Whisky News — 13 February 2026
Murray
🥃 DRAM MASTER DAILY — Thursday, 13 February 2026
WORLD WHISKIES AWARDS 2026 SHORTLIST ANNOUNCED The World Whiskies Awards has announced its 2026 shortlists across all categories. Notable entries include entries from Taiwan's Kavalan in the Single Malt category, Australia's Starward in the Blended Malt category, and a strong showing from independent Scottish bottlers in the Single Cask category. Winners announced March. Murray's Take: The broadening of the shortlist beyond Scotland is no longer surprising — it's the new normal, and that's a good thing for whisky drinkers.
BALBLAIR RELEASES 2008 VINTAGE AT £95 Highland distillery Balblair has released its 2008 vintage single malt, aged 18 years in a combination of first-fill bourbon barrels and ex-Pedro Ximenez sherry casks. Balblair is one of the few distilleries still releasing whisky by vintage rather than age statement. Retail price £95 from specialist retailers. Murray's Take: Balblair's vintage approach is one of the most honest things in Scotch — each release is what it is, when it was ready, with no age statement marketing to obscure the fact.
LONDON WHISKY INVESTMENT FUND LAUNCHES WITH £5M TARGET A new whisky investment fund has launched in London targeting private investors, promising returns of 10-15% annually from cask whisky holdings. The fund focuses on Scotch single malt casks from closed distilleries. Minimum investment £10,000. Murray's Take: Whisky cask investment funds have a mixed record. Do your research before committing significant money to any of them.
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