The Dalmore is a staple of many great whisky cabinets, but for 2025 the scotch distillery is going after space in another important storage space for great booze: the wine cellar. The Dalmore Cask Curation Series: The Red Wine Cask Edition is a collection of three whiskies aged in barrels that once matured French red wines — a departure from their typical port and sherry finishes, for which the distillery is best known. The collection comprises three red wine casked whiskies: a 24-year, a 34-year, and a 43-year. 

The distillery’s official partner for this collection is Château Mont-Redon of Châteauneuf-du-Pape in the Southeast of France. The winery, which is the largest single property in the appellation, was founded in 1923 — a full 13 years before the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation was even created. Founder Henri Plantin recognized the potential of the land’s terroir early, and the result of that decision has been more than a century of complex wines (and now, whiskies). 

This is not the first time that red wine has been used to make a Dalmore malt. Bottles like The Dalmore Quintessence have previously used red wine, though in the case of Quintessence, the barrels hailed from wineries in California, and featured Zinfandel, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Pinot Noir. The Dalmore launched the Cask Curation line in 2023 with its sherry series, and followed last year with an exploration of port casks. This third collection is the first to touch unfortified wines, specifically wines made from Syrah, Mourvèdre, and Grenache Noir. Dalmore describes these wines as “rich and plummy,” with savory notes and a jammy character.

Red wine has been an increasingly popular theme across malt whiskies in recent years, and generally speaking it’s been a reliable way for distilleries that specialize in things like sherry and port to showcase the range of their spirit. Red wine maturation delivers similar flavors to port and sherry, but typically these flavors are more bright, fresh, ripe, and juicy than the nutty, dark, concentrated flavors of fortified wines.

The Dalmore’s collection seems to be keeping in line with that rule. Tasting notes provided by the distillery suggest that the youngest whisky in this collection (the 24-year-old) teases notes of red berries, citrus, roasted coffee, and creme brulee. The 34-year-old builds on these flavors with wood spice, overripe berries, and a “touch” of licorice. As for the 43-year release, it adds dark chocolate, tropical fruits, and a more defined backbone of wood spice running through the palate, with a hint of leather on the nose.

Cask Curation 2025’s price is, thankfully, for all three bottles  — a full $47,750 (Cask Curation is sold exclusively as a set). Speaking of the set, there are just 150 of them for the entire global market, available from the beginning of October. 

G. Clay Whittaker is a Maxim contributor covering lifestyle, whiskey, cannabis and travel. His work has also appeared in Bon Appetit, Men’s Journal, Cigar Aficionado, Playboy and Esquire. Subscribe to his newsletter Drinks & Stuff for whisky reviews and trends, perspectives on drinks, and stuff.

Suntory Whisky Toki has released its first limited-edition whisky, Toki Black, which blends traditional Japanese craftsmanship with a jazzy twist. The new expression, a departure from the original Toki’s light and smooth profile, introduces a subtle smokiness by incorporating peated and grain malts from the Hakushu distillery.

The name “Toki” translates to “time,” reflecting a core Japanese value that respects heritage while embracing new ideas, a fitting name for the bottle’s jazz-inspired rollout. Suntory partnered with Grammy-nominated American producer Terrace Martin and Japanese jazz artist Ryota Nozaki, known as Jazztronik. The collaboration includes a film and a bespoke vinyl record inspired by the Japanese Jazz Kissa culture and the philosophy of Ichigo Ichie, which highlights the uniqueness of every moment.

The whisky’s flavor profile begins with aromas of baked apple, oregano, and honeysuckle. On the palate, notes of butterscotch, clove, cinnamon, and toasted rosemary give way to a finish of white pepper, ginger, and a gentle smokiness. It can be enjoyed neat or in a cocktail like a Toki Ginger Sour.

“As our first release in a decade, Toki Black marks a significant milestone for both Toki and The House of Suntory,” said Masaki Morimoto, president of The House of Suntory. “This limited-edition launch reflects that philosophy, offering a contemporary expression that honors our heritage while engaging a new generation of whisky enthusiasts.”

An accompanying jazz record that celebrates the spirit features a raw, improvisational session on Side A, while Side B presents Martin’s modern reinterpretation of the session. “This project was more than just making music—it was about capturing a moment that can’t be repeated,” Martin said in a statement shared by the brand. “Ryota and I set out to blend spontaneity with intention, tradition with experimentation, and create a record that lives in the spirit of now—just like the whisky that inspired it.”

