The Glenlivet is bringing a taste of Southern France to Speyside with its new limited-edition The Glenlivet 12 Year Old Provence Edition.

The 12-year-old single malt is finished in a combination of Château Sainte Marguerite white wine, Rivesaltes and Sauternes casks. The scotch is bottled at 40% ABV (80 proof) and is being positioned as a limited-edition expression inspired by the flavors and culture of Provence.

According to The Glenlivet, the wine cask finishing layers the distillery’s signature smoothness with floral aromas and ripe orchard fruit. Provided tasting notes include white peach, nectarine, pear and bright citrus, followed by a mellow finish with lingering fruit, toasted oak and baking spice.

“With the Provence Edition, we wanted to take The Glenlivet somewhere unexpected,” The Glenlivet Master Blender Kevin Balmforth said in a news release. “By actively monitoring the finishing process and carefully balancing the influence of Château Sainte Marguerite, Rivesaltes, and Sauternes wine casks, we have created a whisky that delivers vibrant orchard fruit, elegant floral notes, and exceptional complexity.”

The release connects The Glenlivet’s Scottish single malt with the French influence of Provence, including a culinary collaboration with Frenchette Bakery pastry chef Michelle Palazzo.

To mark the launch, The Glenlivet debuted Le Café du Whisky, a pop-up experience beginning Thursday in New York City. The activation will feature a Provençal-inspired pastry created by Palazzo called Tarte aux Pêches. The pastry is made with a vanilla bean custard infused with The Glenlivet Provence Edition and is topped with peaches. The Glenlivet says the dessert is designed to echo the whisky’s white peach, nectarine, pear and citrus notes.

The brand will also offer national bookable experiences centered on the Provence Edition, along with a Provençal Spritz cocktail highlighting the whisky’s fruit and citrus character.

The Glenlivet’s campaign for the release extends the French theme through “Peachtanque,” a fictional game created for the brand’s campaign world that combines elements of Scottish craft with a French accent.

(Photo: Cotswolds)

A war of words between English and Scottish distillers erupted over the weekend following the creation of a new legally protected whisky category.

On Friday, the UK’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs recognized the terms “English Whisky” and “English Whiskey” with a geographical indication status. Much as tequila can only be made in Mexico and Champagne in France, English whisky is now a protected category that can only be made in England using specific production methods.

The English Whisky Guild submitted its application for the recognition over six years ago and calls the long-awaited approval a “landmark achievement” for “the quality and innovation across our growing industry.”

Not everyone was quite as enthusiastic. Days after the category was approved, the Scotch Whisky Association told The Telegraph that it was “profoundly concerned” about the decision, doubling down on previous comments that it would “robustly defend itself against any devaluation of the Single Malt category.”

For a brand to qualify as English whisky, all of its cereal grain must be grown in the UK, distilled at a single distillery and aged in England for at least three years. Maturation must occur in wooden casks with a maximum capacity of 700 liters, and if distillers choose, whisky can be transported in bulk containers for bottling in export markets.

Notably, British regulators have extended leeway for the mashing and fermentation of grain, which is allowed to occur at locations other than the primary distillery.

This step differs from single malt whisky regulations in Scotland, where it’s required that liquid be mashed, fermented and distilled at a single site. Mark Kent, chief executive of the Scotch Whisky Association, believes that England’s rules are inconsistent with the reputation of single malt whisky, effectively undermining the standard of excellence that Scotch enjoys worldwide. The organization reportedly plans to meet with ministers this week to raise its concerns about the newly minted category.

“This is something which our counterparts in Wales and Northern Ireland agree with,” Kent added. “Following discussion with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs this week, we will further consider our position and next steps.”

England is the fourth and final UK nation to receive protected status for its whisky, following the example set by Scotch whisky, Single Malt Welsh Whisky and Irish Whiskey.

Andrew Nelstrop, the inaugural chairman of the English Whisky Guild and owner of England’s oldest registered whisky distillery, says that there’s no need for infighting. He maintains that the status of one category cannot be conflated with the status of another, adding that Scotch’s single malt status is unique even within the UK.

