The Luxurious Magazine Whisky Industry News Round-up for March 2025The Luxurious Magazine Whisky Industry News Round-up for March 2025

Simon Wittenberg gathers together some of the latest news and launches, making the headlines in the world of whisky.

Ardbeg Eureka!

A gloved hand holding a bottle of EurekaA gloved hand holding a bottle of Eureka

The Ardbeg distillery on the Isle of Islay has unveiled “Eureka!”. The latest single malt (52.2% ABV) commemorates 25 years of its loyal following, the Ardbeg Committee. Designed exclusively for this dedicated fanbase, Ardbeg Eureka! was conceived to capture the many taste preferences of the Committee’s thousands of members in a single dram.

Liquid being poured into a bottleLiquid being poured into a bottle

Within this limited edition, whisky connoisseurs will find a suite of complex flavours of dark chocolate, cinnamon, briny seaweed and smoke, thanks to the combination of whisky aged in Pedro Ximénez sherry casks with roasted malt spirit matured in bourbon barrels. The finish is long, with hints of sweet treacle toffee, aniseed spice, coal tar soap, and burning embers.

Ardbeg Eureka! is available exclusively to Committee members on Ardbeg.com and carries an RRP of £72. A small number of bottles are also available for purchase by visitors to the distillery.

Bushmills 46 Year Old ‘Secrets of The River Bush’

The Bushmills distillery on the Causeway Coast in Northern Ireland has unveiled the 46 Year Old ‘Secrets Of The River Bush’ expression (46.3% ABV) – the oldest-ever Irish single malt to be released. This whiskey takes inspiration from the River Bush and its journey over the beds of black basalt – rock that’s synonymous with the famed Giant’s Causeway.

The whiskey, which has been crafted from some of Bushmills’ most precious single malt reserves dating back to 1978, has been matured in Oloroso sherry butts from the Antonio Paez Lobato Cooperage in Jerez, delivering a deep and rich mahogany hue.

Bushmills 46 Year Old ‘Secrets of The River Bush’ is presented in a bespoke handcrafted hexagonal walnut case, with a gold engraving depicting the flowing waters of its namesake. Only 300 individually-numbered bottles are available, carrying an RRP of $12,500 (around £10,000).

For further information, visit www.bushmills.com.

Isle of Raasay Cask Strength Single Malt

The Isle of Raasay Distillery, located off the western coast of Scotland, has unveiled the third edition of its Cask Strength Single Malt expression (61.6% ABV). Following on from the last two years, where the entire allocation sold-out, the new limited edition release showcases the island’s signature Na Sia (which means “The Six” in Gaelic) six-cask maturation process.

This means that the spirit has been laid down in three different cask types, namely rye whiskey, virgin Chinkapin oak, and Bordeaux red wine, before being married together and creating a lightly peated whisky boasting rich dark fruit notes, and hints of spice, smoke and sweetness. There are 5,500 bottles available worldwide to purchase, and are each priced at £65.

For further information, see https://raasaydistillery.com/raasay-island.

Jameson Triple Triple Chestnut Edition

Jameson Triple Triple Chestnut Edition (40% ABV) has been triple distilled and blended from a mix of ex-Bourbon and Oloroso Sherry casks, coupled with the addition of hand-selected sweet chestnut barrels. The latter adds velvety notes of toffee, cacao and toasted almonds, resulting in a smooth-to-drink whiskey.

The taste features hints of creamy fudge and vanilla, while mild nutty undertones and gentle wood spices slowly build over time adding further layers of flavour, complementing the orchard fruits and toasted wood. The RRP is £29, with the expression available in selected countries worldwide.

For more information, visit www.jamesonwhiskey.com.

The Macallan Folio 8 – The Colossus of Nose

Speyside distillery The Macallan has unveiled the latest addition to The Archival Series – a portfolio which celebrates the brand’s legendary creative advertising campaigns from the 1980s and 1990s. The Macallan Folio 8 – The Colossus of Nose (43% ABV) is the newest expression in the line-up, inspired by an iconic 1980s billboard campaign.

Boasting a natural terracotta colour, the whisky offers a nose of golden sultanas, ripe dates, sweet berry compote, toffee brittle, lemon peel, cinnamon, and hints of anise, before a long and rich finish featuring sweet oak spices. Folio 8 will be available at The Macallan Estate Boutique and selected The Macallan Airport Boutiques, carrying an RRP of $400.

To find out more, visit www.themacallan.com.

Whisky 1901: Exclusive Insight into Whisky Cask Investment from Founder and CEO Aaron Damiano Sparkes

Scotch whisky, whether bottled or barrelled, can be an attractive investment. But, with over 150 distilleries in Scotland, choosing the right one(s) can be a minefield. Below are five of the most sought-after distilleries:

1. The Macallan – this Speyside distillery is renowned for its unique production techniques. Demand is driven by its prestige and scarcity, with older expressions commanding significant premiums.

2. Ardbeg – the Islay distillery’s popular following and limited cask availability add to its appeal, evidenced by the record-breaking £16 million sale of Cask No. 3. Ardbeg is famous for its distinctive flavours of peaty and smoky whiskies.

3. The Dalmore – boasts a rich Highlands history, coupled with sought-after limited editions ensure its position as a solid investment. The Dalmore is popular for its robust and full-bodied whiskies offered in a range of expressions and ages.

4. Springbank – the small-scale production in Campbeltown, and commitment to tradition, make this distillery’s releases highly desirable, especially given its significantly lower output compared to giants like The Macallan. The soft and smoky flavour profile also makes it an attractive proposition.

5. Littlemill – situated on the border of Lowlands and Highlands, this closed distillery has fewer than a dozen casks remaining. This ultra-rare opportunity coupled with historical significance make it a prized addition to any portfolio.

With increasing demand and dwindling supply, particularly for aged expressions, these distilleries present compelling opportunities for cask investment.

Find out more about Whisky 1901 at www.whisky1901.com.

*Disclaimer* – Whisky cask investments are unregulated in the UK. The value of investments is variable and can go down as well as up. An investor may get back less than the amount invested. Information on past performance, where given, is not necessarily a guide to future performance.

The capital invested can fluctuate and the price of casks can go down as well as up and is not guaranteed. The investments and services offered by Whisky 1901 may not be suitable for all investors. This is not tax advice, and investors should still seek professional advice regarding any tax-related investments.