There are names in the whiskey world that unfold like constellations across a clear night sky and ImpEx Beverages is one of them. For years, they’ve carried a kind of quiet veneration into the industry, curating spirits that speak to the heart of enthusiasts everywhere. Their portfolio reads like a pilgrimage through the artistry of the craft: GlenAllachie’s enchanted Speyside depth, Kilchoman’s windswept Islay fire, Spirit of Yorkshire’s warm embrace of the English coast, and the radiant glow of Single Cask Nation. Each one is a chapter in a story that ImpEx has been telling with patience, devotion, and an almost spiritual respect for the liquid.
At the center of that story stands Sam Filmus. If whiskey had archivists of the soul, Sam would be one of them. His impact isn’t loud or self‑congratulatory, rather it is foundational and familial. He has spent years championing distillers who deserved a global stage, elevating independent bottling into an art form, and shaping the way modern enthusiasts understand rarity, integrity, and genuineness. When we featured Sam in a cover interview, he spoke with the kind of experience earned from living the craft rather than observing it. Sam preserves culture and amplifies voices. This panorama of brands builds bridges between makers and drinkers so the story behind the bottle is as meaningful as the spirit inside it.
And let’s be honest. If you don’t know ImpEx Beverages or Sam Filmus, are you even an enthusiast? This is the deep end of the pool. The place where passion becomes practice and curiosity is rewarded with liquid gold.
Interest in independent bottling has surged in recent years, driven by drinkers who want a deeper connection to exciting and unique casks. It’s an ethos built on curiosity and skill, where each release is a singular moment in time rather than a mass‑market expression. Single Cask Nation helped define that movement in the United States, proving that independent bottling could be both adventurous and deeply serious. The ImpEx Collection stands shoulder to shoulder with them as a premium force in the space, offering meticulously selected casks that reflect both place and essence. Across the industry, new voices are rising too. Lauded filmmakers Blacksmith & Jones (The Water of Life: A Whisky Film) have amplified the culture with their docuseries Independent Spirits: Another Whisky Film and their newly launched festival (The Independent Spirits Festival), giving enthusiasts a front‑row seat to the soul behind the glass. Together, these players form a chorus of bright lights in the night sky, acting as innovators who are reshaping how modern drinkers experience whisky.
“Sam has always understood that great whisky is about than what’s in the bottle – it’s about the people make it, select it, and care enough to put their name on it. That’s what I admire about the ImpEx Collection. Sam has impeccable taste, certainly, but more importantly, he has so much generosity toward the entire whisky world. He champions quality wherever he finds it, whether it carries his label or not.
In an industry that sometimes be overly focused on brands, ImpEx remains focused on the liquid and the people behind it. That kind of passion and integrity makes the whole category better.”
Greg Swartz (Blacksmith & Jones)
The ImpEx Collection is where the stars converge in the heavens and become a treasure map. It is the living proof of what happens when a company refuses to compromise on integrity and a steward like Sam Filmus guides the journey with a steady, discerning hand. Year after year, he has shaped ImpEx into a sanctuary for distillers who create with intention and for drinkers who seek meaning in the glass. The ImpEx Collection stands as a testament to that philosophy. It is curated and delivered with the quiet confidence of a team that knows exactly what it represents. In a world overflowing with noise, the ImpEx Collection remains a beacon of distinctive opulence, a reminder that whiskey can still be transcendent when guided by purpose. Of course, there is the unique allure that only one man (and his talented staff) can deliver.
The beauty of the ImpEx Collection has always been its breadth. Edition Five carries that tradition forward with intention, drawing together distilleries whose identity, history, and terrain create a tapestry of styles. Each bottle stands as a waypoint in a larger voyage, a reminder that great whisky is shaped by place, philosophy, and the hands that guide it.
The Spirit of Yorkshire sets the tone and is a shining example in the collection. Rooted in the rolling fields of northern England, their whisky reflects an allegiance to farming, patience, and onsite technique. In our previous interview with David Thompson spoke about a sense of place and how that mirrors their spirit. Their expressions carry coastal brightness, English grain warmth, and the unmistakable signature of a distillery that refuses to rush what nature perfects.