“Suggesting that Wales are with them in their stance is odd, given the vast majority of maturing Welsh whisky was made using wort from a brewery separate from the distillery and so follows our rules – not those of Scotch,” Nelstrop told The Telegraph.

“Any suggestion that English whisky in some ways may be inferior due to these rules is of course nonsense. English whisky, having won world’s best single malt three times in the last four years, paints a fairly accurate picture of who is perceived to be making a quality product.”

There are around 70 registered whisky distilleries in England, over 40 of which are currently selling fully matured whisky that abides by the three-year aging requirement. The total value of maturing stocks held in casks across England is estimated to be worth around £1 billion ($1.35 billion USD), and is focused primarily around the southwest of the island.

(Photo: Sazerac)

The spirits juggernaut behind Buffalo Trace and Pappy Van Winkle is reviving a historic name in Kentucky bourbon at a fraction of the price of its contemporaries.

On Tuesday, Sazerac announced the launch of Glenmore Kentucky Straight Bourbon and Glenmore Kentucky Straight Rye, a pair of whiskeys that pay homage to one of the oldest distilleries in the spirits firm’s ever-expanding portfolio.

Glenmore — not to be confused with Old Glenmore, or any number of other Scotch whisky brands that begin with “Glen” —  was a distillery founded in Owensboro, Kentucky, in the late 19th century. Throughout its over 120-year production history, the facility earned its reputation with flagship brands like Kentucky Tavern and Yellowstone Bourbon, and at one point became one of the few licensed distilleries to bottle medicinal whiskey during Prohibition.

The distillery wound down operations in 1973, exchanged hands to Guinness in 1991 and was eventually purchased by Sazerac in 2009. Though it’s still operated under the Glenmore name, the facility is nowadays used mainly as a bottling plant and the unexpected home of a corporate art collection. The name nonetheless lives on. Collectors can purchase original-era Glenmore bottles for as much as $7,000, with even the brand’s standard six-year bourbon reselling for around $700, at minimum.

Sazerac’s revival takes things in a different direction. For one, Glenmore Rye and Glenmore Bourbon are inspired by, not produced at, the Glenmore Distillery, and are not made from an original-era mashbill or recipe. What’s more, both of the whiskeys are bottled at 100 proof, both are non-age-stated and both cost a mere $20 per bottle.

Glenmore Bourbon is said to balance notes of crème brûlée, toasted marshmallow, vanilla custard, caramelized sugar and toasted pecan, while the Rye reportedly offers classic rye spice balanced by black pepper, toasted grain and subtle sweetness. The Bourbon is now available at retailers, bars and restaurants in the Sazerac distribution network, while the Rye is expected to hit shelves sometime this month.

“The Glenmore name has an incredible history, and we’re honored to help write its next chapter,” Lauren Selman, Global Growth and Innovation Director at Sazerac, remarked in a news release. “There is an entrepreneurial spirit and willingness to innovate that define the Distillery’s history, and we saw an opportunity to give those qualities new life. We’re excited to whiskey fans to try this release and celebrate this new era with us!”

(Photo: Jameson)

Two-time Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning is joining forces with Jameson Irish Whiskey for an up to $5 million nationwide bar tab. It’s the first — and likely not the last — football-shaped initiative from Jameson, which recently signed a multiyear agreement to become the Official Spirits Sponsor of the NFL.

The giveaway is running from now until Nov. 30, giving drinkers plenty of time to hit the bar before the end of the year. That said, there are a few important details that you’ll want to read up on before you order your next Irish Old Fashioned or Jameson Whiskey Sour.

In participating rebate states, consumers who order a cocktail or shot made with Jameson whiskey can upload their receipt online to receive up to $20 cash back via PayPal or Venmo. The rebate is limited to one drink per customer, so there’s no sense in ordering a couple of happy hour cocktails unless you’re willing to pay up for the second tipple.

The online receipt portal can be found here. If you’re interested in cashing in, be warned that the program excludes the following states: AZ, HI, IN, KY, LA, MD, MA, MS, NH, NC, OR, PA, TN, TX, UT and VA.

