Scotch Whisky - Innovation and Tradition

Scotland’s whisky landscape has rarely stood still, but the pace of innovation and reinvention is apparent at the moment. From the opening of a gleaming new distillery on the banks of Loch Lomond to the return of one of Speyside’s great family names to global travel retail, the country’s distillers continue to balance heritage with forward thinking. There are fresh releases from rising independents, mythical bottlings from cult retailers, and even a clear spirit that challenges our very idea of what whisky should look like.

What ties them together is ambition. Whether it’s the craftsmanship behind Wolfcraig’s richly layered blend, the folklore-inspired creativity of The Whisky Exchange, or the daring experimentation of Chivas Regal’s Crystalgold, each reflects a different expression of Scotland’s  relationship with whisky.

Here’s a look at some of the most interesting new arrivals at the moment. 

Luss Distillery

Luss Distillery has officially opened its doors, inviting whisky and gin enthusiasts to discover a new world on the banks of Loch Lomond. The multi-million-pound project by Loch Lomond Group has transformed the former Luss smokehouse into a contemporary 5,362 sq.m distillery and visitor experience in the heart of the village. It now serves as a dedicated brand home for Loch Lomond Whiskies and Ben Lomond Gin, featuring four distinctive buildings: a retail space, an immersive discovery area, a working gin distillery, and a café. 

Visitors can enjoy guided tours, tastings, and an engaging exploration of the distilling process, alongside a premium food and drink offering that showcases the wider portfolio, including Glen Scotia and Littlemill. Colin Matthews, Founder and CEO of Loch Lomond Group, describes the opening as a major milestone, reflecting the company’s commitment to innovation, craftsmanship, and community. Designed by Paul Hodgkiss Designs, the space captures the serenity of its surroundings with natural materials and panoramic views across Loch Lomond. A series of diamond-shaped windows, inspired by Ben Lomond Gin, flood the interiors with light, creating a tranquil atmosphere that connects visitors to the landscape. Open daily from 10am to 5pm, Luss Distillery is set to become a landmark destination for lovers of fine spirits and Scottish scenery alike.

Glenfarclas

Whenever I’m in Speyside, I always make time for a stop at Glenfarclas. It was probably the first distillery I ever visited in the region, sitting conveniently on the road into Aberlour. On that first visit, I made a film and remember being excited to see a cask distilled in 1972, which is my birth year. I asked for a bottle of it, so I could photograph it with the cask. Sadly, I didn’t get to taste it, but I did enjoy sampling a few others from their range.

Glenfarclas has always struck me as a distillery that operates to its own rhythm. Family-owned, independent, and proudly traditional, they’ve held onto a way of doing things that feels almost timeless. Their whiskies are rich with sherry influence, and always offer great value particularly the older expressions, which remain accessible even as prices elsewhere have soared.

Glenfarclas is now making its return to travel retail after several years away. Partnering with Avolta’s World Duty Free stores, the distillery has introduced two expressions designed to tempt passengers passing through the UK’s main airports – including a brand-new 11-Year-Old that’s exclusive to the channel.

The 11-Year-Old, bottled at 46% ABV and priced at £49.99 for one litre, is non-chill filtered and naturally coloured. It’s a bold yet approachable whisky, chosen as World Duty Free’s Malt of the Month for September. It sits alongside the legendary Glenfarclas 105, still bottled at a robust 60% ABV, which remains a benchmark for anyone who appreciates the sheer power and purity of cask strength whisky.

To celebrate the launch, Distillery Manager Callum Fraser recently toured Edinburgh, Heathrow and Gatwick airports, signing bottles and pouring drams for travellers. Unsurprisingly, the whiskies sold quickly!

The travel retail collection also includes the Glenfarclas 16-Year-Old (46% ABV, £79.99), another exclusive, and the 35-Year-Old (43% ABV, £765), which represents the pinnacle of the range. Together they offer a snapshot of the distillery’s evolution across the decades, from youthful vibrancy to mature depth.

Since 1865, Glenfarclas has remained under the care of the Grant family, now into its fifth generation. The distillery sits at the foot of Ben Rinnes, its stills famously direct-fired, producing a heavier, more complex spirit. Ageing takes place almost entirely in Oloroso sherry casks from Jerez, lending that unmistakable richness that defines Glenfarclas whiskies.

The brand’s reappearance in airport stores comes under the guidance of William Ovens, who heads Global Travel Retail at Ian Macleod Distillers. “Glenfarclas is one of the most admired single malts in the world,” he said. “We’re delighted to be bringing these remarkable expressions to international travellers.”

If you are travelling soon and undecided on what to buy, these certainly should be on your list.

Wolfcraig

Wolfcraig Distillers has released the latest expression in its acclaimed Triple Sherry Cask Finish collection, with Master Blender Richard Paterson OBE once again at the helm. The 14-Year-Old Deluxe Blend Second Edition arrived on 1 October, priced at £95 and is available from wolfcraig.com, Master of Malt, and selected independent retailers.

