OGDEN, Utah, March 5, 2026 — Ogden's Own Distillery earned multiple top honors at the 2026 L.A. Invitational Spirits Challenge, including Best Vodka and Best Flavored Vodka, further solidifying its standing in the national craft spirits market. 

Leading the awards was Five Wives Vodka, which received a 96-point rating and was named Best Vodka, Best of Class, Double Gold. Judges described the spirit as having “incredible balance,” with a “touch of sweetness,” and noted it was “fresh, clean” with a “nice weight.” 

Five Wives Heavenly Vodka earned a 92-point rating and was awarded Best Flavored Vodka, Best of Class, Gold. Judges called it “vanilla forward; easy; light,” adding it is a “great vodka to blend with cocktails.” 

In the whiskey categories, Porter's Fire Cinnamon Whiskey received a 91-point rating and was named Best Whiskey Flavored/Infused, Best of Class, Gold. Judges described it as “well executed,” with “good mouthfeel” that “tastes like cinnamon.” 

“We’re incredibly proud of this year’s results,” said Dean Dandeneau, president of Ogden’s Own Distillery. “To see Five Wives Vodka named Best Vodka and earn Double Gold is a tremendous validation of the quality and consistency our team delivers. Receiving Best of Class honors across multiple categories shows the depth of our portfolio.” 

Established in 2009, Ogden’s Own Distillery is known for its diverse lineup of spirits and its playful nod to Utah’s history through its Five Wives brand. The distillery has built a reputation for balancing creativity with craftsmanship, producing award-winning spirits distributed throughout Utah and beyond. 

Five Wives Vodka and the Porter’s flavored whiskey lineup are available at Utah DABS stores and through select retailers. For more information, visit 

VANCOUVER, March 3, 2026 – Fionn MacCool’s locations across Canada are looking to be the official destination for Canadian pub-goers on St. Patrick’s Day. To mark the occasion, the brand is launching a series of special offers including a limited-time menu, a $5 Jameson shot offer and in-pub celebrations designed to bring people together, the way the holiday is traditionally celebrated in Ireland.

“Fionn’s has always aimed to offer authentic Irish hospitality, food, drinks and live music, capturing all that defines a great Irish pub,” says Bryan Fiddler, Marketing Director of Fionn MacCool’s. “We’re capturing the true Irish spirit and inviting communities to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day the way it’s meant to be celebrated: together, in the local pub.”

Available for a limited time, the St. Patrick’s Day menu features Irish-inspired flavours and drinks, including Guinness & Jalapeno Cheddar Bread, Beef Croquettes, Spice Bags, and favourites like Guinness and Jameson. Participating locations will offer $5 shots of classic Jameson and the Green Tea Jameson shot.

Many Fionn MacCool’s locations will also host live music on St. Patrick’s Day and distribute branded merchandise, with all stores offering guests a chance to win a Guinness mini fridge. Fionn MacCool’s has 11 locations across Ontario, British Columbia, Manitoba, Alberta, and Newfoundland and Labrador, as well as three other Ontario locations under the banners of Tir Nan Og, D'Arcy McGee’s, and Paddy Flaherty's.

For more information and to view the menu, visit 

On Sunday 1st March, St David’s Day, Penderyn Distillery will fire the starter gun on a new era for Welsh whisky with the launch of its first 25-year-old age-statement single malts - a landmark moment that completes the story of Welsh greatness in the glass. “This is what we’ve all been waiting for,” say the team at Penderyn, as Wales’ national drink finally steps into the ultra-rare, fully matured arena with a series of aged statements culminating in a coveted 25 Years expression.

Bringing Welsh whisky back from the dead

Welsh whisky disappeared in 1898 and, for more than a century, the category lay dormant - a proud tradition effectively lost. Penderyn changed that. Founded in 2000 as The Welsh Whisky Company, the distillery reignited a national craft that had fallen silent, releasing its first single malt whisky on St David’s Day 2004 in the presence of King Charles III, then the Prince of Wales.

From the outset, Penderyn was a friends-and-family endeavour: local founders, Welsh craftspeople, and a close-knit community of partners determined to put a small nation back on the world whisky map. Their vision was simple but audacious - to create a premium Welsh “liquid gold” that could stand shoulder to shoulder with the best whiskies anywhere. Today, that ambition is realised in more than 140 international awards and exports to over 50 countries worldwide.

A modest nation, a modern icon

Wales is known for understatement, not self-promotion. Yet even in such a modest nation, no one can deny that Penderyn has smashed it for Wales. The distillery is now recognised as the world’s fastest‑growing “World Whisky” and is the most well-known world whisky brand in the UK, outperforming rivals from Japan, India and the United States. According to Nielsen data, Penderyn now ranks among the top 10 most recognised whisky brands in UK retail overall.

