July offered whisky fans a little bit of everything—from controversy to celebration. Murray McDavid sparked conversation by promoting younger grain whiskies, a move that challenged long-held assumptions about value and maturity. At the same time, award season highlighted the diversity of quality in today’s market, with whiskies like Deanston Virgin Oak and Loch Lomond 18 scoring as highly as luxury expressions such as Rosebank 32. Industry headlines saw Glenmorangie tie itself to Formula 1 in a landmark sponsorship, while William Grant & Sons cemented their purchase of Famous Grouse and Naked Malt. On the release front, whisky lovers were spoiled for choice: Glenfiddich unveiled a 65-year-old prestige bottling, while independent and new distilleries offered affordable, characterful first editions. Even the auction world brought intrigue, with prices softening back to 2020 levels—perhaps a chance for collectors to strike. With a packed schedule of festivals on the horizon, there’s no shortage of reasons to raise a dram this summer.
Whisky Highlights
Murray McDavid promoted grain whisky this month through their blog. Surprisingly the photo used was of an 11 year old Girvan from their Select range around £47 and 46% ABV. That’s not to question Girvan, but an 11 year old grain? Ask any whisky afficionado and grain is “not worth drinking before 30 years old” and it will still be reasonably priced. There are a couple of 50 year old examples available online for under £300. Compare that price to a 50 year old malt where most mortals would need to sell both kidneys to afford it. Possibly our favourite whisky here at The Cask Connoisseur was a 50yo North British bought at auction including buyer’s premium and P&P for £500. At the time it was retailing at £1200. It made for a very enjoyable birthday party and since there were only 125 bottles, few will have had the chance to appreciate it.
Of course there are differences, between malt and grain. Grains do not require malted barley and are produced from continuous column stills. Meaning lower production costs, but not sufficient to account for the price differential. That is down to demand, grains simply do not have the same kudos as malts. For decades they’ve been seen as a “good backbone” to a blend but not as individually bottled whiskies. How dare Murray McDavid point out their excellent value and ability to compete with similarly aged malts. Please do not make them popular, let those of us “in the know” continue to enjoy them at a reasonable price.
To be fair to Murray McDavid their blog whilst using photos of young grain, talks about 20, 30 or even 40 year maturations. That sounds a bit more like it, they’re not trying to turn the world upside down. And it’s at that point, when you get over your initial shock of how heretical promoting young grain is, that one realises, this is nothing new. Here at The Cask Connoisseur,we were regularly drinking 8yo grain ten or more years ago. It was very good at a reasonable price. Well worth buying as the “starter whisky” or “palate trainer” at the start of an evening. An everyday whisky that matched and even beat many core malts and sold at a lower price. What can be wrong with that?
And then the little grey cells kick in further, pointing out that we’ve also been drinking “young whisky” for decades as well. Jura 8 year old springs to mind easily and various blends. It’s not a recent phenomenon because of all these new distilleries, who need to get their youngish malt out into the marketplace or older distilleries cashing in with all these NAS releases . And being completely fair, some of this “young stuff” produced today is actually very good, perhaps stretching into the realms of our own heresy, much better than “before”. Here we’re thinking perhaps Ardnamurchan or Wire Works which seem very popular. But before getting branded a heretic, which is kind of where we started with Murray McDavid, the wizards of cask management and maturation still have a way to go, before they’ve cracked producing a 25yo with just 5 years in the barrel. Although some of the weirder sounding maturation methods probably will achieve it in a few years. For now, it is safe to say that without proper aging whisky does not reach the integration, complexity and intrigue that older whisky achieves. And one thing that short maturations cannot achieve is that sense of imbibing history when drinking 30 plus year olds.
July (or actually the “announcements”) was award season from Great Taste Awards in the UK although the overall winner will not be announced until September, to the IWSC. Its easy to be sceptical about awards but two whiskies that caught our eye and scored 98 points (Gold Outstanding) were Deanston Virgin Oak (£36, NAS, 46.3% ABV) and Rosebank 32 (£2100, 32yo, 47.6% ABV) note the rather large extremes in age and price. Several other scotch whiskies achieved 98 points amongst them two expressions from one of our favourite distilleries Loch Lomond 18 (£90, 18yo, 46% ABV) and the first release in the Waypoint Series – Falls of Falloch (£82, 16yo, 46.2% ABV). For once we might agree with the judges, they all are outstanding whiskies, although the Rosebank is outside our price range. It demonstrates that age and price does not necessarily mean quality and there are some very good whiskies at reasonable prices.
