June Monthly Round up for the Whisky Drinker (2025)

June has given us a lot to think about.

As whisky lovers, we’re often told that patience pays off—and this month might just be the proof. From flash sales to heavily discounted “special releases”, June delivered some unexpected (and frankly, staggering) bargains that reminded us how much the whisky market has shifted in recent years. Whether it’s thanks to Father’s Day in the UK, broader economic trends, or the buying hesitations we discussed in last month’s newsletter, one thing’s clear: whisky pricing is starting to feel a lot more like fashion retail—wait for the sale or go where the discounts are. But what does that mean for consumer trust, distillery loyalty, and the long-term health of the industry?

In this month’s round-up, we dive into the shifting retail landscape, question the value of “limited” releases, and explore how distilleries can better connect with both their die-hard fans and curious newcomers. There’s also fresh business news from across the UK and beyond, exciting new releases (yes, some are already sold out—but not all!), and a few personal reflections on where things might be heading. Pour yourself a dram, settle in, and let’s take a look at the month that was.

Whisky Highlights

Whether it was because of Father’s Day in the UK, or because of what we’d written last month about whisky costing the equivalent or less in real terms as 2015 (see May Newsletter), this month we noticed some stunning discounts. Seeming to prove that if you’re prepared to wait, you’ll find a bargain. The downside is that until it happens you never know whether you’ve made the right decision. But with retailers offering cracking whisky with half to two thirds off “special releases” bottles, whisky retailing is starting to look a little like fashion retailing – just wait for the sale to happen or buy from the discounters. Is this good or bad news? Let us know your thoughts.

This also implies that consumer loyalty to a brand or retailer is breaking down. Certainly, it is harder to build and maintain. Every distillery has their fans who support them “through thick and thin”, and yes, the journey the fans go on can feel special through priority access, limited editions, free distillery tours, that “special pour” or simply by belonging to a “club” but this can create an echo chamber of “you’re brilliant”.  And it is easy to lose fans affections through differing expectations. This is not to say those expectations are realistic or the distillery can meet them economically. 

Think of the 80:20 rule. 80% of your profit comes from 20% of your customers. So, you concentrate on those 20%. But where are they replaced from? Your 80%. But if those 80% can never get even your core release through a ballot system (since the ballot is skewed towards your current 20%) how do they get to know your product? Alternatively think about your customer churn rate – if retention is falling, it’s a warning you’re failing. Also beware, using an epidemiology phrase – correlation does not mean causation. Put another way, observing something does not necessarily mean what you see is  true. Make sure you’ve interpreted the evidence correctly. 

On that, The Cask Connoisseur’s annual survey of whisky distilleries in the UK was published last month. Based on social media reviews there has been considerable movement on distillery ranking from last year. It’s interesting to see the variation, but the question is what does it all mean? A cursory review reveals three things going on – previous brand awareness, whether you’re a tourist destination and how good your social media is. Separating out what is working requires a lot more digging. If you’ve gone up the rankings, give yourself a pat on the back. But then figure out why it happened. On that, The Cask Connoisseur can certainly help.

The current palpable doom and gloom in the industry is simplistically considered due to over- production and consumers tightening their belts. But that is nothing more than “evidence” to fit the result. The real question is, why it is happening? Clearly there are some events that cannot be controlled but distilleries haven’t helped themselves recently. The plethora of limited releases, cask innovation, RRP being higher than auction price, ballots, significant discounting on release price, “finding” stock after the initial release etc. All cause consumers to question what is happening and can make them move elsewhere. 

