A new dram is set to rival the action on the golfing green, thanks to a rare single malt release from a local distillery with deep roots in the game.
To coincide with the iconic Dunhill Links Championship, taking place on the 2-5 October 2025 at The Old Course in St Andrews, a limited run of a 10-year-old single cask single malt is being launched under the name Caddies’ Dream.
Bottled at 46% ABV and priced at £120, the limited release of just over 200 bottles is already being tipped as a collector’s gem for whisky fans and golf aficionados alike.
The release is the work of Wemyss Family Spirits, the St Andrews-based, family-owned firm behind Kingsbarns Distillery, and marks the first time a Kingsbarns expression has taken direct inspiration from the sport of golf.
Named in tribute to the distillery’s origins, the release brings the story full circle, inspired by Co-founder Douglas Clement’s time as a caddie at Kingsbarns Links, where he first imagined creating a single malt for visitors to enjoy.
Douglas said: “I still remember golfers asking me, time and again, where they could find a local distillery tour. At the time, there was nothing nearby, the closest options were an hour away in Perthshire or south of Edinburgh.
“That lack of a local whisky experience planted the seed for what would become Kingsbarns. From a speculative email over a decade ago to raising a dram in the town that started it all, Caddies’ Dream is a celebration of how far we’ve come.
“I’m proud of what William and Isabella have been able to achieve and I’m really touched to see that my own story has been captured in the title of this release.”
From that initial idea to create something that could stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Scotland’s most iconic whiskies, Kingsbarns has grown into a celebrated distillery in its own right.
In 2012 Doug’s vision caught the attention of now Kingsbarns Director William Wemyss, whose family has deep roots in Fife and long experience in Scotch through Wemyss Malts.
Recognising both the opportunity and the spirit of the idea, William backed the project and set about building a new distillery from the ground up – a bold move that has since seen Kingsbarns flourish and its whiskies enjoyed around the world.
William Wemyss, Director of Kingsbarns Distillery, said: “We’ve only just marked the milestone of our first ten-year-old release, and it’s remarkable to reflect on how far we’ve come in such a short space of time.
“Caddies’ Dream is a tribute to Douglas and that first conversation all those years ago, when the idea of creating a truly memorable Lowland whisky was just that, a caddies’ dream. To see it realised today as a labour of love is something very special.”
With a limited number of bottles available, the whisky is sold strictly on a two bottles per person basis. It will be available exclusively through the Kingsbarns Visitor Centre and the distillery’s official online shop.
Isabella Wemyss, Blender for Kingsbarns Distillery, said: “With Caddies’ Dream we wanted to capture both the delicacy of our Lowland style and the richness that comes from wine cask maturation.
“On the nose you’ll find bright red berries, cherry, pear and apple, with toasted oak and vanilla adding real warmth.
“The palate is juicy and fruit-forward, strawberry, redcurrant and plum with subtle spice and even a touch of cocoa, leading to a smooth, elegant finish with gentle oak and a hint of red wine tannin.
“Matured for 10 years in a single STR barrique, it’s a whisky of real character, distinctive, balanced, and one we believe collectors will treasure.”
A small number of bottles will also feature in selected high-end bars across St Andrews, including the prestigious Old Course Hotel.
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Adding to its exclusivity, the distillery has confirmed this is just the beginning, with more golf-inspired releases set to follow in 2026.
Visitors to St Andrews during the Dunhill Championship week are being encouraged to visit the Kingsbarns Distillery Visitor Centre or secure a bottle online while stocks last via THE SINGLE MALT OF ST ANDREWS | Kingsbarns Distillery.
