Master of Malt Press Releases

Win a Bottle of The Glenlivet Alpha Single Malt Whisky

May 09, 2013

Master of Malt is giving away a bottle of the new, limited edition Single Malt Scotch Whisky from The Glenlivet—The Glenlivet Alpha—to one lucky customer.

The Glenlivet Alpha was released on the 8th of May, 2013 without any details about the cask maturation or any tasting notes; even the colour of the whisky remains a mystery as the liquid is packaged in a solid black bottle. This release is quite unlike anything the whisky world has ever seen: the world’s No.2 Single Malt Scotch will engage directly with consumers through social media and online experiences to help guide them on a journey to unlock the secrets of this intricate spirit.

Whisky enthusiasts and experts alike are encouraged to complete sensory challenges on The Glenlivet homepage and on Facebook. Whisky enthusiasts will also have an opportunity to interact with distillery insiders such as Master Distiller Alan Winchester on social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter and test their knowledge or gain a greater understanding as to which factors contribute to the whisky’s final character and flavour.

As Alan Winchester states, “Flavour is a multi-sensory experience: one that combines the subtleties of sight and sensation in the mouth, in addition to taste and smell. By withholding information on the casks used to create The Glenlivet Alpha and encouraging people to use their senses, I hope they will gain a greater appreciation of its particular flavour, and expand their understanding of the great complexity and depth of our unique single malt whisky. I can’t wait to hear people’s reactions.”

To celebrate the release of The Glenlivet’s ground breaking new release, online retailer Master of Malt is giving away a bottle of the mysterious new expression. By purchasing any 70cl bottle of The Glenlivet from the Master of Malt website from 8th to 15th May, customers can earn a chance to win this unique Single Malt Scotch Whisky, only 600 of which are available to the UK market.

Customers will receive one chance to win for every bottle they purchase, and there is no limit of entries per person. A full list of the terms and conditions are available on the Master of Malt website.

Glenlivet Alpha – 50% – 70cl – £97.13

Tasting notes for The Glenlivet Alpha

The Glenlivet Alpha is now available from Master of Malt.

About Master of Malt:
- Established in 1985
- Master of Malt is one of the UK’s leading Online Spirits Merchants, with a huge range of whiskies, rum, brandies, gins, cocktails and many other fine spirits.
- UK Next Day Delivery from £6.95

Follow Master of Malt:
- On Twitter: @MasterOfMalt
- On Facebook: MasterOfMalt
- On their blog: MasterOfMaltBlog

For more information contact:
Ben Ellefsen: +44 (0)7816 661657

Accompanying media can be downloaded at this link.

Media Use Only. Copyright ©Master of Malt 2013. These pictures are intended for media use only. The pictures must not be altered in any way. For special permission to edit photos please contact press@masterofmalt.com

A Hebridean Treasure Hunt at the 2013 Islay Whisky Festival

May 02, 2013

The Master of Malt Team is heading to Islay to celebrate Feis Ile 2013 with 3 new competitions and a new release of Single Malt Scotch Whisky.

Online retailer Master of Malt will be sending a crack team of whisky enthusiasts to Islay in May of 2013. To commemorate their third annual visit to the Islay Festival, Master of Malt will release a new expression from That Boutique-y Whisky Company, a Caol Ila.

During their 9-day stay on Islay, the Master of Malt team will be running a number of different competitions, promotions, and giveaways on the island from 24 May – 2 June 2013.

Master of Malt will focus on three main promotions during the Festival.

Flag Down the Malt Mobile

The Master of Malt team will be handing out prizes including drams of the newly-released Caol Ila from That Boutique-y Whisky Company, limited edition t-shirts, and other Islay-exclusive treats to anyone on Islay who spots the infamous Malt Mobile during the 2013 Feis Ile.

The Malt Mobile be travelling all over the island and to each distillery open day, so finding the Master of Malt Team in the Malt Mobile is as simple as being on Islay from 24th of May through the 2nd of June 2013, and waving your arms wildly when you see the Malt Mobile drive by, or accosting the Malt Mobile in the car park! Each “flagger” will be handsomely rewarded for their efforts.
Lost Distillery Dog

Our little dog “Peaty” is bold and feisty; he loves to go on adventures around whisky distilleries, but he’s often so distracted by all the goings-on that he forgets to return to us!

If you find him (you’ll spot him because he’s a soft-toy dog dressed in a fetching Master of Malt t-shirt), at any of the distilleries on Islay and return him to the Master of Malt team, we’ll give you a full, 50cl bottle of Caol Ila whisky from That Boutique-y Whisky Company as a reward. If you are very kind to Peaty, we may even let you become his new owner.
Islay Treasure Hunt – Back to the Future

We’ve received word that Dr E. Brown from Hill Valley sent out 12 messages in bottles that have washed ashore on the beaches of Islay. Each of the 12 bottles contains a secret message sent on November 5, 1955 that only the finder of the bottle can discover.

Just where these bottles are located on Islay, we cannot yet say. We will be releasing a map with the locations of the 12 bottles at precisely 10:04 PM on the 24th of May, 2013. On each subsequent day, photographs of each bottle ‘in situ’ will be posted on Twitter as clues to where treasure hunters can find the bottles. Those who find the hidden bottles will receive secret instructions and face a series of challenges that they must overcome to help Doc Brown get “back in time”.

Each individual who finds a beached bottle with the secret message and presents it to the Master of Malt crew will receive a full bottle of the new Caol Ila bottling from That Boutique-y Whisky Company. The finders will also automatically have a chance to win the grand prize.

The winner of the Islay Treasure Hunt competition who successfully completes all the challenges will be immortalised on the label of the next release from That Boutique-y Whisky Company: a Single Malt Scotch Whisky from Laphroaig.

The Master of Malt team will attend the Islay Festival from 24 May – 2 June 2013, during which these three competitions will run concurrently. Master of Malt will also attend each distillery day during the festival where they will reveal further surprises and activities to take place exclusively on Islay at that time.

For live updates of the Feis Ile 2013 adventures, follow Master of Malt on Twitter at @masterofmalt.

Follow Master of Malt:
- On Twitter: @MasterOfMalt
- On Facebook: MasterOfMalt
- On their blog: MasterOfMaltBlog

For more information contact:
Ben Ellefsen: +44 (0)7816 661657

Bathtub Gin Awarded Gold at the International Spirits Challenge

April 15, 2013

Bathtub Gin from Professor Cornelius Ampleforth has won 2 Gold Medals at the 2013 International Spirits Awards in the Premium and Super Premium categories.

Highly-acclaimed and award-winning Bathtub Gin from the Professor Cornelius Ampleforth range of spirits and liqueurs was again lauded this week at the International Spirits Challenge. In both the Premium and Super Premium categories, Bathtub Gin was awarded a Gold Medal.

Bathtub Gin is produced by a process of cold compounding: infusing high-quality, copper pot-still spirit with various botanicals including Juniper, Orange Peel, Cinnamon, Cloves, and Cardamom. The gin is produced in extremely small batches; only 30-60 bottles are produced in each batch, and the length of the compounding is controlled entirely through periodic sampling. The result is an utterly unique gin, bursting with flavour and lightly tinted by the botanicals during the compounding process.

Wrapped in brown paper and hand-sealed with twine and black wax, Professor Cornelius Ampleforth’s Bathtub Gin is packaged with a nod to the Victorian era. The label boasts an illustration of the carboy in which the gin is compounded, flanked by the botanicals which lend the gin its robust flavour.

In early June of 2012, Bathtub Gin was awarded Best Design and Packaging – Spirits at The Drinks Business Awards and a Gold Medal at the 2012 International Wine & Spirit Competition, making these distinctions the third and fourth to be received by this one-of-a-kind spirit since its release in late 2010.

Bathtub Gin - 43.3% - £32.95

Nose: An initially Juniper-rich bouquet is backed up with a solid backbone of rich grain spirit. Top notes of Cardamom and Orange blossom are evident with just a suggestion of Cinnamon.

Palate: The initial Focus is Juniper, but the earthier botanicals make themselves known in the initial palate too. Mouthfeel is exceptionally viscous and creamy – this is good spirit, and it makes itself known.

Finish: The juniper subsides and gives way to the Cardamom and Cinnamon, with a late resurgence from Orange Peel.

Overall: A most unusual, but quite entrancing Gin. To our knowledge this is the only cold-compounded gin currently available. Bathtub Gin is now available from Master of Malt.

Follow Master of Malt:
- On Twitter: @MasterOfMalt
- On Facebook: MasterOfMalt
- On their blog: MasterOfMaltBlog

For more information contact:
Ben Ellefsen: +44 (0)7816 661657

The full press release can be downloaded at this link.

Copyright ©Master of Malt 2013. This press release must not be altered in any way.

Win the Ultimate Whisky kit from Master of Malt and The Macallan: The Flask

April 11, 2013

Online retailer Master of Malt announces a new competition to win The Flask, designed in a unique partnership between The Macallan and Oakley, Inc.

Famed single malt Scotch producers The Macallan have partnered with Oakley, Inc. to create “the ultimate flask for whisky aficionados”. The Flask is virtually indestructible, as featured in the promotional video released by The Macallan, wherein The Flask is pulled at high speed behind a car.

Only 100 of ‘The Flask’ were made available to the public for purchase, and each was priced at £600.00. It is probably the most technologically-advanced hip flask ever crafted: the inner flask is laser welded, wrapped in carbon fibre composite, and clad in aerospace-grade aluminium. For a limited time, Master of Malt is offering one lucky person the chance to sip from this hi-tech vessel.

By purchasing any full-sized (70cl) bottle of The Macallan from the Master of Malt website from the 9th through the 17th of April, customers can earn a chance to win this one-of-a-kind whisky kit. Each purchase of a full-sized (70cl) bottle of The Macallan counts as a single entry, so the more you buy, the higher your chances of winning. Included in the prize is The Flask, two crystal tasting glasses, and a full-sized (70cl) bottle of The Macallan Gold, a no-age statement single malt Scotch whisky released by The Macallan in June of 2012.

There is no limit of entries per person, and each purchase counts as a single entry into the competition. A full list of the terms and conditions are available on the Master of Malt website.

The Macallan Gold - 40% abv - £35.95

Nose: This burnished gold spirit presents a lemon citrus nose, the orange peel and an interlacing sweetness that softens but doesn't eliminate the zest. A quiet note of vanilla is followed by dark chocolate - more assertive, yet not overly so - with a lingering floral and light oak notes.

Palate: Citrus and boiled sweets rule the palate, along with hints of ginger and cinnamon, while soft oak tones reveal toasted apples.

Finish: The finish is medium sweet, malty and slightly dry.

The Macallan Gold is now available from Master of Malt.

Follow Master of Malt:
- On Twitter: @MasterOfMalt
- On Facebook: MasterOfMalt
- On their blog: MasterOfMaltBlog

For more information contact:
Ben Ellefsen: +44 (0)7816 661657

The full press release can be downloaded at this link.

Copyright ©Master of Malt 2013. This press release must not be altered in any way.

Master of Malt Wins 6 Awards at the 2013 World Whiskies Awards

April 02, 2013

Master of Malt received six awards at the World Whiskies Awards 2013, including the Global Icons of Whisky award for “Whisky Retailer of the Year – Online” for the second consecutive year.

Whisky Magazine held its annual World Whiskies Awards at the Waldorf Hotel in London on the 21st of March 2013 where honours were presented across multiple categories for achievements in the world of whisky during the previous year. The Global Icons of Whisky, the Icons of Whisky, the World Whiskies Design Awards, and the World Whiskies Awards comprised 23 categories in which a select few were awarded the highest honours for innovation, design, liquid, and retail success. During the ceremony, the Master of Malt team was presented with an astounding six awards, including:

GLOBAL ICONS OF WHISKY 2013
Whisky Brand Innovator of the Year: Master of Malt
Whisky Retailer of the Year – Online: Master of Malt

ICONS OF WHISKY 2013
Whisky Retailer of the Year – Online: Master of Malt England, Rest of the World
Whisky Brand Innovator of the Year: Master of Malt England, Rest of the World

WORLD WHISKY AWARDS 2013
World’s Best Whisky Liqueur: Master of Malt 40 Year Old

WORLD WHISKY DESIGN AWARDS 2013
Best Whisky Range: The Whisky Advent Calendar

Other nominees in these categories included such renowned retailers and producers as The Whisky Exchange, Jeroboams, The Whisky Shop, La Maison du Whisky, Irish Distillers (Pernod Ricard), The Edrington Group, Compass Box, and many other notable and award-winning companies.

