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The beginning of February, following Dry January, was relatively quiet with new whisky releases. In contrast, the latter part of the month was filled with new collections and limited releases hitting the market.
Three new distillery projects in Scotland were also announced in February: Loch Lomond's new distillery in Luss, Dumbartonshire; Bon Accord in Aberdeen; and planning was announced for the Ferintosh distillery. In the US, Diageo also announced a US$415 million (£330m) distillery project in Montgomery, Alabama.
In England, an application to register English whisky as a geographical indication (GI) entered the consultation stage after four years in development, causing turmoil in the industry.
But for new whisky releases, the following 20 editions and collections caught our attention this month.
Ladyburn Ha Chong-Hyun Edition
In February, William Grant & Sons revealed an exclusive 50-year-old series of Ladyburn single malts. For the fourth release in the Ladyburn Collection, the distiller partnered with South Korean experimental contemporary artist Ha Chong-Hyun, whose early experimentalism and material exploration helped shape the country's art scene in the 1970s.
As part of the artistic collaboration, William Grant bottled two single casks: No.3219, limited to 10 10-bottle collections at 45.4% ABV, and No.3216, limited to 85 individual bottles offered at 43% ABV. Both American oak refill barrels were filled on 31 May 1973 and aged 50 years. The two casks represent the first official bottlings of Ladyburn single malt distilled in the 1970s.
The 10-bottle sets sell for around US$220,000 (£174,670). Both the set and single cask release are available only for William Grant & Sons’ private clients.
William Grant & Sons operated the Ladyburn Distillery at its Girvan complex in South Ayrshire from 1966-1975 – just nine years in total. The Ladyburn Collection debuted in 2020 with 1966 54-year-old Edition One in collaboration with photographer David Bailey.
The series’ second edition, a 55-year-old whisky from 1966, was bottled in 2021 and featured labels by photographer Norman Parkinson. In December 2021, a one-off bottling of 54-year-old single malt was created for The Distillers One of One auction, featuring John Lennon by David Bailey—the bottle sold for more than £80,000 (US$100,152). Edition Three, 1966 56-year-old, was released in September 2023 with labels designed by interior designer David Hicks.
Image by William Grant & Sons
Macbeth Collection: Act II
Independent bottler Livingston, in partnership with Elixir Distillers, has unveiled the second act in The Macbeth Collection, inspired by a play by William Shakespeare. Illustrated by Quentin Blake, the new release follows Act I, which was released in 2023. The collection will include 42 bottlings, divided into five acts.
Act II includes eight bottling:
The Leads: Lord Macduff - Bunnahabhain 45-year-old/ 40.8% ABV/ 100 bottles
The Thanes: Ross - Ben Nevis 28-year-old/ 50.4% ABV
Lennox - Glentauchers 27-year-old/ 48% ABV
Young Siward - Highland Park 18-year-old/ 50.8% ABV
The Witches: Second Witch - Islay Laphroaig 26-year-old/ 49.5% ABV
The Murderers: Second Murderer - Jura 17-year-old/ 48.5% ABV
The Household: Servant - Clynelish 14-year-old/ 55.1% ABV
Soldier - Benrinnes 12-year-old/ 53.5% ABV
Act II will be officially released on 13 March 2025, and it will be available from leading whisky retailers in the UK, Europe, and worldwide, including China, Japan, Taiwan, and Canada. The whiskies in Act II range in price from £84.95 (US$107) to £2,000 (US$2,522).
Image by Livingston Rare
Ardbeg Eureka!
To commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Ardbeg Committee, the Islay-based distillery released a committee-only bottling called Eureka! The bottling was created after a blind tasting on Ardbbeg Day 2023, when 100 members from 15 countries attended a workshop, Operation Smokescreen, at the distillery.
Dr Bill Lumsden, Ardbeg’s director of whisky creation, and master blender Gillian Macdonald took the findings back to their sensory laboratory to craft a bottling that represents the committee’s diverse preferences.
The result was a 'eureka moment' for the developing team, hence the name of the bottling. Eureka! combines whiskies aged in Pedro Ximénez Sherry and roasted malt whisky matured in Bourbon casks. The release is bottled at 52.2% ABV and available on the brand’s website exclusively to committee members for £72 (US$90) from 27 February, with a small amount available directly from the distillery for visitors.
Image by Ardbeg
Kilchoman 13-year-old
Officially released on 26 February, the second age statement single malt from Kilchoman was aged for 13 years in a combination of Bourbon barrels and octaves, and Calvados casks. Bottled at 50% ABV, the limited release retails for around £89 (US$112).
Image by Kilchoman
Jack Daniel's 2025 Aged Series
For the 2025 Aged Series, Jack Daniel's unveiled three age-statement whiskeys: 10-year-old Batch 4, 12-year-old Batch 3, and a 14-year-old, the oldest distillery expression in over 100 years.