Toki Black is 86 proof and available for a limited time at select retailers with a suggested retail price of $39.99 per bottle while supplies last.

“At Bushmills, tradition and innovation go hand in hand,” Alex Thomas tells Maxim. “With more than 400 years of heritage and experience, we have an unparalleled foundation of craft and consistency. At the same time, we see innovation as essential to keeping that legacy alive.”

And that four-century old Bushmills story is one about as turbulent as its Irish homeland. Launched in 1608 with a whiskey making license in the verdant meadows of County Antrim, Northern Ireland, Bushmills determinedly survived fits and starts. Through devastating fires, world wars, industry crashes, and countless rebirths, it all leads today to our wonderful Spirit Of the Week: Bushmills 26 Year Old Crystal Malt Irish Whiskey.

Beyond its globally recognized Bushmills Original expression, the label truly excels in its extra-aged options. Back in 2022 we fell in deep, hopeless Gaelic love with the latest in their Rare Casks collectors’ series: a 29 Year Old Single Malt Irish Whiskey finished in Pedro Ximenez casks. Then this spring came ‘Secrets Of The River Bush,’ a 46 Year Old Bushmills that laid claim to being the oldest Irish single malt ever bottled. 

Although claiming bragging rights as the world’s oldest licensed whiskey distillery, that production has not been continuous since the early 17th century. As previously touched upon, a disastrous fire razed the distillery in 1885—and then once rebuilt World War II shuttered the doors once again. Still, the heritage at Bushmills runs deep—which makes the experimentation in their latest ultra-premium Irish single malt noteworthy. 

“The 26 Year Old Crystal Malt is a perfect example of this innovation,” posits the esteemed Bushmills Master Blender. “Instead of relying solely on maturation or cask finishes to influence flavor, we impacted the process at the malting stage by crystallizing the sugars before the liquid ever touches oak. This allows us to preserve the unmistakable character of Bushmills while introducing a new dimension of depth.

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“The process involves an additional stage during malting, where the natural sugars in the barley are crystallized during kilning,” Thomas explains of their proprietary process—one rarely used in the world of whiskey-making. “By carefully controlling temperature and timing, we are able to lock in those sugars, resulting in a malt that brings forward intense flavor at the pre-distillation stage.”

Thomas describes how the crystallization process creates an “unmistakable signature flavor,” the triple-distilled raw white dog coming out of the still already boasting a commanding depth of caramel and creamy chocolate before any oak influence whatsoever. So what happens then when this unique whiskey sits for more than a quarter-century in first-fill bourbon barrels sourced from Kentucky’s Kelvin Cooperage? 

“These notes evolve into a velvety texture with layered vanilla sweetness, malt richness, and subtle spice,” Thomas reveals. “The finish is long, warming, and elegantly balanced. Visually, the whiskey is surprisingly golden-hued and lighter than typical whiskies of its age, but it delivers astonishing depth.” 

Subtle elements of caramel, roasted barley, and chocolate malt found in traditional Bushmills are dialed up to 11 in the Bushmills Crystal Malt, while the long 26-year slumber in American oak softens the cacao punch into more of a deep tissue massage of toasted nuttiness. While its price tag of $1,000 for the bottle is steep, Bushmills here offers a truly unique spirit born both of ingenious innovation and ceaseless time. 

Follow our Deputy Editor Nicolas Stecher on Instagram at @nickstecher and @boozeoftheday.

One of the most respected whiskies in the Scottish Highlands is releasing two incredible new whiskies this month. Glendronach distillery will launch Glendronach 30-Year-Old and Glendronach 40-Year-Old worldwide, with a modest supply of this rare liquid coming to the U.S. market. If you’ve never heard the Glendronach name before, it’s likely due to some gatekeeping. Glendronach is one of the great Highland whiskies — an oily, rich single malt often defined by a deep and intense sherry profile. Glendronach is perhaps the name in so-called sherry bombs — whiskeys bursting with the deep, velvety fruit and dessert characters of Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez sherry finishes.

Glendronach 30-Year-Old, referred to as “A Symphony of Sherry Casks,” is a blend of several sherry styles. In addition to the Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez casks that Glendronach is known for, this bottle will feature a portion of Amontillado in the blend for the first time in the distillery’s history. It’s a style of sherry known for its nutty and tobacco notes. Judging by master blender Rachel Barrie’s tasting notes, these might be some of the best bottles from Glendronach in years. 30-Year-Old has a “dark cherry walnut” color, with a rich nose of cherries, raisins, dates, brazil nut toffee, and caramel. On the palate, it’s described as “seductively smooth,” with flavors of glazed cherry, cinnamon raisin, toffee, and chocolate hazelnut cafe creme.

