Our masterclass is on Saturday 20th June at 8.30pm.at Argotti gardens Come along and learn about Hungarian and Georgian wines and taste some luscious wines. See you there
Barking Owl is back at the Malta International Wine Festival 2026
We are excited to be returning to the Malta International Wine Festival this June, and we are bringing a wine collection worth making the trip for. Join us at Argotti Gardens, Floriana, from Wednesday 17th to Sunday 21st June 2026, open every evening from 18:00 to midnight.
What we are bringing to the festival
This year our stand will feature a wine collection drawn from two of Europe’s most exciting and underexplored wine regions. Georgian wines including varieties made using the ancient Qvevri method, alongside a selection of Hungarian Tokaji wines from Fuleky including the famous Aszu.
These are wines with real stories behind them, from regions with centuries of winemaking history, at prices that will surprise you.
Come and find us at the festival and our team will be happy to walk you through every wine on the stand. Whether you are discovering Georgian winemaking for the first time or already a Tokaji convert, the pour will be worth it.
The Malta International Wine Festival
The Malta International Wine Festival is one of the island’s most-loved summer events. With over 300 different wines on show, it is the perfect opportunity for both casual wine lovers and serious enthusiasts to explore labels from across the globe, all in one open-air setting.
Event details at a glance
- Dates: Wednesday 17th to Sunday 21st June 2026
- Hours: 18:00 to 00:00 daily
- Location: Argotti Gardens, Floriana
Tickets: maltainternationalwinefestival.com
It’s that time of year yes!!
We participated again at The Malta International Wine Festival which took place between 18-22nd June at Argotti Gardens.
Hajnalka Zsabo form the Fuleky winery visited us and she delivered 2 brilliant masterclasses on the WEDNESDAY and THURSDAY.
The atmosphere was fun and we had good sales. Importantly we promoted our very good quality and good value wines from both Georgia and Hungary and help the Barking Owl Flag flying!!
The stall was a great eye catcher- in the form od a traditional maltese Balcony in dark Blue- BRILLIANT
At Lindores Abbey Distillery, tradition is more than history; it is a living, breathing part of who we are. Among our most cherished customs is the annual Bear Burning ceremony — a captivating event that connects the past to the present while symbolizing hope, renewal, and the spirit of community.
What is the Bear Burning?
The Bear Burning symbol is the Bear and the Ragged Staff, which represents the Earls of Warwick. Guido, the first Abbot of Lindores Abbey, was a member of the Warwick family. The origin of the legend of the bear goes back to the time of Arthur and the round table. One of his knights was Arthgal whose name in the British language was Arsh meaning bear. The ragged staff is attributed to Morvidus, an earl of the same family who slew a giant with a young tree which he had pulled up by the roots
Why Do We Do It?
For us at Lindores Abbey, the Bear Burning is more than a nod to tradition; it is a way to foster community, celebrate resilience, and honour the land and people who make our whisky possible. Lindores Abbey has always been a place of renewal — from its roots as the birthplace of Scotch whisky in 1494 to its revival as a modern distillery.
Burning the bear represents letting go of past challenges and toasting to new ventures. It is a shared experience that brings people together, reminding us that our strength lies in community and continuity.
A Tradition for All
Whether you are a seasoned whisky connoisseur, a curious visitor, or a member of our local community, the Bear Burning is an invitation to be part of something bigger. It is a chance to gather around the warmth of the fire, share stories, and welcome the future with open hearts.
At Lindores Abbey Distillery, we believe that whisky is about more than just the spirit in the glass; it is about the traditions, stories, and people behind it. The Bear Burning is one of the many ways we celebrate our heritage while looking forward to the future.
It was an honour to attend this year’s ceremony earlier this month. A convivial evening of food and whisky tasting and meeting like minded individuals. Till next year……
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“We have arrived in Tokaj!
Over the next week we will be staying at Fuleky winery and sharing what we learn as we go. We think it’s important to begin by taking a moment to talk about some of what makes the region of Tokaj so very unique.
When you hear the words ‘wine appellation’ you may think of France, specifically Bordeaux. However it was Tokaj wine region which made vineyard classification a first in the world, set out by a royal decree in 1730 and then made into law in 1757.
In more modern times Tokaj was named a Historic Cultural Landscape in 2002. This honors the unique and thousand year old viticultural tradition of winemaking (I’m talking Aszu here) as well as the landscape designed and maintained to uphold this winemaking legacy.
Did you know Tokaj was a UNESCO World Heritage site?
What about being the first appellation system in the world?
Follow along to learn more in the coming days.
“We are so excited to announce that our small team is headed to Hungary!
We will be visiting Fuleky winery in the Tokaj region and reporting on all the insights we learn as we go.
Check our stories and our feed this week to learn the latest about the very special wines of Tokaj, Hungary.
Last night was a magical night at Villa Bologna.
We had an exclusive whisky tasting for FAA members only, where we tasted 4 different finishes of Lindores Abbey whisky.
The participants enjoyed the whiskies a lot and this was accompanied by some delicate food, including some hard cheeses and authentic Scottish haggis.
An exquisite set of whiskies in brilliant surroundings.
Slainthe!!
What a night.
Full house.
Whisky tasting on Burns Night at Malta’s most prestigious wine and whisky stockist.
5 whiskies were tries
Lindores Abbey Core whisky
Casks of Lindores
Bourbon finish
STR Wine finish
Sherry Butt finish and last but not least Jon Cor Chapter 1- a whisky for the enthusiast.
My first whisky pairing took place at Meraki Restaurant on Saturday 11th November.
We tasted 3 finishes of Lindores Abbey Single malt whisky
Bourbon
STR wine Barrique and
Sherry Butt finish.
A great selection with a degustation menu prepared by Chef Dino.
A good time had by all
And here is the full range of Lindores Abbey Finishes
Bourbon
Sherry Butts
STR Wine Barriques and the unique
Jon Cor Chapter 1
Distinctive to say the least. Come on get a dram!!