DramMaster Daily Whisky News — 21 April 2026

21 April 2026

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The Macallan Unveils 79-Year-Old Red Collection Release

The Macallan has expanded its prestigious Red Collection with a staggering 79-year-old single malt — the oldest expression in the series. Distilled nearly eight decades ago and matured in sherry-seasoned oak casks, it delivers resinous old oak, heather honey, stewed stone fruits on the nose, with gentle smoke, pineapple and blackberry jam on the palate. Bottled at 40.8% ABV, it's available only through selected high-end retailers and specialist auctions. Pricing hasn't been disclosed, but with a complete Red Collection set previously fetching over £750,000 at Sotheby's, expect this to command serious sums.

World Whiskies Awards 2026: Bowmore 21 Crowned World's Best Single Malt

The World Whiskies Awards 2026 winners have been announced, and Bowmore 21 Years Old has taken the top honour of World's Best Single Malt. Ballantine's 23 Year Old claimed World's Best Blended, while InchDairnie's RyeLaw Vintage 2017 won Best Scotch Rye — a sign of growing interest in Scottish rye whisky. Other notable wins include Noble Rebel Smoke Symphony (Best Blended Malt) and Thompson Bros' Edinburgh North British Single Grain (Best Scotch Grain). The awards highlight both the enduring strength of traditional categories and the rising credibility of experimental Scotch.

Bruichladdich Celebrates 25 Years with "Old Skool" Release

Bruichladdich marks a quarter-century since its 2001 resurrection with Old Skool, a 10-year-old single malt made entirely from Islay-grown malting barley supplied by 14 local growers within a nine-mile radius of the distillery. Matured mainly in American oak bourbon casks with a splash of first-fill Sauternes barrels, it delivers stoned fruits, citrus zest and caramelised vanilla at 50% ABV. At £60 a bottle, it's the first of three anniversary releases planned for 2026 — and a proper tribute to terroir-driven whisky making.

Auchentoshan Adds Sherry Cask Finish as Permanent Expression

Auchentoshan has launched a new permanent addition to its Lowland lineup: Sherry Cask Finish. This non-age-stated triple-distilled malt is matured in ex-bourbon barrels before a finish in Spanish Oloroso sherry casks, delivering maraschino cherries, treacle cake, aniseed and cinnamon spice. At €26.90 RRP and 40% ABV, it's positioned as an affordable entry point for new whisky drinkers — a smart move as demand for accessible single malts continues to grow across Europe and Asia.

Fettercairn Expands into US with 12- and 16-Year Expressions

Highland distillery Fettercairn has introduced its 12-Year-Old ($54.99) and 16-Year-Old ($89.99) single malts to the US market. Both are non-chill filtered with natural colour, showcasing the distillery's distinctive tropical character achieved by cascading Cairngorm mountain water over the stills. The 12-Year has already picked up 93 points from Wine Enthusiast, while the 16-Year scored 95 — strong recognition for a distillery looking to make its mark stateside.