As for Glendronach 40-Year-Old (which is being called “The Pinnacle of Artistry”), it’s a new achievement in the distillery’s mastery of PX and Oloroso blending. Notes provided by Glendronach describe the 40-Year-Old as deep and dark in color, and plush and velvety in texture. The color is described as black ochre, and aromas of black cherry, blackberry, stewed plum, and sherry soaked chocolate cake will be your first experiences with this liquid. On the palate, blackcurrant, bramble compote, prune, raisin, and mexican hot chocolate echo those aromas.

Glendronach has been making moves in the lead-up to a major anniversary. The distillery, which turns 200 next year, refreshed its entire portfolio last year with fresh branding. In the past several years, Glendronach has also debuted new collections and retooled some of its classic blends under the supervision of Barrie. Getting your hands on this newest liquid is certainly going to be a challenge due to the limited production volumes for each bottle; there are only 1,300 bottles for the 30-Year available for the U.S. market, and as for the 40-Year, well, there are just 70 bottles.

The new Glendronach 30-Year-Old has a suggested retail price of $1,300, and is bottled at 46.8 percent ABV. Glendronach 40-Year-Old 2025, which is bottled at 43.9 percent ABV, will retail for $6,700. The bottles are available starting today, September 9th, though actual availability may vary market to market. Likewise, prices will likely rise — there are a lot of Glendronach lovers out there. 

If you’re not in the running for either of these bottles, though, I’d highly recommend a much more affordable pour from their portfolio, the Glendronach 18 at around $250. A pour of that liquid will be the easiest way to understand why these two bottles are going to be so hard to find. 

G. Clay Whittaker is a Maxim contributor covering lifestyle, whiskey, cannabis and travel. His work has also appeared in Bon Appetit, Men’s Journal, Cigar Aficionado, Playboy and Esquire. Subscribe to his newsletter Drinks & Stuff for single malt and other whisky trends, perspectives on drinks, and stuff.

The limited-edition release marks the third year in a row that the legendary Kentucky distiller has retooled its flagship recipe by aging liquid in its limestone cellar, and the results are as impressive as any past Maker’s Mark debut. A blend of 12-year-old and 13-year-old bourbons went into Maker’s Mark 2024 Cellar Aged, while the inaugural Maker’s Mark 2023 Cellar Aged expression fused 11-year and 12-year-old bourbon. This year’s expression, as Maxim found out during a visit to Star Hill Farms last week. delivers subtle yet noticeable tweaks on time-honored Maker’s Mark liquid, blending 74% 11-year-old liquid, 10% 13-year-old distillate and 16% 14-year-old bourbon.

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The result is a bold yet delicious 56.45% ABV final product that drinks at a much lower proof. “Our cellar, built into the natural limestone shelf that surrounds our Star Hill Farm distillery, plays a vital role in shaping the whisky’s final profile — just as our environment has done since our founding,” said Dr. Blake Layfield, master distiller at Maker’s Mark, noting that cooler temperatures help slow down wood tannin extraction, “avoiding the overly bitter, tannic notes that can come with traditional long aging,” he added.

For Maker’s Mark, the pursuit is shaped as much by its surrounding natural beauty and historic farm as much as how the liquid interacts with its barrels. “What’s the impact of farm on flavor?” said Rob Samuels, Maker’s Mark managing director and its eighth-generation whisky maker, noting that the Kentucky distillery aims to “be on the forefront of regenerative agriculture” (its farm-to-table restaurant and rolling, lush hills are dotted with everything from beehives to Wagyu beef cattle). The distillery and its red wax-dipped bottles reflect a delicate approach, aged to taste and not time, as Samuels often says.

Both heritage and innovation drive the process at Maker’s Mark, which has lately experimented with custom wood stave finishing and of course, the new fan favorite Cellar Aged series. A stroll across the property reveals constant motion, but the kind that requires a closer second look: Packed gardens provide cocktail and meal garnishes, and a shaded forest near a reservoir delivers a quiet respite.

