The News
Sam Filmus and Chris Uhde of ImpEx Beverages announced the release of The ImpEx Collection, Edition Five on April 27, 2026. This edition includes 11 bottles showcasing the influence of wine casks on Scotch whisky, world single malts, and rum. The collection features 8 Scotch whiskies, 2 world single malts, and 1 18-year-old Jamaican rum, with a specific example being the 2008 17-year-old Linkwood Chateau Margaux Red Wine Barrique #14547.
ImpEx Beverages’ fifth edition of The ImpEx Collection has hit shelves, and it’s worth a second look beyond the glossy press release.
For us who run bars and manage inventory, the real question is: how does a batch of 11 limited‑run expressions—each capped at a few hundred bottles—translate into a win for our menus or our retail partners?
ImpEx has always leaned on wine casks to give its whiskies and rum a distinct character. The latest line continues that trend with eight Scotch single malts, two world single‑malts, and one Jamaican rum—all bottled in runs ranging from 161 to 330 bottles per expression.
According to recent IWSR Drinks Market Analysis, U.S. premium spirits grew 11.7 % in value last year. Single‑cask whiskies accounted for 14 % of Scotch export value despite representing less than 2 % of global volume, underscoring the outsized premium that limited releases can command.
The consumer appetite for rare, cask‑finished bottles is still strong enough that a well‑positioned limited release can generate outsized returns even when the shelf life is short and allocation tight.
Based on the SRPs in the release—$225 for the 17‑year‑old Linkwood, $180 for Long Pond Rum, $150 for several Scotch expressions, and $125–$140 for the world single malts—the average falls at roughly $136 per bottle. That sits above mid‑range independent bottling tiers but below ultra‑premium series that run at $200+ per bottle, giving bar operators a high‑margin product that remains attractive to connoisseurs willing to pay for rarity.
For distributors and retailers the implications are twofold. First, because each expression is limited to under 300 bottles, the risk of overstocking is low; but any allocation must be carefully managed. Bars should work with wholesalers to secure a few cases per expression—perhaps one case per expression—to keep inventory lean while still offering something special on the menu.
Second, the diversity of expressions (Scotch, world single‑malt, rum) allows distributors to pitch them as a cohesive “cask‑finished” bundle that appeals across customer segments: whisky lovers, rum aficionados, and those looking for a unique RTD‑style experience. For fine‑spirits shops, the high‑margin, low‑volume appeal of the 18‑year‑old Long Pond Rum—priced at $180 with only 194 bottles available—is a conversation driver that can pull foot traffic in niche outlets.
ImpEx’s fifth edition shows that independent bottlers still thrive by marrying limited quantity with a clear, differentiated story. The data-backed growth in premium spirits and the disproportionate value of single‑cask releases confirm there is room to play—high‑margin, low‑volume options that fit well into specialty retailer shelves and premium bar programs.
Original Press Release
ANNOUNCING: THE IMPEX COLLECTION, EDITION FIVE
Leading Independent Bottler Releases 11 Rare Expressions Showcasing the Influence of Wine Casks on Scotch Whisky, World Whisky, & Rum
SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, April 27, 2026 – Sam Filmus and Chris Uhde of ImpEx Beverages today announce the release of the latest edition of their independent bottling line, The ImpEx Collection. Edition Five features 11 gems that collectively showcase the influence of wine casks: 8 Scotch whiskies, 2 world single malts, and 1 extremely special 18-year-old Jamaican rum. This edition will be available nationwide at fine spirits retailers.
“With Edition Four of The ImpEx Collection, we let the unique signatures of each distillery shine through in their simplest form, primarily bottling second fill casks,” says Sam Filmus, Keeper of the Quaich and President of ImpEx Beverages. “Edition Five is a compilation of some incredible wine casks, allowing connoisseurs to experience what magic can occur when the distillate is influenced by these special and unique notes to deliver complex, yet balanced, flavor profiles.”
Scotch Whisky
The ImpEx Collection 2008 17-year-old Linkwood Chateau Margaux Red Wine Barrique #14547
The ImpEx Collection 2008 17-year-old Linkwood Chateau Margaux Red Wine Barrique #14547
252 bottles, 58% ABV, $225 SRP
Wild strawberries, hand-picked and glistening, with a mist from the rain in the garden complement 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.
The ImpEx Collection 2010 14-year-old Teaninich Margaux Red Wine Barrique #721395
The ImpEx Collection 2010 14-year-old Teaninich Margaux Red Wine Barrique #721395
275 bottles, 57.9% ABV, $150 SRP
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 tastebuds, revealing a long and graceful finish with notes of golden raisins and roasted sunflower seeds.
