94 bottles of the oldest whisky from the ‘Beast of Dufftown’ have been released.
The new, community-owned, island Scotch whisky distillery needs to raise £2.5 million.
Proceeds from the auction of the special bottle will help fight food waste and poverty.
Guests can enjoy a tutored nosing and tasting session of different whiskies from around the world.
The limited edition release is a collaboration with award-winning designer Afroditi Krassa.
The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebratory bottling is expected to sell for between £8,000 and £9,000.
The distillery ‘pays homage’ to its part owner by raising money for the Lord Mayor’s Appeal.
Glenrothes will conduct a study to see whether music affects how people taste whisky.
The purchase marks the third Macallan record set by Dubai-based retailer Le Clos in 18 months.
Priced at £2,000 per bottle, the single malt joins the Dewar’s Exceptional Cask Series.
A total of 55 bottles were collected for the raffle during the Great Whisky Distillery Challenge.
NAS single malt Quintessence, finished in five Californian red wine casks, will be priced at £1,000.
The collection has been designed to be mixed with spirits such as Scotch whisky or sipped neat.
Events organised by Whisky Extravaganza cater for novice and experienced whisky drinkers alike.
The new packaging aims to highlight each blended whisky’s ‘craft credentials’.
Gregg Glass will join Whyte & Mackay as blender and whisky maker, reporting to Richard Paterson.
The range includes no-age-statement, 18-year-old and 19-year-old single cask whiskies.
Answering these questions should scientifically match you with your perfect whisky style.
Consumers will soon be able to access detailed content via QR codes on every bottle.
‘The nose’ will celebrate five decades in the whisky industry with a global tasting tour.
The Speyside, Islay, Sherry cask and peated cask Scotch whiskies join The Classic Range.
The bottle of 60-year-old whisky, painted by artist Michael Dillon, will be auctioned next month.
Designers are invited to create the artwork for a 24-year-old Springbank bottling.
The luxury experience pinpoints a shopper’s ‘ideal whisky style’ with six specially-created aromas.
The Circle is a blended malt created by the winner of the blender’s first bartender programme.
A large-scale fake whisky operation has been uncovered following a tip-off from an auction website.
The 12-year-old blend was created with Angus Dundee to commemorate the jazz club’s 60th birthday.
The festival recognised four industry veterans for their services to Scotch whisky.
A 1964 Bowmore, which sold for £31,000, was the highest earner at this year’s Distillers’ Auction.
More than 70 rare whiskies are for sale at the Worshipful Company of Distillers auction.
Whisky.Auction will donate £200k from the sale of ‘exceptional’ whiskies to charity Plastic Oceans.
The whisky writer has selected 21 single casks to mark the Society's 35th anniversary.
The Swedish distiller will change its name to avoid a ‘brand collision’ with Compass Box.
The 28-year-old blend is designed to evoke the aromas of the palace’s kitchen gardens.
The blended Scotch will target ‘trendsetting’ cities to make the serve the ‘next big thing’.
Isle of Arran Distillers has created a ‘new identity’ for its Lochranza site’s core range.
A range of single malt expressions will be offered alongside a variety of cheese pairings.
Do Scotch whisky producers want a rule change to allow greater transparency for the consumer?
The bottler has partnered with a Scottish photographer for the blended Scotch whisky range.
The limited-edition expression has won a permanent place in the Islay single malt’s range.
The £140m Speyside distillery has been shortlisted for the prestigious architecture award.
Blend of Scotch, Canadian and American whiskies will be sold initially in Germany and Austria.
Scottish Secretary uses trip to call on Mozambique government to grant Scotch legal protection.
An increase in single malt exports helped Isle of Arran Distillers to record a £1m profit in 2015.
The 62-year-old single malt is the most expensive bottle of whisky auctioned by Christie’s.
Crown Royal takes top spot and Kentucky, Ireland and Japan share the spoils in the 2016 edition.
Tributes pour in to mark the passing of a ‘legendary figure’ in the world of Scotch whisky.
Whisky is a key part of Fèis Ìle, an annual celebration of Gaelic history, poetry, song and dance.
This year’s Islay Festival has a packed menu of distillery open days and cultural events.
The single malt, distilled in 1938 and bottled in 1999, will be auctioned next week.
The removal from public display follows a hotel guest paying $10,000 for a ‘fake’ 1878 whisky.