Edition Five of the collection also reaches deep into Scotland to showcase a trio of legendary distilleries. Teaninich brings Highland precision, known for its crisp, structured spirit shaped by a mash filter system that gives their whisky remarkable profile. Dailuaine adds Speyside weight and warmth, a distillery defined by lauded identity and the timeless atmosphere of its forested surroundings. Linkwood completes the arc with elegance, offering orchard fruit, soft florals, and a silky texture that has made it one of Scotland’s most quietly revered producers.
Together, these distilleries form a foundation for your guide. Their expressions are distinct, yet they harmonize under the careful curation that defines ImpEx. Edition Five is not just a lineup. It is a map of the modern whisky world, drawn with care, shaped by regions and legacies, and ready for enthusiasts to explore one expression at a time. There are many more distilleries to discover and savor.
Which brings us to the moment at hand. The 2026 ImpEx Collection arrives as a bold statement, and serves as the culmination of everything ImpEx stands for and what Sam has championed. What follows is a journey through each expression, each cask, each carefully chosen voice in this year’s lineup.
The story continues from here, and the glass is already waiting.
“One of the great things about independent bottlers is you get to experience whisky from a distillery through the lens/palate of the bottler who selected the cask. I’ve known Sam Filmus for close to 20 years now and can say, with confidence, that when you taste a whisky from The ImpEx Collection, you get an understanding of the man himself and the things he wants to share with the world, and boy does Sam have a lot to share! Sam continues to make the whisky a more interesting place and the ImpEx Collectio is one way he helps do that.”
Joshua Hatton (Single Cask Nation)
2011 14 year-old Ardmore
Ex-Bourbon Barrel #802498
59.2% abv
163 bottles
Ardmore is a Highland distillery defined by its rural grit and a signature thread of gentle smoke woven through bright, cereal‑driven spirit. It’s a place where old‑world methods still shape the whisky’s character, giving its malt a grounded, elemental quality that feels both timeless and unmistakably its own.
A touch of sea salt, softened by honeyed vanilla and warm wood, calls to you on a Highland sea breeze and meets you with the memory of a wood-fired oven… where shortbread and a touch of vanilla sweetness dance across your tongue alongside gentle peat smoke. The memory finishes with you surrounded by those you love at an evening bonfire: sweet, smoky, and warming.
2011 13 year-old Blair Athol
First Fill Hogshead #304172
(Finished in PX Sherry since January of 2021)
56.3% abv
233 bottles
Blair Athol is a distillery shaped by the quiet fortitude of Pitlochry, where rich, nut‑tinged spirit flows with a natural depth that feels carved from the Highlands themselves. Its whisky carries a warm, woodland character that speaks to time, tradition, and the steady confidence of a place that knows exactly what it is.
The aroma of cherries blossoming, giving way to Spring, compliment the ripe plum scented memories from the season departing. A rich, creamy dance of Sherry sweetness layered with soft spices, toasted nuts, and dried sultanas finish with the lingering and luscious guilty pleasure of a stolen cherry cordial.
2011 14 year-old Burnside Blended Malt
Chateau Latour Barrique #2478
63.8% abv
261 bottles
Burnside is a whisky born from quiet craft, shaped in a place where patience and steady hands define every drop. Its spirit carries a warm, orchard‑bright character that reflects the distillery’s devotion to subtlety, balance, and honest tradition. What emerges is a malt with a calm confidence — approachable, expressive, and unmistakably its own.
A waltz through the vineyard on an enchanted Summer eve as memories of the sun-drenched vines fade into the distance. Lush notes of red berries, wildflowers, and honeyed malt carry you to a symphony of black currant, stewed plums, and vanilla along with oak notes; leaving you with a lingering and graceful delight of a chocolate kiss goodnight while you fall into a magical slumber.