Sales Director Ben Ellefsen noted, “We were delighted to have been recognised by the world’s leading whisky publication for the second year in a row.”

Master of Malt received the Retailer of the Year – Online within the Icons of Whisky in 2013, but the 2013 Awards marked the first time it received a World Whiskies Award for a liquid it produces. As Ben remarked, “This has the supremely important quality of being the only award that we have achieved so far from Whisky Magazine for *liquid*, as opposed to ‘doing things’.”

Master of Malt 40 Year Old Speyside Whisky Liqueur - 43% - £239.95

Nose: A very grown up nose, with rich leather notes, hints of cedar, cigar leaves, toffee apples, old sherry and woodsheds. Beguiling!

Palate: Rich and oaky with notes of soft wood smoke in a pine forest, manuka honey, rum spice and cinnamon.

Finish: Beautiful length, fading away on damson jam, barley and nutmeg.

Master of Malt 40 Year Old Whisky Liqueur is now available from Master of Malt. The Whisky Advent Calendar - 72cl - £149.95 We love Christmas and we love the excitement of advent calendars, but we've always longed for something a little more interesting than a small piece of cheap milk chocolate on the other side of each door… Well folks, we've got the perfect solution - the Whisky Advent Calendar from Drinks by the Dram. Behind each of the 24 doors is a different 3cl sample of delicious whisky! We'll keep the contents a surprise, but we can tell you that behind one of the doors is a sample of 50 year old Scotch whisky, the full-sized bottle of which is worth £350! The Whisky Advent Calendar is now available from Master of Malt.

Follow Master of Malt:
- On Twitter: @MasterOfMalt
- On Facebook: MasterOfMalt
- On their blog: MasterOfMaltBlog

For more information contact:
Ben Ellefsen: +44 (0)7816 661657

The full press release can be downloaded at this link.

Copyright ©Master of Malt 2013. This press release must not be altered in any way.

Master of Malt Announces Cocks Scotch Eggs – Whisky made by Hens

April 01, 2013

Online retailer Master of Malt has today announced a significant scientific breakthrough in the world of whisky distillation: Cocks’ Scotch Eggs.

Created by occasional scientist and poultry-fan Brian Cocks, a miniature whisky distillery, known as Ardbegg, has been carefully built within a live Bantam.

After the first few successful lays, the micro-distilleries Laphregg and Leggavulin were also set up, in a Colombian Blacktail and a Bresse respectively.

The idea came about when Cocks realised that not only are chicken eggs airtight, they also have the same capacity as a double spirits measure. The whisky, which has been described has having a distinctive eggy flavour, is found within the golden yolk.

“The great part is the fact that all the packaging has been designed already,” said Cocks, yesterday.

Described by noted evolutionary biologist, Dickie Dawkins, as a “cruel misuse of hens”, Cocks’ Scotch Eggs are exclusively available from Master of Malt for one day only.

The Scotch Eggs are available in conveniently packaged sets of six, and the range includes:

Ardbegg Eggeadail – 54.2% abv – 5cl – £34.95

Nose: An even whack of gloopy egg, rich peat, and spicy sherry. A truly intr-egg-ing aroma.

Palate:The sherry comes to the fore with a lip-smacking drying quality. Albumen coats the mouth.

Finish: This is no yolk! Heavy and rich but perfectly balanced. Drying, long, and smoky. Egg-cellent.

Overall: The perfect ingredient for a late-night frittata…

Laphregg Quarter Cock – 48.0% abv – 5cl – £24.95

Nose: Medicinal with a hefty helping of toffee and hickory smoke. Toast soldiers.

Palate: Nutty and sweet flavours abound but do not eclipse the globulins and albumins, creating the perfect balancing act of mouthcoating richness.

Finish: A triumph from Dr Cocks and a "clucking" good dram.

Overall: This will win over even the most hard-boiled of whisky lovers...

Leggavulin Distillers Eggdition – 43.0% abv – 5cl – £27.95

Nose: Scrambled eggs with Lapsang Souchong tea. An egg-cellently rich and yolky nose…

Palate: Viscous mouthfeel with a rich and creamy feel. Smoked eggs and a bit of ham ooze through.

Finish: Long and spicy with some vanilla and a bit of sulphur.

Overall: Certainly a dram for serious bodybuilders who love a peaty whisky. A real alternative to Glucozade Port…

Remember, these are available for one day only, so buy now to avoid disappointment later.

You can read the full story on Master of Malt’s blog.

Follow Master of Malt:
- On Twitter: @MasterOfMalt
- On Facebook: MasterOfMalt
- On their blog: MasterOfMaltBlog

For more information contact:
Ben Ellefsen: +44 (0)7816 661657

The full press release can be downloaded at this link.

Copyright ©Master of Malt 2013. This press release must not be altered in any way.

C is for…Cutty Sark! Caskstrength Creative Release a Limited Edition Blended Whisky

March 27, 2013

Online retailer Master of Malt announces the release of limited edition blended whisky from drinks writers Joel Harrison and Neil Ridley: Caskstrength and Carry On Cutty Sark.

The third instalment in the growing alphabet range of spirits from Caskstrength founders Neil Ridley and Joel Harrison, Caskstrength and Carry On Cutty Sark Blended Scotch Whisky represents the first blend in the collection. This limited edition bottling is available exclusively through Master of Malt.

After seeing great success with their ‘A’ and ‘B’ releases in the Caskstrength A-Z of Whisky (single malt Scotch whiskies from the Isle of Arran and BenRiach distillery, respectively), Neil and Joel chose to partner with the world famous brand Cutty Sark to try their hand at creating a blend. With guidance from Master Blender Kirsteen Campbell, Neil and Joel have produced a distinctive whisky to coincide with the 90th anniversary of Cutty Sark, which was launched on the 23rd of March, 1923.

Each of the 500 bottles has been hand-signed by Neil Ridley, Joel Harrison and Kirsteen Campbell. The first 100 purchases of Caskstrength and Carry On Cutty Sark Blended Scotch Whisky include an accompanying “Cask Strength and Carry On” cotton bag which has been specially printed for this release. Also included in the first hundred bottles is an edition of “The Daily Cargo”, a collectible newspaper which includes articles from industry experts as well as photographs, cocktail recipes, and a glimpse into the creative and wacky minds of Neil Ridley and Joel Harrison themselves.

Caskstrength and Carry On (Cutty Sark) – 51.40% – £34.95

Nose: Creaminess and light butter supplement golden raisins and flower stems. Some hints of citrus.

Palate: Warming pepper comes to the fore; a result of the high abv. Pepper subsides quickly to reveal Demerara sugar and an unmistakable Lemon Meringue Pie. Just a whisper of smoke.

Finish: Pleasant and more-ish. More smoke becomes apparent but doesn’t dilute the lemon, cream, or sugar. This is an easy dram for such strength.

Overall: The drinkability belies the strength! Easy to sip neat but also stands up to water and cocktails. Versatile and utterly approachable.

Caskstrength and Carry On Cutty Sark is now available exclusively from Master of Malt.

Follow Master of Malt:
- On Twitter: @MasterOfMalt
- On Facebook: MasterOfMalt
- On their blog: MasterOfMaltBlog

For more information contact:
Ben Ellefsen: +44 (0)7816 661657

The full press release can be downloaded at this link.

Copyright ©Master of Malt 2013. This press release must not be altered in any way.

Master of Malt Exclusive: A Single Cask, Peated Scotch Whisky from the Balblair Distillery

March 26, 2013

Online retailer Master of Malt announces the release of an Exclusive Single Cask, Peated Whisky from the Balblair Distillery in Scotland: Balblair 1990 Islay Cask 1466.

As part of its lauded range of vintage whiskies, Balbair Whisky Distillery in the Highland region of Scotland has produced a limited-edition bottling of a peated whisky. Atypical of the regional style, this Highland whisky provides a soft sweetness balanced with a smooth and subtle smokiness.

This Single Cask Scotch Whisky has acquired its smoky flavour through non-traditional methods. Instead of producing a spirit made from peated barley, Balblair distillers chose to mature this special bottling in casks that had previously held an Islay Whisky. Thus, the warm, peaty flavours have permeated the classic honeyed sweetness to produce a single malt which is unlike any other.

Distilled in 1990, this ultra-rare Single Cask Whisky was aged in Cask 1466, an American Oak Barrel which previously held an Islay Single Malt Whisky. Master of Malt is proud to be the exclusive retailer of Balblair 1990 Islay Cask 1466.

Balblair 1990 Islay Cask 1466 – 50.40% – £124.95

Nose: What the deuce? Some kind of trick, surely. This smells overwhelmingly, potently, of delicious, freshly squeezed apple juice. Copella Apple Juice to be precise. One of the most sweet, and fruity whiskies we’ve come across in a long time. The Bourbon cask has clearly had some influence here. Given time in the glass, there is a development of very subtle peat, which complements without ever being intrusive. A touch of cinnamon and brown sugar to go with the apple. Lovely Stuff.

Palate: Following an initial hit of mid-80’s tuck-shop sweetness (Refreshers of both sorts – chewy and chalky), the peat is immediately apparent here. Becomes much more savoury than the nose and initial palate would suggest. Initial short-crust pastry notes (buttery, too) are fleeting, giving way to caramelised bananas, and a touch of Nasturtium leaf. Becomes more grown-up than the nose hinted. The best of both worlds?

Finish: Herbaceous. Mint, and parsley give way to the seam of peat, which given time becomes more menthol than phenol. Hints (but only hints) of bitumen and ash meld into one delicious, fruity, gristy, meaty ‘ball’.

Overall: This whisky has got that rare ‘x-factor’ which can only be described as ‘huge’, and very ‘spherical’. It starts sweet as you like on the nose, but the palate and finish progress beyond the simplicity that can sometimes be implicit with that term, and meld together into a seamless experience of mouth-filling flavour. Nothing is missing here, everything is balanced. Great Whisky.

Balblair 1990 Islay Cask 1466 is now available exclusively from Master of Malt.

Follow Master of Malt:
- On Twitter: @MasterOfMalt
- On Facebook: MasterOfMalt
- On their blog: MasterOfMaltBlog

For more information contact:
Ben Ellefsen: +44 (0)7816 661657

The full press release can be downloaded at this link.

Copyright ©Master of Malt 2013. This press release must not be altered in any way.

Master of Malt Announces the Release of "Boxes Blend" from Athlete bassist Carey Willetts

January 24, 2013

24 January, 2013 – Tunbridge Wells, UK

Online retailer Master of Malt announces the launch of a new blended whisky – Boxes Blend – produced in conjunction with Carey Willetts to celebrate Mr Willetts’ solo music project, Boxes.

Master of Malt, in collaboration with Carey Willetts (bassist for the British band, Athlete), has released a new blended whisky to celebrate Mr Willetts’ solo music project and debut album, Boxes: Stickers.

Mr Willetts was introduced to Master of Malt through ex-A&R man Joel Harrison, now founding director of Caskstrength Creative, a whisky consulting firm. Their combined aim was to produce a blended whisky that accurately conveyed Mr Willetts’ own personal taste for the drink: namely, that it be “smooth and sweet with a bit of smoke on the end.”

Mr Willetts is a stalwart whisky enthusiast and embarked on this whisky-blending project with the aim of producing an easy-drinking dram that can be enjoyed by whisky aficionados and amateurs alike. “When we first began blending,” Mr Willetts said, “We ended up with light and almost summery whisky, and it was nice, but not quite right. The Boxes Blend needed that hint of smoke, so we kept working until we got it right. My hope is that Boxes Blend has something for everyone.”

Mr Willetts finds whisky and music to be deeply connected in his own life. “Whisky and music have always been two of my favourite things. Whisky’s always been a big part of my musical history—they both enhance each other. Enjoying whisky and music together is a life-affirming experience.”

Mr Willetts’ new solo music project ‘Boxes’ launched its debut album ‘Stickers’ in May 2012. The album cover earned an accolade from the Artrocker Awards 2012, and Mr Willetts admits that he believed the album cover would make a stunning label for a bottle of whisky. The label artwork reflects the design of the album cover.

Boxes Blend – 70cl – 40.9% – £54.95

Nose: Buttery and light, with dry grass and soft caramel. A bit of sherried spice and a whiff of banana and fresh apple.

Palate: Soft and smooth in the mouth, with plenty of light and dark toffee notes. There's caramelised orange and vanilla custard with nutmeg too.

