There’s an old saying that advises against mixing grape and grain. Whisky makers appear to have taken no heed of this advice however, as this past month has seen a number of newly released whiskies that combine the worlds of wine and whisky.

Using wine, or fortified wine, casks to mature whisky isn’t necessarily a new idea, but there’s an unusually large volume of wine-cask matured whisky lately. Maybe there was a deal on or something…

There’s also a bit of an ‘old’ theme going on this month: two distilleries launched their oldest expressions; an Irish brand dips into their reserves of well aged stock for an annual release; and a well-loved Islay distillery revealed a young-ish whisky with a very retro, ‘old skool’ vibe.

Check them out below.

ABERARGIE

After months of hype and anticipation, Aberargie’s debut single malt was officially released on 3rd March.

Aberargie Inaugural showcases the Morrison family’s barley-to-bottle approach to whisky making. Its mash bill is 52% Golden Promise heritage barley and 48% Laureate barley - both of which are grown on the family’s farms.

The spirit was then matured in a combination of first fill bourbon and first fill sherry casks before bottling at 48.2% ABV. The result is a warming dram with notes of baked apples and golden pastry leading to a slightly herbal finish.

Available now with an RRP of £65.

ARDBEG

With May’s Feis Ile closer than we’d like to think, Ardbeg has revealed its plans for the festival, including their Italian-themed special release.

Ardbeg Dolce features spirit aged in rare Marsala dolce casks combined with classic bourbon-matured Ardbeg. This particular type of Marsala is the sweetest style of fortified wine from Sicily.

Promising to be a perfect marriage of two islands, we can expect Islay’s peat smoke and coastal influence tempered by Mediterranean oranges and apricots.

Check out our recent article “Islay Dolce Vita: Ardbeg's Italian Influenced Dram” for more information on this whisky as well as Ardbeg’s plans for Ardbeg Day on 30th May.

BRUICHLADDICH

Bruichladdich celebrate the 25th anniversary of the distillery’s revival with a retro-themed new release.

Bruichladdich Old Skool is a ten year old single malt crafted using barley that was grown within nine miles of the distillery. Predominantly matured in ex-bourbon casks with a small quantity of Sauternes cask matured spirit in the recipe, this whisky is a medley of stone fruits, gentle spices, and toasted almonds balanced by Bruichladdich’s trademark maritime minerality.

The label takes inspiration from the cream designs used on Bruichladdich bottles in the 1980s. Old Skool indeed!

Bottled at 50% ABV with an RRP of £60, the Bruichladdich Old Skool is available now from selected retailers. It’s also the first of three planned releases in honour of their 25th anniversary, so keep your eyes peeled for future celebratory bottlings.

DEANSTON

This Highland distillery has given its spirit a citrus twist with their latest release.

Deanston Orange Wine Cask Finish 17 Year Old combines whiskies matured for at least 15 years, before finishing them for two years in Vino de Naranja - a fortified wine made from bitter orange peel - casks sourced from Andalucía.

The influence of the wine casks is prominent, with notes of peeled orange zest on the nose and richer blood orange on the palate. Additionally there’s notes of honey, toasted almonds, malty biscuits and a gentle oak spice.

The whisky is a passion project for master blender Julieann Fernandez, who drew inspiration from her Spanish heritage and family roots in the Jaén region of rural Andalucía.

Bottled at 53.5% ABV with an RRP of £95. Only 7,000 bottles have been released and this whisky is available now from specialist retailers.

ELIJAH CRAIG

Heaven Hill has added a new age statement to their impressive range of higher ABV single barrel offerings.

Elijah Craig 15 Year Old Single Barrel is the first such whisky to be released by the bourbon brand. This special release is bottled at 54% ABV, which is a subtle nod to May 4th 1964 - the date when the US Congress officially recognised Bourbon as a distinct US product.

In terms of flavour, the 15 year old offers refined aromas of figs, roses, and creme brûlée alongside bolder flavours of dark fruits, roasted nuts, and cloves.

Currently only available on the US with an RRP of US$149.99.

GLENALLACHIE

GlenAllachie has launched a well-aged single malt that utilises a variety of different cask types to create a truly one of a kind whisky.

The whisky in question is a 1990 vintage, 35 year old that was primarily matured in Japanese mizunara virgin oak barrels. It’s a lesser used species of oak because it tends to be porous and therefore difficult to work with. However, it is said to impart flavours totally unlike any other type of wood - coconut, pineapple, and Japanese incense are common indicators.

This mizunara aged whisky was then married with spirit aged in American virgin oak, Oloroso, and PX sherry casks. Bottled at cask strength (50.2% ABV), the final whisky presents an abundance of sweeter flavours: toasted hazelnuts, pineapple, and ginger on the nose; chocolate-covered raisins, coconut, and honeycomb on the palate.

It comes presented in a custom wooden case designed by Scottish artist Kayley Barbour that has four unique design elements, each representing the four casks used.

Available now from selected UK retailers with an RRP of £1,512.99, with a wider global rollout expected to come later in the year.

