Two new exclusive bottlings have been released by The Whisky Exchange, offering dram-fans a chance to explore contrasting whisky styles from Ireland and Japan – one is a 20-year-old Redbreast, matured in Oloroso sherry casks, the other a single-cask Mars Komagatake, the latest entries in its Sumo Series.
The Redbreast offers mature pot still character, shaped by restrained Oloroso influence and presented at natural strength. The Mars Komagatake delivers the focused fruit and polish that has made Japanese single malt a category of increasing interest.
The Mars Komagatake delivers the focused fruit and polish that have made Japanese single malt a category of ongoing interest…
Matured in third-fill Oloroso sherry casks and bottled at a robust 60% ABV, this single pot still offering promises depth without sacrificing elegance. At 20 years old, and drawn from third-fill casks, the sherry influence is said to be measured rather than overpowering.
On the nose, expect bright orange peel, star fruit and lemon zest, with notes of incense, Turkish delight and fig jam.
On the palate, dark and milk chocolate lead into dense orchard fruit: apples, mango, lime and nectarine, with stewed pear adding softness. Warming spice and fragrant oak move through the centre, joined by cherry jam and raisins. Beneath it all runs a thread of dark chocolate poured over ginger cake.
From Japan’s Central Alps comes the second exclusive, a single-cask release from Mars Komagatake Distillery. Distilled in 2017 and matured for seven years in a bourbon cask, this whisky forms the fifth instalment in the label’s Sumo Series.
Only 168 bottles have been produced. The whisky was aged in Mars’ Yakushima ageing cellar, located on the island of Yakushima off Japan’s southern coast, a maritime environment said to subtly shape maturation.
Bottled at 57% ABV, the profile leans into tropical fruit, vanilla and soft spice.
The Sumo Series itself takes inspiration from Japan’s national sport, with each bottling referencing one of the 82 official kimarite winning techniques. Series #5 highlights Tsuki-dashi, a forceful pushing manoeuvre; the label features a modern illustration printed on traditional Japanese washi paper.
Loch Lomond Whiskies has unveiled two limited-edition single malts to mark the 154th staging of The Open at Royal Birkdale. The bottlings continue the distillery’s long-running partnership with the championship, now in its ninth year, and promise another intriguing study in cask finishing, with Tawny Port and Argentinian Malbec both bringing distinct layers of fruit…
Islay distillery Ardbeg is marking this year’s Ardbeg Day with a limited-edition whisky that draws an intriguing line between the rugged coast of Islay and the sunlit sweetness of Sicily. The new Ardbeg Dolce arrives as the distillery’s 2026 festival bottling, combining spirit matured in Marsala dolce casks with classic bourbon cask Ardbeg to create…
If you’ve been following the fast-evolving world whisky scene, you’ll likely be aware of Indri. In only a few years, the Himalayan foothills distillery has gone from ambitious newcomer to awards favourite, with its core range led by the triple-cask Indri Trini. Launched in 2022, the brand now claims to be India’s most-awarded single malt,…
The Luxe Review 
Two new exclusive bottlings have been released by The Whisky Exchange, offering dram-fans a chance to explore contrasting whisky styles from Ireland and Japan – one is a 20-year-old Redbreast, matured in Oloroso sherry casks, the other a single-cask Mars Komagatake, the latest entries in its Sumo Series.
The Redbreast offers mature pot still character, shaped by restrained Oloroso influence and presented at natural strength. The Mars Komagatake delivers the focused fruit and polish that has made Japanese single malt a category of increasing interest.
Redbreast 20 Year Old Small Batch Oloroso Cask, £275
Matured in third-fill Oloroso sherry casks and bottled at a robust 60% ABV, this single pot still offering promises depth without sacrificing elegance. At 20 years old, and drawn from third-fill casks, the sherry influence is said to be measured rather than overpowering.
On the nose, expect bright orange peel, star fruit and lemon zest, with notes of incense, Turkish delight and fig jam.
On the palate, dark and milk chocolate lead into dense orchard fruit: apples, mango, lime and nectarine, with stewed pear adding softness. Warming spice and fragrant oak move through the centre, joined by cherry jam and raisins. Beneath it all runs a thread of dark chocolate poured over ginger cake.
Mars Komagatake 2017/7 Year Old, Sumo Series #5, £225
From Japan’s Central Alps comes the second exclusive, a single-cask release from Mars Komagatake Distillery. Distilled in 2017 and matured for seven years in a bourbon cask, this whisky forms the fifth instalment in the label’s Sumo Series.
Only 168 bottles have been produced. The whisky was aged in Mars’ Yakushima ageing cellar, located on the island of Yakushima off Japan’s southern coast, a maritime environment said to subtly shape maturation.
Bottled at 57% ABV, the profile leans into tropical fruit, vanilla and soft spice.
The Sumo Series itself takes inspiration from Japan’s national sport, with each bottling referencing one of the 82 official kimarite winning techniques. Series #5 highlights Tsuki-dashi, a forceful pushing manoeuvre; the label features a modern illustration printed on traditional Japanese washi paper.
Redbreast 20 Year Old Small Batch Oloroso Cask is priced at £275. Mars Komagatake 2017/7 Year Old Sumo Series #5 is priced at £225. Both are available exclusively from The Whisky Exchange.
Loch Lomond Whiskies marks The 154th Open with Tawny Port and Malbec-finished single malts
Loch Lomond Whiskies has unveiled two limited-edition single malts to mark the 154th staging of The Open at Royal Birkdale. The bottlings continue the distillery’s long-running partnership with the championship, now in its ninth year, and promise another intriguing study in cask finishing, with Tawny Port and Argentinian Malbec both bringing distinct layers of fruit…
Limited edition Ardbeg Dolce whisky brings Marsala sweetness to Islay peat for Ardbeg Day 2026
Islay distillery Ardbeg is marking this year’s Ardbeg Day with a limited-edition whisky that draws an intriguing line between the rugged coast of Islay and the sunlit sweetness of Sicily. The new Ardbeg Dolce arrives as the distillery’s 2026 festival bottling, combining spirit matured in Marsala dolce casks with classic bourbon cask Ardbeg to create…
Sweet and fruity Indri Indian single malt brings Himalayan‑influence to world whisky stage
If you’ve been following the fast-evolving world whisky scene, you’ll likely be aware of Indri. In only a few years, the Himalayan foothills distillery has gone from ambitious newcomer to awards favourite, with its core range led by the triple-cask Indri Trini. Launched in 2022, the brand now claims to be India’s most-awarded single malt,…
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