Finish: Medium with overtones of soft brown sugar.

Overall: A delectable, easy-drinking blend, best enjoyed with a beloved playlist.

Boxes Blend is now available from Master of Malt.

Follow Master of Malt:
- On Twitter: @MasterOfMalt
- On Facebook: MasterOfMalt
- On their blog: MasterOfMaltBlog

For more information contact:
Ben Ellefsen: +44 (0)7816 661657

The full press release can be downloaded at this link.

Copyright ©Master of Malt 2013. This press release must not be altered in any way.

Master of Malt Announces the Release of a New Single Malt Scotch Whisky from That Boutiquey Whisky Company

December 20, 2012

Online retailer Master of Malt announces the release of a new Bowmore.

That Boutique-y Whisky Company's Bowmore – Batch 1 is a peated Single Malt Scotch Whisky from the island of Islay, bottled from a selected parcel of whisky without an age statement. The whisky is an excellent after-dinner drink with delectable notes of coastal peat, candied orange peel, and dried fruits.

The bottle is adorned with a hand-illustrated comic book style label featuring a cheeky schoolboy (clutching a bra!) being chased by the lifeguard from Bowmore's local swimming pool – which is warmed by the waste heat from the distillery’s copper pot stills.

That Boutique-y Whisky Company bottles Single Malt Whisky in the truest sense of the term: a blend of casks of malt whisky from a single distillery.

The whiskies are bottled without age statements for the simple reason that a batch may have some very old whisky in it, but could also have some younger whisky in it as well. Therefore the age statement could be misleading as it would have to be that of the youngest whisky in the bottle and this wouldn’t accurately reflect its contents. Furthermore, there is no way of knowing what the age of the parcels of stock used to create the next batch will be; therefore it would be very difficult to create a whisky with a consistent age statement between batches.

That Boutique-y Whisky Company's Bowmore – Batch 1 is now available from Master of Malt.

Bowmore – Batch 1 – 48.7% abv – 50cl – £52.95

Nose: Phenolic peat hits the nose first followed by waves of dried fruits – notably sultanas, cranberries, and dates – with a salty afterthought.

Palate: A velvety mouth-feel with drifting peat smoke and hints of iodine. Then there is a rush of candied citrus peels and masses of sherry-soaked dried fruit.

Finish: The finish is long and lingering with notes of pear, dried apricot, and beach bonfire smoke.

Follow Master of Malt:
- On Twitter: @MasterOfMalt
- On Facebook: MasterOfMalt
- On their blog: MasterOfMaltBlog

For more information contact:
Ben Ellefsen: +44 (0)7816 661657

Accompanying media can be downloaded at this link.

Media Use Only. Copyright ©Master of Malt 2012. These pictures are intended for media use only. The pictures must not be altered in any way. For special permission to edit photos please contact press@masterofmalt.com

Master of Malt Announces the Launch of Cream Gin

December 06, 2012

Online Retailer Master of Malt has partnered with Fluid Movement—owners of the prominent London cocktail bars The Worship Street Whistling Shop, Purl, and Dach & Sons—to produce a one-of-a-kind gin made with cold-distilled cream. Cream Gin forms the base of The Worship Street Whistling Shop’s signature cocktail: Black Cat’s Martini.

As catalogued by Max Schlesinger in his Saunterings in and about London from 1853, Cream Gin was a staple of the ubiquitous Gin Palaces of the Victorian Age. The Victorian version of Cream Gin was most likely a mixture of gin, cream, and sugar which was stored in a barrel, the cream and sugar likely intended to soften the harshness of the gin.

Inspired by the prevalence of historic Gin Palaces and in an effort to modernise the more traditional method of producing Cream Gin, Fluid Movement and Master of Malt have applied the wonders of Modern Science to this delectable concoction through the application of cold distillation.

A secret combination of ingredients—including fresh cream—is macerated with a citrus-forward gin, then cold distilled to produce a luscious spirit with a full mouthfeel and strong notes of dairy and vanilla. In this way, the cream mixture is used as a botanical—rather than being infused as in the Victorian method—and is included with the spirit pre-distillation.

Cold-distillation ensures the absence of any burnt or ‘off’ cream notes as the liquid is never heated during the production process. This process also ensures the removal of larger, more complex molecules that would degrade over time, meaning that Cream Gin need never be refrigerated and ensuring Cream Gin has the same shelf life as any other spirit. The resulting liquid is transparent but delivers the sensory experience of a full-cream aroma and thick, rich texture to a London Dry Gin.

Cream Gin is significantly different in body, flavour, and balance to any other London Dry Gin, and it lends an entirely new dimension of texture to cocktails and a distinct interplay of botanicals to gin-based drinks. This singular gin is certainly the cream of the crop.

Cream Gin – 70cl – 40% abv – £41.95

Nose: Rich, full-fat cream with a heavy whack of vanilla, though citrus notes of orange and lemon make themselves apparent.

Palate: Creamy and thick with lactic richness. The combination of a visually transparent liquid with the texture of a rich dairy product produces a fusion of sight and touch that boggles the mind but delights the palate.

Finish: Sweet, creamy, and moreish. This is undoubtedly gin but with a character that breaks the bounds of the category and brings new depth and flavour to the spirit.

Overall: This is not just another gin with a wacky botanical—this is a completely new approach to the category. Gin enthusiasts, historians, and molecular mixologists all stand to be astounded.

Cream Gin is now available from Master of Malt, Selfridges, and Harvey Nichols.

Follow Master of Malt:
- On Twitter: @MasterOfMalt
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For more information contact:
Ben Ellefsen: +44 (0)7816 661657

Master of Malt Announces A New Competition

November 28, 2012

Online retailer Master of Malt announces a new competition to win a VIP trip to the Highland Park Distillery.

Master of Malt have teamed up with Highland Park to give away a VIP trip to the Orkney Islands in Scotland. One lucky winner will have a chance to tour the Highland Park Distillery and experience an exclusive whisky tasting of Highland Park Single Malt Scotch Whisky.

The trip also features dinner and accommodation at the Lynnfield Hotel, a visit to the Italian Chapel built by Italian prisoners of war in 1941, a tour of the island of West Mainland (including a visit to Peat Hill, the striking cliffs at Yesnaby, and the Ring of Brodgar), and – if time permits – a visit to the local brewery.

To enter the competition, and be in the running to win this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, all you have to do is buy a full bottle of Highland Park Single Malt Whisky, which has been bottled by the distillery, before 500 bottles have been sold or before the 15th December, depending on which comes first.

There can only be one winner and applicants must be over 18 years old (and of legal age to purchase alcohol in their country of residence). The winner will be announced in December 2012. Each bottle purchased is counted as one entry into the competition, and there is no limit to the number of bottles a single entrant can purchase.

For more information on the competition and to view the terms and conditions please have a read of the competition page.

Follow Master of Malt:
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For more information contact:
Ben Ellefsen: +44 (0)7816 661657

Master of Malt Announces New Releases from That Boutiquey Whisky Company

November 15, 2012

Online retailer Master of Malt announces the release of four new Single Malt Whiskies from That Boutique-y Whisky Company.

The second instalment of whiskies from That Boutique-y Whisky Company has now been released – these whiskies hail from the Speyside distilleries of BenRiach, Aberlour, Aultmore and Benrinnes. All are bottled without age statements and feature cult comic book style labels that reference various stories and in-jokes associated with the distilleries and the people connected to them.

That Boutique-y Whisky Company was launched in September 2012 as the latest independent bottling label from Master of Malt. That Boutique-y Whisky Company bottles Single Malt Scotch Whiskies in the truest sense of the term, meaning that they are a blend of casks from a single distillery. They are labelled without age statements to demonstrate that the flavour of the whisky is more important than its age. Also, remember to keep hold of your old bottles because you might just be able to play spot-the-difference with later batches – that's if you look very carefully!

The new releases from That Boutique-y Whisky Company are now available from Master of Malt here.

Aberlour – 54.6% – 50cl – £43.95

Nose: Raisins and dried apple lead to cox apples, cloudy apple juice, ground ginger and roast cocoa beans with maybe the slightest hint of smoke.

Palate: Rich, fruity and mouth-filling, with additional notes of ginger, barley and bitter dark chocolate.

Finish: The finish is substantial and well-rounded with burnt dry fruits, autumnal berries, Pink Lady apples and brandy cream flavours.

Aultmore – 53.4% – 50cl – £34.95

Nose: Vanilla oak notes, followed by lemon zest and greengages. As the whisky opens up intense notes of cloves and lime zest reveal themselves.

Palate: The palate is layered with mixed spices, sweetened with creamy vanilla, and highlighted with notes of greengages and citrus peels.

Finish: The finish lingers with refreshing menthol, deep dark chocolate and tingling white pepper.

BenRiach – 48.2% – 50cl – £49.95

Nose: Big fruity cherries, marmalade, a hint of red vermouth followed by subtle toffee and old leather. Then, just out of reach, is a little bit of peat just to remind you of BenRiach's other personality.

Palate: Red cherries, strawberry coulis leading to floral heather and a (very small) pinch of peat.

Finish: The finish is soft and gentle with a sugar syrup quality flecked with strawberries and raspberries with the briefest suggestion of crushed black pepper.

Benrinnes – 48.9% – 50cl – £43.95

Nose: A fat aroma of stewing peaches and lychees dominates the nose with side notes of a just opened packet of juicy sultanas and moist fruit cake. Positively enchanting!

Palate: Silky and oily with reduced tropical fruit juices, fireworks, grape juice and a sprinkling of cinnamon and nutmeg.

Finish: Lingering firework smoke, rhubarb, passion fruit and peaches in a full-bodied and fruity finish.

Follow Master of Malt:
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For more information contact:
Ben Ellefsen: +44 (0)7816 661657

Master of Malt Announce the Release of The Whisky Advent Calendar

November 02, 2012

Online retailer Master of Malt announces the release of The Whisky Advent Calendar from Drinks by the Dram.

Using the traditional Advent Calendar format of a surprise treat behind a door for each day leading up to Christmas, Drinks by the Dram has produced an Advent Calendar filled with drams of whisky. The Whisky Advent Calendar features twenty-four doors, each hiding a 3cl dram of whisky and is decorated with artwork depicting a variety of whisky-related images, from copper pot stills to oak casks.

The Whisky Advent Calendar from Drinks by the Dram features 24 different 3cl drams of whisky –each dram is hidden behind one of the Calendar’s 24 doors. There are a variety of styles included, as well as a 50-year-old whisky which retails at £350 for a full bottle. The Whisky Advent Calendar makes a great gift for any whisky enthusiast and provides a unique way to celebrate the run-up to Christmas.

The Whisky Advent Calendar is now available from Master of Malt.

The Whisky Advent Calendar – £149.95

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For more information contact:
Ben Ellefsen: +44 (0)7816 661657

Master of Malt Announces the Release of a New Advent Calendar

November 01, 2012

Online Retailer Master of Malt announces the release of The Ginvent Calendar for Christmas 2012.

In anticipation of this year’s festive season, Drinks by the Dram have teamed up with The Gin Blog to create The Ginvent Calendar.

The Gin Blog installed a life-size version of The Ginvent Calendar—standing 1.5 metres tall and using full size bottles of gin—in Soho’s Graphic Bar during December 2011. Subscribers to The Gin Blog’s Twitter feed could then win a bottle from the Calendar by correctly answering a gin-related question each day throughout the month. This year, The Gin Blog has collaborated with Drinks by the Dram to create a commercially-available Advent Calendar so that everyone can get involved in this gin-themed, festive fun.

The Ginvent Calendar 2012 is a scaled down version of the original Ginvent Calendar and features artwork of gin botanicals taken from the Encyclopaedia Botanica. The inspiration behind the design is to highlight the variety of botanicals that can be used in the process of making gin; often one botanical defines a particular gin, such as cucumber in Hendricks Gin. Furthermore, the artwork emphasises the possibilities of using ever more inventive botanical recipes in the future.

Behind each door is a different 3cl dram of gin, one for each day of Advent. The Gin Blog writes, “We’ve chosen twenty-four different gins that reflect the category as a whole… all the gins can be bought in the UK should any tickle your fancy, there is a real difference between the gins, and all twenty-four represent what we think is the best the category has to offer.”

The Ginvent Calendar is now available from Master of Malt.

