Monday Whisky News (May 5–11, 2025)

🥃 Major Releases

• Scotland:
  • Glen Scotia: 50-Year-Old "Elements of Campbeltown" series debut, their oldest release yet.
  • Ardbeg: "Smokiverse" special release (High-Gravity Mash) for Ardbeg Day (May 31).
  • The Dalmore: Luminary 2025 Edition (52-Year and 17-Year editions).
  • Kilchoman: "20th Anniversary Cask Series" (four limited single malts).
• United States (Major):
  • Heaven Hill:
    • Grain-to-Glass Bourbon (6-year, cask strength).
    • Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond Spring 2025 (9-year bourbon).
• United States (Craft & Independent):
  • New Riff Distilling: American Single Malt (aged 7–10 years, 115.2 proof).
  • Pursuit Spirits: Two new proof variants (88 and barrel proof).
  • Heaven Hill’s Elijah Craig & Larceny barrel-proof (B525) editions.
• Ireland:
  • Bushmills: 18-Year-Old Port Finish (World Wood Series).
• Canada:
  • Crown Royal: "Marquis" blended whisky finished in Caribbean rum casks.

📈 Business & Industry Moves

• Scotch Whisky: UK–India trade agreement reduces tariffs from 150% to 75% (eventually 40%), boosting Scotch exports.
• Japanese Whisky: Japan’s whisky association seeks legal definition for "Japanese Whisky" to protect authenticity.
• American Whisky: Investment firm CaskX expands to include American Single Malt cask investments.
  • We've spoken many times about cask investment and advice NOT to do this

📅 Events & Tastings

• Completed:
  • Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival (April 30–May 5), huge success highlighting Speyside’s whisky heritage.
• Upcoming:
  • Houston Scotch Whisky Society Event (May 17): "Spring Spirits & Drams Delight," featuring over 90 rare drams.
  • World Whisky Day (May 17): Global whisky appreciation day with events worldwide.
  • Campbeltown Malts Festival (May 19–24): Celebrating Campbeltown whiskies with distillery events and special bottlings.

🌟 Noteworthy Mentions

• Bowmore ARC-54: 54-year-old luxury whisky collaboration with Aston Martin (limited 130 bottles).
• Loch Lomond Whiskies: Two special releases commemorating The Open Championship golf event.
• Johnnie Walker Black Ruby: New fruity variant targeting younger consumers and cocktail enthusiasts.