If you live in one of those states, fret not! Jameson has also launched a sweepstakes program that will run alongside the rebate, giving fans a chance to win $20 towards their next cocktail. As long as you’re 21 or older and live in one of the above-mentioned states, feel free to apply here.

“The spirit of fandom and community at a local bar on gameday is really unique,” Manning remarked in a news release. “I’m excited to partner with Jameson as they buy America’s Biggest Round, celebrating the die-hard fans who bring the passion every single week, make the trip to their local spot, and keep the gameday tradition alive.”

Manning is no stranger to the world of whiskey. The Louisiana native has joined forces with Kentucky’s Knob Creek for not one but two single-barrel bourbon releases, both of which we thought were excellent.

Jameson, however, is a whole other animal. While Knob Creek is stewarded by spirits giant Suntory Global Spirits, Jameson is owned and operated by Pernod Ricard, the French firm behind Absolut Vodka, Chivas Regal, The Glenlivet and Malibu.

“For generations, neighborhood bars have brought people together, turning strangers into friends and gamedays into lasting memories,” Colin Kavanagh, Chief Marketing Officer at Pernod Ricard North America, added. “As the Official Spirits Sponsor of the NFL, Jameson is pouring America’s Biggest Round with a $5 million bar tab to celebrate the fans who show up, raise a glass, and make gameday happen at their local spot.”

President Donald Trump gestures as he walks onto the 18th green for the Irish Open golf tournament trophy presentation ceremony at Trump International Golf Links Ireland on Sept. 13 in Doonbeg, Ireland. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

The U.S. spirits industry is welcoming President Donald Trump’s announcement that the United States will remove its 10% tariff on Irish whiskey.

Chris Swonger, president and CEO of the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, called the announcement “another positive step toward reducing barriers to spirits trade.”

“Following President Trump’s earlier action to remove tariffs on Scotch and all other UK whiskies, this announcement is another positive step toward reducing barriers to spirits trade,” Swonger said in a statement. “As U.S. hospitality businesses enter the critical holiday season, this action will provide a welcome boost for retailers, restaurants, consumers and the American economy.”

Trump announced the tariff move Sunday during the Irish Open at his family-owned golf course in Doonbeg, Ireland. The announcement came after Trump met with Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin and as Irish golfer Shane Lowry, who won the tournament, was among those who had urged Trump to remove the tariff.

Irish whiskey currently faces a 10% U.S. tariff as part of duties imposed on wine and spirits from the European Union. The rate was reduced from 15% in July.

Trump did not provide a timeline for when the tariff would be removed, and details on how the administration would implement the announcement were not immediately available.

The Irish Whiskey Association also welcomed Trump’s announcement, saying it would continue working with U.S. and European officials toward a return to zero-for-zero tariffs across beverage exports.

President Donald Trump speaks on the 18th green during the Irish Open golf tournament trophy presentation ceremony for Shane Lowry, of Ireland, on Sept. 13, at Trump International Golf Links Ireland in Doonbeg, Ireland. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

During a weekend trip to Ireland, President Donald Trump said the United States will remove its 10% tariff on Irish whiskey, potentially ending a trade barrier that has affected one of Ireland’s biggest drinks exports to the U.S.

Trump made the announcement Sunday during a golf tournament at Trump International Golf Links in Doonbeg, Ireland, near the end of a 48-hour visit to the country, Reuters reported. The announcement reportedly drew cheers from the crowd.

“Everybody’s been bugging me” to do it, Trump said, according to PBS. “And I said, ‘On behalf of the United States of America, I am going to take the tariffs off’. … “I am going to take the tariffs off Irish whiskey.”

Irish whiskey is currently subject to the 10% tariff applied to EU wine and spirits entering the United States. The rate was initially set at 15% under the EU-U.S. trade deal before being reduced to 10% in July as the Trump administration adjusted its tariff policy toward trading partners.

Trump did not provide an effective date for the tariff removal in his announcement, leaving Irish whiskey producers and U.S. importers waiting for formal action to implement the change.