The Ginvent Calendar – £79.95

Follow Master of Malt:
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For more information contact:
Ben Ellefsen: +44 (0)7816 661657

The Vesper Cocktail – Cocktail Manufacturer sends open letter to Britains Top Spy

October 25, 2012

Online retailer Master of Malt announces the release of a brand new ready-to-drink Vesper Cocktail from the 'Experimental Series' bottled by The Handmade Cocktail Company.

Online retailer Master of Malt have recently sent an open letter to Britain's top spy detailing the release of the Vesper Cocktail from The Handmade Cocktail Company, to address a very pressing issue indeed, that he had switched from martinis to lager. They expressed their dismay in this open letter here.

The Vesper Martini was made famous by Britain’s most celebrated fictional spy and is a delicate balance of Gin, Vodka and, originally, Kina Lillet (although a secret blend of vermouths, aromatic wines and Lillet Blanc are used in this version to approximate the flavour of the sadly defunct Kina Lillet). The Vesper Cocktail is best served stirred over ice with a twist of lemon peel to garnish.

The Handmade Cocktail Company has produced vintage ready-to-drink cocktails since its launch in 2011, and in February 2012 the ‘Experimental Series’ was launched to allow the consumer to influence future releases. Popular bottlings in the Series will then join the full range of products produced by the Handmade Cocktail Company.

Vesper Cocktail – 43% abv – 20cl – £12.95

Nose: The nose opens with a bouquet of heady juniper and zingy vodka with the floral dimension of the vermouth swiftly following.

Palate: The palate displays supreme elegance with the vodka laying a refreshing citrus quality on top of the delicate botanical balance of the gin, beneath this there is an underlying honeyed sweetness leading to drying notes of pine resin.

Finish: The finish retains floral juniper notes, with a hint of quinine bitterness, and lingers for a surprising long time with notes of juniper, cream and a slight herbaceousness.

Overall: The key to this cocktail is balance. The Gin, Vodka and Vermouth play-off each other to create a sum greater than the total of their parts. It is easy to see why this cocktail is needed after a mission defending Queen and Country!

The Vesper Cocktail is now available from Master of Malt.

Follow Master of Malt:
- On Twitter: @MasterOfMalt
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For more information contact:
Ben Ellefsen: +44 (0)7816 661657

Master of Malt Announces a New Navy Strength Spiced Rum

October 25, 2012

Online retailer Master of Malt announces the launch of Rumbullion! Navy-Strength from Professor Cornelius Ampleforth.

Rumbullion! is a high quality Caribbean Rum infused with warming spices such as Cardamom, Cloves and Madagascan Vanilla. This release has been bottled at Navy-Strength (57% abv) to give it more impact on the palate and makes for a very warming drink indeed.

The story goes that spirits carried aboard ships were bottled at “Navy-Strength“—a higher abv than normal—so that if they accidentally came into contact with gunpowder, the wet powder would still explode. However, as this test carried out by the Professor himself shows, while the powder may burn, it certainly wouldn’t explode. It is more likely that spirits were bottled at such a high abv to reduce the number of barrels needed on long voyages, and over-proof rum would last longer with a thirsty crew on board.

Rumbullion! Navy-Strength is handsomely packaged in crinkled brown paper with a black wax seal and is adorned with a hand-illustrated label which depicts a Naval grog tub and a Naval ‘White Ensign’ Flag.

Rumbullion! Navy-Strength lends punch to any cocktail and can be used in place of any spiced rum to add depth and character.

Rumbullion! Navy-Strength – 70cl —57%abv – £45.95

Nose: Incredibly intense. Buckets of vanilla combine with flamed orange zest. The cardamom makes itself known by offering up an evocative suggestion of old-fashioned cola, and to this the cloves bring out a deep, dark complexity. Yet more sweetness comes from the juicy, fresh cinnamon, which melds beautifully with a core of the essential oils of Seville orange peel.

Palate: An absolutely huge whack of high-proof spicy vanilla-laden complexity. Hints of Manuka honey and mouth-watering cinnamon form its heart, with molasses, candy floss, toffee apples, crème brûlée and clove-studded oranges.

Finish: An incredibly long finish, with a stunning degree of freshness as the cinnamon, orange and creamy, sweet vanilla coat the palate for minutes.

Overall: If there was ever going to be anything that could top the standard Rumbullion! this is it. The additional ABV will be a welcome boon to those used to cask-strength whiskies, and those who appreciate deep and intense flavours.

Rumbullion! Navy-Strength is now available from Master of Malt.

Follow Master of Malt:
- On Twitter: @MasterOfMalt
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For more information contact:
Ben Ellefsen: +44 (0)7816 661657

Master of Malt Announces the Release of Four Antique Ready To Drink Cocktails

October 17, 2012

Online retailer Master of Malt announces the launch of four new ready-to-drink antique cocktails from the ‘Experimental Series’ bottled by The Handmade Cocktail Company.

Antique cocktails are becoming increasingly popular as mixologists explore the delights of spirits from years-gone-by. These cocktails are a new twist on classic recipes and offer a fascinating insight into drinks history.

The ‘Experimental Series’ Antique Cocktails are a selection of four classic drinks: the Negroni, the Manhattan, the Rob Roy and the Martinez – all made by using rare spirits bottled in the 1960s, 1970s and the 1980s. These antique spirits were often made using different production methods and sources of ingredients to their counterparts today, hence resulting in a different flavour profile.

Furthermore, due to the time spent in bottle, the spirits have oxidised slightly which mellows the spirit, gives it a deeper complexity and adds another tasty dimension to these delicious cocktails.

The Handmade Cocktail Company has made vintage ready-to-drink cocktails since its launch in 2011, and in February 2012 the ‘Experimental Series’ was launched to allow the consumer to influence future releases. Popular bottlings in the Series will then join the full range of products produced by the Handmade Cocktail Company.

Antique Negroni – 1970s – Batch 1 – 20cl/33.7%abv – £41.95

Nose: Bitter cranberry, macerated raspberry and a touch of leather hit the nose first before we are taken on a tour of the spice rack: cardamom, cloves and juniper, rounded off with grated lemon zest.

Palate: The gin arrives on the palate first before the bittersweet tag-team of sweet vermouth and Campari burst into the party bringing herbs, dried cranberry and nutmeg.

Finish: Refreshingly bitter and herbaceous with a sweet lick at the very end.

Overall: The classic Italian cocktail beautifully delivered with the added cachet of being antique. Superb stuff!

Antique Manhattan – 1970s/1980s – Batch 1 – 20cl/39.1%abv – £49.95

Nose: At first the whiskey hits the nose hand in hand with the sweet vermouth before cherries and sage wander in with the vaguest hint of white pepper.

Palate: Cherries and oak notes fill the mouth followed by cinnamon and dried red fruits.

Finish: Coriander and oregano form a herbaceous finish but it is the bourbon vanilla that clings on for dear life until the very end.

Overall: This is a delicately balanced Manhattan that creates a product greater than the sum of its parts - plus it's an antique, what's more to like?

Antique Rob Roy – 1960s/1970s – Batch 1 – 20cl/38.55abv – £38.95

Nose: Maraschino cherries open up first followed by fresh Seville oranges, nectarines and essence of raspberry. Beneath this fruity exterior lies a malty floor harmonising with the sweet vermouth.

Palate: Sweet fruit, namely cherries and plums, roll over the palate counter-balanced by the bitters and whisky.

Finish: Bitter oranges and candied citrus peel finish this mouth-wateringly delicious cocktail.

Overall: The key word for this cocktail is balance. The sweet fresh fruit flavours are intricately complemented by the bitter component. Oh and the ingredients were sourced from the 60s and 70s, that's pretty cool isn't it?

Antique Martinez – 1970s – Batch 1 – 20cl/39%abv – £42.95

Nose: The nose is dominated by juniper and cherries but tempered with a little orange peel and macerated red fruits.

Palate: Red grapes, raisins, tangerine zest and baked apples with a smooth, silky mouth feel.

Finish: Mixed herbs, rosemary and coriander at first leading to black cherries and pepper as the cocktail slowly fades away.

Overall: A perfect cocktail for those who don't favour the drier martini or for those who fancy a change. Factor in the antique nature of its ingredients and you have one sublime drink.

The Antique Cocktails are now available from Master Of Malt.

Follow Master of Malt:
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For more information contact:
Ben Ellefsen: +44 (0)7816 661657

Master of Malt Launches the ‘World’s Hottest Chilli Vodka’ Again!

October 02, 2012

Online retailer Master of Malt announces the launch of the world’s hottest chilli vodka: 250,000 Scovilles – Naga Chilli Vodka from the Hot Enough Vodka Company.

The second release from the Hot Enough Vodka Company, 250,000 Scovilles – Naga Chilli Vodka supersedes 100,000 Scovilles – Naga Chilli Vodka as the world’s hottest chilli vodka. As such, 250,000 Scovilles – Naga Chilli Vodka comes with a full disclaimer on the label and is sealed with industrial-grade sealing wire and a skull-and-crossbones-embossed lead security seal. Master of Malt strongly discourages people from purchasing or drinking this new vodka that is 2.5 times hotter than its predecessor.

This searingly hot vodka is made from Naga Jolokia chillies (sometimes referred to as “ghost peppers”) by infusing the chillies in high-quality grain vodka for a few weeks in a glass carboy. The resultant liquid is a deep red colour. Naga Jolokia chillies are the spiciest chillies in the world and in their dried form can be hotter than many law-enforcement-grade pepper sprays. Naga Jolokia chillies can exceed 1,000,000 Scovilles while Jalapeño peppers rank at about 5,000 Scovilles—this gives some indication as to the level of heat in 250,000 Scovilles Naga Chilli Vodka.

Master of Malt urges customers to use this vodka sparingly, if at all, to add spice to cocktails. Under no circumstances should it be consumed neat or as a shot.

250,000 Scovilles – Naga Chilli Vodka – £31.95

That Disclaimer in Full:

By purchasing this bottle, you agree that:
1) I have been warned and fully understand that this product contains extreme heat and should be used and handled responsibly.
2) I use this product entirely at my own risk and I understand the potential danger if used or handled irresponsibly. If I give this product as a gift I will make the recipient aware of the potential danger if used or handled irresponsibly.
3) I accept that the retailer and manufacturer of this product will, under no circumstances, be responsible for, or liable for, any claims of injury or damage arising from the use or misuse of this product and by purchasing this product, whether for myself or as a gift, I acknowledge and agree to this fact without question.
4) I am not inebriated or of unsound mind and am fully able to make a rational decision to purchase this product.

Follow Master of Malt:
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For more information contact:
Ben Ellefsen: +44 (0)7816 661657

Master of Malt Launches A New Navy Strength Gin

September 26, 2012

Online retailer Master of Malt announces the launch of Bathtub Gin – Navy Strength from Professor Cornelius Ampleforth.

Bathtub Gin – Navy Strength is bottled at 57% abv, higher than the award-winning Bathtub Gin that was released in 2011. It is produced from the finest pot-still spirit which has been infused with a variety of botanicals including Juniper, Cinnamon, Cardamom, Dried Orange Peel, Cloves, and Coriander. The botanicals have been hand crushed before infusion—a variation in the production process of the original Bathtub Gin in which the botanicals are infused whole in the spirit—in order to release more flavour. The botanicals are then infused for 1 hour only—where in the original Bathtub Gin they are infused for 24 hours—and the result is a fuller-bodied gin with a greater intensity of flavour and a pale gold colour.

The term “Navy Strength” refers to the abv of the spirit. The story goes that any alcohol aboard a Royal Navy ship had to be 57% abv or higher to ensure that the gunpowder would still ignite were it to be dampened by the gin. However, this theory is highly specious, as the gunpowder might ignite but certainly not explode. Rather, the higher strength would ensure that fewer barrels of spirit would need to be carried aboard, thus saving valuable space and weight on the ship.

The bottle is handsomely presented in crinkled brown paper with a black wax seal and a hand drawn Naval ‘White Ensign’ flag on the label. Professor Cornelius Ampleforth’s Bathtub Gin – Navy Strength makes for a particularly rich and flavourful martini or a complex and spicy gin and tonic, and boasts flavours of citrus fruits, juniper, and warm winter spices.

Bathtub Gin – Navy Strength - £41.95

Nose: After a big blast of citrus and juniper, top-notes of spice arrive, notably cinnamon, cardamom, coriander and clove.

Palate: The body is mouth-filling and oily with notes of juniper, citrus and spice.

Finish: The finish is long and lingering with cinnamon and clove jostling for position.

Overall: Incredibly packed with flavour making this a sipping gin in every sense of the term. The higher strength delivers the flavours with precision and impact, truly great stuff indeed.

