Whisky News — 28 February 2026
Murray
🥃 DRAM MASTER DAILY — Friday, 28 February 2026
FEBRUARY'S BEST RELEASES: MURRAY'S TOP 3 OF THE MONTH February saw a strong month for releases across all price points. Murray's top three: 1) Glendronach 12 (always worth revisiting at £45); 2) Laphroaig Cairdeas 2026 Port Wood (outstanding at cask strength); 3) Balblair 2008 Vintage (18 years of gentle maturation at £95 that demonstrates everything good about Highland whisky). All three remain available from specialist retailers. Murray's Take: A solid February. The market is producing genuinely good whisky at reasonable prices when it wants to.
SWA AGM: INDUSTRY COMMITS TO NET-ZERO PRODUCTION BY 2040 The Scotch Whisky Association's Annual General Meeting has concluded with a renewed commitment to net-zero production across all member distilleries by 2040. Progress against 2020 targets is reported as ahead of schedule on energy but behind on packaging sustainability. A new working group on waste reduction has been formed. Murray's Take: 2040 is a long way away but the direction of travel is right. The real test is whether smaller producers can afford the capital investment the transition requires.
DEANSTON RELEASES VIRGIN OAK 10 YEAR OLD PERMANENTLY Deanston Distillery in Doune, Perthshire, has made its Virgin Oak expression a permanent part of its range, formalising what has been a limited and intermittent release. The 10 Year Old matured entirely in new American oak is bottled at 46.3%, non-chill filtered. Retail price £50. Murray's Take: Virgin oak maturation in Scotch is unusual and Deanston handles it well — the new oak assertiveness is balanced by the distillery's naturally rich, honeyed spirit.
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