Rosebank celebrates two years since filling the 1st cask in July 2023 with a blog post. What is most interesting is the description they provide of the new make spirit sounds exactly like Rosebank of old. The other intriguing comment during the video recording was, whilst they will wait until the “whisky is ready”, there was a hint that might be at eight years old, so in 2031. Six years to wait…..
Whisky Product of the month (What captured our eye for whatever reason)
Decanters come in all shapes and sizes but this one from Great Drams makes a statement, their Signature Barrel Decanter. Holding up to 2 litres of whisky this “miniature oak cask with a full panoramic viewing window”. Costing £200 without whisky, £370 with sufficient whisky to fill it first time around, its not cheap but certainly makes a “showstopper” and a present for those whisky drinkers who you’re not sure which bottle to buy. Supply is limited so you’ll need to be quick off the mark if you want one.
Whisky Business
Tailored Spirits Co saw a 900% increase in Q1 turnover compared to 2024. The Edinburgh based company provides services “to help private cask owners, investors and enthusiasts to realise the true value of single cask spirits.” Earlier this year they released their first whisky –The Experimental Series – of micro batch limited editions.
Edrington owners of The Macallan saw a fall in core revenue of 10% in the year to 31st March 2025. But this was still 38% ahead of pre-COVID levels.
William Grant & Sons complete the purchase of The Famous Grouse and Naked Malt from Erdington having been given the “green light” by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) following an investigation into whether the acquisition would result in market dominance.
Glenmorangie has become the official whisky of Formula 1. This is part of a decade long agreement between Glenmorangie’s parent company LVMH (Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy) and Formula 1 signed in March 2025.
House of Malt, the retailer based in Carlisle announced a new whisky Festival – Northern Whisky Festival – the full list of distilleries attending and other information, including Masterclasses and whisky ballots can be found on their website.
Bunnahabhain create their first ever cask investment program. Filled with the distillery’s new make spirit, Staoisha. Pricing varies from £5,650 for a 200-litre first-fill ex-Bourbon barrel to £13,850 for a 500-litre first-fill oloroso Sherry butt.
According to the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) consumers are paying at least £12 of tax on every bottle of whisky or the equivalent of two-thirds of the cost of an average bottle. The full article also looks at the effects this “high tax” is having on employment and investment in the industry.
Chivas Brothers, owned by Pernod Ricard are offering “a range of immersive experiences at each of its distilleries”. These are Scapa, The Glenlivet, Strathisla and Aberlour.
Gordon Motion retires as Highland Parks Master Whisky Maker and welcome to Marc Watson. He has “over 11 years of industry experience, during which he’s won Whisky Magazine’s Icons of Whisky Distillery Manager of the year award and, most recently, served as Master Blender for The Famous Grouse and Naked Malt.”
The Artisanal Sprits company, owners of SMWS, J.G. Thomson and Single Cask Nation has created a luxury private cask program called Artisan Casks, “a unique demonstration of our commitment to crafting outstanding expressions of single malt Scotch whisky.”
The Glasgow Distillery Co. now offers limited tours of the distillery. Tours are limited to selected dates per month and no more than eight people per tour.
Whiskystats monthly auction report was again fairly bleak particularly for the prices Japanese whiskies make at auction. But now maybe the time to start thinking of buying again at auction. Prices on the whole are back to around 2020 the start of the boom.
Diageo CEO, Debra Crew, steps down with Diageo looking for a replacement. They reported net sales up by 2.9% to $4.4 billion for the first quarter of 2025.
Bladnoch distillery has signed a three year distribution agreement Maison Villevert to accelerate Bladnoch’s growth in France.
Old Pulteney announce their contribution to this year’s One on One Charity Auction. Old Pulteney Polaris (47yo, 43.6% ABV). A one off bottle of whisky in a one off work of art. The whisky sounds stunning and the packaging incredible. The auction takes place in October and previously you’ve been able to stream it live. But, if you want to bid, you might want to start saving now. The auction across the two previous editions has raised over £4.3 million and Old Pulteney’s 2023 lot (a 45yo) was estimated at £20,000-£30,000.
