Welcome to Inbox, our weekly round-up of whisky news and PR material that has found its way into our WFE email. Inbox features items from around the world of whisky and is published by us each Friday. Here is this week’s whisky news.
Ardbeg
Earlier this year we revealed the news that the iconic Islay distillery of Ardbeg was renovating a former hotel on the Hebridean island. Well now it it ready to open its doors. Ardbeg House is a boutique hotel, eatery and whisky bar that is unparalleled on Islay, and is located in the village of Port Ellen and just a few miles from the distillery.
Ardbeg House has been designed in collaboration with interior storymakers Russell Sage Studio to celebrate the best of Islay. This has been complemented by handcrafted pieces from more than 20 Scottish and Islay artisans. There are 12 striking and individual suites and bedrooms, which merge playful detail with
Ardbeg’s own brand of luxury.
In the boldly themed Signature Restaurant and the Islay Bar – a much-loved watering hole revived from Islay’s past – visitors and locals alike are invited to enjoy exceptional Scottish food and drink, all with an Ardbeggian twist. The Untamed Courtyard will feature a handcrafted smoker and grill, courtesy of
Ardbeg’s multi-talented distillery technician Daniel Branson, offering guests the chance to savour barbequed dishes that mirror Ardbeg’s signature smoky notes.
Islay life and its legends are celebrated at every turn, such as a giant tapestry depicting a contemporary scene on the island. Upstairs, each suite or bedroom is themed to reflect a different aspect of Islay’s story. Guests can also discover hidden surprises that evoke the spirit of Islay’s storied past. Immersive experiences give guests the chance to discover more about Ardbeg and Islay: A daily Distillery Tour is reserved for guests of Ardbeg House, for a deep dive into the brand and its peaty whisky. There are also opportunities to explore Islay’s wild landscapes, abundant wildlife and stunning beaches.
Bookings for rooms and the restaurant are currently being taken for Autumn 2025 and beyond. Please visit www.ardbeg.com/visitus/ardbeghouse for more details and reservations.
Berry Brothers & Rudd
Berry Brothers & Rudd, the UK’s oldest wine and spirit merchant, has launched a new collection of 20 single cask whiskies, all with wine cask finishes. The Odyssey Collection 2025 Edition, titled ‘Crafted in Cask’, celebrates the journey these remarkable whiskies undergo during maturation. Many have only been made possible by relationships nurtured over generations between Berry Bros. and the distillers and wine producers. Some will be UK exclusive while the others will be available internationally. The full list of bottlings is listed below:
- Auchentoshan 2010 | Cask #700968 | Pomerol Finish | ABV: 55.7% | £115 | UK
- Blair Athol 2013 | Cask #303635 | Pomerol Finish | ABV: 57.3% | £90 | World
- Blair Athol 2013 | Cask #303637 | Margaux Finish | ABV: 57.8% | £90 | UK
- Blair Athol 2013 | Cask #303639 | Margaux Finish | ABV: 58.2% | £90 | World
- Blair Athol 2009 | Cask #307592 | Pedro Ximenez Finish | ABV: 53.0% | £105 | UK
- Caol Ila 2007 | Cask #319464 | Moscatel Finish | ABV: 48.6% | £180 | World
- Glen Elgin 2007 | Cask #3800321 | Moscatel Finish | ABV: 57.4% | £135 | World
- Glen Moray 2007 | Cask #5766 | Muscat Finish | ABV: 54.0% | £160 | World
- Glen Moray 2007 | Cask #5772 | Muscat Finish | ABV: 52.4% | £160 | World
- Glen Moray 2007 | Cask #5780 | Muscat Finish | ABV: 57.2% | £160 | World
- Inchgower 2009 | Cask #803610 | Pineau des Charentes Finish | ABV: 55.5% | £95 | UK
- Ruadh Mhor 2010 | Cask #8027 | Oloroso Finish | ABV: 55.5% | £105 | World
- Secret Speyside 2007 | Cask #13915 | Marsala Finish | ABV: 63.2% | £125 |World
- Sutherland 2000 | Cask #14377 | Quarter Cask Finish | ABV: 52.0% | £225 | World
- Teaninich 2007 | Cask #302372 | Pineau des Charentes Finish | ABV: 57.2% | £135 | World
- Teaninich 2007 | Cask #302372A | Pineau des Charentes Finish | ABV: 57.2% | £135 | World
- Teaninich 2010 | Cask #721397 | Margaux Finish | ABV: 59.2% | £95 | World
- Teaninich 2010 | Cask #721403 | Margaux Finish | ABV: 57.2% | £95 | UK
- Undisclosed Islay 2007 | Cask #10004 | Pedro Ximenez Finish | ABV: 56.0% | £125 | World
- Undisclosed Islay 2007 | Cask #10009 | Oloroso Finish | ABV: 55.5% | £125 | UK.
For over 170 years, Berry Bros. & Rudd has championed the craft of independent whisky bottling, guided by two core principles: sourcing exceptional spirits from respected distilleries, and maturing them in extraordinary casks that evolve the spirit’s character. The Odyssey Collection: Crafted in Cask is a collection showcasing the best of Scotland, celebrating the diversity of its regions, the individuality of each distillery, and the transformative power of wood.
Felix Dear | Spirits Curator at BBR.
The Dalmore
The famed north Highland distillery of The Dalmore has released three new bottlings in The Distillery Select Series. The trio of limited editions will be exclusive to the brand’s online and global boutiques, and follow the inaugural releases into the collection in 2024. All are non-chill filtered and of natural colour. Sales will commence on October 11, 2025.
The Dalmore Cabernet Sauvignon Cask Finish is 13 Years Old and bottled at 51.3% ABV. It has been matured in American white oak ex-bourbon barrels before enjoying a two-year finish in ex-Cabernet Sauvignon barriques from one of the world’s most treasured Médoc wine-growing estates. There are just 1,002 bottles and each will cost £350.
The Dalmore Loire Valley Wine Cask Finish is 17 Years Old and is released at 46.8% ABV. It has been finished for more than three years in sweet wine barriques sourced from Bouvet Ladubay in France’s Loire Valley, There are just 252 bottles available and each will cost £1,000.
The Dalmore Colheita Tawny Port Cask Finish is 28 Years Old and is bottled at 48.2% ABV. This expression began its maturation in American white oak ex-Bourbon barrels, before finishing for four years in Colheita casks from The Dalmore’s long-standing partner, Graham’s Port. The Port casks used are from 1997, a vintage year, and the same year as this whisky was distilled. There are just 49 bottles and each will cost £5,500.