Here are our top “bugbears” for consumers and collectors:

1. Transparency is top. Keep flavour profiles honest, concise and relatable. Provide information on why a bottle costs what it does. What makes it special. Thinking about transparency is the easiest way to improve consumer trust. And trust is king currently. 
2. Limited Editions. A release of 20,000 bottles might be a limited release to the industry, but to the consumer that’s a lot of bottles. It does not necessarily feel limited or special so why pay the extra price. The term has been overused by the industry without necessarilyany obvious “added value”. 
3. NAS – non-age statement. This probably can be related to transparency. Consumers relate to age statements, they “understand” why a 25 year old costs more than a 10 year old and why they pay more. A NAS implies young whisky, which may or may not be true. So why not be transparent  and put that minimum age on the label? These days, with innovative production techniques, age is not necessarily that strong an identifier for the quality of the liquid in the bottle, but it helps to konw. If there is insufficient “real estate” make sure retailers know or have a policy – Ian Macleod Distillers state that any NAS they bottle is at least 8 years old. Or at least visitors are told that during distillery tours. 
4. RRP – Recommended Retail Price. Be realistic. If stock does not move, then consumers do not perceive it is worth the price. Discounting might move stock but alienates those who bought it at the full price. 
5. Auction price. Similar to the above. No one likes seeing that they could have bought a bottle significantly cheaper. The auction price can be a good guide as to what consumers think the product is worth. This does not necessarily apply to high end bottles as Springbank found out a few years ago. 
6. Ballots. Seen by the industry as a way to obtain customer loyalty and fairly distribute limited stocks. But if you’re not high enough up the “food chain” and never seem to win, eventually you give up and move on to somewhere else. 

When things are good, you do not necessarily need to pay attention to what consumers want. There is a clear sales trajectory akin to investing and following  the S&P, FTSE or DAC you likely will make money. When things are hard listening to your consumers is essential. 

Whisky Business

A quite month for business news. Either we must be into the summer holidays, or maybe everyone is working hard in the whisky industry to solve actual or perceived issues. 

Dál Riata Distillery receives building warrants from Argyll & Bute Council. Meaning they can start building. With a planned capacity of 850,000 litres of pure alcohol per year it will also be accompanied by a bottling company and extensive warehousing.

Bunnahabhain have named their Spirit Still No 1 after Lillian Macarthur who started working there fifty years ago at the age of 16. “Lillian’s impact on Bunnahabhain is immeasurable, and her legacy will live on in every drop of Bunnahabhain whisky”. Read the full story here.

The Whisky Exchange has appointed former Berry Bros & Rudd executive Natalie Tennent as its new managing director. She will oversee The Whisky Exchange, Speciality Drinks and Whisky.Auction.

This month’s Whiskystats auction report reported large increases in prices particularly for Islay whiskies, although overall things were just returning to the price stabilisation of the first quarter. Interestingly they noted that prices varied between auction houses and suggested you need to “shop around”, this has long been the case so presumably this was to promote their Whiskystats Elite Membership. Whilst the monthly cost seems high, you probably could save it and more if you’re active and can’t be bothered to trawl through the various whisky auctions to find the best price. Here at The Cask Connoisseur, we’d agree about the variation, but it seems consistent between auction houses over the years. 

Clydeside Distillery, Glasgow has transformed its café into a whisky bar open to the public. The venue is open from 11.00am to 5.30 pm daily.

Auchenbowie whisky distillery, near Bannockburn, receives building permission. Construction is due to start next year with distillation starting in 2027. The distillery is expected to provide 15 jobs. 

Ardgowan Distillery fills its first oak casks with new make spirit. Described as Ardgowan’s signature “Infinity Casks: oak casks which have hosted Sherry for three years prior to production commencing and are intended for maturation periods of 18 years or more.”

Inverurie Whisky Shop celebrates its tenth anniversary with a Limited Edition Single Cask, Gordon & Macphail bottling of a 17 year old Fettercairn (£145, 58.8% ABV). Said to be “a big, powerful sherry matured whisky with lots of classic notes of red apple, milk chocolate and nuts, followed up with orange peel and cocoa before lingering notes of liquorice and plums.”

Arran’s Lochranza Distillery celebrates 30 years. For those interested in the history they’ve produced a scrapbook – “Worth Reflecting On”. 

