DramMaster Daily Whisky News — 26 April 2026

🥃 DramMaster Daily Whisky News — 26 April 2026

Kavalan Named Distiller of the Year at the 2026 World Whiskies Awards

Taiwan's Kavalan has taken the top corporate honour at the 2026 World Whiskies Awards, named Distiller of the Year. Two of its bottlings — Kavalan Peatist Oloroso Sherry Cask Single Cask Strength and Kavalan Distiller's Reserve No.1 — also won category awards. It's another reminder that "world-class single malt" stopped being a Scottish-only conversation a long time ago.

Bowmore 21 Crowned World's Best Single Malt 2026

Islay's Bowmore 21 Year Old has been named the World's Best Single Malt at the 2026 WWAs. A 21-year-old expression winning the global category — rather than a no-age-statement experiment or a finishing gimmick — is a quiet vote of confidence in classic Islay maturation. Expect retailer stock to thin out fast.

Nikka Brings Miyagikyo 10-Year-Old Back to the UK After a Decade

Nikka has confirmed that Miyagikyo Single Malt 10-Year-Old is returning to the UK market for the first time since 2016, with an RRP of £149. The Sendai distillery's softer, fruitier counterpoint to Yoichi has been near-impossible to find in Britain at age statement; this is the most accessible Japanese 10-year single malt to land on UK shelves in years.

Knob Creek Launches Blender's Edition Series

Knob Creek has introduced the Blender's Edition, a new limited-release line. The first bottling is hand-selected by eighth-generation master distiller Freddie Noe to spotlight the sweeter end of the Knob Creek profile. It's a smart move at a moment when bourbon brands are leaning hard into single-barrel and curated-blend storytelling to defend shelf space.

Macallan 1937 Hits $29,114 at Auction — April 2026 Outpaces Last Year

A bottle of Macallan Fine & Rare 1937 37-Year-Old sold for $29,114 at auction this week — the highest hammer price for any Macallan Fine & Rare bottle in April to date. The wider April 2026 secondary market is now tracking ahead of April 2025, suggesting the Macallan vintage segment is firming up again after a softer winter.

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