The new 14-year-old's mash bill consists of 80% corn, 12% malted barley, and 8% rye. Offered at 126.3 proof (63.15% ABV), the expression retails for US$149.99 (£119).
The 12-year-old is bottled at 107 proof (53.5% ABV) for US$94.99 (£76), and the 10-year-old at 97 proof (48.5% ABV) for US$84.99 (£68). All three Tennessee whiskeys will be available in the US beginning in February 2025, with the 10-year-old launched worldwide in the summer.
Images by Jack Daniel's
Compass Box Hedonism 2025
Following the news of discontinuing the Hedonism core range expression in December 2023, Compass Box released the first annual edition of the grain whisky in 2024.
The second annual limited release of Hedonism was unveiled in mid-February 2025. Every year, the series features artwork from female artists reimagining the original Hedonism woman. For the 2025 release, the whisky maker partnered with Argentinian artist Sofia Bonati. The blended grain whisky features a single grain whisky from the Cameronbridge distillery, which was finished for two years in a first-fill Marsala barrique.
The 2025 release, which is offered at 46% ABV, is limited to 9,912 bottles and retails(US$107).
Image by Compass Box
Chichibu Cyborg Trilogy
London-based retailer The Whisky Exchange revealed the Chichibu Cyborg Trilogy in early February 2025. The trio of releases is exclusively available from the retailer in 700ml bottles with an average ABV of 59.5%. The trilogy is sold through a ballot as a set.
The Cyborg Trilogy includes three single casks:
Chichibu 2014 - Imperial House IPA #11043
Chichibu 2013 - Bourbon Refill #2718
Chichibu 2014 - Bourbon Refill Ex-peated cask #3806
Original Image by The Whisky Exchange
Spirits of Salud Chichibu Symphony
Netherland-based importer and distributor Salud Spirits unveiled its Chichibu Symphony collection as part of the Spirit of Salud Series. Although referred to as Chichibu's, the whisky releases, Allegro and Allargando, are actually Ichiro's Malt & Grain world blends: blended by Chichibu founder Ichiro Akuto.
The single cask blends are inspired by classical music styles. Offered at 59.2% ABV, Allargando is aged in a first-fill Sherry hogshead and is limited to 270 bottles. Allegro was matured in a single third-fill ex-peated Bourbon barrel, is bottled at 60% ABV and is limited to 240 bottles.
Both expressions will be available in February 2025 and feature a QR code leading to a Spotify list representing the music styles.
Images by Salud Spirits
Jameson Triple Triple Chestnut Edition
Following the debut of Jameson Triple Triple aged in ex-Bourbon, sherry and Málaga wine casks in July 2019, the Irish Distillers-owned brand released its second expression in February 2025. The new edition has been matured in a combination of ex-Bourbon, Oloroso sherry and sweet chestnut casks.
The Chestnut Edition is offered at 40% ABV and retails for US$29 (£23). The release is available in South Africa, the UK, the US, Ireland, Canada and Poland, with a launch in Japan and India to follow.
Image by Irish Distillers
Bushmills Private Reserve Series Second Edition
Following the series' first edition in late 2023, Bushmills revealed its second four-bottle release in February 2025. The second edition consists of two 10-year-old expressions priced at US$60 (£48) and two 12-year-old expressions at US$75 (£60).
Bushmills 10-year-old 2014/ Amarone Cask / 47.3% ABV
Bushmills 10-year-old 2013/ Moscatel Cask/ 48.5% ABV
Bushmills 12-year-old 2012/ Bordeaux Cask/ 47% ABV
Bushmills 12-year-old 2012/ Tequila Cask/ 46.4% ABV
Image by Bushmills
Tincup Revamp
In late February 2025, the Colorado-based brand Tincup revamped its range with a new look. Additionally, the brand upgraded its flagship Original American whiskey to a six-year-old expression and added a non-age-statement Bourbon to its core range.
The new six-year-old Original American whiskey is a blend of high-rye straight Bourbon and American single malt. It is offered at 42% ABV and retails for US$28 (£22). The new Bourbon is offered at 40% ABV and retails for US$25 (£20).
In addition, the distillery released its oldest rye whiskey to date: a 10-year-old 100 proof (50% ABV). The limited edition retails for US$65 (£52) and is only available at the Tincup distillery in Colorado.
Image by Tincup
Virginia Brewer's Coalition - Foothills Brewing Sexual Chocolate Stout Finish
In addition to launching a contract distilling service, American Custom Distilling Group, Virginia Distillery Co released a new expression in its Brewer's Coalition series in February. Foothills Brewing Sexual Chocolate Stout Cask Finish American single malt was aged in ex-Bourbon barrels for five years and finished in Foothills' stout casks.