The ImpEx Collection 2011 13-year-old Blair Athol 1st Fill Hogshead #304172
The ImpEx Collection 2011 13-year-old Blair Athol 1st Fill Hogshead #304172
233 bottles, 56.3% ABV, $140 SRP
The aroma of the cherries blooming, giving way to spring, complements the ripe plum memories from the season departing. A rich, creamy dance of Sherry sweetness layered with soft spices, toasted nuts, and dried sultanas finish with a lingering and luscious guilty pleasure of a stolen cherry cordial.
The ImpEx Collection 2011 14-year-old Ardmore ex-Bourbon Barrel #802498
The ImpEx Collection 2011 14-year-old Ardmore ex-Bourbon Barrel #802498
163 bottles, 59.2% ABV, $150 SRP
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 dances 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.
The ImpEx Collection 2011 14-year-old Burnside Blended Malt Chateau Latour Barrique #24789
The ImpEx Collection 2011 14-year-old Burnside Blended Malt Chateau Latour Barrique #24789
261 bottles, 63.8% ABV, $150 SRP
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 oak notes, leaving you with a lingering and graceful delight of a chocolate kiss goodnight as you fall into a magical slumber.
The ImpEx Collection 2011 14-year-old Dailuaine Quarter Cask #313842
The ImpEx Collection 2011 14-year-old Dailuaine Quarter Cask #313842
161 bottles, 54% ABV, $140 SRP
The scent takes you back to your favorite sweets baking on an autumn day: warm, decadent, inviting. The palate carries this feeling through to a finish that allows the memory to linger with a soft, sweet feeling and a cake-like sweetness.
The ImpEx Collection 2013 11-year-old Teaninich ex-Bourbon Barrel #707207
The ImpEx Collection 2013 11-year-old Teaninich ex-Bourbon Barrel #707207
243 bottles, 56.8% ABV, $125 SRP
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.
The ImpEx Collection 2019 4-year-old Isle of Raasay Peated Manzanilla Cask #1195
The ImpEx Collection 2019 4-year-old Isle of Raasay Peated Manzanilla Cask #1195
276 bottles, 60.3% ABV, $120 SRP
Scents of wood smoke on a salty sea breeze are followed by light peat smoke, almonds, and salted caramel on the palate, and a dry, long, salty finish with hints of vanilla and butterscotch.
World Single Malt
The ImpEx Collection 2018 6-year-old Spirit of Yorkshire ex-Madeira Single Cask #3152
The ImpEx Collection 2018 6-year-old Spirit of Yorkshire ex-Madeira Single Cask #3152
274 bottles, 52.7% ABV, $110 SRP
Candied and fruity with flavors of butterscotch, cotton candy, toffee apples, and apricot jam.
The ImpEx Collection 2020 3-year-old Pokeno 1st Fill Amontillado Cask #26 (Waikato, New Zealand)
The ImpEx Collection 2020 3-year-old Pokeno 1st Fill Amontillado Cask #26 (Waikato, New Zealand)
330 bottles, 58.5% ABV, $125 SRP
Ripe peaches, orange, and pear drop aromas entice your nose with hints of honey and almonds. Peach and orange liqueur combined with marzipan, cashew nuts, and a hint of dried spice carry you through to a long, rich finish.
The ImpEx Collection 2005 18-year-old Long Pond Rum Cask #20 VRW (Jamaica)
The ImpEx Collection 2005 18-year-old Long Pond Rum Cask #20 VRW (Jamaica)
194 bottles, 58.6% ABV, $180 SRP
A vibrant burst of Red Delicious apple and white raisins greet you alongside big oak; red licorice emerges, adding a rich, sweet-spicy complexity. Notes of cedar and fennel introduce an earthy and herbal dimension on the palate, while hints of orange peel contribute a zesty brightness, and 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. A grounded, earthy character with a warm, smoky depth defines the finish, which lingers pleasantly and leaves a memorable impression of complexity and refinement.
Since its debut in 2021, expressions from The ImpEx Collection have brought home 23 Gold or better medals from renowned competitions including San Francisco World Spirits Competition, Ultimate Spirits Challenge, Whiskies of the World Awards, Las Vegas Global Spirit Awards, Whisky Ring Awards, Enthusiast Report International Spirits Competition, ADI International Spirits Competition, and Whiskey and Barrel Nite Consumer Choice Awards. Additionally, they have received 28 90+ scores from Whisky Advocate and other respected reviewers, including two Top 10 of the year inductions in the whisky and rum categories.
Consumers can discover The ImpEx Collection Edition Five from specialty retailers across the U.S.
Sources consulted (web research):
- Impex Beverages Announces The Debut Of Their Independent Bottling Lin…
- The Impex Collection Edition Four Debuts Showcasing Exquisite Scottis…
- Announcing The Impex Collection Edition Five
Source: BevNET