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I’m collating to the best of my ability lists of new whiskies first released across the previous 30 days that I’ll divide into three articles — USA, Scotland, and Japan/Rest of World — providing some basic information about each bottle. Like last month, February has also not featured too many new releases.
A few disclaimers: I’ve found information on the below whiskies from a combination of sources, including emails and press releases sent to me, social media posts, AI-assisted searches, and good old-fashioned Googling.
Notably (and perhaps frustratingly), I am leaving out all single cask releases as it’s almost impossible to keep track of them — there’s just too many! Unfortunately, this means a few significant releases may not get featured, but I’ll argue in my defence one of the joys of appreciating single cask whisky is the thrill of the hunt in finding something unique.
I’m also certain I’ve left out whiskies that should be here, and would love to know about them (especially with Irish whiskeys, I wasn’t able to find anything that wasn’t a single cask release). Get in touch on Instagram or BlueSky to let me know what to add to these articles and I’ll do my best to do so promptly.
Find February’s releases from the USA HERE and Japan/Rest of World HERE.
Scotland February 2026 Releases
Ardbeg 10 Year Old Cask Strength – 61.7% ABV, $103
This new cask strength version of Ardbeg’s flagship 10-year-old Islay single malt amplifies the distillery’s core style without dilution. Bottled at 61.7% ABV, it presents a brand new powerful version of an Islay classic.
Compass Box Hedonism 2026 Edition – 46.0% ABV, $125
The 2026 edition of Hedonism continues Compass Box’s annual limited-release format, with a label featuring Scottish actor Karen Gillan. Creative Director Angela D’Orazio assembled blended grain whiskies aged 20 to 24 years, including a 30-year-old Strathclyde component and parcels from Port Dundas and Cameronbridge.
Lagavulin Sweet Peat 11 Year Old – 46.0% ABV, $70
Lagavulin’s first new permanent expression in nine years, Sweet Peat is matured entirely in first-fill American oak ex-bourbon casks for 11 years. The release marks a significant addition to the Islay distillery’s core lineup.
The Macallan Diamonds Are Forever 55th Anniversary Release – 45.5% ABV, $750
Distilled in 2007 and aged for 18 years, this limited-edition single malt commemorates the 55th anniversary of the James Bond film Diamonds Are Forever. Maturation took place in bespoke hybrid casks combining sherry-seasoned European and American oak with red wine casks.
Ireland February 2026 Releases
Proper No. Twelve Black Reserve – 40.0% ABV, $32.99
This new release from Proper No. Twelve is a blend of single malt and grain whiskeys aged a minimum of four years. Maturation takes place in heavily charred level 3 American oak bourbon barrels, including both first- and second-fill casks.
Redbreast Moscatel Wine Cask Edition – 46.0% ABV, $110
The fifth release in Redbreast’s Iberian Series, this single pot still Irish whiskey is finished for 16 months in Málaga Moscatel casks from Bodegas Quitapenas. Initial maturation occurred in ex-bourbon and Oloroso sherry casks before the secondary wine cask influence.
