DC Blog: New Releases Jan '26
- Lee Connor
- Feb 1
- 3 min read
Updated: Feb 4
It's 2026! And here's your inaugural monthly Distilled Consultant New Releases Blog! The UK whisky scene delivered what looks like a solid lineup of new releases from distilleries and independent bottlers alike. From exclusive retailer bottlings to celebrated indie bottler outturns, here’s a look at the latest drams that hit shelves in January. Let's have a look.
Distillery Releases
Highland distillery The Dalmore has extended its core Principal Collection with a 17-year-old single malt that debuted in UK retail in late January.
Age: 17 years
ABV: 42%
UK RRP: ~£175 (70cl
Lochlea Distillery in Ayrshire released its oldest official age statement to date. This limited edition was matured in first-fill bourbon casks and marks a milestone age release for the young farm-to-bottle distillery.
Age: 7 years (distilled 2018)
ABV: 50%
UK RRP: £90 (70cl)
Glencadam 17 Year Old Réserve de Calvados
Glencadam have launched a new 17-year-old single malt finished in French Calvados casks as part of its refreshed range and premium packaging rollout.
Age: 17 years
ABV: 46%
UK RRP: ~£140 (70cl)
Limited to around 6,360 bottles; matured first in ex-bourbon casks before finishing in Calvados barrels from Normandy.
Produced in Taiwan, Kavalan’s Lunar New Year edition was distributed to selected European and UK retailers in January, making it one of the most high-profile imported releases of the month.
Whisky: Kavalan Triple Sherry Cask Single Malt
Age: No age statement
Maturation: Oloroso, Pedro Ximénez and Moscatel sherry casks
ABV: 40%
UK Price: ~£95–£110 (retailer dependent)
A companion miniature gift set (four 50ml single malts bottled at 54% ABV) also launched globally but was primarily targeted at travel retail.
Independant Releases Brave New Spirits — Cask Masters Range
Indie bottler Brave New Spirits expanded its Cask Masters range with multiple new single-cask whiskies released in early January. Some of the key expressions are:
Craigellachie 9 Years — 48.1% ABV, £60
Inchmurrin 10 Years — 48.1% ABV, £60
Benrinnes 13 Years — 51.9% ABV, £60
Teaninich 14 Years — 50.1% ABV, £60
Croftengea 8 Years — 57.9% ABV, £60
Tamnavulin 13 Years — 54.9% ABV, £60
Blair Athol 13 Years — 57.3% ABV, £60
Glenlossie 14 Years — 54.7% ABV, £60
A brace of specially bottled whiskies — available in-store and online from The Whisky Exchange.
Torabhaig 2018 Scottish Oak Single Cask — Isle of Skye single malt matured in Scottish oak, 58.7% ABV, £99.95. Limited release of 251 bottles.
Bardstown Bourbon Co 8 Year Old Single Barrel — Kentucky bourbon selected exclusively for The Whisky Exchange, 8 years, 64.6% ABV, £125.
Elixir Distillers launched its Elixir Trails series as part of a new global spirits collection. The Whisky Trail showcases four independent whisky bottlings from around the world, several available in the UK via Elixir’s distribution and major retailers.
Thy Distillery 2020 4 Year Old Malted Rye (Denmark) — 50.5% ABV | RRP £110
White Peak 2018 7 Year Old Single Malt (Derbyshire, UK) — 52.4% ABV | RRP £84.95
Chichibu 2014 10 Year Old Single Malt (Japan) — 54.5% ABV | RRP £299
Westland 8 Year Old Multi-Vintage American Single Malt (USA) — 56.5% ABV | RRP £125
Decadent Drinks (Decadent Drams) continued its creative series with several mature Scottish single malts made available during January.
Decadent Drams Old Pulteney 23 Years Old Age: 23 years | ABV: 57.2% | UK Price: ~£225Highland single malt bottled by Decadent Drams, imagined as an “old official” Highland classic.
Decadent Drams Balblair 17 Years Old Age: 17 years | ABV: 56.5% | UK Price: ~£175A Highland single malt from 2008, released in the independent bottler’s January range.
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