Follow Master of Malt:
- On Twitter: @MasterOfMalt
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For more information contact:
Ben Ellefsen: +44 (0)7816 661657

Master of Malt Announces a New Range of Ready Bottled Cocktails

September 21, 2012

Online retailer Master of Malt announces the launch of two new ready-bottled cocktails from the ‘Experimental Series’ range bottled by The Handmade Cocktail Company.

The Hanky Panky and the Boulevardier are the first two releases in the new range bottled under the the ‘Experimental Series’ label within The Handmade Cocktail Company brand. The most popular bottlings in the ‘Experimental Series’ will become part of the permanent range and join the growing list of ready-to-drink cocktails.

The Handmade Cocktail Company has produced bottlings since its launch in 2011 and designs a range of classic cocktails that need minimal preparation to serve. The current range includes: The Manhattan Cocktail, The World’s Best Cocktail, The Gin Martini Cocktail, The Old Fashioned Cocktail, The Martinez Cocktail, The Negroni Cocktail, and the Rob Roy Cocktail.

The ‘Experimental Series’ was launched in February 2012 with a competition for consumers to guess the ingredients of a ‘Secret Leap Year Cocktail’. The winner of that competition would then be allowed to name the cocktail. The cocktail would then be released as part of the ‘Experimental Series’ and have the opportunity to join the full range of products produced by The Handmade Cocktail Company, depending on demand.

Hanky Panky – 20cl – 31.9% - £13.95

The Hanky Panky was the creation of Ada Coleman who became head bartender of the American Bar at the Savoy Hotel. Ada Coleman crafted cocktails for the likes of Mark Twain and the Prince of Wales amongst many other notable guests. The story goes that Sir Charles Hawtrey asked Ada to make him something, “with a bit of punch in it.” Ada made a cocktail containing Vermouth, Dry Gin, and Fernet Branca. Hawtrey exclaimed, “By Jove! That is the real hanky panky” and the Hanky Panky was born.

Nose: A warm aroma of mixed spice and barley sweets gives way to powerful herbal sweets and freshly stewed mincemeat.

Palate: The palate is sweet and syrupy with notes of barley sugar, dried oranges and a re-occurrence of herbal sweets off-set with a touch of menthol.

Finish: The finish has a pleasing bitter edge and lingering notes of allspice.

Overall: This is a cocktail that offers something greater than the sum of its parts. The herbal and menthol notes are refreshing whilst the bitterness on the palate is excellently balanced against any residual sugar.

Boulevardier – 20cl – 30.4% - £14.95

The Boulevardier is essentially a fusion of two of the greatest cocktails of all time: the Negroni and the Manhattan. The Boulevardier is named after a literary magazine started in 1927 in Paris by a young American by the name of Erskine Gwynne. It featured up-and-coming writers of the day including Hemingway, Joyce, and Coward. There was also a page dedicated to “Barflies and Cocktails”!

Nose: A big burst of sweet Bourbon with cranberries, glacé cherries and nutmeg.

Palate: The mouth-feel is soft with vanilla and goji berry flavours and a spiciness the tingles on the tip of the tongue.

Finish: The finish is perfectly dry and bitter with developing notes of stewed strawberries and raspberries.

Overall: The bigger Bourbon notes are brilliantly fused with red fruit flavours and herbal bitters to create this delicious cocktail.

Over the upcoming months, further ‘Experimental Series’ cocktails will be released by The Handmade Cocktail Company, and the winner of the ‘Secret Leap Year Cocktail’ competition along with the new bottling will be announced.

The ‘Experimental Series’ cocktails are now available from Master of Malt.

Follow Master of Malt:
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For more information contact:
Ben Ellefsen: +44 (0)7816 661657

Master of Malt announces a new range of no age statement single malt scotch whiskies

September 13, 2012

UK-based fine spirits producer and retailer Master of Malt have announced the launch of a new range of Single Malt Scotch Whiskies.

‘That Boutique-y Whisky Company’ Single Malt Scotch Whiskies represent the latest independent bottling by Master of Malt and are produced from hand-selected parcels of whisky from single distilleries. This new series is produced in small batches and are released in limited quantities. The first four distilleries represented in the range are Ardbeg, Macallan, Caperdonich, and Port Ellen.

Each distillery label has been whimsically hand-illustrated and individually numbered. The labels contain comic book style representations of scenes inspired by tall tales, inside jokes, and well-renowned collectors of the whisky industry. Each bottle is 50cl and hand-dipped in black wax. The rarity of the whisky itself and the unique design of the packaging make this series highly collectible.

These whiskies are released with no age statement as the age of the whisky within each bottling will vary from batch to batch, and new batches are not created until the best quality stock becomes available. By releasing a no-age-statement whisky, That Boutique-y Whisky Company aims to focus whisky enthusiasts on the flavour of each bottling rather than the age.

Tasting notes for the four initial Whiskies are:

Ardbeg – Batch 1
Smooth with salty peat smoke, oranges, lemons, and a dollop of vanilla.

Macallan – Batch 1
Rich and sherried with notes of Christmas cake, calvados, and warm spice.

Caperdonich – Batch 1
Rhubarb with stewed grapes, pear drops, and slathering of double cream.

Port Ellen – Batch 1
Strong notes of lemon sherbet, chamois leather, and a wisp delicate peat smoke.

More batches of each of these initial distilleries as well as selections from additional distilleries will be added to the range over the coming months and years.

That Boutique-y Whisky Company’s range of Single Malt Scotch Whiskies is available now from Master of Malt.

Follow Master of Malt:
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For more information contact:
Ben Ellefsen: +44 (0)7816 661657

Master of Malt announces the release of historic 7 Dials Gin

September 04, 2012

Online retailer Master of Malt announces the launch of 7 Dials Gin – a spicy, cold-distilled gin, named for the infamous crossroads in the St Giles Parish of London. In the 19th century, the area was inhabited by those with “chronic want” and those of a “vicious”, “semi-criminal” persuasion. 7 Dials harks back to the days of big-bodied, spicy gins.

The gin itself is made in very small batches by a process of cold-distillation. This involves a rotary evaporation still and it allows the spirit to retain the freshness and complexity of the botanicals, rather than traditional hot-distillation, which often imparts a ‘cooked’ flavour. 7 Dials is flavoured with 7 different botanicals, including the traditional gin base of juniper, as well as a mix of coriander, angelica, marshmallow root, clementine peel, cardamom and almond.

Master of Malt recommends this gin be served in a Dry Martini made with just a drop of Noilly Prat vermouth and a slice of lemon peel, expressed over the glass. This allows the superbly spicy, rich flavour of the gin to stand out. Alternatively, 7 Dials is great in a gin and tonic, with plenty of ice and lime.

You can purchase a bottle of 7 Dials Gin for £39.95 here: http://www.masterofmalt.com/gin/master-of-malt/7-dials-london-dry-gin/

Tasting Notes

Nose: Juniper infused double cream, leading to herbaceous touches of coriander and lavender before zesty aromatics take sway.

Palate: Angelica and cardamom spice open the palate followed by a typhoon of fresh juniper, before dense earthy root notes emerge.

Finish: The finish is gentle with fresh coriander and bay leaf, making way to almond and tangy clementine zest.

Overall: This gin is a flavour bomb of a drink, the juniper asserts itself well but complex herb flavours make this a very interesting gin, furthermore it has a zesty quality that keeps it from becoming tired and flabby. Great in a Martini and would hold up excellently with tonic water.

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MASTER OF MALT announce perfect summer tipple

August 23, 2012

Online retailers Master of Malt are proud to announce the launch of Professor Cornelius Ampleforth’s Summer Fruit Cup – a classic, refreshing English concoction based on a recipe of strawberries, cucumber, orange and mint with a blend of fine wines, spirits, herbs and spices. The result is the perfect summertime quaff.

To create this quintessentially English drink, Professor Cornelius Ampleforth uses a vacuum still in which he carefully re-distils top quality wheat spirit infused with cucumber, strawberry, orange and mint. The use of a vacuum still allows distillation to take place at room temperature, retaining freshness and complexity.

Each bottle is wrapped in crinkled brown paper, with a string-wound neck and a handsome black wax seal. The bottles are adorned with a print of a hand-drawn illustration depicting a refreshing bowl of summer fruit-punch and three jolly Victorian gentlemen.

To serve a perfect Summer Fruit Cup half-fill a tall glass with ice, sliced cucumber and orange, quartered strawberries and a lightly bruised sprig of fresh mint. Then combine one part Summer Fruit Cup with two parts lemonade and enjoy!

Tasting notes:

Nose: Huge depth and richness in the initial nose, spicy with notes of Caramelised Apricot, Chocolate and Marmalade. A huge secondary whack from the cold-distilled botanicals - Cucumber is the primary component, but mint, orange and sweet luscious strawberry all make an appearance.

Palate: Extraordinary intensity, but made fresh and accessible by the cold-distilled botanicals. The Strawberry is particularly prominent, but the mint freshness is omnipresent.

Finish: Long and luscious with the Mint, Strawberry, Orange peel bitterness and mint continuing to shine.

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MASTER OF MALT announce limited edition bottling by BenRiach and Caskstrength

August 21, 2012

Drinks writers Neil Ridley and Joel Harrison of Caskstrength.net have teamed up with BenRiach whisky distillery to produce a single cask, Single Malt Scotch Whisky. This limited edition bottling is available only through Master of Malt.

Online retailers Master of Malt are proud to announce the exclusive release of a limited edition bottling of 16 year old BenRiach Single Malt Scotch Whisky selected by renowned whisky journalists Neil Ridley and Joel Harrison of Caskstrength.net. Working directly with BenRiach, Mr. Ridley and Mr. Harrison hand selected a single cask to release this limited edition run of 296 bottles.

The whisky was distilled in 1996, aged for 16 years including 4 years in a Pedro Ximenez sherry cask, and bottled in July of 2012. The whisky is a single cask whisky (cask #5614) and was bottled at cask strength at 55.2% abv.

This bottling represents the second in a series of ‘A-Z’ bottlings to be released by Caskstrength.net. Their first release was an Arran Single Malt Scotch Whisky and sold out in a matter of days on Master of Malt. The Arran release has since become a collectors’ item and has tripled in price in the past year. Caskstrength.net has yet to reveal what their next release will be.

Each 70cl bottle is labelled with the ‘Cask Strength and Carry On’ logo, is individually numbered, and is hand signed by both Mr. Ridley and Mr. Harrison. The first 50 bottles will be sold with a limited edition ‘Cask Strength and Carry On’ cotton carrier bag.

Tasting notes:

Nose: Toffee sweetness and Werther’s Originals spring out of the gate. The PX finishing is extremely apparent with brown sugar and Christmastime notes with a hint of salted caramel and just a whisper of granny’s old baking-and-spice cabinet.

Palate: Rich, dark, and dried fruits roll down like an avalanche and lead into a river of caramel and toffee. Some soft potpourri and candied lemon peel pops up its head but doesn’t overpower. Begins elegantly and reveals a more powerful flavour with time.

Finish: Long and lingering, it carries the salted caramel through to the back of the throat for a pleasantly drying finish thanks to the Pedro Ximenez sherry casks.

About Master of Malt:
- Established in 1985
- Master of Malt is one of the UK’s leading Online Whisky & Spirits Merchants, with a huge range of whiskies, rum, brandies, gins, cocktails and many other fine spirits.
- UK Next Day Delivery from £6.95

Follow Master of Malt:
- On Twitter: @MasterOfMalt
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- On their blog: MasterOfMaltBlog

Master of Malt launches Origin range of single estate gins

July 02, 2012

UK-based fine spirits producer and retailer Master of Malt have today announced the launch of a completely new concept in the world of gin.

The ‘Origin’ range of London Dry Gins are distilled using juniper sourced from multiple locations around the world – allowing the discerning consumer to explore the effects of terroir (or place of origin) on the flavour of the final gin.

Each of the four gins available at launch is made in exactly the same way, distilled from English wheat spirit, and only one botanical – Juniper. Distillation is conducted at room-temperature, under vacuum to preserve the highest possible amount of flavour from the juniper berries used in its production.

Each bottle of Origin is supplied with a supplementary 10ml vial of other cold-distilled botanicals (Coriander, Fresh Lemon Peel, Bitter Orange Peel, Cardamom, Angelica, Cassia, Liquorice, Cubeb Berries and Camomile) which consumers can, if they choose, add to their bottle of gin to make a more rounded, traditionally flavoured Gin.

