Scotch whisky sales are falling, but what’s really behind the decline? Whisky Whisky Business, Morning Wire’s whisky supplement. The Scotch whisky sector and indeed the wider spirits market have faced a challenging six months, marked by a wave of negative headlines that have painted a bleak picture of the industry’s health. At the beginning of the year, data from restructuring firm BTG warned nearly one in five of [...]
Duncan Taylor expands award-winning Octave whisky collection Whisky Independent bottler Duncan Taylor has dramatically expanded its Octave collection to meet rising global demand. The Octave collection can trace its roots back to the 1970s, when octave (or one-eighth-sized) casks were used to train coopers and distillers discovered they could be used to rapidly transform and elevate the whisky’s flavour profile. Each Octave cask [...]
Two centuries of Old Pulteney Whisky This month’s issue of Whisky Business, Morning Wire’s monthly look at the world of whisky, examines the history of Old Pulteney If there’s one Whisky that encapsulates the rugged beauty of Scotland’s Highlands and its coastal areas more than anything else, it’s Old Pulteney. Founded by James Henderson, a serial whisky entrepreneur, in 1826 to supply fishermen [...]
Old Pulteney releases 50-year-old whisky for 200th anniversary June 16, 2026 Old Pulteney is marking its 200th anniversary with the release of two exceptionally rare single malts, including the oldest whisky ever bottled by the historic Highland distillery. The Wick-based producer has unveiled a 50-year-old and a 30-year-old single malt to celebrate two centuries of whisky-making on Scotland’s rugged northern coastline. The limited-edition expressions have been [...]
How The Macallan mastered the long game June 11, 2026 This month’s issue of Whisky Business, Morning Wire’s monthly look at the world of whisky, takes a look at The Macallan and its unique ownership structure. The Macallan is one of the most iconic Scotch whisky brands, having carved out a niche for itself at the luxury end of the market. Bottles have consistently broken records at [...]
Tormore Distillery’s renewed focus on fruit-forward whisky May 14, 2026 Whisky Business: Morning Wire’s monthly look at the world of whisky. When it opened its doors in 1960, Tormore became one of the first new distilleries of the 20th century. Built by drinks conglomerate Schenley, it became known as the ‘pearl of Speyside’ thanks to its size and unique art deco design. Schenley wanted a showpiece, [...]
Diageo launches the new Scotch whisky Rare Series aimed at private clients April 30, 2026 Diageo has unveiled a new high-end whisky collection as it doubles down on its push into the global luxury spirits market. The drinks giant has introduced the Rare Series, a collection of Scotch whiskies aimed at private clients and collectors. The initial release includes five single malts drawn from distilleries across Scotland. The range features [...]
Celebrity-backed spirit brands steal the spotlight April 9, 2026 Whisky Business: Morning Wire’s monthly look at the world of whisky. According to research conducted by the Financial Times, five of the biggest listed alcohol producers, Diageo, Pernod Ricard, Campari, Brown Forman and Rémy Cointreau, are sitting on $22bn worth of ageing spirits, the highest level of inventory in more than a decade. This growing pool [...]
Friends of The Whisky Exchange launches to reward customers April 2, 2026 In an exciting development for all whisky and spirits fans, The Whisky Exchange has launched a loyalty programme. The scheme is designed to reward the company’s most loyal customers with exclusive bottlings, shared knowledge, discounts and much more. The initial invites for the Friends of The Whisky Exchange scheme were sent out to a handful [...]
How VCL is modernising the whisky cask market March 31, 2026 In the world of alternative investments, few assets carry the allure of a Scotch whisky cask. For centuries, this liquid gold has aged in the quiet shadows of Scottish warehouses, governed by tradition, family lineages, and a “gentleman’s agreement” style of business. However, this charm masked a systemic problem that Benjamin Lancaster, Founder and Partner [...]