The Irish Whiskey Association welcomed Trump’s announcement and said it would continue working with European and U.S. officials to restore a zero-for-zero tariff arrangement for beverage exports.

“Nothing exemplifies the US-Ireland trade relationship better than Irish Whiskey,” Irish Whiskey Association Director Eoin O’Caitin said, adding that the group looked forward to seeing the announcement fully implemented.

The association has pushed for the return of the previous zero-for-zero tariff arrangement, under which qualifying U.S. and EU spirits could be traded without tariffs.

The announcement comes as the Trump administration continues to reshape U.S. trade policy. Earlier this month, the White House announced a ban on certain Canadian alcoholic beverages and maintained 50% additional duties on other Canadian alcohol products.

For Irish whiskey producers, the U.S. is a major export market, making tariff relief an important issue for the country’s whiskey industry. The Irish Whiskey Association said it would continue pursuing tariff-free treatment for the wider drinks sector rather than limiting the effort to whiskey.

(Photo: MGP)

Big news for American whiskey fans!

On Wednesday, Indiana’s bulk distilling juggernaut MGP announced that it’s expanding its in-house spirits portfolio with a namesake American whiskey series. The first release in the collection, dubbed MGP Chapter One: Out of the Shadows, pays homage to the distillers’ famed high-rye bourbon mashbill and is slated to hit shelves nationwide this fall at a suggested retail price of $69.99.

Chapter One is described as a 110-proof, 10-year-old straight bourbon selectively blended from barrels of the historic LBSV mashbill (60% corn, 36% rye and 4% malted barley). The barrels were aged for a full decade in the facility’s Rickhouse G, imbuing aromas of butterscotch, burnt sugar, molasses and cherry, followed by flavors of cola, raspberries, chocolate, sassafras and leather, according to the brand.

“We’ve been making whiskey and spirits that others have proudly put their names on for decades,” Julie Francis, president and CEO of MGP Ingredients, Inc., remarked in a news release. “Bringing the MGP name back to the distillery and launching MGP Chapter One: Out of the Shadows is an exciting opportunity to share that story directly with consumers.”

The release signals a surprise pivot for MGP, a distiller that — its latest bottle correctly points out — has long worked from the shadows.

For decades, the Lawrenceburg, Indiana-based company has been synonymous with its Distilling Solutions arm, the largest supplier of white-labeled whiskey in the United States. From Bulleit Rye to Redemption Bourbon, MGP is the workhorse distiller behind hundreds of brands, some of which exclusively rebottle MGP juice and others of which mix MGP liquid with in-house distillate.

The once-lucrative business model has taken a hit from industry headwinds. In June, the company reported a 59% drop in whiskey sales for its Distilling Solutions arm. The news came less than a year after MGP revealed that it was scaling down white-label whiskey production “in response to the softening American whiskey category trends and elevated industry-wide barrel inventories.”

Upper management has refocused MGP’s priorities on its Branded Spirits arm, which owns in-house imprints like Penelope Bourbon and Yellowstone whiskey. A recent earnings report revealed that these “premium-plus” whiskey brands outperformed the rest of MGP’s portfolio, growing by 5% in a quarter when several categories dropped by steep double digits.

“These results reflect continued momentum in our premium-plus portfolio, led by Penelope Bourbon and Yellowstone, and an improvement in select mid- and value-priced brands,” Francis said at the time. “As we move through the second half of 2026, we will maintain our strategic roadmap and drive our key growth initiatives, while prioritising our best opportunities for growth, taking decisive actions and executing with discipline.”

Chapter One: Out of the Shadows is the first Branded Spirits whiskey that bears the MGP name. As the historic distiller forges a new path forward, it appears it’ll be leaning harder than ever on the reputation of its three-letter moniker.

(Photos: Johnnie Walker)

Two-time Grammy Award winner Sabrina Carpenter is doubling down on her Scotch whisky partnership with a limited-edition bottling that will gradually make its way across the globe.