GLENDRONACH

Glendronach celebrates its 200th anniversary this year and is doing so in grand style - by releasing their oldest ever whisky.

The Glendronach 56 year old is a 1968 vintage single malt predominantly matured in a combination of Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez casks. After bottling at 44.9% ABV, this complex and decadent dram shows notes of dark cocoa, caramelised dates, and blackberry compote.

Only 200 bottles will be released and they are unsurprisingly well presented. The whisky is housed in a handblown Glencairn crystal decanter, which itself is held in a bespoke wooden cabinet.

We took a deep dive into Glendronach’s history and this stunning whisky in our recent article “The GlenDronach Reveals Its Oldest Ever Whisky,” so seek that out for more details on this piece of whisky history.

GLENMORANGIE

Tain’s Glenmorangie has added a new whisky to their core range. More than just any whisky though - this is the oldest expression in their portfolio of drams.

Glenmorangie The Thirty, as the name suggests, is a 30 year old single malt. Approximately two thirds of this whisky’s recipe is comprised of whisky matured in Burgundy red wine casks (the remaining elements being classic exclusively bourbon cask Glenmorangie).

These Burgundy components were matured for at least 15 years in the wine barrels. The wine influence is evident in the final whisky; red berries and cherries lead the way, before Glenmorangie’s trademark notes of orange and peach come to the fore.

As a lover of Burgundy red wine, creating this whisky was something of a dream come true for director of whisky creation Dr Bill Lumsden. Check out our recent article “Glenmorangie Expand Core Range with Oldest Expression” for his take on this release.

Initially available through Glenmorangie’s website and visitor centre, The Thirty will have a wider rollout later in the year. RRP £740.

GLEN SCOTIA

The Campbeltown Malts Festival will be here before we know it, and Glen Scotia are whetting the appetite of whisky fans by unveiling their festival release for 2026.

This year’s festival edition is a medium peated, seven year old single malt that had a final six month maturation in ruby port casks. The result is a bold take on the distillery’s coastal character, delivering waves of peat smoke and red berry sweetness.

Check out Glen Scotia’s website for details on this whisky’s availability and to keep up to date on the distillery’s plans for this year’s Campbeltown Malts Festival.

JOHNNIE WALKER

Earlier this year, Johnnie Walker released a variation of their Black Label that was geared towards attracting new drinkers. The legendary blend brand has now returned with a new whisky that hopes to achieve similar goals.

Johnnie Walker Red Soul is said to be a smoother and sweeter take on their classic Red Label. Fewer smoky and spicy elements are used in the recipe compared to the standard expression, allowing the sweeter components to shine.

It’s intended to be as accessible as possible, especially for non-Scotch drinkers and whisky first-timers. Presented at a drinkable 40% ABV, expect plenty of vanilla and fudge-like flavours.

The price point is equally accessible, with an RRP of £25. Currently available in countries across Europe, the Middle East and North Africa, with more markets to follow.

KILCHOMAN

Kilchoman is yet another distillery that has been experimenting with sweet fortified wine casks.

For their latest release, Kilchoman have utilised Maury casks, a sweet, fortified wine from the Roussillon region of southern France, made primarily from Grenache noir grapes. Unlike many similar releases however, this whisky has not just been finished in the unique casks; it’s entire maturation as spent aging in the wine barrels.

The result is a bold yet balanced dram. The Maury casks bring layers of dates, raisins and dark honey sweetness to the usual peat smoke and citrus sweetness we expect from Kilchoman.

Available now for around £75.

MIDLETON

Midleton’s Very Rare range is possibly one of the longest running ranges in the whiskey world. First introduced in 1984, the 2026 edition has just recently been released.

This year’s edition is a blend of three single pot still and two single grain Irish whiskeys selected by Master Distiller Kevin O’Gorman. As with previous editions, the 2026 release features some of the oldest and rarest stocks from Midelton’s enviable warehouses.

There’s said to be a slightly higher portion of grain whisky in the recipe compared to last year, leading to increased butterscotch and vanilla aromas. The pot still whiskies in the recipe still play there part, with their trademark spiciness most evident on the finish. This is preceded by a fruity palate that’s balanced by notes of oak and more vanilla.

A wider global release for Midleton very Rare 2026 will take place in the coming week, but this whiskey is available now in Ireland, the UK, Australia, and global travel retail outlets. RRP £220.

TEELING

Irish whiskey brand Teeling has released the fourth instalment in its Wonders of the Wood series, with the latest edition exploring the mountains of central and eastern Europe.

This particular expression is a single pot still whiskey aged in virgin Carpathian oak casks. The oak for these barrels was sourced from the ancient forests of the Carpathian Mountains. This wood is known for its tight grain and high tannin structure.

In terms of flavour, this imparted notes of spice and orchard fruits to the final whisky. Expect aromas of rosewater, candied fruits and freshly cut wood, followed apple, pears and sandalwood on the palate. Bottled at 50% ABV.

Available now in select markets with an RRP of €80.