Hawkridge Distillers (think Jeremy Clarkson) have collaborated with Richard Hammond to produce a single malt English Whisky – Iron Ridge whisky – “matured in rare ex-Bourbon casks”. Said to “boasts notes of vanilla and caramel alongside a delicate smokiness.” You’ll need to find a bottle to see ABV and price. 

Whisky Releases

We usually do not mention Thompson Bros releases, since they usually sell out quite quickly (e.g. their Mystery Malt No2). Inchmurrin’s from Loch Lomond are fantastic (well at least we think so). Therefore, with some surprise, we saw an Inchmurrin 1996 (28 Years Old, 53.3% ABV, £195) was still available. Bag it whilst you can, you will not be disappointed.

A distillery with an interesting back story, The London Distillery Company, released Renascence “The rival release” which sold out within 24 hours. But you can still get hold of The Golden Reunion, Release No 1- A field in England (£49.95, 50% ABV). “This ongoing series of blended malt whiskies is designed to showcase the diversity, depth, and creativity emerging from England’s growing community of whisky producers.”

Duero Discovery Arran Signature Series Vol 3 (£84.98, 50% ABV 12 years old).Selected by Distillery Manager Stewart Bowman. Initially matured in first and second fill bourbon barrels for six years. Then transferred into first fill Spanish red wine casks for the final six years.

Decadent Drams releases an intriguing Miltonduff 22 year old (£215, 52.8% ABV, 1 of 245 bottles). Styled as a small batch multi-vintage. This blends two refill casks, one from 2002 and one from 1991. “One brings freshness, the other brings weight. Together, they produce something that tastes like honeyed reality distortion. The kind of whisky that defies both reality and entropy and will be found lurking at the end of existence, orbiting a black hole.” Wow.

Laphroaig release The Archive Collection 38 year old (£4100,  41.3% ABV, 1 of 400 bottle)following on from the 36 year old release in 2024. Tasting notes,  “Expect a lovely harmony of spice and fruit flavours with a refreshing burst of orange zest on the nose. You’ll pick up dried apricots and sultanas, before the journey takes you deeper towards a rich seam of salted caramel.”

Celebrating 18 years of English whisky making, The English Whisky Co. release Chapter 18 (£75, 46% ABV, 1 of 7500 bottles). Made from a variety of casks laid down 18 and 10 years ago. It is said to taste of, “Stewed orchard fruits, Rhubarb & Custard boiled sweets, a hint of oak, burnt toffee, peppery spice, brown sugar and more spicy cinnamon.” It won gold  (96 points) at the IWSC.

Bunnahabhain release two bottles for Fèis Ìle, part of their Westering Home Collection. Turas Math No.2 Palo Cortado Cask Finish (£95, 58.4% ABV) said to be “Rich with honeyed hazelnuts, orange marmalade and warming spice”. Turas Math No.3 19 Year Old Armagnac Cask Finish (£375, 50.2% ABV) said to be, “a rich, fruit-laced dram that captures the essence of homecoming after a journey well travelled.” Both are only available from their website. 

Isle of Raasay Distillery was selected as the latest charity single malt whisky from The Maclean Foundation, which aims to provide clean water for life to people in Madagascar. This is the third bottle in the series and only available from Royal Mile Whiskies. Raasay 19 5 year old Maclean Foundation (£115, 61.1% ABV, 1 of 246 bottles). 

Bladnoch Distillery release Wave II (£125, 57% ABV, 1 of 1817 bottles) the second edition in the Master Distillers Collection. Made from a variety of casks married in an Amontillado Sherry tun, “This process allows us to champion the fruity, floral character of our distillery.” 

Glenturret release The Glenturret X Jaguar D-Type (minimum 35 year old, 40.3% ABV, 1 of 270 bottles) the third bottle in the series. Said to provide, “rich dried fruits, toffee apples dusted with cinnamon. Warm notes of ginger and nutmeg interwoven with GREEN APPLE. A warm but subtle finish – hints of resinous wood, fruits and a slight oily texture.” We’ve tried the C-type which had wonderful depth, complexity and nuances of flavour. If you’re after a special bottle, and can afford it, this sounds well worth buying. 