Glengoyne announce a “fresh new look” for their 18yo and 21yo Sherry Oak. Said to be “a graceful evolution that celebrates the exceptional whisky within while caring for the world around us.” The intriguing bit is “Unfold the elegant gatefold pack, and you’ll uncover a captivating image by local photographer Richard Fox. His lens captures the breathtaking view from the summit of Dumgoyne Hill”. Could this be the start of a series to collect with differing views from Dumgoyne? The website bottle pictures suggest not.
Online retailer Master of Malt announce their range of single cask malts will now be available across distributors globally. The range includes a 40yo Girvan grain which is described as “absolute nectar” although there is no information on their website about it there is information on other bottles in the range.
The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for UK Spirits have launched an enquiry into the impact of the UK’s alcohol excise duty system. They’re requesting information from those in the production and hospitality sectors. For further information, and to submit evidence.
William Grant and Sons reported a 30% drop in pre-tax profits for 2024 and a 6.5% decline in revenue to £1.83 billion. The cause was attributed to destocking and industry wide challenges.
Isle of Raasay distillery is now taking bookings for five new luxury accommodations – Na Bothian – Gaelic for The Bothies, “inspired by the traditional Scottish bothy, and sitting quietly on a hill overlooking Skye’s Cuillin mountain range. They’ve also introduced a two night distillery experience The Draamers’ Experience for those who wish to immerse themselves in an adventure taking them deeper into the world of Raasay whisky. Even more reason to sort out a trip to the distillery.
Whisky Releases
Glenfiddich releases Glenfiddich 1959 (£79,000, 65 years old, 45.6% ABV, Cask No 3935). First revealed at the Las Vegas Gran Prix in 2024 this is exclusive to Harrods. Created to celebrate Aston Martin’s entry into Formula 1 In 1959 and “the enduring legacies of two homegrown icons of craftsmanship and innovation.”
More affordably you might what to but Glenfiddich 16yo Aston Martin Formula One Team 2025 limited edition (£75, 43% ABV)
Macallan release the 18 year old 2025 Sherry Oak Collection (£375, 43% ABV) and The Macallan Classic Cut 2025 (£130, 50.6% ABV) and “features notes of grapefruit, panna cotta and apple.”
Rare Find is celebrating their 10th anniversary this year and their Summer 2025 release looks as good as ever. Consisting of five bottles, a 6yo Annadale, Pulteney 17yo, Braeval 16yo, Craigellachie 11yo, Glenglassaugh 11yo. We’ve tried the Pulteney which was finished for six months in a white port cask. Fans of Pulteney and others will love it.
Chorlton Whisky Summer release. Four bottles:
• Ben Nevis (14yo, £85, 53.1% ABV, 1 of 277 bottles), “It’s Ben Nevis and it’s wonderful… an echo of some of those revered 1996 vintages in this one.”
• Caol Isla (18yo, £120, 50.7% ABV, 1 of 276 bottles) , “This is amazingly drinkable stuff… with some of the nuances you usually find in much older Caol Ila, plus a citrussy and floral edge that feels appropriately summery.”
• Nc’nean (7yo, £69.50, 57.9% ABV, 1 of 243 bottles), “Lovely Highlands spirit, this, with loads of both fruit and personality. I love how much it develops with time in the glass – a nice reminder to slow down and enjoy the scenery.”
Fife-based bottler Falkland Whisky releases their inaugural release, called the Falkland Collection Speyside Single Malt. Don’t confuse it with the far more distant and probably uniquely located distillery – Tumbledown Distillery in the Falkland Islands.
West Midlands Distillery release five different bottle in their inaugural release. Priced at £79 per bottle, ABV ranging between 51.9% to 53.9%, and a variety of casks. You’ll probably find any left at retailers so if you missed them, auctions might be the way to go. What it does illustrate is plenty of people still seem prepared to support initial releases.
The latest batch of Infrequent Flyer whisky (Batch 18) from Alistair Walker has been released. This batch of seven bottles includes bottles from Ben Nevis, Aultmore amongst others. The one we have our eye on is the Invergordon Distillery 1988 (£145 – £155, 37yo, 44.5% ABV, cask # 804139, Rye Finish) a well-aged and interesting sounding grain.
Murray McDavid release The Elizabeth Tower Whisky (£550, 35yo grain from Cameronbridge, 46% ABV, 1 of 334 bottles). Available from the Houses of Parliament shoplisted as Big Ben Limited Edition. A mixture of history, commemoration of the restoration of the Elizabeth Tower and unique packaging.
