whisky

Something very exciting is on the horizon - an exceptionally rare bottle of whisky being released by The House of Hazelwood. I’ll be publishing more about it soon, but first, I wanted to provide some background to show just how important the Girvan distillery is to the brand. Girvan is not just a grain distillery - it’s the silent powerhouse behind the remarkable whiskies in the House of Hazelwood collection. As you’ll see in my next article, their latest expression reaches deep into Girvan's past and looks far into the future.

There’s a silence in the mountains that feels fuller than anything you’ll find in the city. Not emptier, not lonelier—just fuller. The kind of silence that contains things: possibility, peace, the crunch of snow under your boots, the clink of a glass just before you take a sip. It’s the kind of silence that makes you slow down, look up, and feel like you’re exactly where you’re meant to be. For me, that was drinking a glass of High West whiskey surrounded by the mountains. 

Few distilleries divide opinion quite like Loch Lomond. Often underestimated, sometimes misunderstood, it doesn’t trade on bucolic charm or romantic tales of illicit stills. Instead, it is rooted in industrial ambition and technical ingenuity - qualities that, ironically, have led to some of the most distinct single malts coming out of Scotland today.

Annandale Distillery has a history that stretches back more than a century, marked by ambition, innovation, and revival. Once a vital part of the Scotch whisky industry, it fell silent for decades before its meticulous restoration. I learned about the distillery's revival recently at a wonderful dinner hosted by Professor David Thomson and his wife Teresa at Fortnum & Mason.

Easter signals the arrival of spring, a season of renewal, celebration and hopefully some long-awaited warmth. As you get together with family to celebrate this festive occasion, it is important to make your drink selections just right. The following selection offers a diverse range of wine and 3 delicious whiskies, each embodying the essence of its origin and matching perfectly with traditional Easter food. 

Heavens Door

Bob Dylan has spent a lifetime resisting definition. The man who reshaped folk music, redefined rock, won a Nobel Prize, and became a reluctant prophet of a generation also has his own whisky - and, fittingly, a new film that refuses to pin him down. The Complete Unknown, a biopic, doesn't attempt a straightforward retelling of Dylan’s life. Instead, it fragments his identity, reflecting the ever-shifting enigma of the man himself.

Mossburn 12-Year-Old “Famille Dupont” Calvados Casks 57.2%

Mossburn Distillers and Blenders continue to impress with their thoughtful and innovative cask finishes, and this 12-year-old expression is no exception. Neil Mathieson, Mossburn's master distiller, has selected 18 casks from four Speyside distilleries to undergo a finishing process in Calvados casks sourced from the Dupont family.  

Tomatin

Highland distillery Tomatin has launched a new series of single malts, The Sherry Collection, featuring three unique expressions that celebrate Sherry’s influence on Scotch whisky. This limited-edition collection highlights the distinct characteristics imparted by Manzanilla, Palo Cortado, and Pedro Ximénez casks.

As the holiday season approaches, the quest for unique and memorable gifts takes centre stage. But why make your friend or loved one wait until December 25th to open your gift? Wouldn’t it be better to see their face light up early in the season, and avoid your gift getting lost in a mountain of presents?