Laphroaig Càirdeas 2026 French Oak came home with me from an unforgettable week at Fèis Ìle aboard the Thalassa. Combining classic medicinal peat with notes of tar, seaweed crisps, Rockefeller oysters and dark fruit, this year’s festival release offers a fascinating new perspective on one of Islay’s most iconic distilleries. Here’s why it became one of my standout whiskies of Fèis Ìle 2026.
SMWS 68.160 “Christmas Morning Fiesta” achieved something few whiskies ever do: it became the highest-rated bottle of the DRAM1 Indie Awards 2026. Tasted completely blind alongside 35 other independently bottled whiskies, this Scotch Malt Whisky Society release captivated the panel with layers of cherry, raisins, Christmas spices, leather and rich sherry sweetness. These tasting notes are drawn entirely from the DRAM1 tasting panel, offering a unique look at how experienced whisky enthusiasts reacted to the whisky without knowing what was in the glass.
Lot No. 40 is the bottle that changed my perception of Canadian whisky. First introduced to me by Michael at Café Zilt, this 100% rye whisky delivers far more character than many drinkers expect from the category. With notes of rye bread, cracked pepper, herbs, cedar wood and citrus, it remains one of the most distinctive and influential Canadian whiskies available today. In this Lot No. 40 Rye Review, I revisit a bottle that continues to prove just how exciting Canadian rye can be.
A few years ago, finding a bottle of Lagavulin 16 below €100 felt increasingly unlikely. Today, prices have fallen, older Diageo Special Releases are appearing at more attractive levels and distilleries across Scotland are adjusting to softer demand. After more than a decade of relentless growth, the whisky industry appears to be entering a new chapter. The question is no longer whether the market has changed, but what that change means for drinkers, collectors and the distilleries shaping whisky’s future.
The DRAM1 Indie Award 2026 Results are in. After three blind tasting sets, 36 whiskies and hundreds of individual scores, the winners have been decided. Discover the full rankings, detailed bottler results, the story behind SMWS being named DRAM1 Indie Bottler of the Year 2026, and why Christmas Morning Fiësta claimed the title of DRAM1 Independent Whisky of the Year 2026. From established names to rising independent bottlers, these results reveal what happened when labels disappeared and only the whisky remained.
I sailed to Rock’ndaal 2026 aboard Tall Ship Thalassa and returned home with one of Bruichladdich’s most legendary whiskies. In this Bruichladdich Yellow Submarine Review, I explore the story behind the cult bottling, its fascinating history and whether the 2026 release lives up to the legend
Some dads want smoky Islay monsters. Some want bourbon beside a barbecue. Others secretly think they’re James Bond. These are the 10 best Father’s Day whiskies for every type of dad in 2026.
The 10 Best Father’s Day Whiskies for Every Type of Dad (2026) Read More »
The Macallan Romantica Collection is one of the most ambitious whisky releases of 2026. Celebrating 100 years since the legendary Macallan 1926, the collection combines a stunning 39-year-old single cask whisky with original artwork from Sir Peter Blake, Valerio Adami and Michael Dillon. The whisky sounds exceptional, the presentation is breathtaking, but at $105,000 for a three-bottle set, it also raises a fascinating question: when does a whisky become a work of art?
In this Old Forester 1920 Review, we explore one of bourbon’s boldest modern classics. From rich dark cherry and chocolate notes to heavy oak spice and Prohibition-era heritage, Old Forester 1920 remains a whiskey that continues to captivate bourbon enthusiasts worldwide. Discover the story behind the bottle, detailed tasting notes and why this powerful Kentucky bourbon still stands out in today’s crowded whiskey market.
A dramatic watercolour-style illustration of Ardbeg Distillery on Islay, featuring the distillery’s coastal warehouses, smoky atmosphere, a bottle of Ardbeg whisky and Shortie the Jack Russell Terrier mascot overlooking the Atlantic shoreline.