Tasting notes for the four initial Gins are:

Origin – Single Estate Juniper Spirit. Arezzo, Italy
Clean Citrus and Pine, with a really smooth creaminess on the finish. Amazingly Long.

Origin – Single Estate Juniper Spirit. Meppel, The Netherlands
Tobacco and Calves Leather, with an earthy, Coffee-Rich Finish. Much more savoury and masculine than the Arezzo.

Origin – Single Estate Juniper Spirit. Veliki Preslav, Bulgaria
Perfumed, Floral notes with a fruity, slightly waxy finish. Puts me in mind of a fantastic old Clynelish…

Origin – Single Estate Juniper Spirit. Valbonë, Albania
Resinous and Blackcurrant-y notes, with hints of Tobacco and a chocolaty finish. Very rich.

Many more locations will be added to the Origin range over the coming months and years –juniper sourced from Macedonia and Kosovo is currently in production, and supply contracts have been agreed with producers / harvesters in France, Tasmania and the USA.

The Origin Range is available now from Master of Malt priced at £34.95 per bottle, and will be in Harvey Nichols stores nationwide from Mid-July.

Follow Master of Malt:
- On Twitter: @MasterOfMalt
- On Facebook: MasterOfMalt
- On their blog: MasterOfMaltBlog

For more information contact:
Ben Ellefsen: +44 (0)7816 661657

Master of Malt’s Bathtub Gin wins Design and Packaging Award

June 11, 2012

Online spirit retailer Master of Malt has won its second design accolade this year.

The company’s Bathtub Gin, released as part of the Professor Cornelius Ampleforth range of artisan spirits, collected the ‘Best Design and Packaging - Spirit’ award at The Drinks Business Awards 2012.

Wrapped in brown paper and sealed with twine and black wax, the unique presentation of Bathtub Gin harks back to days past, reflecting the gin’s historic cold compounding production method.

Featuring a hand-drawn picture of a carboy and a variety of botanicals, the label hints at the carefully-chosen ingredients which go into producing the unique flavour of Bathtub Gin.

Juniper, orange peel, coriander, cinnamon, cloves and cardamom all infuse in the high quality English grain spirit, creating a gin which has struck a chord with both consumers and professionals alike.

Bathtub Gin is made in ultra-small batches of only 30 to 60 bottles at a time, and the length of the compounding period is controlled entirely by periodic sampling.

Earlier this year, Master of Malt’s unique Drinks by the Dram range won ‘Best Innovation – New Product Range’ at the World Whiskies Design Awards.

The win was announced at an invitation-only ceremony on Wednesday, May 23 at the London International Wine Fair.

Follow Master of Malt:
- On Twitter: @MasterOfMalt
- On Facebook: MasterOfMalt
- On their blog: MasterOfMaltBlog

For more information contact:
Ben Ellefsen: +44 (0)7816 661657

Win Rare Compass Box Whisky with Master of Malt

April 20, 2012

Award-winning online spirit retailer Master of Malt is giving away three rare bottles of Compass Box whisky to one lucky customer this month.

Compass Box creates some of the finest blended whiskies available on the market today, from the superlative Spice Tree to the powerful Peat Monster.

The first 250 people to buy a bottle of Compass Box from Master of Malt’s online shop will be automatically entered into a prize draw to win three superb bottles: the exalted Canto Cask 48, the original illegal Spice Tree blend, and Canto Cask 20.

In addition to the prize draw, every bottle of Compass Box will come with a free 3cl dram of one of the company’s other whiskies to savour.

Here’s a list of eligible Compass Box products.

Every bottle bought increases the odds of winning, and remember there are only 250 chances, so there is no better time to discover the Compass Box range at Master of Malt.

The Prizes:

Canto Cask 48

The Canto Cask Range was a first for Compass Box, a fascinating experiment into the effects of oak. Compass Box took sixteen single cask, cask-strength Scotch malt whiskies. Each cask held the same whisky, but for the last 18 months the whiskies were aged in a range of different new oaks, both French and American, in a variety of different toasts. Number 48 used a heavily toasted French oak cask.

Illegal Spice Tree

When the award-winning Spice Tree was first launched back in 2005, the Scottish Whisky Association (SWA) decided the practice of using new oak staves in the finishing process was against the rules, and threatened to take Compass Box to court unless the company stopped making its popular blend. To cut a long story short, the process was modified, Spice Tree was resurrected in 2009, and there was much rejoicing. But Master of Malt has an original, illegal bottle of Spice Tree to give away… keep it under your hat.

Canto Cask 20

Number 20 is strikingly different from 48; it was finished in medium-toasted American Oak, and the effect has produced a very different whisky to the heavily toasted French oak matured 48.

Follow Master of Malt:
- On Twitter: @MasterOfMalt
- On Facebook: MasterOfMalt
- On their blog: MasterOfMaltBlog

For more information contact:
Ben Ellefsen: +44 (0)7816 661657

Master of Malt named Global Online Retailer of the Year

March 27, 2012

UK company wins a raft of awards at annual industry event

Master of Malt has thanked customers and staff after being named Global Online Retailer of the Year at the prestigious Icons of Whisky event in London last week.

The company, which has grown from a humble shop in Tunbridge Wells to become a leading global spirit retailer, also took home the trophy for Best Innovation, New Brand, at the World Whisky Design Awards for its unique Drinks by the Dram range, launched last year.

This offers customers the chance to buy 3cl drams of a huge selection of whiskies and other spirits, allowing them to “try before they buy” or sample very rare or expensive drinks.

Both the Icons of Whisky and the World Whisky Design Awards are organised by the popular Whisky Magazine, and attract hundreds of entries every year. The award ceremony was held at WHERE? on Thursday, March 22.

Master of Malt Sales Director, Ben Ellefsen, said: “In a very real way, the success of Master of Malt in the last year has been entirely down to our customers. We’d like to thank them for this, as, without gushing too much, without their support, we most certainly wouldn’t be where we are today.

“It’s fantastic to be recognised as a market leader and we are grateful to the judges and Whisky Magazine for highlighting the hard work everyone at Master of Malt has put in over the last 12 months.

“Now, this said, we’re most certainly not going to rest on our laurels, mainly as it’d be incredibly painful, and we have got some pretty spectacular plans for the forthcoming year.”

The judges praised Master of Malt’s easy-to-navigate website, the company’s knowledge and enthusiasm for whisky, and its commitment to helping customers make informed decisions.

In a statement, the judges said: “The company is clearly committed to helping drinkers make informed decisions about the whisky, and as such present as many independent reviews, opinions and comments as possible from industry-leading experts, and of course from other like-minded users.”

The innovative and popular Drinks by the Dram range, and the growing selection of Master of Malt Bottlings, also received praise from the panel.

The company is fast becoming known for quality and innovation. Last year it introduced the popular Blend Your Own Whisky online tool which allows customers to create their own blended whisky, complete with a personalised label.

There is also the growing range of Vintage Cocktails, ready-mixed classics such as The Gin Martini and The Old Fashioned, sold under The Handmade Cocktail Company brand.

And the Professor Cornelius Ampleforth range of acclaimed artisan spirits is also proving popular with connoisseurs, including favourites like Bathtub Gin and Rumbullion!, and new arrivals Old Tom Gin and Sloe Gin.

Follow Master of Malt:
- On Twitter: @MasterOfMalt
- On Facebook: MasterOfMalt
- On their blog: MasterOfMaltBlog

For more information contact:
Ben Ellefsen: +44 (0)7816 661657

Master of Malt launches a brace of tasty new gins

March 15, 2012

Professor Cornelius Ampleforth has been busy, producing two splendid new gins for your delectation.

First there’s Old Tom, on sale now for £24.95, a traditional style of gin that was very popular in 18th and 19th century England. Old Tom is a slightly sweetened gin, created by the professor following a request from The Handmade Cocktail Company, which needed a tasty Old Tom gin for use in its soon-to-be-released martinez cocktail.

Old Tom got its name from an usual dispensing method used by London gin houses.

A tom cat-shaped plaque would be hung outside where passers-by could drop a coin in the animal’s mouth. The proprietor would then dispense a shot of gin from a tube under the cat’s paws.

This almost-forgotten style of gin is perfect in sweet gin cocktails – it’s how the classic Tom Collins got its name – and makes a great G&T.

Tasting notes:

Nose: This is fruity and sweet on the nose with pronounced botanical notes. There is a good citrus element to it too.

Palate: The light sweetness seems to add body to this, and helps develop some of the juniper and orange flavours.

Finish: Clean with a touch of pepper.

Overall: A great gin that not only makes a great G&T (the additional body works wonders) but will make a fantastic martinez... in fact it's the obvious ingredient for any classic gin cocktail that requires a hint of sweetness.

The professor has also added Vintage Sloe Gin to his popular range of handmade bespoke spirits.

Professor Cornelius Ampleforth’s Vintage Sloe Gin, on sale now for £24.95, is a superior small batch spirit that represents the perfect balance between sweetness, tannic grip, and aromatic richness.

The sloe gin is made entirely by hand using a time-honoured ‘cold-compounding’ technique. Almost half a pound of sloes are used in the production of each bottle, along with juniper, cinnamon, coriander, cloves, and the finest orange peel, which are all added to very high quality copper pot-still spirit.

Tasting notes:

Nose: Marzipan and varied botanicals. A definite hint of coriander. Pronounced spices including cinnamon and cloves. Some citrus notes too. Fresh lemon, and a thick marmalade sweetness.

Palate: Big almond taste with dark forest berries. Blackcurrants and sweet vanilla with a balanced hit of oaky tannins.

Finish: A dry nutty finish that contrasts perfectly with the sweet attack. There are some bitter dark chocolate notes here too.

Overall: A sophisticated take on the classic sloe gin with more to offer than simple berry sweetness.

The Old Tom and Vintage Sloe Gin join the Professor Cornelius Ampleforth range of artisan small batch products, including Bathtub Gin, Rumbullion!, Besmoked Vodka, and Proprietary Barley Spirit Drink.

The whole range is packaged using brown paper, string and wax, underlining its high-quality small batch origins.

Follow Master of Malt:
- On Twitter: @MasterOfMalt
- On Facebook: MasterOfMalt
- On their blog: MasterOfMaltBlog

For more information contact:
Ben Ellefsen: +44 (0)7816 661657

What will you be drinking on World Whisky Day?

March 13, 2012

May we politely suggest Master of Malt’s limited edition World Whisky Day blend, created by none other than the organiser himself, Blair Bowman?

Using Master of Malt’s online blending kit, Blair has put together a truly superb dram for the inaugural World Whisky Day on March 27, when whisky lovers from across the globe will come together to simultaneously celebrate their favourite spirit.

Rich and malty with some smokiness, Blair’s blend, priced at £39.95 for a 70cl bottle, combines whiskies from some of Scotland’s very finest distilleries, and it’s the perfect way to enjoy World Whisky Day with fellow aficionados.

Unsurprisingly, Blair has done a sterling job and the blend pairs perfectly with good conversation and company. Here are some more detailed tasting notes:

Blair Bowman’s World Whisky Day Blend

Colour: Amber.

Nose: Burnt orange peel, fresh black pepper, soft smoky heather, lemon drizzle cake, crunchy red apples, fudge dipped in melted milk chocolate.

Palate: Crème brûlée, burnt brown sugar, cooked apples and pears, caramelised ruby red grapefruit and blood oranges, syrup and treacle tarts, singed heather.

Finish: Lingering and sweet.

If you fancy having a go at blending yourself, just visit our website and get mixing. It’s fantastically simple, and you can draw on some splendid whiskies to combine into your very own Scotch. And in no time at all we’ll deliver your blend direct to your door, complete with a personalised label.

Follow Master of Malt:
- On Twitter: @MasterOfMalt
- On Facebook: MasterOfMalt
- On their blog: MasterOfMaltBlog

About World Whisky Day
World Whisky Day is the brainchild of Blair Bowman, an Aberdeen-based Scotch enthusiast who dreamt of creating a global whisky event, to bring the whisky community together to share a dram or two and to introduce new people to the fascinating world of fine spirits.

For more information contact:
Ben Ellefsen: +44 (0)7816 661657

Master of Malt Apologises for Poisoning Phillip Schofield

February 29, 2012

The chaps at Master of Malt have a confession to make. We may have poisoned Phillip Schofield.

Mr Schofield was unfortunate enough to try a shot of our 100,000 Scovilles Naga Chilli Vodka live on national television, as part of a chilli-themed tasting event on ITV’s This Morning, broadcast on Wednesday, February 22.

