DramMaster Daily Whisky News — 25 July 2026

US Restores Zero-Tariff Access for Scotch Whisky

The United States has exempted UK whiskies from its new Section 301 tariff regime, restoring zero-duty access for Scotch and other British whiskies while slapping a 10% levy on most other UK goods. The USTR announcement came July 23, with the tariffs taking effect at 12:01 a.m. Eastern on July 24. The exemption covers HTSUS codes 2208.30.30 and 2208.30.60 — Irish and Scotch whiskies, and other UK-origin whiskies — meaning Scotch plus English, Welsh, and Northern Irish production all qualify. The UK government confirmed the first tariff-free shipment would leave for the US within 48 hours. The move implements an April commitment under the US-UK Economic Prosperity Deal. DISCUS president Chris Swonger called it "much-needed relief" for US hospitality businesses, while Scotland Secretary Douglas Alexander said many would be "raising a dram today."

Murray's take: This is the biggest trade development for Scotch in years. The US is the largest market by value, and zero-for-zero access means distillers can price competitively without a tariff tax wedge. The wider Section 301 action hit 60 trading partners — Scotch got carved out because the industry and UK government lobbied hard and the US-UK deal was already in motion. Watch whether brands pass the saving to shelf prices or pocket the margin.

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Boann Creates Stillness Irish Whiskey for Marks & Spencer

Marks & Spencer has partnered with Boann Distillery in County Meath to launch Stillness, an own-label Irish whiskey brand developed over two years of collaboration. The whiskey is a triple-cask blend bottled at 40% ABV in 700ml format, with tasting notes of gentle vanilla and honeyed sweetness balanced by soft oak and a warming finish. It is now available in M&S stores across Ireland and the UK. Boann, founded by the Cooney family whose drinks experience spans 60 years, employs more than 90 people across sites in Meath and Tipperary. Export sales director Peter Cooney said working with M&S had "pushed us in the best possible way — they're meticulous, they're demanding in all the right ways."

Murray's take: Own-label whisky from a supermarket is usually a commodity play. Stillness is different — two years of development, a named distillery partner, and a triple-cask blend at 40% is a proper product, not a label-swap. M&S is quietly building a credible spirits range, and Boann gets volume and visibility without building a consumer brand from scratch. The model works.

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Ian Macleod Launches Private Client Business With Rare Casks

Ian Macleod Distillers has launched a dedicated Private Client division offering collectors direct access to rare single casks and limited bottlings from its portfolio. The offerings include 1960s Tamdhu sherry casks, some of the final Rosebank casks distilled before the distillery's 1993 closure, Glengoyne bourbon and sherry stocks from the 1970s onwards, and new make spirit casks from Laggan Bay on Islay. IMD says it is one of only two drinks businesses able to offer single casks from its own distilleries across all four of Scotland's principal whisky regions. William Ovens has been appointed Head of Private Clients, working alongside Stuart Hendry, Private Client Director — both bringing more than 25 years of premium spirits experience. Rosebank was voted World's Best Whisky at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2025.

Murray's take: The rare-cask market has been growing for a decade, and the distilleries sitting on old stock are now monetising it directly rather than selling to brokers. Rosebank casks distilled before 1993 are finite — once they're gone, that's it. Ian Macleod is positioning as a custodian, not a liquidator, which is the right tone. The question is whether private clients pay distillery-direct prices or expect a discount for cutting out the middleman.

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Bulleit '87 — First Bourbon and Rye Blend, $29.99

Diageo-owned Bulleit has launched Bulleit '87, its first-ever blend of bourbon and rye whiskey and the brand's first new core expression since Bulleit 95 Rye debuted in 2011. The bourbon is distilled and aged in Shelbyville, Kentucky; the rye is distilled and aged in Indiana before moving to Shelbyville. Both are aged a minimum of four years, then finished separately with toasted American oak and French oak staves for four to six weeks before blending and bottling. Bulleit '87 is bottled at 90 proof (45% ABV) with a suggested price of $29.99 for 750ml, rolling out to select US retailers from September 2026. Senior brand manager Jenika Newsum said '87 "balances our signature bourbon sweetness with our rye spice in one bottle."

Murray's take: A bourbon-rye blend at $30 is a smart play — it occupies the shelf between Bulleit Bourbon and Bulleit 95 Rye without requiring drinkers to choose a side. The stave finishing is a nice touch, but four years is young and the proof is modest. This is a cocktail-friendly pour with a story, not a connoisseur bottle. The blue label is a visible shelf differentiator. Expect it to move volume, not win medals.

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Old Forester Triple Char — 117 Series, 57.5% ABV, $64.99

Old Forester has released Triple Char, the newest expression in its limited 117 Series and the first whiskey crafted entirely from spirit distilled at the brand's Main Street distillery in Louisville, which opened in 2018. The bourbon is matured in barrels charred three times longer than Old Forester's standard specification, intensifying the oak interaction. It is bottled at 115 proof (57.5% ABV) in 375ml format at a suggested retail price of $64.99. Assistant master distiller Caleb Trigo said the extended char "showcases that spirit in a completely new way," producing "remarkable richness, intense spice and a depth of oak." Tasting notes describe pecan praline, baked apple cobbler, cinnamon spice, and a finish of rich oak, leather, and sweet licorice.

Murray's take: The first all-Main Street release is a milestone for a brand that spent decades sourcing from Brown-Forman's wider production. Triple-charring barrels is aggressive — more char means more caramelisation, more extraction, more oak dominance. At 57.5% ABV in a 375ml bottle, this is a tasting-room and Kentucky-retail exclusive aimed at the serious bourbon drinker. The 117 Series has built a reputation for interesting experiments. This one earns its place.

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