Scottish whisky: malt, grain or blend made by law in Scotland
The Macallan 1926 Fine & Rare bottle has sold at Sotheby’s for £2.125m ($2.808m) at The Macallan Estate auction in Speyside, making it the second-highest price for whisky ever sold in pounds and the highest in US dollars. The sale, part of a 42-lot event, was the first auction held at The Macallan Estate and supports charitable causes. Sotheby’s notes the bottle’s rarity and provenance as a benchmark in whisky collecting.
The US has removed tariffs on Scotch whisky following the King and Queen’s state visit, a move hailed as a boost for Scotland’s whisky industry and its jobs. The move also sees US bourbon and casks entering the UK tariff-free, while ministers warn other UK goods face new levies. Readers are updated on the latest shift in transatlantic trade relations.
A coalition of 25 US states has filed suit in the US Court of International Trade to stop 10–12.5% tariffs that took effect in July on goods from about 60 trading partners. Plaintiffs say the administration has used forced‑labour claims to recreate broad levies courts have already struck down; the White House says the duties are lawful under Section 301.
Trump has announced the removal of a 10% tariff on Irish whiskey following requests from Shane Lowry, Ireland’s prime minister, and other Irish officials. The move comes as part of a broader revision of tariffs on European spirits. Details on timing are still being clarified.
A debate over England's new geographic indication status for whisky has sparked cross-border disputes among industry groups. English distillers argue the new rules allow site flexibility, while Scottish producers warn the change could damage the single-malt reputation. The government has defended the policy as a national development.