This is a truly fearsome drink, sold – with all due safety warnings – for £31.95: http://www.masterofmalt.com/vodka/100000-scovilles-naga-chilli-vodka/

The results of Mr Schofield’s ill-advised sampling were not pretty, and are available on YouTube here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=QMybLECFSm8

Of course, Master of Malt sells an enormous range of very tasty drinks indeed, so by way of apology we have written to Mr Schofield and offered to send him a nice bottle of 40 year old Speyside.

If you fancy testing your mettle against Phillip Schofield, feel free to get yourself a bottle. Just don’t say we didn’t warn you.

The letter reads:

Dear Mr Schofield,

We would like to apologise unreservedly for poisoning you live on national television. We were mortified to discover you actually drank our 100,000 Scovilles - Naga Chilli Vodka; we did our best to discourage people from ever doing so, but alas, it seems to no avail.

However, we were most impressed by your fortitude in hiding the gut-wrenching agony you must have experienced – you are indeed made of stern stuff.

In recognition of your sterling performance, we would like to introduce you to one of our less malodourous drinks, and here present you with a bottle of our 40 Year Old Speyside Single Malt.

We hope you enjoy it more than the vodka.

Yours sincerely,
The Chaps at Master of Malt

PS. We hope the “Ring of Fire” cools off.

Follow Master of Malt:
- On Twitter: @MasterOfMalt
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- On their blog: MasterOfMaltBlog

For more information contact:
Ben Ellefsen: +44 (0)7816 661657

Master of Malt Stock Diamond Jubilee Whisky

February 06, 2012

Master of Malt announce the arrival of the Glen Grant 60 Years old Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee (1952-2012)

Online retailers and bottlers Master of Malt have announced the arrival of a very special whisky – matured for 60 years, and bottled in celebration of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

Bottled on 2nd February 2012, and distilled on 2nd February 1952, this whisky has matured in a Sherry cask for a full 60 years, making it one of the oldest whiskies ever released for sale. The whisky has been bottled by legendary Scottish Bottlers Gordon and Macphail.

The whisky is packaged in a beautiful handmade decanter, individually numbered (only 85 decanters are available worldwide), and is sure to become a collector’s item almost immediately.

Master of Malt have compiled tasting notes for the whisky, which read as follows:

Nose: Rich malt, an apple-y freshness which belies its age. A good hit of really decent honey is followed on the tail by cinnamon and allspice.

Palate: Initially slightly mineralic – reminiscent of a well-aged Riesling, as the honey from the nose powers through again. The freshness from the nose is still here – an absolutely magnificently juicy dram. Freshly-picked cherries join the apple, but there’s no hint of them having been stewed, these are fresh as a daisy.

Finish: The official tasting notes for this make mention of the fact that this whisky bitters out towards the end. I don’t get that at all. The freshness powers through, bringing still more of that tangy, sweet goodness with it. The spices make themselves more known towards the death, with the Cinnamon and Allspice being joined by just a touch of the Clove.

Overall: An absolutely magnificent whisky. As with previous ‘very well aged’ G&M bottlings, the surprise is how incredibly fresh and juicy it has remained. Were a dram of this presented to ‘her-for-whom-it-was-bottled’, we’d like to think she’d get on with it very well. Kudos, G&M.

You can buy a bottle of Glen Grant 60 Years old Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee (1952-2012) for £7995 here: http://www.masterofmalt.com/whiskies/glen-grant-60-years-old-queen-elizabeth-ii-diamond-jubilee-1952-2012/

Follow Master of Malt:
- On Twitter: @MasterOfMalt
- On Facebook: MasterOfMalt
- On their blog: MasterOfMaltBlog

Accompanying images can be downloaded at this link.

Media Use Only. Copyright ©Master of Malt 2012. These pictures are intended for media use only. The pictures must not be altered in any way. For special permission to edit photos please contact press@masterofmalt.com

Master of Malt Launch the World’s Hottest Chilli Vodka

January 18, 2012

Online retailers and bottlers Master of Malt have announced the launch of the world’s hottest chilli vodka, “100,000 Scovilles – Naga Chilli Vodka”, made by infusing vodka with the world’s hottest chilli – the Naga Jolokia.

This vodka is certainly not intended to be drunk neat, as it is incredibly fiery, so much each bottle comes with a very lengthy warning! It is named 100,000 Scovilles in reference to the units used to measure the heat of chillies. Each Scoville unit denotes how many times the chilli must be diluted by its own mass of water until the heat is only just detectable. A Jalapeno, for example, has around 5,000, and so you can imagine just how potent Master of Malt’s new chilli vodka really is! The Naga Jolokia, used to make the vodka, can exceed 1,000,000 Scovilles, which is more than most Law Enforcement-grade Pepper Spray.

Master of Malt recommend 100,000 Scovilles – Naga Chilli Vodka be used sparingly to add spice to exotic cocktails, or even in cooking. They strongly urge you do not drink it neat, and definitely do not have it as a shot.

You can buy a bottle of 100,000 Scovilles vodka for £31.95 here: http://www.masterofmalt.com/vodka/100000-scovilles-naga-chilli-vodka/

Although you probably shouldn’t…

The company issues this warning on the site:

By purchasing this bottle, you agree that:

1) I have been warned and fully understand that this product contains extreme heat and should be used and handled responsibly.

2) I use this product entirely at my own risk and I understand the potential danger if used or handled irresponsibly. If I give this product as a gift I will make the recipient aware of the potential danger if used or handled irresponsibly.

3) I accept that the retailer and manufacturer of this product will, under no circumstances, be responsible for, or liable for, any claims of injury or damage arising from the use or misuse of this product and by purchasing this product, whether for myself or as a gift, I acknowledge and agree to this fact without question.

4) I am not inebriated or of unsound mind and am fully able to make a rational decision to purchase this product.

Follow Master of Malt:
- On Twitter: @MasterOfMalt
- On Facebook: MasterOfMalt
- On their blog: MasterOfMaltBlog

Master of Malt Seeks Online Editor

January 12, 2012

Online spirits retailer Master of Malt seeks a new Online Editor for an exciting, challenging role in the spirits and drinks industry, with a competitive salary and incredible job perks including a monthly whisky allowance!

As Online Editor, you will be responsible for Master of Malt’s online presence. This includes writing, maintaining and updating all the content on the website, as well as creating press releases; writing blog posts; coming up with products and content for email newsletters; writing detailed information and tasting notes for new products; and creating and updating information on brands, distilleries, regions, spirits and their styles.

The successful candidate will also be the voice of Master of Malt, crafting its PR message and ensuring its delivery. This requires a thorough understanding of social media such as Twitter, Facebook and other networks, and the ability to manage Master of Malt’s presence on them. An extension of this involves representing the company at various industry events, tastings and trips.

The successful applicant will have an absolutely impeccable grasp of the English Language; faultless Grammar, Spelling and Punctuation are essential. You’ll need a high level of competence in all Microsoft Office products (especially Excel), a good knowledge of HTML & CSS, and very good skills in all products in the Adobe Creative Suite.

A keen knowledge of whisky and other spirits is a must-have, as is a decent working knowledge of Wine and Champagne. Training will be provided, but a solid foundation is a necessity.

Perks of the job:
- A monthly “Dramming Allowance” of whisky to improve your tasting knowledge.
- The chance to work within the exciting, ever-changing spirits industry
- Frequent tastings, seminars and trips to distilleries!
- The opportunity to work in a face-paced, creative working environment
- Competitive salary

The hours are Monday-Friday 09:00 – 17:30, working in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent. If you feel this role is for you then please send a CV and a covering letter to Ben Ellefsen, Sales Director (ben@masterofmalt.com). All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

Follow Master of Malt:
- On Twitter: @MasterOfMalt
- On Facebook: MasterOfMalt
- On their blog: MasterOfMaltBlog

Blend Your Own Whisky with Master of Malt

December 19, 2011

In late November 2011, Master of Malt launched the Blend Your Own Whisky service. Whisky lovers can now visit the Blend Your Own Whisky page (http://www.masterofmalt.com/blend-your-own-whisky/) and literally create a blended whisky of their very own using a set of sliders to adjust the quantities of 10 different “ingredients”.

Once this is done, the whisky’s label can be personalised with a name and then ordered. It couldn’t be simpler...

The service has become a huge success almost overnight, with hundreds of whisky lovers already using it. In fact, it has now become so popular that Master of Malt have reduced the minimum order from a case of 6, down to just one bottle! This means you can now create your very own, custom blended whisky and order a single bottle from as little as £33.58!

For years, only a very select few ever had the opportunity to blend their own whisky, but now Master of Malt has created a simple, easy-to-use webpage allowing anyone to try their hand at whisky blending! These custom blends make the ultimate gift for friends and family. It is also perfect for anyone who just can’t find a blended whisky they really like, because they can now make their own Scotch as sweet, smoky, peaty or fruity as they could ever wish!

To help create the blend, Master of Malt is also selling a Home Blending Kit (http://www.masterofmalt.com/whiskies/the-home-whisky-blending-kit/), which contains samples of each of the 10 different blending whiskies (including malt and grain “base whiskies”, various single malts for the core of the blend, and some very old, very rare top-dressers). The kit also contains measuring equipment, a conical flask and a tasting glass to allow you to perfect your recipe before having it made up.

Visit http://www.masterofmalt.com/blend-your-own-whisky/ for more details.

Follow Master of Malt:
- On Twitter: @MasterOfMalt
- On Facebook: MasterOfMalt
- On their blog: MasterOfMaltBlog

Accompanying images can be downloaded at this link.

Media Use Only. Copyright ©Master of Malt 2011. These pictures are intended for media use only. The pictures must not be altered in any way. For special permission to edit photos please contact press@masterofmalt.com

Win Three Signed Bottles of American Whiskey with Master of Malt

December 08, 2011

Online retailers and independent bottlers Master of Malt are giving American whiskey lovers the chance to win a fantastic prize of three super premium whiskeys from the award-winning Heaven Hill distillery, and each bottle is signed by bourbon legends Craig and Parker Beam (of Jim Beam whiskey fame). Entry couldn’t be simpler either; all you have to do is buy a bottle of Heaven Hill whiskey before Christmas Day 2011 and you’ll automatically be entered.

The top-drawer whiskeys include Rittenhouse 25 Year Old (a single barrel rye awarded 96 points by Malt Advocate), Evan Williams 23 Year Old (Jim Murray’s 2010 Bourbon of the Year!), and Elijah Craig 18 Year Old (winner of the coveted Whisky Bible title “Best Single Barrel Bourbon”). Not only is each bottle signed by the two Beam legends, they are also presented with a signed certificate of authenticity, making the prize all the rarer.

All entrants have to do to enter is buy any full-sized bottle of Heaven Hill whiskey from Master of Malt before Christmas Day 2011. You will receive one entry per bottle you buy, but there are just 250 chances to win, so hurry!

Eligible whiskeys include the Evan Williams range, Old Fitzgerald, Elijah Craig and many more. You can view all the eligible whiskeys and read more here: http://www.masterofmalt.com/whiskey-competition/

About the competition: - Entrants must buy any full-sized bottle of Heaven Hill whiskey before Christmas Day 2011. - You will receive one entry per bottle you buy, and there are 250 chances to win. - The competition closes on the 24th December 2011 at midnight GMT. - The winner will be announced in early January 2012. - Terms and Conditions: http://www.masterofmalt.com/heaven-hill-giveaway-terms-and-conditions/

Follow Master of Malt:
- On Twitter: @MasterOfMalt
- On Facebook: MasterOfMalt
- On their blog: MasterOfMaltBlog

Master of Malt Announce 55 Year Old Whisky Liqueur – The World’s Oldest!

November 29, 2011

Master of Malt (http://www.masterofmalt.com/) announce the official release of the World’s Oldest Whisky Liqueur, made with whisky aged for a staggering 55 years! This rare, limited edition liqueur was created with single malt drinkers in mind, and rather than masking the core whisky with sweetness, just a little natural sugar and spices were added to accentuate the rich, sherried flavours and malt notes.

The whisky was sourced from one of Scotland’s most legendary distilleries, and it was aged for 55 years in sherry casks, resulting in a rich palate redolent of calves leather, sultanas and mahogany. It was then bottled non-chill-filtered, and not diluted in any way save for the addition of natural sugar and spices. Whiskies of this age and rarity command price tags of several thousands of pounds, and it is extraordinary to see one used to make a whisky liqueur!