What began as a single distillery in the Brecon Beacons has grown into a trio of sites stretching across the breadth of Wales: the original Penderyn distillery (Brecon Beacons), a striking coastal home in Llandudno in North Wales, and a vibrant new site in Swansea in the south. Together they produce up to 2.3 million bottles a year, sending a distinctly Welsh style of single malt to every corner of the globe in over 50 countries.

From steel to spirit - and a royal seal

Penderyn's Chief Executive Stephen Davies, from Port Talbot, personifies the grit behind the brand. A former Welsh steel industry professional, he brought an industrial work ethic and a belief in Welsh potential to the fledgling distillery, helping guide Penderyn from start‑up to global player.

The distillery’s modern story rebirthed national whisky a powerful early seal of approval. Since then, Penderyn has been championed by both the UK Government and the Welsh Government as a soft‑power export for Wales and a standard‑bearer for British craft on the global stage.

A distinctive Welsh style - from Madeira finish to Dragon

Penderyn is famed for a distinctive single malt style, created using its patented Faraday stills which produce an exceptionally clean, light and fruity spirit. The house signature is its single malt finished in ex‑Madeira wine casks, a whisky that has garnered multiple international awards and become a favourite of bartenders and collectors alike.

Alongside this sits the hugely successful Dragon Range, a more accessible collection that has achieved remarkable volume growth in supermarkets and specialist retailers across the UK and beyond. 

Loved by Wales - and the Welsh diaspora

Penderyn’s rise has been powered not only by critics and competitions but by the passion of the Welsh diaspora. Bottles of Penderyn are raised in toasts from Cardiff to California, Sydney to São Paulo and UAE, as Welsh communities around the world celebrate a whisky that speaks their language.

Among its most ardent admirers is Welsh Hollywood legend Matthew Rhys, who has repeatedly championed Penderyn and Welsh culture on screen and off. This kind of celebrity endorsement has helped introduce Penderyn to new audiences globally, reinforcing the brand as a symbol of contemporary Welsh confidence.

St David’s Day 2026: the age statements arrive

This St David’s Day, Penderyn formally enters a new chapter with a staged roll-out of fully matured age‑statement whiskies at 12, 21 and 25 years - the first time in its history that the distillery has released an age‑stated range. The centrepiece is Penderyn 25‑Year‑Old Barrel No. 1, drawn from one of the distillery’s earliest casks and limited to a tiny allocation worldwide.

“This is what we’ve all been waiting for,” says CEO Stephen Davies. “Wales has watched Penderyn grow from a brave idea into a global success story. Now, for the first time, we can show the world what long‑matured Welsh whisky truly looks and tastes like.”

Barrel No. 1 - a collector’s dream

Penderyn 25‑Year‑Old Barrel No. 1 (Cask Ref. 1/2000) is already being described by connoisseurs as one of the most desirable Welsh whiskies ever bottled. With a flavour profile that layers figs, vanilla cream, soft toffee and warming spiced oak over Penderyn’s signature fruit‑forward spirit, it represents a once‑in‑a‑generation chance to own a piece of Welsh whisky history.

Serious collectors are moving fast. Early market interest suggests that Barrel No. 1 will follow the trajectory of Penderyn’s most sought‑after limited editions, where buyers currently enjoy strong auction performance and significant upside on original retail prices. As with other rare Penderyn releases, today’s purchasers are likely to look back on these prices as exceptional deals in the years ahead.

Icons of Wales - liquid tributes

Penderyn’s collectability has been cemented by its acclaimed Icons of Wales series - limited releases that celebrate defining Welsh people, places and moments. Recent Icons bottlings consistently perform well on the secondary market, particularly as international interest in Welsh whisky continues to grow.

One standout is Icons of Wales No. 5, “Bryn Terfel,” a bottling honouring the world‑renowned Welsh bass‑baritone. At auction, these releases have achieved hammer prices reaching into the thousands of pounds, with some bottles now commanded at up to around £3,000, underlining the premium that collectors are prepared to pay for rare Penderyn whiskies.

Welsh pride in every glass

From the quiet hills of the Brecon Beacons to the global auction rooms of London, Hong Kong and New York, Penderyn has taken Welsh whisky from non‑existence to global relevance in a single generation. Supported by friends, family, and Welsh workers across three distilleries, the brand has turned a once‑forgotten tradition into a beacon of national pride.

Penderyn may come from a modest and understated nation, but the results speak loudly. With its new 25‑Year‑Old age statements and the unveiling of Barrel No. 1, Penderyn has not only completed the circle of Welsh greatness - it has given Wales a world‑class national drink that the country, and its global diaspora, can raise a glass to with pride.

NEW YORK, Feb. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Johnnie Walker, the world's number one Scotch whisky brand, launches Johnnie Walker Black Cask Blended Scotch Whisky, a mastery of whisky making that brings together the character of American whiskey refined through the craftsmanship of Scotland. Inspired by these two worlds of whisky, Black Cask delivers a sweet new whisky experience that remains unmistakably Johnnie Walker.