2011 14 year-old Dailuaine
Quarter Cask #313842
54% abv
161 bottles
Dailuaine is a distillery shaped by shadow and steam, where dense, malty spirit rises from copper with a natural weight that feels forged rather than made. Its whisky carries a deep, autumnal richness, echoing the quiet power of the Speyside hills that cradle it. What emerges is a malt with real presence, confident in its boldness and unmistakably tied to the place that gives it life.
The scent takes you back to your favorite sweets baking on an Autumn day; warm, decadent, inviting. The palate carries this comforting feeling through to a finish that allows the memory to linger with a soft, cake-like sweetness.
2019 4 year-old Isle of Raasay Peated
Manzanilla Cask #1195
60.3% abv
276 bottles
Isle of Raasay Distillery rises from rugged island stone, shaping a spirit that carries the wildness of wind, sea, and shifting Highland light. Its whisky reflects the island’s dual nature, bright and smoky in equal measure, with a character born from isolation, experimentation, and the quiet confidence of a place forging its own path.
The straw gold color draws you in like a late Summer sunset. Hints of wood smoke on a salty sea breeze are tantalizing on the nose. The palate bursts forth with salted caramel and a hint of almonds. There is a faint halo of peat smoke that enhances the experience. Much like the aforementioned sunset, the finish is dry and long. Distinct notes of vanilla and butterscotch linger like the last moments of light before the night descends.
2008 17 year-old Linkwood
Chateau Margaux Red Wine Barrique #14547
58% abv
252 bottles
Linkwood is a Speyside distillery shaped by precision and discipline. This is where spirit runs with so much natural grace that feels almost orchestral. Its whisky carries a polished, garden‑bright character, reflecting a place devoted to harmony, patience, and the art of letting subtlety speak with remarkable clarity.
Wild strawberries hand-picked and glistening with a mist from the rain in the garden compliment notes of spiced poached pears, red berries, and a floral sweetness. These dance across the lyrics of your favorite song, ushering you back for more with notes of dark fruit, cocoa, and sweet wood.
2020 3 year-old Pōkeno
Amontillado Cask #20-26
58.5% abv
330 bottles
Pōkeno Whisky is shaped by the raw beauty of Aotearoa (New Zealand). This is where coastal rain, volcanic earth, and wide‑open valleys lend the spirit a vivid, elemental character. Every drop reflects a place defined by independence and ambition, producing a whisky that feels both newly forged and deeply connected to the land that inspires it.
The nose effervesces with the delightful aromas from ripe peaches, oranges, and pear drops. Rounding out the nose are hints of honey and almonds. On the palate, orange liqueur combines with peaches, marzipan, cashew nuts, and just a subtle hint of baking spices. The long and rich finish draws you in and makes you want to explore more with every taste.
2018 6 year-old Spirit of Yorkshire
Ex-Madeira Cask #3152
52.7% abv
270 bottles
The Spirit of Yorkshire Distillery stands where open fields meet the restless sea, shaping a whisky that carries the quiet strength and coastal clarity of its home. Its spirit reflects a devotion to honest farming, thoughtful craft, and the rhythm of the land, resulting in a malt that feels both deeply grounded and touched by the wildness of Filey Bay.
Flavors of candied fruits entice you to explore more. Digging deeper, rich notes of butterscotch, cotton candy, toffee apples, and apricot jam are like the sirens call. Everything about this whisky invites you to enjoy it again and again with something new to discover in each dram.
2013 11 year old Teaninich
Ex-Bourbon Barrel #707207
56.8% abv
243 bottles
Teaninich is a Highland distillery defined by structure and vision, producing a spirit with a bright, almost architectural precision. Its whisky reflects a place where disciplined craft meets coastal air, resulting in a malt that feels crisp, confident, and quietly powerful in its simplicity.