On Tuesday, Johnnie Walker unveiled a redesign of its flagship Black Label whisky inspired by the pop star’s most recent album, “Man’s Best Friend.” The reimagining features a bespoke, baby-blue colorway, miniature paw prints on the label, an embossed golden heart and other pint-sized flourishes paying homage to Carpenter’s career.

“I adore creating little surprises for my fans, and this felt like such a cool way to bring the world of ‘Man’s Best Friend’ to life,” Carpenter remarked in a news release. “I love telling stories beyond music, so getting to put my own spin on something as iconic as the Johnnie Walker Black Label bottle was such a fun challenge. I can’t wait for everyone to see all the little details.”

The liquid contained within is standard Johnnie Walker Black Label: A 12-year-old blend sourced from various distilleries, bottled at 86 proof and sold for around $35 to $40 (parent company Diageo assures the Sabrina Carpenter edition will roll out at the same recommended retail price as its regular counterpart). If you’ve never had a chance to try Black Label for yourself, feel free to check out our review here. It’s one of the most widely distributed whiskies in the world, and a ubiquitious right of passage for anyone getting into Scotch for the first time.

The Sabrina Carpenter edition is now available throughout Great Britain in both 700-milliliter and 750-milliliter formats, and is scheduled to roll out across Mexico, India, Europe and Asia Pacific. A Johnnie Walker representative said that the bottle will hit the United States sometime next year, though the brand has yet to provide an exact date.

The “Espresso” pop star signed on as the face of Johnnie Walker almost exactly a year ago.  The first leg of the campaign set up shop at select locations on Carpenter’s then-ongoing Short n’ Sweet tour, where attendees were invited to try signature cocktails like the Short n’ Sour, the Go Go Highball and the Man(hattan)’s Best Friend.

“Stepping into this next chapter of my music has been such a thrill. It feels more confident and a lot more unapologetic,” Carpenter said at the time. “This partnership is about celebrating boldly, pushing boundaries, and moving forward with purpose.”

(Photo: Buffalo Trace Distillery)

The Van Winkle family and Buffalo Trace Distillery have announced the 2026 release of the Van Winkle Whiskey Collection, bringing back six limited-production bourbon and rye whiskeys ranging from 10 to 23 years old.

The collection will be distributed to retailers, bars and restaurants across the United States through Sazerac’s distribution network. Suggested retail prices range from $169.99 for Old Rip Van Winkle Bourbon 10-Year-Old to $499.99 for Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve Bourbon 23-Year-Old.

The 2026 lineup comprises:

• Old Rip Van Winkle Bourbon 10-Year-Old: $169.99
• Van Winkle Special Reserve Bourbon 12-Year-Old: $199.99
• Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve Bourbon 15-Year-Old: $299.99
• Van Winkle Family Reserve Rye 13-Year-Old: $299.99
• Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve Bourbon 20-Year-Old: $399.99
• Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve Bourbon 23-Year-Old: $499.99

The Van Winkle collection is produced in partnership with Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky. The Van Winkle family and Buffalo Trace Master Distiller Harlen Wheatley select barrels for each expression based on the standards established for the individual whiskeys.

“Every year, we look forward to the opportunity to share these whiskeys with people who have followed our family’s story and appreciate the time and care behind each bottle,” Preston Van Winkle, vice president and fourth-generation member of Old Rip Van Winkle Distillery, said in a news release. “There are no shortcuts when you’re talking about whiskey that has spent this many years aging.”

The six expressions remain consistent from year to year, but the producers say individual barrels can develop differently during maturation. As a result, the family considers each annual bottling distinct from previous releases.

The youngest whiskey in the 2026 collection is the 10-year-old Old Rip Van Winkle Bourbon. Its profile features vanilla, caramel, pecan and seasoned oak, with cherry and wheat on the palate and a long finish marked by fruit, spice and oak tannins, according to the brand.

The 12-year-old Van Winkle Special Reserve Bourbon is said to offer dried mango, spiced peach and cocoa alongside honey, seasoned oak and tobacco. The finish is described as dry and warm.

Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve Bourbon 15-Year-Old carries a $299.99 suggested retail price and, according to the brand, combines caramel corn and vanilla with leather, seasoned oak and fruit. The 20-year-old version is priced at $399.99 and is said to feature citrus zest, sherry, dried fruit and vanilla.

