Our latest review of the latest whisky releases a star studded affair headlined by a couple of whiskies presented by two of the best known names and faces in the world. The first is a well aged Island malt released in collaboration with a Golden Globe winning actor, while the second is a new name in American whiskey brought to you by one of the most awarded recorded artists of all time (you’ve probably heard of her…)

It’s not all celebrity razzle dazzle though; there’s also been some seriously impressive releases without big-name backing that are arguably as glamorous as any LA penthouse party. Read on to discover some draw-dropping age statements and a trio of seriously smoky drams.

ARRAN

Lochranza distillery are auctioning a number of limited edition bottles bearing the signature of one of Hollywood’s leading actors.

When the distillery was opened in 1998, Ewan McGregor was there as part of the celebrations and was gifted a cask of Arran by the distillery. Over two decades later that spirit is being bottled and auctioned for Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS).

At 26 years old, the whisky is one of the oldest ever released by the distillery and is sure to raise plenty of money for this worthy cause. The auction will run from 27th September to 7th October on Whisky Auctioneer.

Read our article “That's a Cut! Movie Star's Whisky Offered At Auction” for the full story on this incredible dram.

BENROMACH

Gordon & MacPhail have revealed an impressive 50 year old expression of Benromach. The independent bottler has a reputation for releasing well aged malts; indeed, this is the third whisky to be released from Benromach boasting five decades of maturation.

This latest 50 year old was matured exclusively in sherry casks and bottled at 54.7% ABV. Each of the 248 bottles were handcrafted by Ross-shire based glassworks Glasstorm.

In terms of flavour, we can expect orange zest and a hint of aged leather, with stewed fruits, cracked pepper and a whip of smoke on the finish.

The individually numbered bottles are available now with a suggested price of £20,000. However, those looking for something truest special can purchase bottle number 1 on the brand’s website for £25,000. This also includes a limited edition print and a one of a kind, ‘distiller for a day’ experience at the distillery.

DUNCAN TAYLOR

Following their recent releases of some impressively aged Macallan, Duncan Taylor return with the oldest independent bottling of Highland Park.

The Accolade makes up part of the group’s Rarest Collection and is a 54 year old single malt drawn from a single, sherry-seasoned cask filled in 1970. It’s a suitably well presented whisky. A handcrafted, dagger-esque decanter sits atop a copper plinth and housed within a bespoke wooden cabinet.

And the whisky is just as dynamic the presentation. The official tasting notes speak of ‘a deep, multi-faceted nose, a rich, creamy finish and a hint of delicate spice’.

Only 158 bottles of this Highland Park will be made available. Priced at £22,000, The Accolade is available now through The Spirits Embassy.

GLENTURRET

The legendary Gleneagles hotel have partnered with Glenturret to release a whisky celebration the former’s centenary.

The 18 Year Old Gleneagles Centenary is limited to just 600 hand numbered bottles. Only a small number of bottles were released via ballot, with the rest being reserved for hotel guests. The price of the bottle also included a guided tour of the Glenturret distillery.

Boasting an ABV of 46.5%, this whisky is said to offer notes of warm ginger, fresh red berries and velvety vanilla ice cream.

This release is just the latest in a a long standing collaboration between the two Scottish icons, with Glenturret releasing three 11 year old Gleneagles expressions between 2021 and 2023.

LINDORES

Fife’s Lindores Abbey have revealed the first edition of what will become an annually released expression.

Early in the distillery’s life, the team at Lindores travelled to Thiron-Gardais in France to learn more about the monks who founded the abbey. While there they discovered native oak. Using that wood to craft special casks, we now have the 2024 Lindores Thiron.

Matured in a combination of ex-bourbon casks and red wine barriques - as well as the aforementioned Thiron oak casks -, this whisky showcases spices such as ginger and cinnamon, oaky butterscotch and fruity plum-like aromas.

Lindores Thiron is available now at the distillery shop and through specially selected retailers.

OCTOMORE

Bruichladdich’s long running series of super-heavily peated whiskies continues with the 15th instalment of the Octomore range. Not for the faint of heart, this latest batch of releases includes the second most heavily peated spirit ever used for the brand.

As usual, octomore 15 is split into three releases. The first, 15.1, was matured in a combination of first fill and reused ex-bourbon barrels. Bottled at 59.1% ABV with notes of vanilla custard, sweet malt and ripe bananas.

15.2 was peated to 108.2 ppm and matured in bourbon and red wine casks before being infused in cognac casks. The smoke is slightly more prevalent in this edition, but is balanced by notes of caramel and a slight citrus tang.

The final instalment really brings the peat. 15.3 is crafted using barely grown less than two miles from the distillery and is peated to a mind boggling 307.2 ppm. This is second only to the 8.3 edition that reached 309 ppm. It’s not all extreme phenols and intimidating figures, however; 15.3 has a softer side with notes of barley sugar, dried fruit and sweet orange zest.

Each of the three releases are available now through selected retailers and Bruichladdich’s website. In terms of RRP, you’re looking at around £140, £155 and £195 for the 15.1, 15.2 and 15.3 respectively.

SIRDAVIS

Beyoncé sent shockwaves through the whisky world towards the end of last month when the news broke that she was releasing her own American whiskey.

Crafted with a little help from Moet Hennessy’s director of whisky creation Dr BIll Lumsden and using spirit sourced from MGP, SirDavis is a rye whisky matured in a combination of new American oak and ex-Pedro Ximinez sherry casks.

The whiskey’s creation was a personal mission for Beyoncé; her paternal grandfather was a moonshiner during prohibition and the whiskey takes his name.

Check out our article “Beyoncé Launches American Whiskey” for the full breakdown of this headline grabbing release.

Available now, retailing for around £80.

TALISKER

Skye’s well loved distillery have released the latest expression of their 30 year old single malt.

Talisker first launched a 30 year old in 2006 and it has been a near-annual release ever since. The 2024 edition is the most limited edition to date, with only 2,610 bottles available.

Bottled at 49.8% ABV, we can expect a complex yet elegant dram with this one. It promises flavours of smoked butter, tropical fruits, and Talisker’s trademark briny, peppery notes.

Available now with a suggested retail price of £1,300.

TAMDHU

Tamdhu kickstarted their Dedication Collection with the unveiling of a 43 year old single malt.

The distillery is reputed for utilising sherry casks and this release is no exception, having been drawn from not one but three sherry casks. The result is an intensely rich dram, with aromas of toffee and berries on the nose and blackcurrants and coffee on the palate.

Presented in a handcrafted, octagonal wood and brushed metal box, the decanters containing the whisky are individually numbered and made from hand-blown crystal.

To celebrate the launch, Tamdhu partnered with photomicrographer Peter Woitschikowski to create a series of photographs that reveal the spirit at microscopic level, revealing shapes and textures hidden to the naked eye.

Only 100 bottles of the Tamdhu 43 year old are available. It is abvailable now through selected retailers with an RRP of £13,500.