Whisky News — 11 February 2026
Murray
🥃 DRAM MASTER DAILY — Tuesday, 11 February 2026
GLENFARCLAS 105 NAMED VALUE BOTTLE OF THE YEAR BY WHISKY BIBLE Jim Murray's Whisky Bible 2026 has awarded Glenfarclas 105 its Value Bottle of the Year designation, citing the expression's consistent quality at cask strength and its retail price of around £55. The 60% ABV sherried malt from the family-owned Speyside distillery has long been a community favourite. Murray's Take: Glenfarclas 105 has been undervalued for two decades and it's good to see that acknowledged — though the award will inevitably push the price up.
YORKSHIRE CRAFT DISTILLERY THE COOPER'S SON OPENS ITS DOORS Yorkshire's newest whisky distillery, The Cooper's Son, has begun production in a converted mill outside Harrogate. The distillery uses local barley and a 1,000-litre copper pot still imported from Portugal. First new-make spirit is available for tastings on site. First aged expression expected 2029. Murray's Take: Three years to first whisky and a long road ahead, but it's encouraging to see craft distilling expand beyond the traditional regions.
WHISKY EXCHANGE LAUNCHES DEDICATED AUCTION PLATFORM The Whisky Exchange has launched its own auction platform to compete with established players Whisky Auctioneer and Scotch Whisky Auctions. The platform will operate monthly auctions with a focus on accessible bottles under £200 as well as premium lots. Murray's Take: More competition in the auction market is good for buyers. The dominance of two or three platforms has allowed commission rates to stay stubbornly high.
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