OWC A cocktail, favoured by Frank Sinatra is making a comeback. Rusty Nail, a whisky liqueur made with aged scotch whisky and drambuie, flavoured with honey and spices was popularised by the man himself in the 1950's. Legend has it that this drink got its name because bartenders originally stirred it with a rusty nail. But the preferred alternative explanation—is that the name comes from its rich, amber hue.
OWC Many wine growers who have strived to build up their business are finding it difficult to pass their business over to their children. In a growing number of cases the younger, potential owner/ producer is finding their legacy too daunting and is opting out. With rising costs, falling demand, climate change, crazy tariffs and an uncertain geopolitical landscape it is not difficult to understand that a different career path offers a more secure and lucrative solution to making a living.
OWC Scotland's smallest distillery is set to release a limited run of its first single malt whisky. Stirling Distillery, located beneath Stirling castle will release 320 bottles in June 2027. The first time the spirit has been produced in the city since 1855. The distillery was founded in 2019 by Cameron and June McCann, the distillery also produces an award-winning Gin alongside its maturing single malt whisky, with an award-winning visitor experience and small shop onsite. Cameron stated that “This is a moment we have been working towards since we founded Stirling Distillery in 2019. Single malt has always been at the heart of what June and I set out to do. With only 320 bottles of our first release, it will be genuinely rare, and we want the people who have been with us from the beginning to be first in line.”
OWC A Burgundy has broken the record for most expensive wine ever sold. The mega priced wine was purchased by a secret buyer for over £600k. The single bottle of Romanée-Conti 1945 fetched $812,500 (£616,000) at auction in New York. The previous record, also held by a bottle of Romanée-Conti 1945 was $558,000, set at Sotheby’s in 2018. The secret buyer, who is not French, was said to be “a genuine drinker” as opposed to an investor. The purchase was more than 130% above the initial estimate and took place at Acker’s La Paulée auction in the US, where the fine wine auction house’s three-day event brought in more than $25m and set 460 world records, with more than 7,600 bottles of Burgundy sold. Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, the estate in the commune of Vosne-Romanée, is made up of eight vineyards and is widely regarded as Burgundy’s best-known producer.
OWC A 21-Year-Old Scotch has been awarded No. 1 Single Malt of 2026, by the prestigious World Whiskies Awards organisation. Bowmore 21-Year-Old Sherry Oak Cask was named World’s Best Single Malt and also won Best Scotch Islay Single Malt. The 21-year expression was initially aged in ex-bourbon and Oloroso sherry casks, then finished in first-fill European oak Pedro Ximénez sherry-seasoned casks. The whisky was bottled at 47% ABV. Judges highlighted a nose big on ‘“medicinal peat with TCP smoke with alcohol vapour.” On the palate, the 21-year whisky balanced peat, sweetness, and warming winter spices before a memorable finish.
OWC Speaking at a recent Liberal Party convention, Canadian PM Mark Carney stated that people were choosing to buy wine from the Canadian region of Okanagan instead of wines from California. The theme of the speech was how Canadians were rediscovering their country. During his speech, Mark Carney said the shunning of America and American products since Donald Trump’s return to office had “started quietly.” When he asked “Anyone had any bourbon recently?” the reply was a resounding "no".
OWC Not the first time, we have mentioned The English Distillery in our blog. This splendid distillery in Roudham Norfolk has won another major award - World’s Best Single Malt (Small Batch) at the 2026 World Whiskies Awards for its English Gently Smoked Sherry Hogshead. This is the brand's second major world title in three years after it also won World’s Best Single Malt in 2024 for its English Sherry Cask, solidifying its reputation among the world’s elite whisky producers.
OWC A new super - premium Artisan Vodka has been voted amongst the world's best by the Beverage Testing Institute. Tigerfire , made from French winter wheat, triple distilled, and triple charcoal filtered was awarded Gold Medal status, scoring 95/100 points. Described as soft and lightly aromatic, with hints of fresh dough, white pepper, lemon peel, and a faint floral note. Marketed as 'Born in France - Forged in fire. Tigerfire begins with water naturally filtered through underground limestone, stripped of harsh minerals and salts to reveal unmatched purity'.
OWC A Dorset vineyard, producing sparkling wine has been put up for sale with scope for expansion and tourism. The freehold estate includes mature vines, agricultural buildings and planning permission for a winery. Located in the Piddle Valley in Dorset it has been brought to market with an asking price in excess of £1 million. The freehold holding at Muston Farm extends to about 89.85 acres and includes around 30 acres under vine. The vineyard is planted with Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, the three varieties traditionally associated with sparkling wine production. Data from WineGB and the Food Standards Agency show's that 2025 production of English wine rose sharply following a warm and dry growing season. According to WineGB, harvest volumes increased by 39% compared with 2024, while the Food Standards Agency reported total production of 124,377 hectolitres, equivalent to more than 16.5 million bottles.
OWC The wine giant E&J Gallo Winery has acquired the Kentucky-based Four Roses Bourbon brand from Japan’s Kirin Holdings for approximately $775 million. The deal brings the historic brand back under U.S. ownership and strengthens Gallo’s premium spirits portfolio, with the existing team and Master Distiller remaining in place.
