News

JUNE 2025

​King Charles credits one surprising drink as being key to a long life as he shares four-word advice. Read the article here.

During a visit to Lancaster castle, King Charles shared some rather unusual health advice with a 101-year-old veteran. Read the article here.

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UK Scotch whisky makers cheer news of FTA with India, eye expansion.
Foreign competitors eyeing the world’s biggest whisky market can expect stiff competition from Indian makers, industry players say 

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Talking whisky: Harrison Ford’s Highland reflections with Glenmorangie - Harrison Ford brings star quality to the 'Once Upon a Time in Scotland' campaign for Glenmorangie Highland's single malt Scotch whisky. Read the article here.

 

MAY 2025

UK and India agree trade deal, slashing tariffs on car and whisky exports - Nation.Cymru. Read the article here.

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UK and US announce trade deal - as Starmer and Trump hold live phone call - Sky News. Read the article here.

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Millions of mortgage bills to fall as Bank of England reveals rate decision - The Sun Read the article here.

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Reeves backs down on plans to cut lsa limit - The Chancellor has bowed to mounting pressure from banks and building societies - Telegraph 

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MPs demand Government introduces major pension change. MPs from across the political spectrum have demanded the Government end the 'frozen pensions' policy which affects 453,000. Read the article here.

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Dollar drops as traders fret over Trump tax bill. Read the article here.

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HMRC says one million pensioners now paying income tax at 40 per cent or above. Read the article here.

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​​​​APRIL 2025

Trump rules out tariffs pause as he claims ‘tremendous progress’: Former President Donald Trump has intensified his trade war by ruling out a pause on sweeping new tariffs, insisting the measures are necessary to restore American economic strength and manufacturing. Amid steep declines in global stock markets, Trump defended the hikes-10% on most imports, with even higher rates for certain countries-arguing they are the only way to reset global trade relationships and bring back U.S. factories lost over decades. He singled out China for criticism and claimed the tariffs are already prompting other nations to seek new, fairer trade deals with the U.S. Read the article here.

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​Asian stocks see their worst drop in decades after Trump tariffs: Asian stock markets experienced their steepest declines in decades after US President Donald Trump imposed sweeping new tariffs, sparking fears of a global economic downturn. Major indices in Shanghai, Hong Kong, Tokyo, and Sydney all suffered dramatic losses, with Hong Kong’s Hang Seng dropping over 13% and Japan’s Nikkei 225 falling nearly 8%. The tariffs, ranging from 10% to over 50% on some countries, have hit Asia’s export-driven economies especially hard. Analysts warn that the turmoil could push the US and global economies closer to recession, with ripple effects felt worldwide. Read the article here.

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Why recession is now 'the base case': Donald Trump’s aggressive tariff policies have made a U.S. recession the "base case" for economists, according to ITV News. The tariffs-and China’s retaliatory measures-impose a triple threat: higher consumer costs, paralyzing uncertainty for businesses and households, and a collapsing stock market that erodes household wealth. With 60% of Americans exposed to equities, the resulting "negative wealth effect" risks sharply reduced spending. Analysts compare the self-inflicted crisis to the 2008 Lehman collapse and Brexit, but stress this disaster stems solely from Trump’s unilateral trade agenda. Despite mounting economic damage, the president shows no sign of reversing course. Read the article here.

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​What do fears of another Black Monday stock market crash mean for UK?: The UK’s stock market plunged over 6% at the start of the week, sparking fears of a repeat of the 1987 Black Monday crash. This sharp decline follows US President Donald Trump’s announcement of new tariffs ranging from 10% to 50% on imports from almost every country, shaking global markets. The FTSE 100 and European stocks fell sharply, while Asian markets suffered historic losses. Experts warn this could signal a lasting shift towards protectionism, potentially dampening investment and economic growth in the UK and worldwide. Prime Minister Keir Starmer vows to negotiate carefully with the US amid growing uncertainty. Read the article here.

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​Is the world heading into recession?: Global markets are reeling from President Trump's severe tariffs, sparking fears of a worldwide recession. While stock market crashes don’t always signal economic collapse, analysts warn the scale of recent falls-including double-digit drops for banks like HSBC and Standard Chartered-reflects expectations of plummeting corporate profits. Commodities like copper and oil have also plunged over 15%, underscoring growth concerns. Though a synchronized downturn akin to 2008 remains unlikely, recession risks in the US, UK, and EU have surged. The UK’s upcoming GDP data (Friday) will offer clues, with Chancellor Rachel Reeves facing potential tax shortfalls if the economy contracts. Read the article here.

