Step into a world of refined flavours, distinctive aromas and a touch of timeless elegance. In this blog, we take a look at the brands that were our bestsellers in 2026.
2026 brought us a wonderful selection of divine spirits. This year, Scotch and Japanese whiskies have once again performed exceptionally well: they remain heavily represented in our list of the most popular brands. It is also striking that Smokehead is making rapid headway this year, and that Tamdhu and Glengoyne are clearly proving popular too.
Arran
On the Scottish island of Arran, situated between the Highlands and the Lowlands, whisky has been distilled once again since 1995. The Lochranza Distillery has built up a solid reputation in a relatively short space of time with single malts renowned for their fresh, fruity character and natural presentation. The whiskies are generally bottled without chill filtration and without added colourings.
For many, the Arran 10 Years is the ideal starting point: an accessible single malt with notes of citrus, vanilla, apple and gentle spices. Those who prefer a distinct influence from sherry casks will find what they’re looking for in Arran The Bodega, whilst the Quarter Cask offers greater intensity thanks to its higher alcohol content and maturation in smaller casks.
Lovers of unusual cask finishes will also find something to their taste. The Amarone Finish, Port Finish and Sauternes Finish each demonstrate in their own way how wine casks can complement Arran’s fruity character with added depth and complexity.
Nikka
Nikka is one of the best-known names in the world of Japanese whisky. The brand was founded in 1934 by Masataka Taketsuru, who had learnt the art of whisky-making in Scotland. That Scottish expertise formed the basis for a distinctly Japanese whisky tradition, in which precision, balance and various distillation styles play an important role.
One of the best-known expressions is Nikka From The Barrel: a powerful, richly layered whisky at 51.4% ABV, in which spiciness, fruit and oaky notes come together. The Coffey Grain reveals a completely different side to Nikka, with a strikingly smooth and rounded character, in which vanilla, caramel and tropical fruit come to the fore.
With The Nikka Tailored, the brand focuses on a refined blend in which various malt and grain whiskies are carefully combined. The classic Nikka Super, meanwhile, offers an introduction to the brand’s history. Together, these bottlings demonstrate just how versatile Japanese blended whisky can be.
Japanese whisky
Japanese whisky has built up a distinguished international reputation thanks to its attention to detail, balance and craftsmanship. Yet there is no such thing as a single, typical Japanese whisky flavour. The differences between distilleries can be at least as great as those between Scottish whisky regions.
This is beautifully illustrated by Nikka’s two distilleries. Yoichi, situated on the northern island of Hokkaido, produces a robust single malt with an oily mouthfeel, spiciness and subtle smoky notes. Miyagikyo, situated in a green valley near Sendai, is, by contrast, known for a more elegant, fruitier style with floral notes.
The Taketsuru Pure Malt brings both worlds together. This blended malt combines malt whiskies from the two distilleries, striking an interesting balance between the power of Yoichi and the refinement of Miyagikyo. Three expressions that perfectly illustrate just how diverse the flavours of Japanese whisky can be.
Kilchoman
Kilchoman was founded in 2005, making it the first new distillery on the Scottish island of Islay in over a century. This family-run business stands out for its strong ties to local agriculture. Some of the barley is grown on the distillery’s own farm, and for the so-called ‘100% Islay’ expressions, every stage of production takes place on the island. The Rockside 11y, the very first Kilchoman with an age statement, was an instant hit with whisky enthusiasts in its first year.
The recognisable Kilchoman style combines peat smoke with citrus, malty sweetness and maritime influences. Machir Bay, matured primarily in bourbon casks, is an excellent example of that fresh, smoky house style. Due to its higher proportion of sherry cask maturation, Sanaig places greater emphasis on dried fruit, chocolate and warm spices, without losing its smoky character.
In addition, Kilchoman regularly experiments with other cask types and unusual maturation methods. Bottlings such as Maury Matured and Rockside 11 Years demonstrate how the distillery manages to combine its characteristic peaty smoke with the influence of the wood in various ways.
Campbeltown
Campbeltown was once one of Scotland’s most important whisky centres, with dozens of active distilleries. Today, production is much smaller in scale, but the region enjoys an almost legendary status amongst whisky enthusiasts. Campbeltown whisky is often associated with an oily texture, malty notes, salty hints and a distinctive complexity.
Springbank plays a central role, with a remarkable number of production stages still carried out using traditional methods. The Springbank 10 Years combines fruit, malt, light peaty smoke and maritime influences, whilst the 15 Years takes on a darker and richer character thanks to its sherry cask maturation.
