Richard Hawley
Partner Contributor

Richard Hawley

Director, The Whisky Vault

Sourcing rare, vintage and collectible whisky for collectors worldwide from a family business in Yorkshire, since 2008.

Richard Hawley

About Richard

Founded in 2008 by a father-and-son team in Yorkshire, The Whisky Vault is a family-run online retailer specialising in rare, vintage and collectible whisky.

Its catalogue spans single malts, blends and world whiskies, with a focus on finding sought-after bottles for collectors and enthusiasts around the world. For The Whiskey Wash, Richard writes about independent bottlers, landmark releases and the stories behind collectible Scotch.

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Latest from Richard

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Only 200 casks – but does that mean only a few hundred bottles? We crunch the numbers on Macallan's £1,100 TIME : SPACE Sherry Cask 20 and ask if it's

All articles by Richard

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Could 2026 bring us the world's first 90-year-old single malt Scotch? From Aberargie's debut to rare Four Roses bourbon, here's
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Which whisky pairs best with Christmas turkey versus beef? This practical guide matches specific whiskies to every festive course from
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What makes Laphroaig so polarising yet beloved? Discover how 200+ years of tradition, peat smoke, and even royal approval shaped
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What makes a Christmas whisky worth thousands? Beyond seasonal editions lie unicorn bottles - historic Christmas Day distillations with only
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When you think of whisky's magic, do you picture copper stills or barley fields? Master distillers know the real transformation
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What makes a whiskey special enough for Thanksgiving? These 10 rare American bottles offer cult status, decades of aging, and
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What makes squat brown bottles from the 1970s worth thousands today? Discover why Cadenhead's Dumpy Series became the holy grail
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Is there a better companion for Bonfire Night than a glass of Laphroaig? This iconic Islay whisky practically embodies the
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Why do whisky lovers call Lagavulin 16 "The Vampire Dram"? This legendary Islay scotch embodies darkness and sophistication like no
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How did a struggling bourbon industry produce one of today's most coveted whiskeys? Discover the revolutionary story behind Blanton's, the
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What makes Port Ellen whisky so revered? Explore its storied past, legendary status, and the exciting rebirth that's reigniting fans'
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October 2, 2025 marked a historic day in whisky with the release of the Glenlivet 1940 85-Year-Old, the oldest officially

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About Us

Independent whisky journalism since 2013

Each year, millions of whisky drinkers turn to The Whiskey Wash to read honest reviews, follow new releases and decide which bottle to buy next. They range from seasoned collectors to curious newcomers, and together they form one of the largest whisky communities online.

Today it is the world’s most visited whisky website. Our writers cover everything from Scotch and bourbon to Japanese and Indian whisky, and our promise to readers has not changed: honest reviews and news, never swayed by anything other than what is in the glass.

2013
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5.3m
Visitors in 2026
15,000
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