Brave New Spirits latest Cask Master release “Exploring The Character of First Fill Casks”. Nine different bottles with as many cask finishes, “from rye whiskey barrels and Tokaj wine casks to barriques that once held French red wine or vintage port.” The release is split into two groups, Golden Proof bottles where the ABV is around 50% and Distillers Curt bottles “whisky just as it comes from the cask”. Prices range from around £56 to £86.
Hell’s Stone Rioja Cask Finish (£varies, 46%ABV, 1 of 400 bottles) from the Pocketful of Stones distillery. This is the first single cask malt released from the Cornish distillery. Aged for three years in American oak and 1 year finishing in an ex-Rioja cask. It was bottled in 2022, so not necessarily a “new release”.
Retribution Distilling Co in Somerset release PR003 – Oloroso Cask (£77, 3yo, 53% ABV, 1 of 370 bottles). “Imparting flavours of red berries and fruits, a hint of nuttiness and a sweetness from the sherry. All layered over the top of our smooth and creamy new make spirit which can still be tasted behind the sherry influence.”
Glen Scotia release Double Cask Bordeaux Red Wine Finish (£43, 46% ABV), the third release in their Double Cask series. Finished for nine months in “the finest French Bordeaux Red Wine casks,”. The whisky is said to be “full of juicy strawberries and red currant flavours with a lingering warmth and tannic spice.”
Whisky Fix or Oban Whisky And Fine Wines celebrates their 10th anniversary by releasing a Caol Ila 10yo (£80, 55% ABV, 1 of 164 bottles) in collaboration with Finn Thomson Whisky.
Ardgowan Distillery add a further six bottles to their Clydebuilt Range. Prices range from £47 to £85 and ABV from 46% to 61.1%. Our pick would be the 2012 Manzanilla Hogshead Single Cask (£85, 61.1% ABV, 1 of 335 bottles). “aged in a rare Manzanilla cask, exclusively available from the Spanish coastal town of Sanlúcar de Barrameda, the lighter profile and maritime notes add a distinctive twist.”
Fielden releases Hazybower (£102.50, 46.3% ABV, 1 of 1000 bottles). Following on from the first edition Hedgerow, Hazybower is the second edition of its four-part Fieldnotes Collection. It is crafted from column and pot stills, and a blend of heritage rye, wheat, and barley.
Wolfburn release a 12yo ( ~£70, 46% ABV) their oldest release to date. We’ve tried it and well worth a bottle, particularly if you sign up to their newsletter and get a 10% discount off your first order.
Daftmill release their 2012 summer batch (£105, 46% ABV) matured in 23 first fill ex-bourbon in the upper level of their dunnage warehouse. There was a time when these would have been gone in a flash, but that enthusiasm seems to have waned. Here at TCC we not sure why, it is a cracking whisky.
Gordon and MacPhail start their “teaser” camping for the world’s oldest whisky, with release in October. An 85 year old Glenlivet. Bottled at 43.7% ABV, one of 125 decanters there is no price information yet. But you can at least start saving and register your interest! Or you can wait until November when Christie’s New York will auction off decanter No 1. Maybe that extra month will help.
Glasgow 1770 release a ruby port cask finish (£57, 6yo, 55% ABV). The whisky was matured for 3 years and ten months in ex-bourbon casks before being transferred to ruby port casks for a further 2 years and 10 months. This is the first batch in an annual series.
Wire Works Necessary Evil Finish 2025 (£69, 51.3% ABV, 2457 individually numbered bottles. Lightly peated and finished in an Imperial Stout cask from local brewery Thornbridge.
Elixir Distillers release the Legacy Series consisting of three vintages from their Tormore distillery, 2003 (from 4 casks), 2009 (from 6 casks) and 2012 (from six casks) with each cask producing around 220 bottles. Price ranges between £74.95 for the 2012 vintage to £175 for the 2003 vintage. Available from various retailers.
Penderyn release Serpent’s Tears (£80, 46% ABV, 1 of 3000 bottles) the first release from their Llandudno distillery. It is said to be “lightly smoky, subtly sweet, and rich with Penderyn’s signature finesse.” Sold out at the distillery but widely available at whisky shops.
