Whisky

Elixir Distillers has been granted planning permission to build its much anticipated new distillery in Islay.

The world's largest bottle of single malt whisky was sold at an online Christmas auction on Sunday for £15,000. The 105.3-litre bottle of 14-year-old Tomintoul is nearly 1.5m (4.9ft) tall, weighs more than 180kg (396lbs) and would serve up about 5,250 drams.

Over 3,900 bottles of primarily single malt Scotch, with an estimated hammer price of £7m - £8m will be sold by online whisky auction specialists Whisky Auctioneer next year.