Drawn from only 12 casks in total, the release is offered at 50% ABV and released on Valentine's Day (14 February). It retails for US$54.99 (£44) for a 700ml bottle.
Image by Virginia Distillery
Aberlour Travel Retail Trio
In late February 2025, Pernod Ricard introduced a global travel retail exclusive Aberlour collection, including three single malts: a non-age statement Suthainn, 13-year-old and 16-year-old Double Charred Collection. The new expressions feature a new look from the Speyside distillery, with a 'warm and earthy' colour palate, a recyclable presentation canister and a 16% reduction in the glass bottle weight from the previous design.
Aberlour Suthainn is aged using a Solera, finished in sherry hogsheads and offered at 48% ABV. It retails for £85 (US$107). The 13-year-old is matured in American oak and Oloroso sherry oak casks. Offered at 40% ABV, the expression retails for £68 (US$86). The 16-year-old retails for £121 (US$152) and is initially aged American oak and Oloroso casks and finished in extra charred American oak casks. It has an ABV of 43%.
The new trio is now available at UK airports and in New Delhi. From April, the collection will also be rolled out across selected duty-free stores worldwide.
Image by Aberlour/ Pernod Ricard
Kavalan Solist Palo Cortado
Taiwanese Kavalan distillery is known for its STR and sherry cask experimentations. Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, the distillery completed its 'sherry family' with the release of its first Palo Cortado matured Solist expression—available exclusively in Taiwan. As a single cask whisky, the single malt is offered between 50%-59.9% ABV in 750ml bottles.
Image by Kavalan
Bulleit Bourbon Bottled-in-Bond
Diageo-owned Bulleit revealed its first bottled-in-bond expression in late February 2025. The Bourbon was distilled in spring 2017 and aged at the brand's Shelbyville distillery, which opened the same year. The expression is offered at 50% ABV and is available nationwide in the US for US$55 (£44).
Image by Bulleit
Bardstown Cathedral French Oak
Bardstown Bourbon Company released a limited edition finished in 300-year-old oak salvaged from the rebuilding of Notre Dame Cathedral. The release is the first in the producer's new collection and is only available at the distillery gift shop.
The whiskey consists of Bourbons aged between nine and 18 years. The blend includes 45% 14-year-old whiskey, 37.5% 18-year-old, 10% 11-year-old, 5% nine-year-old, and 2.5% 17-year-old whiskies. After marrying, the whiskey was finished for 14 months in barrels crafted from French oak sourced from the Bercé Forest in the Loire Valley. Cathedral French Oak is bottled at 55.05% ABV and is priced at US$100 (£80) for a 375ml bottle.
Image by Bardstown Bourbon Company
Otherside Subcontinental Whiskey
Indian Third Eye distillery, known for its Stranger & Sons Gin, unveiled its first whisky in mid-February. Otherside Subcontinental Whiskey is a blend of Indian whiskies aged across India’s tropical belt and finished in charred ex-Bourbon barrels using the Solera method. Bottled at 40% ABV, Otherside is available in Goa and Maharashtra, India, priced between INR₹2,100-₹3,250 (US$24-$37).
Image by Third Eye Distillery
Two Stacks Fruit Drops
Northern Ireland-based independent bottler Two Stacks released a trio of whiskeys finished in brandy casks. Aimed to make whiskeys more accessible, the Fruit Drops collection features three expressions bottled at 50% ABV: Apricot Fruity Brandy Cask, Apple Fruit Brandy Cask and Blackberry Fruit Brandy Cask.
Each expression is a five-part blend of grain, malt and pot still whiskeys, distilled at the Great Northern Distillery in County Louth. The blend is composed of: 8% pot still whiskey aged in Oloroso sherry butts, 40% single grain aged in virgin oak casks, 40% single grain aged in Bourbon casks, 10% double malt aged in Bourbon casks and 2% peated malt aged in Bourbon casks. All three expressions are matured and bottled at the Two Stacks site in County Down.
The Fruit Drops are available in 100ml cans for £6.50 (US$8) and 700ml bottles for £45 (US$57).
Image by Two Stacks
Copenhagen Raw No.5
Raw No.5 was released in late February as part of the Danish Copenhagen distillery's evolving series. Unveiled in celebration of the fifth anniversary of its first single malt release in February 2020, the expression is made with 100% organic Danish barley and aged in toasted 225-litre virgin Hungarian oak casks.
Limited to 1,351 bottles, the release is offered at 59.7% ABV and is available from the Copenhagen distillery's website for DKK1,500 (£167/US$211).
Image by Copenhagen Distillery
Extra: Ballantine's Sweet Blend
Although not technically a whisky, Ballantine's Sweet Blend spirit drink is 30% ABV and made with natural caramel and vanilla flavours. The expression is available to purchase exclusively on 24 February in Poland before rolling out in other markets.
Image by Ballantine's
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