The same distillery also produces Longrow, with a distinctly smoky style, and Hazelburn, a smoother, unpeated and triple-distilled whisky.
Kilkerran, from the Glengyle Distillery, is also worth a mention. The 12- and 16-year-old expressions offer their own interpretation of the typical Campbeltown style. Moreover, anyone wishing to discover different distilleries from the region in a single glass should try the Campbeltown Loch blended malt.
Smokehead
Smokehead is a whisky brand from the independent Scottish bottler Ian Macleod Distillers. The brand focuses entirely on powerfully peated single malt whisky from Islay. The exact distillery of origin is not disclosed, but the style leaves little to the imagination: pronounced peat smoke, soot, peppery spices and maritime influences.
The Smokehead Original forms the basis of the range and combines robust smoke with citrus, sweetness and spiciness. Those seeking greater intensity will find it in High Voltage, bottled at no less than 58% ABV. The Unfiltered emphasises a powerful profile without chill filtration.
With Rum Rebel, the smoky Islay whisky takes on an extra dimension thanks to a finish in rum casks, which adds tropical and sweeter notes. The Smokehead 15 Years, meanwhile, demonstrates how longer maturation can complement the powerful peaty smoke with greater depth and more mature oaky influences.
Smokehead is therefore particularly appealing to those who enjoy robust, distinctly smoky whiskies.
Michter’s
Michter’s is an American whisky producer with a strong historical heritage and a modern base in Kentucky. The brand is renowned for its attention to wood selection, cask maturation and the production of whisky in relatively small batches. Within the range, bourbon, rye and sour mash each play their own distinct role.
Michter’s US*1 Small Batch Bourbon offers a classic American flavour profile with notes of vanilla, caramel, toasted oak and warm spices. For those seeking a more pronounced spiciness, the US*1 Single Barrel Rye is an interesting alternative, with notes of pepper, spices and a lively finish.
The US*1 Sour Mash is also distinctive. Despite its name, ‘sour mash’ here refers to the production method used, in which part of a previous mash is reused. This whisky is not marketed as bourbon or rye and has a character all of its own, combining sweet, fruity and spicy elements.
Three different expressions that beautifully illustrate the versatility of American whisky.
Ireland
Irish whisky remains under-represented this year too; certainly, following the loss of Waterford, a certain void remains and lovers of Irish whisky have fewer choices than before. Fortunately, there are still quite a few releases from Teeling and Redbreast that continue to perform well, and the various bottlings from Sailor’s Home are also gaining in popularity. We are delighted that more and more whisky enthusiasts are beginning to discover and appreciate these releases.
Sailor’s Home
Sailor’s Home is entirely dedicated to crafting the very finest Irish whiskies, inspired by craftsmanship and a passion for discovery. And who is at the helm of this adventure? None other than the legendary master distiller Jack Ó’Sé. Jack began his journey in the world of whisky as an enthusiastic and ambitious young man, utterly fascinated by the art of distilling. He has worked all over the world as part of his journey, absorbing various influences and ideas, and constantly refining his own skills. Through his determination and innovative approach, he has ultimately built a reputation as one of the most talented and respected whisky makers in Ireland and beyond.
Honourable mentions
Alongside the big crowd favourites, there are plenty of other whisky brands and distilleries that caught our customers’ attention in 2026. Some have been established names for many years, whilst others are relatively new producers who are gradually carving out their place in the whisky world.
Lovers of peated whisky, for example, can discover Port Askaig 8 Years, a smoky Islay single malt, or Machrie Moor 10 Years, the peated counterpart to the fruity Arran whiskies. Lagg Corriecravie, from the newer distillery in the south of Arran, also offers an interesting combination of peaty smoke and sherry cask influences.
Those who prefer richer, unpeated whiskies will find Tamdhu 12 Years to be a distinctly sherry-matured Speyside malt. Glengoyne White Oak, on the other hand, showcases a fresher, vanilla-driven side of cask maturation, whilst Glendronach 15 Years is renowned for its full-bodied character with dried fruit and warm spices.
Ardnamurchan, a relatively young distillery on the west coast of Scotland, also deserves a mention. The Paul Launois Finish illustrates the brand’s interest in unusual cask maturations and carefully curated releases.
Marketing • IT • Klantenservice
I've known Broekmans since I graduated in 2006 and thanks to Jan I've come to know the passion for spirits. I dedicate myself every day to the webshop, customer service and all the IT involved. In my spare time, besides whiskey, I can also really enjoy rum, but just as much as a gin tonic or a simple bellini. In the words of Martien Meiland, if there's no alcohol in it, don't call me!
