1 –> Business: New exclusive malted service just launched and brings the best of craft whisky and Scottish artisan delicacies straight to your doorstep (and with an entry package at 26.95£ comprising a full size bottle, this sounds like Heaven right? – wait a few months and I’m sure a complimentary basket of kittens will complete the offer)! Craft Whisky Club offers two “boxes” to choose from, each month highlighting a special craft procuder with reviews and video interviews on their website (to be found on its Spotlight page). 

2 –> Great news for the Scotch whisky world, UK sales of Scotch have risen again after five years of decline, according to the Scotch Whisky Association. The industry body said 84.9 million 70cl bottles were sold in Britain last year, almost 2pc more than the 83.3 million sold in 2014. \o/ (read more)

3 –> New opening: After Portland (Also known as the World Hipsters Mecca) International Airport had announced it was getting even more boozy with a forthcoming House Spirits Distillery retail space and tasting room, Gatwick targets premium gin market with unique on-site distillery and bar : Gatwick’s North Terminal has opened what is believed to be the world’s first on-site airport gin distillery and bar. (read more)

4 –> New Release: Diageo is marking the 200th anniversary of its Lagavulin Scotch whisky distillery on Islay with the limited release of an eight-year-old iteration. Lagavulin 8 Year Old will be released in two batches during 2016. The first run will be available from this month, with the second expected later in the year. (read more)

5 –> Poll: Should Islay Whisky Festival last two weeks in the future? It’s time for you to share your thoughts on this thorny issue! “Having a two week Islay Festival would have many benefits as more people can participate. It would put less pressure on accommodations, restaurants, ferries and other resources. I believe that it could also become a more relaxed festival as right now everything is cramped into one week so it’s extremely busy on the island. Another advantage would be I guess that no activities/open days would have to be planned on Saturdays as that are usually changeover days” (vote and read more)