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Top 10
SB’s most-read stories in August
From planning permission approvals to merger and acquisition predictions, we’ve looked back at what got The Spirits Business’ online readers clicking in August.
Two types of stories dominated our most-read list for August: The Global Spirits Masters Competition results, and a very specific form of news story about one brand in particular.
But, as ever, there was no end to our readers’ curiosity, as this month’s round-up proves.
Keep scrolling to find out what piqued our readers’ attention in August.
10. Campbeltown whisky distillery gets go head
There was big news for Scotland’s smallest whisky region in August, as Glasgow-based whisky bottler and blender Brave New Spirits received planning approval to build a net-zero single malt distillery in Campbeltown.
Having submitted its planning application to Argyll and Bute Council in May 2023, the company can now commence the build of Witchburn Distillery at the former RAF Machrihanish airbase, located between Campbeltown Airport and Machrihanish village. Production at the distillery is due to commence in the last quarter of 2024.
9. Macallan Folio 7 launches in GTR
It’s probably fair to say The Macallan dominates our list of most-read stories in August. The first to feature in the list is the news of the brand’s seventh bottling in its Archival Series in global travel retail (GTR).
The inaugural release in the brand’s Archival Series came out in 2015, and was created to celebrate the press, print and film advertising campaigns of the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s.
Bottled at 43% ABV, The Macallan Folio 7 is available exclusively at The Macallan Boutiques in Heathrow, Dubai, JFK, Taiwan Taoyuan airports, and CDF Haikou International Duty Free Shopping Complex. It is priced at RRP £348 (US$434).
8. Macallan debuts GTR-exclusive range
Here The Macallan is again, taking eighth position in our most-read list with another GTR story. This time, our readers were keen to learn about the brand’s new Colour Collection, which marks the return of age-statement whiskies to The Macallan’s GTR offering.
The GTR-exclusive Macallan Colour Collection is a five-strong range that comprises 12-, 15-, 18-, 21- and 30-year-old single malts, all of which are said to show the natural tones derived from maturation in Sherry-seasoned oak casks.
7. Deutsche Bank forecasts merger for Campari
Analysts at Deutsche Bank were looking into their crystal balls last month, and subsequently predicted that a merger might be on the cards for Aperol-owner Campari – something our readers were very keen to learn about.
The German bank said management commentary suggested Campari was interested in companies that have premium brands and are exposed to the US and Asian markets, and after assessing the top 50 spirits companies, Deutsche Bank said three firms could be on Campari’s radar: Edrington, Rémy Cointreau, and William Grant & Sons.
6. Ardbeg introduces Anthology Collection
Our readers love to see what the creative team at Ardbeg have been getting up to, so it’s no surprise to see this story in our top 10 this month.
The Islay distillery unveiled a ‘smoky-sweet’ 13-year-old whisky as the first release in its new Anthology Collection, which will feature ‘experimental’ single malts matured in cask types that are new to the distillery.
5. The Irish Whiskey Masters 2023 results
Last month we released a trio of results from our annual blind tasting competitions, and two of the three have landed in this list.
The first set of results is those of The Irish Whiskey Masters 2023, which saw impressive expressions from across the Emerald Isle secure Silver, Gold and Master medals.
4. Rare whisky value drops 4%
Some less-than-ideal news for whisky collectors came in August, as it was reported that the value of rare whisky in the UK fell by 4% in the year to June 2023 while all other luxury assets increased, according to Knight Frank’s latest report.
However, while rare whisky declined in the past year, the category has grown by 322% over the past decade.
3. Macallan opens first shop-in-shop in the Americas
Here it is again – The Macallan has found itself on the podium with yet another GTR story.
Last month, Duty Free Americas teamed up with the luxury single malt whisky brand to open its first shop-in-shop at Panama Tocumen International Airport.
The new space showcases core expressions in The Macallan’s portfolio, alongside limited edition bottlings and travel retail exclusives.
2. The Scotch Whisky Masters 2023 results
Scooping silver in August’s most-read list is the results of the annual Scotch Whisky Masters – a story that is still going strong after first being published in June.
From single malts to premium blends across all manner of price points, it was a tough day at the office for our judging panel who put their palate’s to the test to find the best of what Scotland has to offer. A great feature to read if you’re looking for inspiration on what to get the Scotch lover in your life for Christmas.
1. The American Whiskey Masters 2023 results
The American Whiskey Masters 2023 results was the most-read story for the whole of August, proving the category’s popularity is on the rise, and that our readers are keen to learn what bottles they should be adding to their booze shelves.
Our annual taste test really did show the depth of choice that consumers can enjoy from the category, and demonstrated that there is an abundance of quality products on the market to keep whiskey fans happy.