The Borders Distillery in Hawick has unveiled The Borders Single Malt Scotch Whisky, First Release, its inaugural single malt bottling. Launched on 14 September 2026, it is the first whisky distilled in the Scottish Borders since 1837.
The expression is an eight-year-old single malt matured in first-fill bourbon casks and finished in malmsey Madeira casks. The limited bottling marks the most significant milestone in the distillery’s history.
It has been selected to introduce the distillery’s house style of fruity, sweet and aromatic whiskies.
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READ THE STORYAccording to the official notes from the brand, the whisky balances rich sultanas, bright citrus and sweet caramel. It opens with honey and vanilla on the nose, before giving way to warm, lingering flavors of hazelnut and buttery macadamia to finish.
The bottling reflects the maturation approach that has defined the distillery since spirit first flowed from its stills in 2018.
“This inaugural single malt represents years of dedication from the team, and I am honored to share that story with the world,” said Giancarlo Bianchi, managing director. “The ambition was to create a whisky that reflects the place it comes from. For our inaugural release, we’ve chosen a secondary maturation in Madeira casks, adding subtle layers of complexity while allowing the character of our spirit to shine through.”
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“This is the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the distillery, and we look forward to sharing more of our whisky in the years ahead and telling our unique story.”
The distillery draws on Hawick’s manufacturing heritage, known for its cashmere and tweed producers.
The bottle features an elegant foil-embossed weave logo, a nod to the industries that shaped the region’s identity.
Whisky writer Charles MacLean described the single malt as “easy drinking and more-ish!”
Bottled at 46% ABV, the whisky will be available from 24 September at £46 (US$62) from select UK retailers. International distribution is set to follow.
Just 10,000 bottles are available worldwide. The Borders Distillery was founded by five friends and opened in 2018, becoming the first legal distillery to operate in the Scottish Borders in almost two centuries.