Rare Finds Summer release 2025. Five malt whiskies from Annandale (6yo, 60.4% ABV), Pulteney (17yo, 56.7% ABV), Braeval (16yo, 62% ABV), Glenglassaugh (11yo, 54.1% ABV) and Craigellachie (£74, 11yo, 54.1%) available directly from their website, others from various stockists. The theme of this release is “investigatory cask maturations”.
We’ve been lucky enough to sample the Pulteney 17yo and can confirm it is a cracking dram. Good enough to buy a couple of bottles. It certainly will appeal to fans of Pulteney and those who miss the now discontinued distillery 17yo.
The Glenallachie release the Meikle Tòir Single Cask Collection. A distillery exclusive 2018 Pedro Ximénez Sherry Hogshead (price N/A, Cask No 11569, 7yo, 1 of 355 bottles) and an online 2019 Oloroso Sherry Hogshead (£75.99, 60.5% ABV, Cask No 8729).
Ardnahoe distillery release their first Managers Selection (£90, 6yo, 54.8% ABV, 1 of 232 bottles). Aged in a first-fill bourbon barrel, this bright gold whisky is said to have, “a light nose of barley, freshly cut grass and candied almonds. The palate is full-bodied, coating the mouth with flavours of charred caramel, dry oak, and lemon. The finish is long and smooth, with gentle, sweet smoke.
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.
- 6th August 2025 – Spirit of Alba Festival, Kirkintilloch
- 8th – 10th August 2025 – Whisky Fringe Edinburgh
- 16th August 2025 – Linlithgow Whisky Festival (Falkirk Whisky Club)
- 16th August 2025 – A Dram Good Whisky Festival, Arbikie Distillery, Lunan
- 30th August 2025 – Spirit of Alba, Kirkintilloch
- 5th September 2025 – Cadenhead’s in the Courtyard, Campbeltown
- 4th – 14th September 2025 – Hebridean Whisky Festival
- 12th – 13th September 2025 – Whisky Indy Love Fest, Newcastle upon Tyne
- 13th September 2025 – National Whisky Festival, Aberdeen
- 13th – 14th September 2025 – Midland Whisky Festival, Birmingham
- 19th -22nd 2025 – Lagavulin Islay Jazz Festival
- 20th September 2025 – Lomond & Clyde Whisky Festival, Helensburgh
- 27th September 2025 – The Whisky Lounge: Liverpool Whisky Festival
- 3-5th October 2025 – Whisky Show, London
- 11th October 2025 – Edinburgh’s Whisky Festival
- 18th October 2025 – Wee Dram Whisky Festival, Dram Fest, Bakewell
- 18th October 2025 – Seven Hills Whisky Festival, Sheffield
- 24- 26th October 2025 – Dornoch Whisky Festival
- 25th October 2025 – The Whisky Lounge, York Whisky Festival
- 25th October 2025 – National Whisky Festival, Edinburgh
- 31st October to 2nd November 2025 – Wales Whisky Fest, Llandudno
- 1st November 2025 – Northern Whisky Festival, Carlisle
- 8th November 2025 – Glasgow’s Whisky Festival
- 14th-15th November 2025 – The World Whisky Experience, Spitalfields, London
- 21st November 2025 – The Whisky Lounge: Manchester Whisky Festival
- 22nd November 2025 – English Whisky Festival, Birmingham
- 29th November 2025 – T B Watson (Drambusters) Whisky Festival, Dumfries
- 5th – 6th December 2025 – Kendal Whisky Festival
- 24th January 2026 – Scottish National Whisky Festival, Glasgow
- 7th February 2026 – Exploring Whisky: Bristol
- 27th – 28th February 2026 – Welcome to Whisky Show, London
- 27th February – 1st March 2026 – Fife Whisky Festival, various locations in Fife.
- 14th March 2026 – Croydon Whisky Festival
- 27th March 2026 – Whisky Fair – Cambridge
- 27th – 28th March 2026 – Whisky Live London
- 28th March 2026 – The Whisky Lounge: Newcastle Whisky Festival
- 29th April-4th May 2026 – Spirit of Speyside
- 9th May 2026 – Clackmannanshire’s Whisky Festival, Alloa
- 10th May 2026 – The Whisky Event, London
- 16th May 2026 – Summerton Whisky Festival St Albans
- 18th – 23rd May 2026 – Campbeltown Whisky Festival
- 22nd-31st 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
July
- Southport Summer Whisky Festival, Churchtown & Southport
- National Whisky Festival, Inverness
- Belfast Whisky Week, Belfast
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.