At the top of the collection, Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve Bourbon 23-Year-Old carries a $499.99 suggested retail price. Its tasting notes includes apple and cherry, caramel, mature oak, tobacco and chocolate, with pronounced wood character and a long caramel-driven finish.

The sixth release, Van Winkle Family Reserve Rye 13-Year-Old, is also priced at $299.99. The whiskey features chestnut, vanilla and fruit on the nose, followed by cocoa, vanilla, spice and white pepper on the palate.

The Van Winkle family traces its whiskey roots to the late 19th century, when Julian P. “Pappy” Van Winkle Sr. began working in the Louisville whiskey business. He later became associated with Stitzel-Weller Distillery, which opened in 1935.

The family partnered with Buffalo Trace in 2002. Today, Van Winkle whiskey is crafted and aged at Buffalo Trace under the partnership between the two companies.

“I’ve had the privilege of watching this collection become something that means a great deal not only to our family, but to people around the world,” said Julian P. Van Winkle III, president of Old Rip Van Winkle Distillery. “For me, each bottle is a connection to the generations who came before us and to the patience, pride and traditions they passed down.”

The 2026 Van Winkle collection will be released in limited quantities across the U.S., with availability and retail pricing varying by market.

The Van Winkle family and Buffalo Trace caution consumers to purchase bottles through licensed retailers and other authorized sellers, noting that secondary-market purchases can carry increased risks of counterfeit products and fraud.

(Photo: WhistlePig Whiskey)

On Wednesday, WhistlePig opened presale on the 13th release in its The Boss Hog series, and this one traces its origins to a tiger nut cake recipe found carved into an Egyptian tomb more than 3,000 years old.

The Boss Hog XIII: The Golden Pharaoh is a straight rye finished in barrels seasoned with Egyptian black honey and tiger nuts. It’s the first The Boss Hog release to draw its inspiration from Africa, and the brand’s first time opening a presale window for the series.

The recipe is something of a study in misnomers. Egyptian black honey, or asal eswed, is a sugarcane molasses rather than bee honey, and remains a staple ingredient in Egyptian cooking today. Tiger nuts, meanwhile, aren’t nuts at all, but edible tubers with a flavor closer to almond or coconut, long used across Egypt and the wider Mediterranean and Middle East for food, medicine and ritual offerings.

“Through our research, we came across a tiger nut cake recipe carved into the side of a tomb dating back more than 3,000 years,” WhistlePig Whiskey Head Blender Meghan Ireland said in a news release. “We recreated the recipe on our farm and fell in love with the flavor combination. That led us to experiment with the finishing for this year’s The Boss Hog to see what those flavors could do to Rye whiskey. We were not disappointed!”

An aside for whiskey nerds: this is the first The Boss Hog I can remember that was distilled in Kentucky, a departure from the series’ more common Canadian roots (last year’s edition was distilled in Indiana) — and it comes a few months after WhistlePig opened The Vault, its bar in Louisville. Coincidence?

As always, WhistlePig says the release holds to The Boss Hog series’ five promises: single barrel, bottled at proof, powerfully complex, distinctly unique, and “Stupendous.”

Presale opens Wednesday ahead of a nationwide launch on Sept. 29. The whiskey carries a suggested retail price of $599.99 for a 750-milliliter bottle, bottled at cask strength between 102.6 and 105.6 proof (51.3-52.8% ABV).Each bottle is topped with a pewter Golden Pharaoh-inspired topper, with a limited number of bottles receiving a rare gold topper for collectors.

Review: How Does The Boss Hog XIII Golden Pharaoh Stack Up?

WhistlePig was gracious enough to send me a bottle of The Boss Hog XIII ahead of its launch for review. It’s a dense, nuanced pour that opens with warm holiday spice, honey and molasses up front, with a long finish that delivers dark chocolatey/coffee goodness and plenty of spice.

Find our full tasting notes, score and our take on how it compares to last year’s The Boss Hog are available in our complete review.