For more than two centuries, Johnnie Walker has shaped global whisky culture, consistently redefining quality, innovation, and modern whisky enjoyment. Johnnie Walker Black Cask continues that legacy, reinforcing the brand's position as a leader in taste, craft, and discovery.

Expertly Crafted by Master Blender Dr. Emma Walker

Led by Master Blender Dr. Emma Walker, Johnnie Walker Black Cask features the brightest, specially selected whiskies at the heart of Johnnie Walker Black Label, including those from Cameronbridge, Glen Elgin, and Roseisle. These exceptional whiskies are aged exclusively in American white oak ex-bourbon barrels, revealing layered notes of creamy vanilla sweetness, rich caramel depth, gentle spice, and smooth oak warmth.

"At Johnnie Walker we are constantly pushing the boundaries of what great whisky can be," said Dr. Emma Walker. "For more than 200 years, Johnnie Walker has shaped the world of Scotch, and that heritage gives us the confidence and authority to innovate. With Black Cask, we've brought together two remarkable whisky traditions in a way only Johnnie Walker can, starting with some of the most expressive whiskies from the heart of Black Label and maturing them exclusively in American white oak ex–bourbon barrels to unlock new depth, sweetness, and warmth. The result is a beautifully layered whisky that feels excitingly new yet remains unmistakably Johnnie Walker."

A New Flavor Experience for Today's Whiskey Drinkers

Johnnie Walker Black Cask brings a new permanent flavor experience to the Johnnie Walker portfolio, offering enthusiasts and curious drinkers alike something modern and deeply satisfying to discover and savor. It is crafted to be enjoyed neat or over ice, while also adding exceptional richness and balance to classic cocktails like the Old Fashioned or modern expressions like the Gold Rush.

Johnnie Walker Black Cask is designed as an approachable yet complex whisky for drinkers who enjoy both Scotch and American whiskey flavor profiles.

"Johnnie Walker has never stopped moving forward. Progress and innovation are at the core of what we stand for embodied by 'Keep Walking'," said Jesse Damashek, SVP, North America Whisky Portfolio, Diageo. "Black Cask is a powerful example of how we break through the expected: a new whisky that reflects evolving tastes while staying true to what people love about Johnnie Walker. This whisky reinforces our commitment to delivering the world's most exceptional whisky experiences."

Supported by a National Launch Campaign

The launch of Johnnie Walker Black Cask will be brought to life through a comprehensive national campaign supported by dynamic digital and social storytelling, immersive sampling and tasting experiences, and educational programming led by Master Blender Dr. Emma Walker. The rollout will include a multi–market United States tour across key regions including Texas, California, Florida, New York, and New Jersey complemented by cultural celebrations that introduce consumers to the flavor, craft, and story behind Black Cask. Together, these efforts build on more than 200 years of Johnnie Walker innovation, inviting more drinkers than ever before into the world of exceptional Scotch whisky.

Availability

Johnnie Walker Black Cask will be available beginning March 1, 2026, in the United States wherever fine spirits are sold, for a suggested retail price of $34.99 per 750 ml bottle at 43% ABV. Black Cask will remain a permanent part of the Johnnie Walker portfolio in the United States.

Johnnie Walker Black Cask Cocktails

Johnnie Walker Black Cask Old Fashioned: This Old Fashioned recipe highlights the vanilla, caramel, and spice notes of Johnnie Walker Black Cask.

• 1.5 oz Johnnie Walker Black Cask Blended Scotch Whisky
• 0.25 oz rich honey syrup (4:1 honey to water)
• 1 dash almond bitters
• 1 dash orange bitters
• Garnish: Orange peel

Directions: Pour all ingredients into a rocks glass over ice and stir. Garnish with an orange peel

Johnnie Walker Black Cask Gold Rush: A bright, citrus–forward serve that brings out the whisky's smooth oak and warm spice.

• 1.5 oz Johnnie Walker Black Cask Blended Scotch Whisky
• 0.75 oz fresh lemon juice
• 0.75 oz cinnamon honey syrup
• Garnish: Cinnamon stick

Directions: Shake all ingredients with ice, then strain over fresh ice in a rocks glass. Garnish with a cinnamon stick.

Johnnie Walker Black Cask – Product Snapshot

• Category: Blended Scotch Whisky
• Positioning: Permanent expression in the Johnnie Walker range
• Cask Type: 100% American white oak ex–bourbon barrels
• Flavor Profile: Creamy vanilla sweetness, rich caramel depth, gentle baking spice, smooth oak warmth
• ABV: 43% (86 proof)
• Size: 750 ml
• SRP (U.S.): $34.99
• Launch Market: United States
• Recommended Serves: Neat, over ice, in an Old Fashioned or Gold Rush

For more information on Johnnie Walker Black Cask, please visit JohnnieWalker.com and follow @JohnnieWalkerUS on Instagram and Facebook for updates.