The whisky is a collaboration between Paterson and fellow Master Blender Ian Macmillan, who together bring more than a century of experience to the art of blending. Their creation marries a 50 to 50 ratio of malt and grain whiskies drawn from all five of Scotland’s whisky regions, with maturation in rare sherry casks sourced directly from Jerez de la Frontera in Spain.

For this edition, Paterson selected Amontillado, Pedro Ximénez and Muscatel casks, each seasoned for 15 years in the bodegas of Jerez. The result is a whisky that combines richness and balance, with layers of fruit, chocolate and Madagascan vanilla.

The whisky has a deep burnished amber. with aromas of toffee, hazelnut and dried apricots. This is followed by flavours of fruit cake, crème anglaise and honey on the palate. As it develops, layers of baking spices, roasted pecans and vanilla sponge appear.

Speaking about the release, Paterson said: “This edition reflects the care and attention we pour into every stage of our blending process. From hand-selecting casks in Jerez to the time spent creating harmony between our chosen whiskies, our goal was to create a spirit of balance, depth and complexity. The result is a whisky filled with sun-kissed raisins, Madagascan vanilla, rich gingerbread and a lingering finish of figs and chocolate. It truly showcases the Triple Sherry Cask Finish Series and we look forward to sharing it with whisky drinkers old and new.”

Many of the component whiskies come from distilleries with which Paterson and Macmillan have enjoyed personal connections throughout their careers. That sense of heritage and familiarity has become a hallmark of Wolfcraig’s releases, which aim to highlight both the craft of blending and the character of Scotland’s whisky regions.

Wolfcraig was founded in 2020 by Michael Lunn, former CEO of Whyte & Mackay, alongside Paterson and entrepreneur Jamie Lunn. From its base in Bearsden, Glasgow, the company has positioned itself as an independent bottler with a focus on premium blended Scotch.

The Second Edition of the 14-Year-Old Deluxe Blend is designed as a whisky of genuine character, with Paterson and Macmillan drawing on their long experience to create a spirit that is both approachable and complex. For Wolfcraig, it is another step in establishing a house style built on balance, depth, and the influence of exceptional casks

Whisky Exchange Caoineag

The Whisky Exchange has chosen Halloween to unveil its latest own-label release, Caoineag – The Weeping Spirit, a six-year-old Ben Nevis that feels perfectly timed for the season. Named after the wailing spirit of Scottish folklore whose cries foretold tragedy, this new expression channels that haunting mythology into a whisky full of dark character and depth.

Bottled at 55% ABV and priced at £59.95, the whisky immediately makes an impression. In the glass, it opens with earthy peat and loamy soil before moving into layers of fruity dark chocolate, singed orange peel, and lime zest. With air, it reveals that unmistakable Ben Nevis “funk” — slightly industrial and mineral. The palate is dense and oily, carrying a balance of sweetness and smoke, with citrus brightness cutting through the richness.

Available exclusively online and in The Whisky Exchange’s London stores, this is a bottle that brings myth, mood, and malt together in perfect harmony, a hauntingly good dram for the darker nights ahead.

Chivas Regal Crystalgold

Chivas Brothers has unveiled one of its most interesting innovations to date: Chivas Regal Crystalgold, the brand’s first clear spirit drink. Developed through a bespoke filtration process that removes the colour from oak-aged whisky while retaining flavour, it marks a bold attempt to reframe how and when Scotch can be enjoyed.

Created by Master Blender Sandy Hyslop, Crystalgold is based on an exclusive Chivas blend refined through precise temperature control and flow rates. The technique strips away the golden hue of maturation while keeping the richness of character associated with the Chivas style. The result is a crystal-clear liquid with aromas of apple pie and vanilla fudge, a palate of red apples, pears and cinnamon, and a smooth finish.

The ambition is straightforward but significant: combine the depth of whisky with the versatility of a clear spirit. By doing so, Chivas aims to reach occasions usually dominated by gin, vodka or tequila, particularly lighter, longer drinks in the early evening. To emphasise that, brand ambassador Charles Leclerc has created the “Chivas Regal Crystalgold Spritz,” a Champagne-based serve designed to highlight its mixability.

I was able to taste it, largely through being a little cheeky... After another tasting, a few fellow writers invited me along to a Chivas event they knew little about. On arrival it was clear the setting was small and intimate, and I offered to leave. Encouraged to stay, I was soon blindfolded with a glass in hand. My first impression was mezcal. I picked up capsicum and spice, but when the blindfold was removed, it was apparent that it was a clear liquid.

As a drink, it is intriguing. I enjoyed the flavour, though I am not sure yet how to place it. For me, its natural home will be in cocktails, where bartenders can test its potential. Chivas has positioned Crystalgold as an entry point for those who shy away from “brown spirits,” so I am not the target audience. Similar ideas have surfaced in the past without long-term success, but with Chivas’ reach and reputation, this may be different. Time will tell.

What is clear is that Crystalgold represents intent. It shows a heritage brand willing to experiment with form while staying anchored in flavour. Whether it proves to be a lasting addition or a short-lived diversion, it signals confidence and ambition from one of Scotch whisky’s most established names. I shall look forward to seeing where this goes.