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The previous duo of Cellar Aged releases bolstered an already-exquisite portfolio of bourbon from the company, founded in 1953 by Margie and Bill Samuels, Sr. Their presence, from old-school portraits to an impressive series of archival documents and awards on display throughout Maker’s Mark offices, remains paramount to the distillery’s success, the company says.

And while Maker’s Mark boasts a flagship recipe able to stand on its own, the company had further questions about how far it could go. “The question was… what would happen if we rotated classic Maker’s Mark into that warehouse?” Layfield said, leading an exclusive guided tasting on the distillery’s secluded campus last week. “Our taste vision for Cellar Aged was ‘How could we make an older aged version of Maker’s Mark?’ We’ve been asked for years to make this exact thing… but it didn’t meet our taste vision, our house style of whisky.”

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The end result after much experimentation meets the legendary distillery’s high standard. Call it a blend of scientific alchemy as much as artistry, delivering a luxe whiskey (or whisky, as Maker’s Mark calls it) that ends up being “approachable” rather than challenging to drink, Layfield said. “By going into the cellar, the finish is very much different, the profile is very much different” compared to other experimental versions of aged Maker’s Mark the distillery worked on over the years.

“Every year is a unique flavor profile,” Layfield said, and a side-by-side tasting of the three Cellar Aged expressions reveals varying notes of caramelized sugar and oak, and in the case of this year’s release, baked apple and a long, luscious finish, while past releases echo even more distinct flavor notes, like a striking dash of coconut in Cellar Aged 2024.

2025 Cellar Aged (available beginning mid-September in the United States, Germany and Global Travel Retail accounts for the accessible price of $175) reflects the distillery’s “batch small, bottle big” process, Samuels said. And to kick off Bourbon Heritage Month on September 5th, its latest aged liquid will be available for purchase on-site through the distillery’s Cellar Aged Experience, featuring a guided tour and a series of tasting opportunities any bourbon fan would be wise to experience.

While the heritage distillery could have easily rested on its laurels, its eighth-generation whisky maker noted that “from the beginning, Maker’s Mark has gone to extraordinary lengths to craft an uncompromisingly delicious bourbon,” with Samuels calling its latest aged release ” a continuation of that pursuit.”

The handsomely presented and utterly delicious new release is far from the only boundary-pushing effort undertaken by the distillery. Its fantastic on-site culinary program (featuring a new summer menu) makes use of livestock, vegetables and produce grown on its sprawling grounds, which are as breathtaking as any distillery across the globe.

And while some spirits are perhaps best enjoyed neat or on the rocks, the company’s new Summer of Sours cocktail program showcases the many flavorful ways Maker’s Mark can be incorporated into a vibrant range of specialty seasonal sips. The distillery even worked with one-stop hosting-centric brand Big Night on custom recipes, tablescape ideas and barware, proving that the iconic distillery likely has something to suit every taste and palate (the Blackberry Old Fashioned and the classic Gold Rush are particularly tantalizing).

Equally as stunning and visually pleasing as the rich golden-amber liquid within a Maker’s Mark bottle is a newly installed exhibit by renowned contemporary artist Dale Chihuly. The exhibit manages to make the iconic distillery’s lovely grounds even more striking, especially as the sun sets and nine dramatic glass-blown installations come to life.

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The experience is best enjoyed with a Maker’s Mark cocktail in hand, a visit that can be booked now through December 7th. Take note: The art-meets-bourbon tour includes surprise limited-release pours and other bookable experiences, the distillery said. “I drew a lot of inspiration from the landscape and architecture of the campus, and I’m excited to return with a new exhibition that responds to this special place in new ways,” Chihuly, who worked with Maker’s Mark on a 2017 installation, said in a statement.

From the pleasant hum of red wax-dipped bottles rolling down the bottling line to the quiet hush of secluded forest and the dappled sunlight hitting its many aging oak barrels, the Star Hill Farms experience (and the accompanying Cellar Aged 2025 release) remains nearly without peer. And with Maker’s Mark Cellar Aged 2025 priced at less than $200, one might say the race is on to see if a better value exists in the world of luxury spirits.

The Macallan, the esteemed single malt Scotch whisky distillery, has two new Harmony Collection releases hitting shelves this month. But if you want both bottles, you’ll need a passport. The 2025 Harmony additions are comprised of one for domestic retail sales and one exclusively available to global travelers.