Glasgow Museums set to display last known miniature, produced in the 1970s by Douglas Laing & Co.
Milsean – Gaelic for ‘sweet things’ – is extra-matured in heavily toasted Portuguese red wine casks.
The 12 Pointer is one of a series of only 12 bottles released by the distillery in 2002.
One of only 12 bottles released, The 12 Pointer almost doubled its pre-auction estimate.
The dig hopes to unearth secrets at a remote Highland whisky distillery dating back to 1825.
Mix of materials makes whisky packaging hard to process for reuse, says Recycling Association.
Events will celebrate the three passions of Tommy Dewar: whisky, games and chicken.
The whisky was made to mark the anniversary of Manchester United’s 1968 European Cup win.
The 60-year-old single malt, distilled in 1926, is expected to sell for up to £700,000.
Economic and competitive challenges help foster creativity in Scotch whisky, says David Gates.
The 1926 bottle with a label designed by Sir Peter Blake sold for US$843,200 in New York.
Almost 500 rare whiskies and nine casks will be offered for sale by Sotheby’s later this month.
He helped bring huge success to Glen Grant and Macallan in a career spanning five decades.
Three lots of rare whisky labels have been withdrawn from auction following protests on Facebook.
Ncn’ean distillery near Oban is producing single malt whisky solely from organic barley.
Karen Betts joins from the British FCO, where she was previously British ambassador to Morocco.
Richard Paterson has created a unique whisky for chef Massimo Bottura’s Food for Soul project.
Music producer who has worked with Kanye West and Beyoncé launches new blended grain Scotch whisky.
The Whisky Exchange has bottled a ‘fantastic value’ 18-year-old Orkney malt for Black Friday.
The Lowlands distillery has replaced two of its single malt whiskies with new expressions.
The blended malt has been named the most requested Scotch whisky brand by the world’s leading bars.
The distillery will be sharing every bottle of its new malt with whisky lovers, without charge.
The renowned whisky consultant leaves a global distilling legacy behind him.
The Highland distillery has created a whisky to mark the release of Kingsman: The Golden Circle.
Only members of the Scotch Malt Whisky Society are now able to purchase bottlings.
The distillery’s new core range will feature age statements, rather than vintages.
The 1926 Macallan designed by the British pop artist achieved a high price at auction.
The Glaswegian blender’s new Whisky Works will focus on classic whiskies and modern experiments.
Macallan’s whisky maker used his love of DJing house music to create the single malt.
The chef has partnered with the Scotch whisky brand to explore the ‘true meaning of craftsmanship’.
The Scotch brand has created a bespoke line of sunglasses fashioned out of used whisky casks.
A blend of Clynelish and Caol Ila, the whisky is a follow-up to the ground breaking Eleuthera.
Whyte & Mackay’s innovation arm is introducing Quartermaster and a 20-year-old Speyside malt.
Balvenie has unveiled the DCS Compendium – a collection of 25 whiskies valued at over £125,000.
Scotland’s introduction of a minimum unit price for alcohol contravenes EU law.
The £1 million Dalmore whisky collection has found a buyer, four years after being launched.
A new owner is being sought for the home of Famous Grouse and blended Scotch Cutty Sark.
The founder of Arran distillery and veteran of the D-Day landings has passed away at the age of 91.
The industry legend and man behind the Diageo Classic Malts has passed away.
From Scotch blending sessions to funky Bourbon BBQ parties, LCW has it all.
Move over Bourbon; it’s time for Scotch whisky to take on the Old Fashioned.
Fiona Beckett meets Rhuaridh Buchanan, affineur and supplier of cheese to London’s top restaurants.
Liven up the party or warm up by the fire with one of these Christmas cocktail recipes.
Scotch has the fruit, oak and smoke to create the perfect seasonal serves for this time of year.
An appetising array of blood-warming, fortifying cocktails designed to keep out the winter chills.
Whisky has taken to the driver’s seat in the development of Formula One and Nascar racing.
Drinkers don’t have to compromise on flavour with these low-abv, summery Scotch serves.
Once the vogue drink of Parisian socialites, the Boulevardier is making a modern comeback.
The Danish photographer’s pictures capture the essence of the distillery and its island home.
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.
Fiona Beckett visits Severn & Wye to learn about the art of farming, curing and smoking salmon.
