There’s an appetite for smoky whiskies in Asia created with the help of peat – both home grown and imported. Shay Waterworth reports on the brands taking cues from Islay

Cutty Sark has expanded its age statement range with the launch of a 17-year-old blend matured in three different cask types.

In the 30th edition of the International Spirits Challenge, Suntory Spirits has won the 2025 Supreme Champion award with The Yamazaki 18.

With backing from film director Guy Ritchie, Rosemaund may seem like yet another celebrity whisky brand, but its story is far more poignant, one of family bonds, enduring passion and a long-awaited homecoming.

Spiribam has announced that its French subsidiary will handle the distribution of seven new partner brands across France.

International Beverage has named Sarah Burgess as the company’s new master of whisky creation.

The Lakes Distillery has announced the appointment of Brendan McCarron as its new whiskymaker.

Modi Illva is capitalising on India’s global appeal by branching out into premium spirits for export. Shay Waterworth finds out more from the man at the helm.

French spirits group La Martiniquaise-Bardinet has acquired a majority stake in English gin producer Warner’s Distillery, for an undisclosed sum.

Bladnoch Scotch whisky distillery has partnered with premium spirits distributor Maison Villevert to accelerate growth of the single malt whisky brand in France.

Edrington has announced that after 27 years, Gordon Motion is retiring as master whisky maker of Highland Park.

Online auctioneer Whisky Hammer, founded by Scottish brothers Craig and Daniel Milne, has announced the opening of its first operational base in The Netherlands.

Glenfarclas has released its oldest ever single malt which has been made available globally in limited volumes.

The Whisky Exchange has appointed Natalie Tennent as its new managing director which will be effective from 7 July 2025.

Karuizawa Distillers has announced plans to construct a whisky distillery called Furaliss in Furano City, Hokkaido, in partnership with Seibu Group and Furano city itself.

International Beverage has announced the global launch of Prakaan, Thailand’s first premium single malt whisky, following its entry into domestic and Asian markets last year.

“I had always wanted to make whisky and ended up in Vietnam, and realised there wasn’t a whisky distillery here,” Dr Michael Rosen, co-founder of Hanoi-based distillery Về Để Đi, told Drinks International.

As the International Spirits Challenge hits a milestone, Oli Dodd asks some of the most respected whisky judges for their thoughts on how the competition has evolved and why it is so important.

Spirits distributor Speciality Brands is growing its world whisky portfolio with the addition of New Zealand’s Thomson Whisky.

The UK and India have agreed a new trade deal which will see tariffs on gin and Scotch whisky fall to 40%.

The OurWhisky Foundation has introduced the OurWhisky Foundation Community, a digital platform and app designed to connect whisky industry professionals around the world.

Sakari Sake has announced a partnership with Speciality Drinks to distribute its range in the UK.

The Japan Spirits & Liqueurs Makers Association (JSLMA) is planning to register Japanese whisky for Geographic Indication (GI) status.

The Indian Malt Whisky Association (IMWA), first incorporated in July 2024, has announced its official launch.

Nordic distilleries have announced the official launch of a collaboration to strengthen and promote the region’s whisky category on the global stage.

Independent spirits producer The Thompson Brothers has announced a £1.8m crowdfunding campaign to help fund the construction of the Struie Distillery.

The OurWhisky Foundation, the global non-profit supporting women in the whisky industry, has appointed its first executive director ahead of a restructure this year.

Danish whisky brand Stauning has released its Rye Whisky Madeira Single Cask, a limited-edition whisky exclusively bottled for Selfridges at its London, Birmingham and Manchester stores. 

Diageo has unveiled the YunTuo Single Malt Whisky Distillery, the first of its kind for the company in China.

News of Donald Trump’s re-election as US president earlier this week has sparked fear over the possibility of further tariffs being implemented on the spirits industry.

After nearly two centuries, Speyside’s Cabrach Distillery has begun distillation of its first single malt whisky at its new distillery.

Scotch whisky maker Compass Box has secured a £35m loan from British bank Santander in order to support the international expansion of the brand.

Sotheby’s is entering a long-term partnership with Chivas Brothers to bring aged, one-off creations to auction, exclusively for Sotheby’s collectors.

To celebrate its 100th anniversary, The Gleneagles Hotel in Scotland has partnered with Glenfiddich to launch a 49-year-old single malt.

La Martiniquaise’s Label 5 whisky has introduced its first flavoured spirit drink, Original Citrus.

Suntory Spirits has won the International Spirits Challenge 2024 Supreme Champion award with The Yamazaki 12.

Moët Hennessy has partnered on a joint venture with Beyoncé Knowles-Carter to create SirDavis, a new American whiskey. 

Whisky Live Paris celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, returning to France’s capital with new addition to the 2024 show, The Agave Patio, paying tribute to the growing interest in the tequila and mezcal market. 

The Rosebank Distillery has now opened its doors after more than 30 years of closure. 

Ian Macleod Distillers, in partnership with The Islay Boys, has announced an update on the progress of their new single malt whisky distillery, Laggan Bay, on Islay.

Label 5 blended Scotch whisky has launched its first single grain whisky which will initially roll out in the UK market.

The Demeter Collection, created to recognise the work of women in the whisky sector, has raised nearly £50,000 at auction for the OurWhisky Foundation.

As part of its celebrations for International Women’s Day 2024 the Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS) has released five single cask whiskies selected by an all-women tasting panel.

This International Women’s Day, The Lakes Distillery has released a limited-edition single malt whisky to celebrate inclusivity in whisky.

Beam Suntory France has officially begun operations and is directly responsible for the marketing and distribution of its portfolio in France.

Whisky producer, The Artisanal Spirits Company (ASC), and owner of The Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS), has acquired US-based independent bottling brand, Single Cask Nation.

UK single malt whisky Jura has announced the retirement of distillery manager Graham Logan, following three decades of service.

BrewDog Distilling Co has released its first ever rum casks for sale as part of an annual online auction with specialist spirits auctioneer, Whisky Hammer. 

The team behind Milroy’s of Soho and Silverleaf have opened a new whisky bar, Dram, on London’s Denmark Street.

Don Julio producer Diageo, has announced two regenerative agriculture programmes across its tequila and Scotch brands in Mexico and Scotland.