Harmony is a fun and comparably affordable series of releases for a brand that can sometimes feel a little focused on big age statements and elaborate decanters. Harmony eschews numbers for flavors and ideas. Previous releases have partnered with the best palates and minds in the coffee and chocolate industries, as well as with conservationists and even Cirque du Soleil. For Harmony V, Macallan partnered with single tea garden curators from Jing. The whiskies they collaborated to create were inspired by two of Jing’s teas: Phoenix Honey Orchid and Organic Cherrywood Lapsang. 

Thankfully, you don’t need to be a tea expert (or even an enthusiast) to get what they’re doing with these releases. The whiskeys of course, don’t contain any tea, but have been blended to highlight flavors found in these particular teas. Honey Orchid focuses on the fruity, fresh, and floral flavors of lighter tea styles, while Cherrywood Lapsang aims for a richer, deeper profile with spice and dark fruit.

Macallan Harmony Phoenix Honey Orchid Tea ($200) is the domestic retail release. It’s characterized by tropical and stone fruits, floral and citrus notes, and an overall light, fruity, and sweet finish. Macallan Harmony Organic Cherrywood Lapsang Tea ($190), the global travel retail release, veers more toward darker flavors — toffee, dates, oak spices, and a creamier overall profile. 

Tea is an interesting cross-brand partnership for a whisky brand, particularly because more mature and nuanced whiskies can take on the tannic, herbal, raisiny, and floral properties of some of the best teas. Tasting notes provided by Macallan highlighted “leafy astringency,” as well as honey and citrus peel. 

Some of the fun is also in the packaging. Where 81-year-old single malts are sometimes presented as decor for a Bond villain’s island fortress, the Harmony collection uses simpler bottles and creates packaging from what would otherwise be waste (in this case, repurposed tea leaves).

Macallan has created a number of excellent collections within its portfolio over the last couple of decades, but Harmony has been a particularly nuanced and quirky line — one that the average consumer can still crack into. If you’re a Macallan lover wanting to shake things up with your next pour, there isn’t a better duo of bottles to look out for. Phoenix Honey Orchid is available now domestically, however the Cherrywood Lapsang variant won’t hit global retail shelves until October 1. You can also find Phoenix online at www.themacallan.com.

G. Clay Whittaker is a Maxim contributor covering lifestyle, whiskey, cannabis and travel. His work has also appeared in Bon Appetit, Men’s Journal, Cigar Aficionado, Playboy and Esquire. Subscribe to his newsletter Drinks & Stuff for whiskey and spirits picks, perspectives on drinks, and stuff.

Suntory’s Yamazaki Distillery has announced a new whisky and a new milestone in one bottle. Yamazaki 25 Years Old Mizunara is the distillery’s first 25-year-old whisky aged entirely in rare Japanese Mizunara oak barrels, and it’s also the oldest Mizunara-only whisky ever produced by the House of Suntory.

This bottle has been a long time coming. Suntory has been producing whisky since its founding in 1923 by Shinjiro Torii. He built the first malt distillery in Japan, and his son later went on to open Hakushu. The distilleries have also been aging whisky in mizunara oak for decades. They introduced it into their warehouses in the 1940s — enough time to learn how to use the notoriously temperamental wood effectively in aging. 

Mizunara is rare, but it can also be difficult to work into well-made barrels. And even when you do manage to build the perfect barrel, there’s the waiting game. According to Suntory, it takes at least a decade of aging to display its unique character of incense, sandalwood, and coconut.  

Suntory has released impressive whiskies influenced by Mizunara in the past. Perhaps the best-known of these is Yamazaki 55 Years Old, which was finished in the Japanese oak species. But 25 years solely in this rare wood is a particularly unique and exciting new drinking experience. It’s entirely possible that this whisky will begin the coining of a new industry term along the lines of “sherry bomb” (used to describe whiskies with a deep sherry character) or that it will more simply become a coveted regional style like the “native oak” releases of Washington state’s Westland Distillery and their Garryana oak series.

Yamazaki 25 Years Old Mizunara is bottled at 48 percent, or 96 proof, which is in a fairly typical range for their whiskies. This is not a place where you’d expect HAZMAT proof points, and this isn’t the sort of whisky you’d want to try and enjoy while your nose hairs begin to singe. Official tasting notes describe a “complex woodiness of Mizunara oak with bittersweet hints of oriental herbal medicine.” It suggests just the spicy, deeply flavorful character one might expect: nutmeg, cardamom, sweetness that is “latte-like” and full of “apricot compote.” In short, Yamazaki 25 Mizunara seems bold, exotic, and full of complex depth.