Not just for malt whisky: why the humble barley grain could be the next big thing in food circles.
We survey the UK restaurant scene to discover an array of pairings for vegan diners.
The Whisky Virgin finally gets to visit a distillery – not in Scotland, but in East London.
UK chefs and sommeliers are increasingly – and successfully – pairing whisky with their menus.
The UK’s Indian restaurants are pursuing ever more innovative food and whisky pairings.
Banish thoughts of dusty bowls of peanuts with our gourmet guide to the finest pairings.
Leading British chefs and their sommeliers share their food and whisky matching secrets.
Celebrate all things Scottish with dinner and a dram at one of these luxurious Burns Night suppers.
These cocktails from the world’s best bartenders are sure to enhance your Easter weekend.
The world’s best bartenders share their top Scotch whisky cocktail recipes for Burns Night.
Use our flavour-by-flavour guide to help Scotch find a place at the Thanksgiving table.
A selection of some of the best al fresco watering holes to enjoy a whisky tipple this summer.
From Morels to Chanterelles, mushrooms offer a quintessentially autumnal touch to the table.
Beat the heat with these refreshing sunny-day serves recommended by top bartenders.
It may be an Irish pub in New York, but what does the World’s Best Bar have to offer Scotch fans?
The term refers to a drink’s alcoholic strength, but the calculation differs around the world.
Dissecting Mortlach: the Whisky Prof explains the facts behind a spirit distilled 2.81 times.
The curious name for a 245-litre cask could have roots in the wizarding world, says the Prof.
The celebrity chef reveals his burgeoning passion for Scotch and plans to launch his own whisky.
Not all whiskies are bottled by the distilleries; there’s many a gem among the indie bottlers.
As a surfeit of Masters grips the Scotch whisky industry, the Virgin ponders what comes next.
The Whisky Virgin was flying high after an enlightening International Scotch Day tasting.
As the mercury nudges upwards, the Whisky Virgin discovers whisky was made for all weathers.
Out to impress the rellies, our Whisky Virgin ponders which drams to crack open for Christmas.
After reading Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible, our Virgin begins questioning his own tasting method.
Our Whisky Virgin heads to Compass Box HQ for the low-down on why blends get a bad rap.
A frustrating brush with the latest Ardbeg release leaves the Virgin with a fresh dilemma.
The Virgin wonders whether certain types of water can negatively affect a whisky’s flavour.
After scandal, revival: how United Distillers helped to mould today’s Scotch whisky industry.
These top tips will help you make the most of whichever whisky show you’re visiting.
Are women really better at tasting than men? If so, why? An examination of whisky and gender.
As the wellness trend pushes innovation in low-abv drinks, Scotch is playing catch-up.
Experts share their hopes and predictions for Scotch whisky trends in 2017.
The long and eventful story of Scotch whisky’s longest-established independent bottler.
It is imperative for new releases to convey brand identity, but how do producers achieve success?
From King George IV to Prince William, British royalty has played a big part in whisky’s success.
The popularity of single malt stretches back to the 1820s, when it was a royal favourite.
How this remote Highland valley helped to shape the modern world of Scotch whisky.
Whisky as we know it was shaped by the passionate legal battle over this apparently simple question.
The industry has not always succeeded in its attempts to end gender stereotyping in Scotch.
Stuck for Father’s Day ideas? Then spoil your dad this Sunday with a whisky-filled day out.
Glenrothes is conducting an experiment to determine whether music affects how people taste whisky.
These are the hotspots to hit if you want to earn your drams the hard way.
From stocking fillers to blowout experiences, we’ve got presents for whisky fans on every level.
Creative, visionary, fearless men who built the foundations of Scotch whisky as we know it.
Rye whisky is no longer a North American specialty, but a worldwide phenomenon.
Edrington’s move to Glasgow brings to an end The Fair City’s long-standing association with Scotch.
New distilleries are coming thick and fast, and there’s still plenty of room for more.
The city that ruled the whisky world is back in the spotlight after decades of decline.
The ambitious series of single cask bottlings now spans six decades from the 1950s.
Twenty years on, recalling the night when spirit once again ran from Ardbeg’s stills.
This factual tale of shipwreck and ‘salvage’ is even more remarkable than the fictional version.
Looking into the past, present and future of the Highland distillery, founded in 1843.