Glendronach relaunches its 21 year old. This replaces The Parliament which is discontinued. Said to have an “elevated design” and is the first expression of their “ultra premium core range”. it is made from a similar combination of oloroso and Pedro Ximénez Sherry casks. Certainly, the packaging has been elevated as has the retail price (£250) a significant increase over The Parliament. Is the whisky worth this additional cost?  Let us know your thoughts. 

Benromach Champions Edition 1 (£85, 57.3% ABV, 13 year old, 1 of 253 bottles) is only available to Friends of Benromach via Benromach’s website and was selected by the Benromach Champions of 2024. Intriguingly Cask No 773 was made with Polish oak. Worth becoming a friend to buy a bottle. The page link also includes a video of the tasting session which selected this bottle. 

Glenfarclas unveils their oldest whisky yet, a 70 year old (£20,000, 42.9% ABV, 1 of 262 bottles). Distilled in 1953 and spending seven decades in their dunnage warehouses. It’s said to have a palate of “Dark chocolate laced with sherry-soaked dried fruits gives way to a refreshingly spicy tingle on the palate leading to a bold thread of rich, roasted coffee. The mouthfeel is luxuriously coated in treacle toffee, creating a full-bodied, indulgent texture.” Yet another bottle of whisky to try if we win the lottery. 

Lady of the Glen releases their second outrun of 2025. Consisting of eight bottles with the oldest being a 1998 Ben Nevis (£298, 43.2% ABV, 1 of 276 numbered bottles). Full information can be found on the link above and where to buy. 

Cadenheads latest Authentic Collection offers the usual selection of well-priced cask strength bottles. The two that caught our eye were a Ben Nevis (£235, 25 year old, 52.2% ABV, 1 of 168 bottles) and an Ardnamurchan (£70, 5 year old, 58.1% ABV, 1 of 636 bottles).

GlenAllachie release 21 year old Cask Strength Batch 6 (£301, 52.8% ABV). You can anticipate “intricate layers of forest fruits, rich espresso, sweet spice and dark chocolate truffles.”

Ad Gefrin distillery in Northumberland releases a cognac cask finish of their signature blended whisky Tácnbora (£57.50, 58.6% ABV). Created from six casks, spending six months in ex-cognac casks expected to yield between 1800 – 2000 bottles. This also is the first cask strength release. We’re great fans of Ad Gefrin, not just for distillery visits and of their whisky but also their museum. They also produce one of the best whisky cream liqueurs we’ve tried – Flýte(£21, 20% ABV).

Upcoming Whisky Events

Those without full dates (at the end of the list), have occurred in 2023/24/25 without releasing 2025/26 dates at present. For full details just type the name into Google. If we’ve missed your festival just drop us a line. 

