Some of the most recent whisky releases seem to revolve around the combined themes of nature and time, with a couple of releases drawing inspiration from the natural world and the arrival of summer. Elsewhere, Raasay revel in their youth while a Laddie comes of age.

ANTIQUARY

Tomatin have revived one of the oldest names in Scotch blending history by relaunching The Antiquary brand. The Antiquary blend was first produced in 1888 and has been under Tomatin’s ownership since 1999. The blend was loved for many decades and it’s hoped the new facelift will spark new life into the renowned blend.

The new range features a 15, 21 and 30 year old blend that have been finished in Bordeaux red wine, Tawny port and sherry casks respectively. Each expression is bottled at 40% and is crafted from Speyside and Highland malt whiskies and Lowland grains.

As part of the rebrand, the bottle and packaging designs have been revamped. The new designs borrow from ideas from the Edwardian and Victorian eras and give them a contemporary edge. This, according to Tomatin, “accentuates the brand’s vintage style with a modern edge”.

BRUICHLADDICH

Islay’s Bruichladdich Distillery have released a duo of travel retail exclusive malts. The first is a twist on one of the core-range drams, while the other is the brand’s first GTR-exclusive whisky with an age statement.

Firstly we have The Classic Laddie Sherry Edition, which is exactly as described on the tin: a sherry cask matured variation of their signature spirit. The Oloroso cask maturation adds a distinctly rich dimension to their classic style, with dried fruits, nuts and spice combining well with their trademark malty, light fruity spirit.

Their second offering is the Bruichladdich Twenty One. This 21 year old malt is the latest part of the brand’s Luxury Redefined range that launched earlier this year with an 18 year old expression. Bottled at 50% ABV after maturing in a combination of bourbon and sherry casks, this well-aged Laddie showcases notes of earthy fruits and sweeter almonds and vanilla.

Both expressions feature sustainable packaging. The Classic Laddie Sherry is largely made from recycled glass and features a new, lighter bottle design, while the Twenty One features an eco-friendly, bespoke wrapping made from recycled pulp.

GLENGOYNE

As the days start getting shorter during the summer, it can often be a time for reflection and celebration. Glengoyne honour the occasion with their latest release, the Glengoyne Summer Solstice 2024.

A 2008 vintage drawn entirely from a bourbon barrel and bottled at 59%, this Glengoyne is said to exhibit aromas of raspberry and desiccated coconut before banana and apricot lead to a biscuit-y finish.

This whisky’s launch was as fleeting as the solstice itself; only 168 bottles were released and sold out in a flash. Never fear though, a Winter edition is expected to follow later this year.

GLENMORANGIE

The Tain-based distillery have continued their collaboration Japanese artist Azuma Makoto with a stunning, well-aged dram. Inspired by nature, the Glenmorangie Dr Bill Lumsden x Azuma Makoto 23 Years Old features packaging that depicts Makoto’s botanical artwork.

The whisky itself is a combination of whiskies matured in bourbon and Chardonnay casks from Burgundy - a first for the distillery. Expect notes of lemon balsam and poached pears balanced by the earthy of the forest floor, a flavour profile that according to Dr Bill “encapsulates nature in all its forms”.

This latest Glenmorangie is available through specialist retailers now for around £1,000.

ISLE OF RAASAY

Isle of Raasay Distillery have unveiled the first in what will be a long running extension of their Na Sia series. Na Sia means ‘the six’ in Gaelic, a reference to the six distinct casks that make up the standard Raasay recipe.

The new Na Sia - Through The Ages series will feature six bottles, each featuring either peated or unpeated spirit matured in Bordeaux wine, American Rye, or Virgin Chinquapin oak casks. Currently Raasay plan to release one of each at 5, 7, 9 and 11 years old.

The inaugural three bottles feature the unpeated cask selection a 5 years old - or, as Raasay have put it themselves, Five Years Young. Each of the three single cask whiskies are bottled at cask strength with an outturn of less than 300 bottles.

This first batch of released was made available exclusively to Raasay’s Slaite Club. The next batch will feature the peated expressions and is scheduled for release in August 2024.

KINGSBARNS

In keeping with the Fife-brand’s previous releases honouring local local landmarks, the latest expression from Kingsbarns pays tribute to the nearby mining town of Coaltown on Wemyss.

The Kingsbarns Coaltown isn’t just a nice homage to the eponymous village. Fittingly, this whisky was crafted using ex-peated casks, which adds a delicate smoky touch to their spirit. As such we can expect notes of grilled banana, buttercream, leather, and a touch of campfire smoke.

Coaltown will be part of Kingsbarns’ core range going forward. Non-chill filtered, bottled at 46% ABV and retailing for around £46.

WHITE PEAK

Down in Derbyshire they continue to cook up a storm at White Peak distillery. Their latest Wire Works release is the simply titled Bourbon Barrel, reflecting the whisky’s full maturation in ex-bourbon casks.

Despite not baring an age statement, the Bourbon Barrel expression is said to comprise from some of the oldest casks at the distillery.

Co-founder Max Vaughan highlights that bourbon casks are comparatively inactive and therefore can truly showcase a distillery’s house style. As such, the Bourbon Barrel will become the distillery’s second core-range expression.

Bottled at a weighty 53.5%, the Bourbon Barrel will be available at the White Peak distillery and through select trade partners.