Scraping the barrel: The gold rush in whisky cask investment schemes Whisky Within the unregulated waters of whisky cask investment schemes, there be sharks. The sector has certainly had a bad press, and there has been lots of squabbling and finger-pointing, often by those with a vested interest. Tom Bruce-Gardyne lifts the lid on this murky world for City AM’s Whisky Business. “Let me take you into [...]
Austrian whisky makes its mark Whisky This month’s issue of Whisky Business, City AM’s monthly look at the world of whisky, takes a look at the whisky coming out of Austria. Austria’s spirits market is worth around €360m a year, with whisky exports accounting for about 10 per cent of that, according to figures published in 2024. That makes the company a minnow [...]
A Dram with Paddy Fletcher Whisky Instead of erecting yet another Highland whisky ’shed’, Paddy Fletcher and Ian Stirling hit the scene with their dramatic, vertical Port of Leith distillery in 2023. This restless pair have also embraced gin, Scotch RTDs and launched a new whisky bar as Ian Fraser discovers … Despite developing an early taste for Tè Bheag, the [...]
Awash With Whisk(e)y October 2, 2026 Faltering demand, especially in the USA, has promoted concerns about oversupply and the prospect of another whisk(e)y loch. A number of Scotch distillers are slowing down production, but for Tom Bruce-Gardyne it feels like a bigger issue across the pond … “Every drop of liquid we distil, every barrel we choose to fill, every palate [...]
Northumberland’s bold producers reinventing English whisky and gin September 16, 2026 To celebrate the introduction of geographical indications for English Whisky, Rupert Hargreaves takes a look at two innovative producers shaking up England’s spirits market. When you think of Northumberland, images of rugged landscapes, heather-covered hills, fir trees and ancient ruins spring to mind. Nestled between Scotland and England, the region is steeped in history, from [...]
Scotch Whisky’s slightly sore head September 15, 2026 In a recent in-depth analysis of the Scotch whisky industry, the FT painted a grim picture of suppressed demand and an ever-rising tide of maturing spirit. Will distilleries and jobs be swept away in another great whisky loch? Tom Bruce-Gardyne believes such talk is way too pessimistic The week-end before last, the FT went big [...]
The Highland tourist tax: Is Scotland pricing out whisky tourists? August 25, 2026 The latest available data from the Scottish Tourism Economic Activity Monitor in Scotland (STEAM) shows that between 2012 and 2024, visitor numbers to the Highlands increased 82 per cent to 9.4m. Spending increased by a similar amount, to £2.1bn. A large share of that is directly linked to the Scotch whisky sector. You’d think, therefore, [...]
Two centuries of Old Pulteney July 9, 2026 This month’s issue of Whisky Business, City AM’s monthly look at the world of whisky, examines the history of Old Pulteney If there’s one Whisky that encapsulates the rugged beauty of Scotland’s Highlands and its coastal areas more than anything else, it’s Old Pulteney. Founded by James Henderson, a serial whisky entrepreneur, in 1826 to supply fishermen [...]
Old Pulteney releases 50-year-old whisky for 200th anniversary June 16, 2026 Old Pulteney is marking its 200th anniversary with the release of two exceptionally rare single malts, including the oldest whisky ever bottled by the historic Highland distillery. The Wick-based producer has unveiled a 50-year-old and a 30-year-old single malt to celebrate two centuries of whisky-making on Scotland’s rugged northern coastline. The limited-edition expressions have been [...]
How The Macallan mastered the long game June 11, 2026 This month’s issue of Whisky Business, City AM’s monthly look at the world of whisky, takes a look at The Macallan and its unique ownership structure. The Macallan is one of the most iconic Scotch whisky brands, having carved out a niche for itself at the luxury end of the market. Bottles have consistently broken records at [...]