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Selecting 3x Lowland whiskies this month (and 5x between Dec & Jan) wasn’t done on purpose by the way! They were chosen on merit and it's just worked out that way. It does highlight however, how very good – and varied – things are happening in a whisky region that not so long ago only contained two active distilleries.

Daftmill 2011 Winter Batch Release 12 Year Old: It’s incredibly exciting to be able to bring you this. Daftmill’s one of the smallest distilleries in Scotland, and grows all the barley on their own farm. Early releases sold out instantly! This is a slightly larger release, but production on the sixth generation family farm remains tiny, only making whisky during a few short months when farmwork is quieter, filling as few as 100 casks a year.

Tomintoul 10 Year Old: “The gentle dram” tells you something about what they’re going for. Founded in 1965, their classic and multi-award-winning 10 Year Old was launched in 2002, a couple of years after current owners Angus Dundee bought the distillery. We haven’t featured a Tomintoul since early 2021, and this malty, floral, softly fruity whisky is a wonderful way to ease ourselves into the new year.

Holyrood Ambir: Truly one of Scotland's new wave of innovative distillers, this fruity, buttery beauty is the distillery’s third release. Established in 2019 in Edinburgh’s historic old town, they take influence from the city’s rich brewing history. That’s certainly the case with Ambir, which features 4 speciality malts, and 10(!) different yeasts. Maturation is largely in first and second fill bourbon casks, with just over 10% in oloroso casks.

Ardnahoe Infinite Loch: A new Islay distillery! Well, it was founded in 2017, but its inaugural release only appeared in May 2024, followed by this (their first core release) in Sep. The distillery was built by top independent bottler and blender Hunter Laing who worked with Jim McEwan (legendary former Bowmore and Bruichladdich master distiller) to build the distillery and perfect their craft. A classic peated (40PPM), fruity Islay spirit.

Lindores Thiron 2024: Fans of whisky and history may recognise Lindores Abbey in relation to the first recorded mention of Scotch whisky (or at least distilled malt spirit). 523 years later – Drew & Helen McKenzie Smith returned distilling to the site, and hit the history books again fir this release. Lindores was a Tironensian abbey, and this whisky uses new French oak casks from trees grown in Thiron-Gardais.

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“To Brother John Cor, by order of the King, to make aqua vitae VIII bolls of malt." Fans of whisky and history may recognise that entry in the Exchequer Rolls from 1 Jun 1494 as the first recorded mention of Scotch whisky (or at least distilled malt spirit). It’s claimed this relates to Lindores Abbey, a site where – 523 years later – Drew & Helen McKenzie Smith returned distilling in 2017.

For this release the husband and wife duo hit the history books again. Lindores was a Tironensian abbey, and this whisky uses new French oak casks from trees grown in Thiron-Gardais. These add aromatic roasted notes that play off Lindores’ usual fruity, creamy character from long fermentations and the other casks (their usual combo of bourbon barrels and STR Burgundy red wine barriques). Head blender Lorena Baez Subiabre says these casks in the right ratios “worked like magic”.

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A brand new Islay distillery! Well, it was founded in 2017, but its inaugural release only appeared in May 2024, followed by this (their first core release) in Sep. The distillery was built by top independent bottler and blender Hunter Laing (from the same family as Douglas Laing who we’ve also featured previously, but the company was split between brothers Stewart and Fred back in 2013 and are now separate).

Working with Jim McEwan (legendary former Bowmore and Bruichladdich master distiller) to build the distillery and perfect their craft, Stewart Laing and his sons Andrew & Scott are producing classic peated (40PPM), fruity Islay spirit. Worm tub condensers (rare in distilleries these days, and unique on Islay, but loved by whisky fans) are used to ensure the desired texture and complexity. Matured in a combination of bourbon and oloroso sherry casks.

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“Wait nearly 100 years for a single malt distillery in Edinburgh, and two pop up at once” we said in Nov. Here’s the other one! Truly one of Scotland's new wave of innovative distillers, this fruity, buttery beauty is the distillery’s third release. Established in 2019 in Edinburgh’s historic old town, they take influence from the city’s rich brewing history.

That’s certainly the case with Ambir, which features 4 speciality malts: Chocolate Malt, Vienna malt, Crystal 240 and Caramalt. Combined they make up about 17% of the mashbill, but these are malts with big flavours rarely seen in whisky so they make a big contribution. 10(!) different yeasts are also used, including Belgian ale yeast and even a little wine yeast. Maturation took place largely in first and second fill bourbon casks, with just over 10% in oloroso casks. Take all that together, and this is a sweet, fruity delight.

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It’s incredibly exciting to be able to bring you this. Daftmill’s one of the smallest distilleries in Scotland, and – like Lochlea last month, and Ballindalloch in Sep – grows all the barley for their whisky on their own farm. Of the three, Daftmill is the smallest, was founded earliest (2005), and waited the longest before releasing their first whisky (12 years). And it’s been a sensation. Early releases sold out instantly.

This is a slightly larger release of 7,500 bottles from 27 bourbon barrels, but production on Francis & Ian Cuthbert’s sixth generation family farm remains tiny, only making whisky during a few short months when farmwork is quieter, filling as few as 100 casks a year. The barley here is Publican, grown in field 43ac, harvested by John & Sandy 28-29 Aug 2009, distilled late 2011, bottled 2024. Pioneers of truly traditional whisky-making. (If that’s not a contradiction in terms.)

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We've found a tiny number of these down the back of the sofa! There's still time to enjoy an awesome Pour & Sip countdown to Christmas.

The 2024 Advent may have Sold Out, but this one's packed with some of our favourite drams from 2021/late 2020...

Whether you're new around here, or have been part of the club for a while, inside this Advent calendar you’ll find 24 wax-sealed drams, filled with whiskies that our members have enjoyed over a year of flavour exploration. Whether you're revisiting them, or enjoying ones you missed, they’re delicious, tried, and tested. Just solid gold hits for the festive run-in.

Happy Sipsmas!

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Want to keep your feet nice and toasty while you sip on your delicious whiskies? Or perhaps you've got a whisky-loving pal who has all the bottles they desire, but you still need to find a gift for them? Enter Pour & Sip Socks! Made from a super soft and stretchy blend of 75% cotton, 23% Nylon, and 2% elastane, a pair of these will never go amiss, adorned with our bespoke Pour & Sip illustrations and all. 

One unisex size fits sizes 5-13.

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A crystal whisky tumbler glass crafted by those whisky glass specialists at Glencairn. Perfect for leisurely sipping, enjoying a whisky with ice (yes, it's absolutely allowed – it may not be how you'd best assess a whisky – but how you enjoy is it up to you!) or even with a simple mixer for that matter. It's also perfect for cocktails such as the classic Old Fashioned, from which this style of glass sometimes takes its name.

Please note: while the glass itself is dishwasher safe, the Pour & Sip logo is not, so if you want to keep it looking spick and span we'd recommend sticking to hand-washing your tumbler!

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A crystal glass that's simply perfect for getting the most out of all the amazing whiskies Pour & Sip members get to explore and enjoy! Its tapered tulip shape captures and helps direct all the subtle and complex aromas, while its base is both sturdy and easy to hold. The Glencairn tasting glass is the classic choice of whisky lovers for good reason.