Tart green apple and fresh-cut herbs; French toast served with fresh fruit at the first brunch of a long-awaited vacation. White pepper tickles your tastebuds merging the vibrancy and freshness with the mellow sweetness of pear drops, honeycomb, and creamy malted barley. The finish is focused on the excitement of the escape from day-to-day life and the adventures ahead; awakened by the citrus and enhanced with soft spices.
2010 14 year-old Teaninich
Margaux Red Wine Barrique #721395
(Finished in Margaux since January of 2022)
57.9% abv
275 bottles
Teaninich is a Highland distillery defined by structure and vision, producing a spirit with a bright, almost architectural precision. Its whisky reflects a place where disciplined craft meets coastal air, resulting in a malt that feels crisp, confident, and quietly powerful in its simplicity.
The familiar tastes of Mom’s apple pie enjoyed at a beach picnic on your favorite Summer afternoon. Invited by the scents of citrus blossoms from the sea breeze; baked apples and toasted nuts tantalize your taste buds revealing a long and graceful finish with notes of golden raisins and roasted sunflower seeds.
2005 18 year-old Long Pond Rum
Cask #20 VRW
58.6% abv
194 bottles
Long Pond is a Jamaican powerhouse, where rum is shaped by heat, fermentation, and a kind of wild, joyful intensity that can only come from Trelawny. Its spirit roars with tropical depth and vibrant funk, carrying the unmistakable stamp of a place that has never once apologized for its character.
On the nose, there is a vibrant burst of Red Delicious apple and white raisins greet you alongside big Oak. Red licorice emerges, adding a rich, sweet-spicy complexity. Venturing into the palate, there are notes of Cedar and fennel introduce an earthy and herbal dimension; while hints of orange peel contribute a zesty brightness. The background reveals subtle nuances of clay and Pine, evoking a rustic, natural quality. A gentle undertone of tobacco rounds out the bouquet with its smoky, leathery allure. Finally, the finish moves in to take a bow with a grounded, earthy character with a warm, smoky depth, that lingers pleasantly and leaves a memorable impression of complexity and refinement.
“Every distillery in the ImpEx Beverages/Collection Portfolio exhibits their commitment to highlighting unqiue voices in the whisky world. One of my favorite things about their portfolio is the inclusion of a vast number of farm-to-bottle producers, an area near and dear to my heart.”
Nate Barlow (Producer, The Water of Life: A Whisky Film, Independent Spirits: Another Whisky Film, and Whiskey Network Staff Writer)
The ImpEx Collection (Edition Five) unfolds like a grand voyage across the spirit world, beginning in the windswept fields of Yorkshire, rising through the storied distilleries of Scotland, and breaking into the tropical heat of Jamaica where rum carries its own electric pulse. Each stop on this passage reveals different expressions, iconic settings, and exciting ways of understanding what a spirit can be. These bottles are not only filled with precious liquid, but they also carry the identity of the places that made them. Each one is alive with the mastery and conviction of the people who shaped every drop.
Across 2,658 (we counted each release) bottles, the collection becomes a panorama of stories, each one lifted into the light through the steady vision of Sam Filmus. His dedication to the craft resonates through every selection, every cask, every distillery given its moment to stand tall. The ImpEx Collection honors the makers who work in still rooms and warehouses far from the spotlight, distillers whose hands and instincts give life to spirits that deserve to be celebrated. Their expressions rise together here, unified in their purpose, forming a chorus of tradition, innovation, and craftsmanship.
There is a kind of mystique in this collection that defies simple explanation. It is the wonder of grain transmuted by fire, of spirit shaped by wood and time, of landscapes whispering their identity into every barrel. It is the steady hand of a curator who understands that whisky is a story waiting to be told.
As the holiday season approaches, don’t wait to reward the whiskey enthusiast in your life (even if that is you!) The ImpEx Collection is a gift that carries weight and consequences. Take this invitation to step into a world of wonder, to taste the extraordinary, and to experience the dram of a lifetime across a collection crafted with reverence, ambition, and heart.
Stay tuned for reviews and more stories about ImpEx Beverages and The ImpEx Collection in September 2026!