A hefty dose of experimentation characterises the brewer’s foray into spirits production.
Charting the history of ‘Whisky City’ in the run-up to this week’s Campbeltown Malts Festival.
How clever marketing helped transform an obscure single malt into a global powerhouse.
Oak species, grain size and toasting all help mould the flavour of the dram in your glass.
What qualities have we come to expect from the world’s best bars? Becky Paskin investigates.
These are the whisky distilleries gaining a reputation for their Scottish gins.
Are you a whisky buff or novice? Test your knowledge in our annual whisky quiz.
Go one better than a bottle of Scotch and give an alternative Christmas whisky gift this year.
Are you a malt maniac or dram dunce? Put your brains to the test in our annual whisky quiz.
At least nine new whisky distilleries are set to open in Scotland in the next 12 months.
Heart-warming tales of true love, from a fateful plane crash to whisky’s greatest bromance.
Whisky is a gender-balanced industry, so why is it still considered a man’s drink?
One of Italy’s Scotch whisky pioneers, and the man behind Milan’s legendary Bar Metrò.
As the retailer celebrates 60 years, LMDW’s CEO explains why whisky is more than just a business.
Meeting the modest, self-effacing team player who makes the world’s best-selling whisky.
The maker of Chivas Regal and Ballantine’s says blends – and malts – are often misunderstood.
The master blender welcomes Ireland’s whiskey renaissance, but with an eye to the past.
Brands, marketing and much more from the driving force behind the Classic Malts and Blue Label.
The sharp-tongued novelist was critical about alcoholic beverages, but passionate about Scotch.
How a chance encounter aboard a Transatlantic liner made Mark Twain a Scotch whisky aficionado.
Despite her stern demeanour, the not-so-merry monarch was a great lover of Scotch whisky.
The actor loved whisky so much he claimed to have been born ‘under a distillery in Skye’.
The author of Ivanhoe did more than most to romanticise the Highlands – and Scotch malt whisky.
From plots to assassinate Lenin to championing malts over blends, the dramatic story of ‘RBL’.
The actor, author and raconteur counted Scotch as a constant companion in his colourful life.
The author of A Clockwork Orange was almost as prolific with whisky and he was with the pen.
Be it with breakfast, lunch or dinner, Sir Winston Churchill’s affection for Scotch was no secret.
The author of Breakfast at Tiffany’s was a supremely talented writer with a penchant for J&B Rare.
Recalling the Queen’s late sister, a controversial figure noted for her love of The Famous Grouse.
The Whisky Galore author was also a wartime spy for MI6 and a lover of classical music and cats.
The story of the woman whose astuteness helped create one of Scotch whisky’s strongest businesses.
The single malt pioneers supplied politicians and celebrities from their famed London store.
America’s most loved singer had a colourful off-stage life, with Jack Daniel’s to the fore.
The Irishman’s work on continuous distillation transformed the world of Scotch whisky.
The family behind Ferintosh, Scotland’s oldest distillery and a vast operation at its peak.
Was the founder of Royal Brackla distillery really as arrogant and spiteful as we’re led to believe?
With a focus on single malt and exports, brothers John and James Grant were ahead of their time.
The little-known story of the man who wrote one of Scotch whisky’s most important books.
The globe-trotting extrovert and born salesman was one of Scotch’s most colourful characters.
The farmworker’s son whose unique vision transformed the landscape of Scotch whisky distilleries.
Great-grandson of The Glenlivet founder and survivor of both World Wars.
The brothers created one of the world’s most successful blended whiskies, Old Vatted Glenlivet.
The man who founded Glenury Royal distillery – and who famously walked 1,000 miles in 1,000 hours.
The ‘Whisky Baron’ overcame ill-health to create some of Scotch’s most successful blends.
No, not the exiled Scotsman, but the pseudonymous author of ‘the finest whisky book ever’.
The leading Scottish literary figure was an exciseman before his writing career took off.
The Scottish chemist is believed to be the pioneer of Bourbon’s sour mash process.
The London whisky lover calls himself an ‘accidental accumulator’, rather than a collector.
The Chinese collector credits Richard Paterson for his love of Dalmore’s single malts.
The Whiskyfun man talks through his abiding passion for the enigmatic drams of Clynelish and Brora.
Inside the Frenchman’s astounding whisky collection, some of which dates back to WWII.