With an MSRP of $7,500, it’s also a pricey bottle, but a price that matches the rareness of the liquid and the achievement of bottling it in the first place. Will we see older all-Mizunara releases from Yamazaki in the future? Possibly. But I personally suspect that they’ll be a long time coming. Many of the more uncommon oak species need to be used delicately — too much time in flavorful wood can make a whisky feel oversteeped, like a cup of tea that the leaves were left in for too long. To get to a 30-year or 50-year Mizunara release, Suntory may need to re-cask from first-use barrels to second-use. They may have already had to do that to prevent this whisky from getting “too” flavorful. 

For now, this bottle should be high on every whisky lover’s wish list — it’s one of the few experimental bottles on the market today that actually delivers something totally new and different. And after all, getting to experience something new and different is really what whisky is all about.

G. Clay Whittaker is a Maxim contributor covering lifestyle, whiskey, cannabis and travel. His work has also appeared in Bon Appetit, Men’s Journal, Cigar Aficionado, Playboy and Esquire. Subscribe to his newsletter Drinks & Stuff for whisky reviews, perspectives on drinks, and stuff.

The latest Glenlivet single malt (dubbed “Artistry in Oak”) was first distilled and laid to rest a stunning 85 years ago by Gordon & MacPhail managers John and George Urqhuart, landing in a Gordon & MacPhail American Oak cask on February 3rd, 1940 “to be enjoyed after their lifetime by future generations.​” It’s a wise bet that the father-son duo couldn’t have imagined the liquid would survive more than eight decades: Enough fine Scotch lasted, in fact, to fill 125 decanters set for release in October

It’s a milestone for the 128-year independent Scotch bottler, as the company has worked with more than 100 distilleries across the decades, including The Glenlivet’s latest generation-spanning effort. Gordon & MacPhail (which also owns Speyside producers The Cairn and Benromach) announced in 2023 it would exit the realm of independent bottling, according to Whisky Advocate, but the company still has plenty of stock under its watch to account for special and incredibly rare releases.

The Glenlivet has dabbled in modern innovation (like ready-to-drink Scotch cocktails and a bourbon and rum cask-finished expression) in recent years, but the latest ultra-covetable release harkens back to the time-honored art and science of letting oak interact with distillate.

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The result is a 43.7 percent ABV Scotch bottled in an as-yet-to-be-released series of decanters designed in partnership with famed American architect Jeanne Gang. The architect’s focus on sustainable design solutions and a style shaped by nature were of particular interest in selecting a partner to deliver such a rarified decanter, Gordon & MacPhail noted. The company’s Ultra Rare private range already includes a 1949 release from The Glenlivet, and a range of more than 40 whiskies can be bought online now via Gordon & MacPhail, but this fall 2025 debut should prove the most jealousy-inducing yet.

In fact, Gordon & MacPhail notes that it made the decision to bottle this Scotch nearly 85 years to the day it was first laid down (February 5th, 2025,), “harnessing knowledge passed down through four generations,” and in the process raising “this exceptional single malt from its slumber.” The first decanter holding liquid from Gordon & MacPhail cask no. 336 is set to be auctioned off by Christie’s this coming November, with auction proceeds benefitting forest restoration charity American Forests.

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“Given the importance of oak in our craft, this partnership was a natural fit, aligning with our mission to leave a meaningful legacy for ongoing generations, via fundraising for the sustainable future of American oak trees,” said Gordon & MacPhail Director of Prestige Stephen Rankin, who also noted that the awe-inspiring forthcoming release “is truly exceptional due to its remarkable history and unique maturation process.” While details on the design of the decanter, pricing and purchase information are scarce at the moment, interested parties can sign up for further news online at Gordon & MacPhail.

54 mini bottles replace the game’s traditional wooden blocks via Japanese whiskey brand Janga‘s latest wild innovation, and if the eye-catching build of the set wasn’t enough, the liquid contained in its acrylic bottles might prove especially worthy of its price tag of about $1.98 million yen. Janga notes that Zeus Janga 25-Year Japanese Whisky fills each building block in delectable fashion.

Boasting a delicate ABV of 43% and produced in Japan, Janga says the game offering is about more than just a new way to look at tabletop entertainment. “Zeus is the most sacred in the history of Janga, luxuriously using rare raw liquor that has been aged for an ultra-long period of 25 years, which can be said to be the highest peak of domestic whiskey,” the company said. Accordingly, each Jenga set is limited: Only 10 are available through a lottery system, with winners announced July 19th via Janga’s online shop.

