Living Souls, the independent Scottish whisky bottler that launched its first batch November 2024, has returned with a second collection that comprises a diverse range of flavour profiles, from youthful peat to aged grain, and a luxuriously mellow 40-year-old blend.
This sophomore outing confirms what the first batch hinted at. There’s no filler, no obligatory core range. Just four very different, thoughtfully bottled whiskies that will speak to collectors and everyday drinkers alike.
“This batch is where we really start to show the range of what Living Souls can offer,” says co-founder Calum Leslie, whose previous worked with PeatReekers and Spearhead. “Each whisky is bottled with intention.”
Co-founder Jamie Williamson adds: “There’s personality in every drop, and I think that’s what makes these releases so compelling.”
Bottled at 46.3% ABV, Ninety-Nine & One takes its name from the near-total proportion of heavily peated island malt that forms the backbone of the blend, with just a whisper of grain whisky in the mix to round thing up. The result? A bright, spirited dram said to be more than the sum of its parts. Bottled without chill filtration, it’s a whisky born of a fortuitous vatting accident at the distillery that proved too interesting to discard.
Living Souls Balblair 10-Year-Old, £55
This Highland single malt, distilled at Balblair and bottled at 46.0% ABV, offers one of the more unusual cask finishes in the batch, Limousin oak XO cognac octaves, a choice likely to bring a delicate French opulence to a spirit already known for its orchard fruit charm. Official tasting notes speak of creamy vanilla and warm spice. This could be a steal.
Living Souls Dumbarton 25-Year-Old, £82
Whiskies from the closed Dumbarton distillery, once a workhorse grain producer for Ballantine’s, are increasingly hard to come by. Living Souls’ 25-year-old edition presents a rare opportunity to explore the lighter, nostalgic style of this lost Lowlander. Long-term maturation in American oak, likely refill barrels and hogsheads, would seem a fair assumption. Expect creamy, almost confectionery-like, vanilla and desiccated coconut. This single grain whisky is bottled at 50.5% ABV.
The collection’s showpiece. This 40-year-old blend marries malts from Glenfarclas, Glen Garioch, and Fettercairn, with grain whisky drawn primarily from the now-defunct Cambus distillery (in a 40/60 split). Matured in ex-Islay sherry butts, a combination that guarantees both soft fruit and a whisper of smoke, it’s a rare blend with provenance and depth. Bottled at 45.1% ABV.
The collection is available through select independent retailers in the UK, including Master of Malt.
The Dalmore has added a new permanent whisky to its core Principal Collection, a 17 year old Highland single malt that deepens the distillery’s long-standing exploration of Sherry cask maturation. The Dalmore Aged 17 Years is positioned as an evolution of the house style, building on techniques that have defined the brand for decades. The…
Four Seasons Hotel London at Tower Bridge is marking Lunar New Year with a season-long programme of fine dining, to welcome the Year of the Horse in suitably elegant fashion. From early February through to March, the hotel’s public spaces and signature Asian restaurant, Mei Ume, will play host to a series of experiences designed…
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The Luxe Review 
Living Souls, the independent Scottish whisky bottler that launched its first batch November 2024, has returned with a second collection that comprises a diverse range of flavour profiles, from youthful peat to aged grain, and a luxuriously mellow 40-year-old blend.
This sophomore outing confirms what the first batch hinted at. There’s no filler, no obligatory core range. Just four very different, thoughtfully bottled whiskies that will speak to collectors and everyday drinkers alike.
“This batch is where we really start to show the range of what Living Souls can offer,” says co-founder Calum Leslie, whose previous worked with PeatReekers and Spearhead. “Each whisky is bottled with intention.”
Co-founder Jamie Williamson adds: “There’s personality in every drop, and I think that’s what makes these releases so compelling.”
Here’s a closer look at the collection…
Living Souls Ninety-Nine & One, £58.50
Bottled at 46.3% ABV, Ninety-Nine & One takes its name from the near-total proportion of heavily peated island malt that forms the backbone of the blend, with just a whisper of grain whisky in the mix to round thing up. The result? A bright, spirited dram said to be more than the sum of its parts. Bottled without chill filtration, it’s a whisky born of a fortuitous vatting accident at the distillery that proved too interesting to discard.
Living Souls Balblair 10-Year-Old, £55
This Highland single malt, distilled at Balblair and bottled at 46.0% ABV, offers one of the more unusual cask finishes in the batch, Limousin oak XO cognac octaves, a choice likely to bring a delicate French opulence to a spirit already known for its orchard fruit charm. Official tasting notes speak of creamy vanilla and warm spice. This could be a steal.
Living Souls Dumbarton 25-Year-Old, £82
Whiskies from the closed Dumbarton distillery, once a workhorse grain producer for Ballantine’s, are increasingly hard to come by. Living Souls’ 25-year-old edition presents a rare opportunity to explore the lighter, nostalgic style of this lost Lowlander. Long-term maturation in American oak, likely refill barrels and hogsheads, would seem a fair assumption. Expect creamy, almost confectionery-like, vanilla and desiccated coconut. This single grain whisky is bottled at 50.5% ABV.
Living Souls 40-Year-Old blended scotch, £125
The collection’s showpiece. This 40-year-old blend marries malts from Glenfarclas, Glen Garioch, and Fettercairn, with grain whisky drawn primarily from the now-defunct Cambus distillery (in a 40/60 split). Matured in ex-Islay sherry butts, a combination that guarantees both soft fruit and a whisper of smoke, it’s a rare blend with provenance and depth. Bottled at 45.1% ABV.
The collection is available through select independent retailers in the UK, including Master of Malt.
The Dalmore 17 Year Old offers deeper take on sherry finished whisky
The Dalmore has added a new permanent whisky to its core Principal Collection, a 17 year old Highland single malt that deepens the distillery’s long-standing exploration of Sherry cask maturation. The Dalmore Aged 17 Years is positioned as an evolution of the house style, building on techniques that have defined the brand for decades. The…
Four Seasons London celebrates Lunar New Year with limited edition cocktails and tasting menu
Four Seasons Hotel London at Tower Bridge is marking Lunar New Year with a season-long programme of fine dining, to welcome the Year of the Horse in suitably elegant fashion. From early February through to March, the hotel’s public spaces and signature Asian restaurant, Mei Ume, will play host to a series of experiences designed…
Johnnie Walker Blue Label and haute couturier Robert Wun release Year of the Horse limited edition
Calling all Johnnie Walker whisky fans – a new Blue Label limited edition has just been released for Lunar New Year, Year of the Horse, in collaboration with Hong Kong-born, London-based haute couturier Robert Wun. Wun’s spectacular box and bottle design reimagines the Lunar New Year through his own visionary lens, a tribute to artistry…
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