• 4^th July 2025 – Southport Summer Whisky Festival, Churchtown & Southport
• 5^th July 2025 – National Whisky Festival, Inverness
• 18^th – 26^th July 2025 – Belfast Whisky Week, Belfast
• 6^th August 2025 – Spirit of Alba Festival, Kirkintilloch
• 8^th – 10^th August 2025 – Whisky Fringe Edinburgh
• 16^th August 2025 – Linlithgow Whisky Festival  (Falkirk Whisky Club)
• 16^th August 2025 – A Dram Good Whisky Festival, Arbikie Distillery, Lunan
• 30^th August 2025 – Spirit of Alba, Kirkintilloch 
• 5^th September 2025 – Cadenhead’s in the Courtyard, Campbeltown
• 4^th – 14^th September 2025 – Hebridean Whisky Festival
• 12^th – 13^th September 2025 – Whisky Indy Love Fest, Newcastle upon Tyne
• 13^th September 2025 –  National Whisky Festival, Aberdeen
• 13^th – 14^th September 2025 – Midland Whisky Festival, Birmingham
• 19^th -22^nd 2025 – Lagavulin Islay Jazz Festival
• 20^th September 2025 – Lomond & Clyde Whisky Festival, Helensburgh
• 27^th September 2025 – The Whisky Lounge: Liverpool Whisky Festival
• 3-5^th October 2025 – Whisky Show, London
• 11^th October 2025 – Edinburgh’s Whisky Festival
• 18^th October 2025 – Wee Dram Whisky Festival, Dram Fest, Bakewell
• 18^th October 2025 – Seven Hills Whisky Festival, Sheffield
• 24- 26^th October 2025 – Dornoch Whisky Festival
• 25^th October 2025 – The Whisky Lounge, York Whisky Festival
• 25^th October 2025 – National Whisky Festival, Edinburgh
• 31^st October to 2^nd November 2025 – Wales Whisky Fest, Llandudno
• 1^st November 2025 – Northern Whisky Festival, Carlisle
• 8^th November 2025 – Glasgow’s Whisky Festival
• 14^th-15^th November 2025 – The World Whisky Experience, Spitalfields, London
• 21^st November 2025 – The Whisky Lounge: Manchester Whisky Festival
• 22^nd November 2025 – English Whisky Festival, Birmingham
• 29^th November 2025 – T B Watson (Drambusters) Whisky Festival, Dumfries
• 5^th – 6^th December 2025 – Kendal Whisky Festival
• 24^th January 2026 – Scottish National Whisky Festival, Glasgow
• 7^th February 2026 – Exploring Whisky: Bristol
• 27^th – 28^th February 2026 – Welcome to Whisky Show, London
• 27^th February – 1^st March 2026 – Fife Whisky Festival, various locations in Fife.
• 14^th March 2026 – Croydon Whisky Festival 
• 27^th March 2026 – Whisky Fair – Cambridge
• 27^th – 28^th March 2026 – Whisky Live London
• 28^th March 2026 – The Whisky Lounge: Newcastle Whisky Festival
• 29th April-4th May 2026 – Spirit of Speyside
• 9^th May 2026 – Clackmannanshire’s Whisky Festival, Alloa
• 10^th May 2026 – The Whisky Event, London
• 16^th May 2026 – Summerton Whisky Festival St Albans
• 18^th – 23^rd May 2026 – Campbeltown Whisky Festival
• 22^nd-31^st May 2026 – Fèis Ìle, Islay

No new dates released for these whisky events

August

• The Dram Good Whisky Festival, Edinburgh (2024)

October

• Borderlands Whisky Festival, Lockerbie (2024)

November

• Leeds Whisky Festival (2024)

January

• Harrow Whisky Festival (2025)
• Southport Whisky Festival (Winter)

March

• Whisky Birmingham, Birmingham (2025)
• Independent Spirits Whisky Festival, Leith, Edinburgh (2025)

April

• National Whisky Festival, Glasgow (2025)
• Whisky Social Belfast, Belfast (2025)

May

• Stirling Whisky Festival (2025)
• Whiskey Live Dublin (2025

June

• Bladnoch Wave Weekend (2025)
• Arran Whisky Festival, Arran(2025)
• The Whisky Lounge: Bristol Whisky Festival (2025)
• The Whisky Lounge: Edinburgh Whisky Festival (2024)
• Stoke Whisky Festival – Stoke on Trent – possibly in 2026

Background – Here at The Cask Connoisseur, even though we’re not subscribed to every potential newsletter or source of information, we receive around four hundred emails over the course of a month with various promotions, new release information, distillery newsletter,updates etc. Add on social media posts and that amounts to somewhere well over 1000 pieces of information being reviewed per month. The aim of this monthly round up is to provide a summary of the most interesting bits along with upcoming events that can be gleaned from them. The downside to a monthly review is a lot of “special offers” will have come and gone.