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Capital gains tax update: Treasury loses £1.4bn in tax revenue after Rachel Reeves's raid as rich flee UK: The UK Treasury has lost £1.4bn in capital gains tax (CGT) revenue over the past year-a 10% drop-following Chancellor Rachel Reeves’s hike to 24% for higher-rate taxpayers and expanded non-dom taxation rules. Wealthy individuals, including Goldman Sachs’ Richard Gnodde and property tycoons, are relocating abroad to avoid the increased levies on assets like second homes and stocks. Residency inquiries tripled in early 2025, exacerbating fiscal pressures as Reeves balances strained public finances amid global trade tensions triggered by US tariff policies. Experts suggest tax-efficient strategies like “Bed and ISA” transactions to mitigate CGT burdens. Read the article here.

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MARCH 2025

Whisky Cask Ownership Just Changed Forever: WOWGR Regulations Abolished After 25 Years: As of March 3, 2025, the UK has abolished the Warehousekeepers and Owners of Warehoused Goods Regulations (WOWGR), simplifying whisky cask ownership. Previously, WOWGR required private individuals to obtain certification to own whisky casks, a regulation often exploited by scammers. The new system now regulates only warehouses, not individual cask owners, aligning whisky storage rules with those for wine. This change allows any buyer to own a cask in an HMRC-approved warehouse without special certification, benefiting international investors by removing the need for UK-based duty representatives. Read the article here.

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Iconic Scottish whisky giant sold: The Famous Grouse, a renowned Scottish whisky brand, has been sold to William Grant & Sons, a family-owned company led by Scottish billionaire Glenn Gordon, for an undisclosed sum. This acquisition aligns with William Grant & Sons' strategy for innovation and international growth. Read the article here.

Famous Grouse sale to go ahead: The UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has approved William Grant & Sons' acquisition of The Famous Grouse from Edrington. This approval allows the sale, initially agreed upon in September 2024, to proceed. The acquisition is expected to bolster William Grant & Sons' presence in the Scotch whisky market. Read the article here.

Brokers expect interest rates to jump by start of 2026: A survey conducted by Butterfield Mortgages reveals that over two-thirds of UK mortgage brokers anticipate an increase in the Bank of England's base rate by the beginning of 2026. Specifically, 28% predict the rate will reach 5.25%, reflecting expectations of rising borrowing costs in the near future. Read the article here.

Irish Distillers puts production on ice and delays distillery: Irish Distillers has announced a slowdown in the construction of its new distillery in Midleton, County Cork, and a temporary halt in whiskey production. This decision is attributed to a global slowdown in the spirits industry, impacting production schedules and future planning. Read the article here.

Johnnie Walker enters ‘new era of luxury Scotch’: Diageo has launched the Johnnie Walker Vault, a global luxury platform located beneath Johnnie Walker Princes Street in Edinburgh. This initiative showcases bespoke collaborative blends crafted by master blender Dr. Emma Walker using exceptionally rare whiskies from a curated selection of 500 casks. The Vault aims to offer personalized and unique whisky experiences, reflecting Johnnie Walker's commitment to innovation and luxury in the Scotch whisky market. Read the article here.

The Macallan Auctions Ultra-Rare Mexico Day of the Dead Whisky: The Macallan has introduced the Distil Your World Mexico Single Cask Limited Edition, a unique whisky commemorating Mexico's Day of the Dead festival. Only two bottles exist: one remains in The Macallan’s archive in Speyside, Scotland, and the other, bottle #2, is available for collectors through Sotheby’s auction house. Read the article here.

Family whisky business marks 'milestone' development: The article discusses a significant achievement by a Scottish whisky producer, highlighting a major development or milestone in their operations. Specific details about the milestone, such as the nature of the development, the name of the producer, and its implications for the whisky industry, are provided in the full article. Read it here.

 

JANUARY 2025

What trends will dominate auctions in 2025?: The article from The Spirits Business discusses anticipated trends in whisky auctions for 2025. It highlights a growing international demand, particularly from markets like Hong Kong, Germany, and Japan. Additionally, the piece notes an increasing interest in world whiskies from emerging distilleries outside traditional regions, suggesting a diversification in collector preferences. Read the article here.​

 

DECEMBER 2024

The Whisky Market in 2025 & Beyond: Trends, Hurdles, & Opportunities Ahead: The whisky market is entering a transformative phase, distinguishing genuine enthusiasts from speculators and reshaping valuation, trading, and collection practices. This evolution is influenced by factors such as the maturation of the luxury whisky segment, the necessity for distilleries to adapt to changing consumer preferences, and the identification of resilient market niches where consumer interest remains strong. These dynamics present both challenges and opportunities for stakeholders in the whisky industry. Read the article here.

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JUNE 2024

How to Invest in Whisky: MoneyWeek explores whisky as an investment, noting significant price increases over the past decade. While the market has matured, rare bottles continue to appreciate, though at a moderated pace. The article suggests focusing on limited releases from renowned distilleries, including those from closed "ghost" distilleries like Port Ellen, Brora, and Rosebank. Investors should be aware of market fluctuations and consider both the potential returns and the enjoyment of the spirit. Read the article here.


U.K. Abolishes 24-Year Whisky Regulation, Transforming Cask Ownership - Read the article from Forbes here.