News Notes: New Scotch Whisky Distillery Gets Approval, Holyrood's Production Pause & More
Ardrishaig Distillery Gets the Green Light
“We all see what’s happening in the world. There is not a lot of predictability in things right now, and people are just being careful with what they spend their money on.”
Last Friday, the Scottish government granted permission to build a new Highlands whisky distillery in the small village of Ardrishaig. The site, on the remains of a former oil depot overlooking Loch Glip, will include a greenhouse, visitor center with tasting rooms, and a terrace, in addition to the production space. The construction will be handled by Scottish design firm Organic Architects, which specializes in building distilleries and has a client list that includes Ferintosh, Auchinbowie, Lindores Abbey, Ardnamurchan, Woodland Distillery, Nc’nean, Benbecula, and Moffat. The project is expected to be completed by late 2028.
Holyrood Halts Production
Holyrood, a Lowland distillery based in Edinburgh, known for its exploration of specialty malts and yeast strains, has indefinitely paused production. “It is not really that people have stopped drinking spirits. [But] consumers are nervous,” co-founder Rob Carpenter told “The Guardian.” “We all see what’s happening in the world. There is not a lot of predictability in things right now, and people are just being careful with what they spend their money on.”
From the beginning, Carpenter envisioned Holyrood as a tourist destination, and he focused heavily on elevating the visitor experience. And on that front, the distillery is staying strong. Despite its small size, Holyrood sees around 40,000 visitors annually—with tours reportedly generating around half of its total revenue. Tours are still available to book on the distillery website.
The Macklowe Fuschia Kentucky Rye Ready to Pour Manhattan
New York-based entrepreneur Julie Macklowe’s eponymous brand is turning to its city roots for its first ready-to-pour cocktail, a 29% ABV Manhattan inspired by the signature JG Manhattan served at Jean-Georges’ Four Twenty Five in Midtown. It’s crafted from 6 year old Kentucky straight rye, vermouth, and Luxardo cherry. Just 2,000 bottles, packaged in eye-catching fuchsia labels, are available for a suggested retail price of $50 at New York retailers. Billed as a luxury label, it joins a high-end portfolio spanning bourbon, rye, and single malts. Wilderness Trail in Danville, Kentucky serves as a key distilling partner.
Tequila Ocho Brings Back Puntas at Its Highest Proof Yet
After a two-year hiatus, Heaven Hill-backed Tequila Ocho is returning its limited Puntas expression, this time at 55% ABV—the highest proof permitted for tequila. Puntas takes its name from the name of the highly selective portion of distillate captured at the very end of the heads and beginning of the heart, a cut traditionally reserved by distillers for special occasions. The 2026 edition is made with agave harvested from five fields more than 5,000 feet above sea level in the Rio Lerma region along the Jalisco-Michoacán border, making it the first Puntas release to join Ocho’s multi-field Terroir Select series—a departure for a label known primarily for its single-estate, single-field bottlings. Bottled at 55% ABV, Puntas 2026 is priced at $75 and will be the first Puntas expression to receive a global release.
Excuse Tequila Diamond Edition Reposado Cristalino Begins U.S. Rollout
Chilco River Holdings' portfolio includes Mr. Cliff’s Bourbon and Daru Whiskey, an Indian-inspired Canadian whisky. This week, the company debuted Excuse Tequila, kicking off with Diamond Edition, a reposado cristalino crafted at Tequilera de los Altos Casa Loy in Ayotlán, Jalisco. The 40% ABV expression is outfitted in a diamond-topped bottle and retails for $70. An initial run of 6,500 bottles is currently available in Houston, with Chicago and Los Angeles next.