The company notes its Jenga-inspired design is “a luxury bottle for adults that encapsulates playfulness, beauty and entertainment in a single drop,” with past releases including Japanese spirits like sake. On the nose, this new set’s liquid boasts notes of noble oak and sandalwood, the company said, along with honey and vanilla on the palate. As Robb Report notes, the exact origins of this whisky are unclear, but 25 years is an impressive age statement in its own right (and again, perhaps justifies the high price tag for the set itself).

The set is finished with its own textured leather logo handle, a suitable touch befitting the whisky inside, which Janga said delivers a finish that’s” beautifully long and intricate, like the last chapter of a piece of music.” Only a rare few will experience both the thrill of Jenga and the delight of a rare Japanese whisky, but future Janga releases seem poised to capitalize on the perfect mix of spirit and entertainment in one exclusive package.

For discerning collectors of liquid gold, a rare and unparalleled opportunity is on the horizon. Bonhams, the esteemed global auction house, is offering up “The Encyclopedic Whisky Collection,” a monumental grouping of high-end whiskies that promises to prove pivotal in the landscape of luxury spirits auctions. Amassed over a quarter-century by a single, visionary American connoisseur, this comprehensive compilation of rare bottles boasts not only exceptional provenance but also impeccable storage, a testament to the mystery collector’s unwavering dedication.

This extraordinary collection, comprising over 300 lots, will be unveiled across two distinct sales. The highlight will be a live auction on June 26, marking the first-ever live sale at Bonhams’ new Boston saleroom. Before that, an online-only sale of 250 lots, all offered without reserve, will run through June 30, providing a broader entry point for collectible whisky enthusiasts. This dual-pronged approach represents the largest collection of spirits ever offered by Bonhams in the U.S., cementing its place as a landmark event in the world of covetable whiskies.

“The Encyclopedic Collection is a landmark in every sense—the largest single-owner spirits offering ever presented by Bonhams in the United States, and now marking the opening of our new Boston saleroom,” commented Amayès Aouli, Bonhams Global Head of Wine & Spirits. “It embodies the vision, scale, and ambition of a passionate collector and also echoes a new and transformative chapter for Bonhams.”

Indeed, this one-of-a-kind assortment is a veritable liquid library, tracing the complete history of Scotland’s greatest whiskies while also featuring the very best of American and Japanese expressions. Sean Purce, Senior Specialist of Fine Wines and Rare Spirits at Bonhams, aptly summarized the collection’s ethos: “An undeniable common thread linking the offerings in this sale is that these distilleries, and this consignor, have all resisted, and continue to resist, the temptation to compromise. Instead, they’ve doubled down on craftsmanship, and eye for the future, and staying true to their beliefs, knowing true excellence in whisky is measured by the depth of its flavor and the integrity of its liquid. For one collector to possess the most prized whiskies of the world is, to say the least, encyclopedic.”

Among the 52 covetable lots featured in the live sale on June 26, a true highlight will be the offering of a complete series of Macallan in Lalique Six Pillars alongside all five chapters of the DCS Compendium. This marks a historic first, as a full Macallan Six Pillars set has never before been presented alongside the entire DCS Compendium collection in a single auction. The legendary partnership between The Macallan distillery and the esteemed French crystal maker Lalique resulted in six unique art pieces, each housing an exceptional whisky aged between 50 and 65 years. These individual masterpieces, with estimates ranging from $46,000 to $75,000, represent the pinnacle of both design and distillation. Complementing these are the DCS Compendium Chapters 1-5, launched in 2015 to honor the legacy of Malt Master David C. Stewart.

Each chapter comprises five single cask whiskies exploring unique themes, from “Distillery Style” to “Malt Master’s Indulgence.” With estimates between $34,000 and $50,000, this is the first time all five chapters will be offered together, providing a rare opportunity for those seeking a deep dive into Macallan’s unparalleled artistry. For those eager to expand their personal cellars, the “Bonhams Skinner: The Encyclopedic Whisky Collection: No Reserve Online Edition” will offer 250 lots from June 19 to 30, all without reserve. This online component ensures that a wider audience can partake in this unprecedented event, securing a piece of whisky history. “The Encyclopedic Whisky Collection” at Bonhams is more than an auction—it’s a celebration of the enduring allure of the world’s finest spirits.