The 55 year old whisky liqueur, which has a price tag of £999.95 a bottle, is available from Master of Malt here: http://www.masterofmalt.com/liqueurs/master-of-malt-55-year-old-speyside-whisky-liqueur/

Follow Master of Malt:
- On Twitter: @MasterOfMalt
- On Facebook: MasterOfMalt
- On their blog: MasterOfMaltBlog

Master of Malt announce St Isidore – a blended whisky created by bloggers

November 25, 2011

Master of Malt (http://www.masterofmalt.com/) is proud to finally announce the release of the blended whisky, St Isidore, created entirely by whisky bloggers. To make this blend, the spirits retailer called upon the great and the good of the whisky industry including names such as Whisky Magazine, Edinburgh Whisky Blog, CaskStrength.net and Whisky Cast.

Master of Malt started by sending blending kits to 10 prominent whisky bloggers, and asked them to create the best blended whisky they could using the ingredients provided, whilst maximising its value for money. The bloggers’ recipes were made up and sold in sample sets, and Master of Malt asked the public to vote for which recipe should be made into the brand’s next whisky.

The votes were counted (using the AV system) and a rather smoky, Islay-inspired blend was chosen as the winner, before the bloggers agreed on a name for the blend, calling it St Isidore after the patron saint of the internet. For the final stage, Master of Malt called on graphic designers to submit label designs for the bottle, which summed up St Isidore, the blend, and the whisky blogging community, making them as creative as possible.

The winning designer, who was awarded a £250 spending spree at Master of Malt, was English artist Ben Sowter, who created a psychedelic, larger-than-life depiction of St Isidore enjoying his namesake blend. The label features numerous computer and internet in-jokes, for example a monitor lizard represents a computer’s monitor, and there is a bag of coins, representing a “cache”. In total, there are around 20 different hidden internet-related jokes and Easter Eggs!

You can buy a bottle of St Isidore from Master of Malt: http://www.masterofmalt.com/whiskies/st-isidore-the-bloggers-blend-whisky/

Tasting Notes for St Isidore

Nose: Sweet creamy aromas that meld well with a cool, oily, almost coastal wood smoke. It instantly transports you to Islay, whilst offering just a hint of plum wine, wood shavings and lapsang souchong tea. Time in the glass brings out notes of guava, warm custard and rhubarb crumble.
Palate: Thick, warming and balanced as it hits the tongue, it offers notes of really good vanilla ice cream, black pepper, and rum spices, whilst retaining a solid backbone of sweet woodsmoke and freshly-sawn timber. Hold it on the tongue for just a touch of salty popcorn and crème caramel.
Finish: Beautifully warming and spiced. It fades away on freshly grated cinnamon and sugared peels. A faint flutter of pear juice on the very tail.
Overall: A perfect smoky blend. This is a very old-school whisky, combining the smoke of Islay, and the rich, honeyed tones of the Highlands. A superb winter fireside dram if ever there was one.

The Bloggers:
- CaskStrength.net
- Dr. Whisky
- Edinburgh Whisky Blog
- Guid Scotch Drink
- The Jewish Single Malt Whisky Society
- WhiskyCast
- Whisky Connosr
- Whisky Magazine
- WhiskyWhiskyWhisky Forum
- Whisky for Everyone

Follow Master of Malt:
- On Twitter: @MasterOfMalt
- On Facebook: MasterOfMalt
- On their blog: MasterOfMaltBlog

Blend Your Own Whisky service launched by Master of Malt

November 21, 2011

Master of Malt has announced the launch of a revolutionary new whisky blending service, allowing whisky lovers to literally blend their own whisky. Now all you have to do to blend a delicious whisky of your very own is visit the Blend Your Own Whisky page (http://www.masterofmalt.com/blend-your-own-whisky/), and using a set of sliders you can adjust the quantities of 10 different whiskies to make your own blend.

Once this is done you can personalise the whisky’s label with your name, and then order it! It couldn’t be simpler.

Simply visit http://www.masterofmalt.com/blend-your-own-whisky/ for more details.

Follow Master of Malt:
- On Twitter: @MasterOfMalt
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Master of Malt announce the hearty, spiced rum “Rumbullion!”

November 04, 2011

Master of Malt are proud to announce the release of an intensely spiced, old-fashioned rum from Professor Cornelius Ampleforth. Rumbullion! is one of the most cockle-warming spiced rums on the market.

Based on a blend of fine, high proof Caribbean rum, Rumbullion! is made using luxuriously creamy, sweet Madagascan vanilla, and a generous handful of zesty orange rind. Finally, fresh cinnamon and cloves are added, and just a hint of cardamom.

The recipe was loosely based on old-fashioned spiced maritime rums, with a huge level of heart-warming spiciness. The result is a very rich, full-bodied spiced rum that harkens back many years to the days of pirates and merchant men.

Each bottle is wrapped in crinkled brown paper, featuring a print of a hand-drawn illustration depicting an old naval grog tub, bearing the words “The Queen, God Bless Her”. The bottle necks are wrapped with twine, and finally each bottle is individually dipped in black sealing wax.

Superb when served neat, Rumbullion! also works brilliantly with a squeeze of fresh lime, or as a long drink with old-fashioned cola and plenty of ice.

You can buy Rumbullion! from Master of Malt for £32.95. Click here.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: A fabulously decadent nose of intense, sweet vanilla and flamed orange zest. The cardamom makes itself known by offering up an evocative suggestion of old-fashioned cola, and to this the cloves bring out a deep, dark complexity. Yet more sweetness comes from the juicy, fresh cinnamon, which melds beautifully with a core of the essential oils of Seville orange peel.
Palate: At once a fabulous mix of thick cut bitter orange marmalade and tingling, zinging spices. Hints of Manuka honey and mouth-watering cinnamon form its heart, with molasses, candy floss, toffee apples, crème brûlée and clove-studded oranges.
Finish: A long finish, with tongue-prickling spices, and a stunning degree of freshness as the cinnamon, orange and creamy, sweet vanilla coat the palate for minutes.
Overall: Rich and profoundly intense, this is a rum to see you through the coldest months.

Follow Master of Malt:
- On Twitter: @MasterOfMalt
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Master of Malt teams up with Glenfarclas for Movember 2011

November 01, 2011

Online retailer and independent bottler Master of Malt has teamed up with the legendary Scotch whisky distillery, Glenfarclas, to release a very special Charity bottling to raise funds for Movember UK – a charity dedicated to raising money and awareness for men’s health issues, specifically prostate and testicular cancer.

Master of Malt release a special Movember whisky every year (last year, Master of Malt raised over £2,000!) and this year should see even more raised as £10 from every single bottle sold will be donated directly to Movember UK. Of course, all the chaps at Master of Malt will also be growing moustaches throughout the month! (In the attached image you’ll see photos of the men at Master of Malt, before Movember, and after “shavedown”.)

The whisky itself was drawn from two Oloroso sherry hogshead casks and is 9 years old. Even at this young age there is a huge amount of flavour and complexity, and the single malt can be perfectly described as an ‘aperitif whisky’ – nutty and intensely savoury.

You can help raise money for Movember UK by buying a bottle of Glenfarclas – Movember 2011 (http://www.masterofmalt.com/movember/) from Master of Malt for £39.95.

Visit Movember UK (http://uk.movember.com/) to read more about the men’s health charity

You can also support Master of Malt and Movember by joining their MoSpace team here: http://uk.movember.com/mospace/117581/

The Label

The front labels of the bottles bear a photograph of the Glenfarclas distillery workforce, taken in 1891. Many of the gentlemen in the photo are wearing impressive moustaches, so in true Movember spirit, the chaps at Master of Malt recreated the photo exactly, taking up the same poses, facial hair and dress as the men from 1891. The 2011 recreation can be seen adorning the back labels of the bottles.

Tasting Notes

Nose: A whiff of salted almonds is overtaken by sherry – somewhere between Manzanilla and Fino – surprising, since this was matured solely in Oloroso. With warmth applied, the caramel-rich Oloroso starts to come through, with a hint of Brazil nut shell.
Palate: Starts off big with just a smidge of sweetness before the savoury Fino takes over. An almost saline note creeps through before moving into blue agave tequila, with a hint of lime zest bitterness.
Finish: Dries out, with freshly-shaved oak, Christmas spices, and a touch of pine. Very moreish.
Overall: A seriously grown-up whisky, miles away from a standard Glenfarclas - further even than the refill Bourbon matured Family Casks. Glenfarclas, usually an after-dinner treat, is firmly in the aperitif camp here. Superb with smoked almonds or sharp cheeses.

About Master of Malt:

- Established in 1985
- One of the UK’s leading Online Spirits Merchants, with a huge range of whiskies, rum, brandies, gins, cocktails and other fine spirits.
- UK Next Day Delivery from £6.95

Follow Master of Malt:
- On Twitter: @MasterOfMalt
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Master of Malt announce sherry infused whisky: Proprietary Barley Spirit Drink

October 10, 2011

After launching the incredibly popular Bathtub Gin, Master of Malt is proud to announce the release of Professor Cornelius Ampleforth’s second product: Proprietary Barley Spirit Drink. The drink is based on a centuries-old technique of treating whisky casks with “Paxarette”, a rich, syrupy flavouring which originated from the Spanish town of Pajarete, and is made by boiling down grape juice and sherry.

Proprietary Barley Spirit Drink takes this idea, and goes one step further, reducing deliciously sweet Pedro Ximenez dessert sherry until it resembles black treacle, and then mixing it with the finest 10 year old, sherry cask matured Speyside single malt whisky. The result is the ultimate Winter drink: an unctuously sweet, syrupy concoction that is rather reminiscent of Christmas Pudding, laden with brandy butter!

Tasting Notes

Nose: Immense sherry tones on the nose, coupled with juicy, sticky prunes and muscovado sugar. Hints of nutmeg, toffee brittle, with astoundingly creamy notes of Christmas Pudding, laden with brandy butter.

Palate: Sweet, creamy and incredibly juicy. Those Christmas Pudding flavours are so evocative. The palate is chewy and thick, coasting the tongue with oily toffee and molasses. Cinnamon, dates and golden syrup.

Finish: Spicy and warming, notes of sweet espresso coffee and dessert sherry. Suggestions of rose petal jelly, allspice and baklava.

About Professor Cornelius Ampleforth
- An enigmatic, perhaps fictitious mad-professor-type who creates incredible drinks using old-fashioned techniques and methods
- All bottles packaged in beautiful brown-paper-wrapped bottles, wax-dipped and wound with flax twine.
- Each bottle features a stunning Victorian-apothecary-inspired print flaunting the delicious ingredients within

About Master of Malt:
- Established in 1985
- One of the UK’s leading Online Spirits Merchants, with a huge range of whiskies, rum, brandies, gins, cocktails and other fine spirits.
- UK Next Day Delivery from £6.95

Follow Master of Malt:
- On Twitter: @MasterOfMalt
- On Facebook: MasterOfMalt

Master of Malt Release Christmas Bitters Made With 23 Carat Gold

October 03, 2011

Online Retailer Master of Malt has teamed up with whisky blog CaskStrength.net to launch a very novel product to celebrate Christmas 2011: cocktail bitters made with gold, frankincense and myrrh.

The “Christmas Bitters” were designed as the perfect seasoning for any winter cocktail made with rum, whisky or brandy, and are flavoured with festive spices such as cinnamon, clementines, nutmeg, cloves and, of course, 23 carat gold, frankincense and myrrh. These flavours add depth and complexity to rich winter-warmers such as an Old-Fashioned, a Hot Toddy or a heady Irish Coffee. Perfect for a crisp December evening.

The bitters, which will have a retail price of £12.95, are available to pre-order from Master of Malt, and are currently ageing in a top quality oak cask that previously held 38 year old Glen Grant single malt. You can also literally watch the bitters ageing via a live webcam feed on Master of Malt’s site, where you’ll notice a striking festive scene replete with a cheap plastic Christmas tree, some USB-powered fairy lights, the cask containing the bitters, and a small cardboard cut-out angel in the form of Brian Blessed as Prince Vultan from Flash Gordon.

The Christmas Bitters will be bottled on the 31st October 2011, and make the perfect Christmas gift for anyone into their rich, spicy cocktails.

About Christmas Bitters
- Made with 25 different botanicals, include 23 carat gold, frankincense, myrrh.
- Aged in a barrel that once held 38 year old Glen Grant single malt whisky
- The perfect addition for rich, spicy, winter warmer cocktails and drinks

Follow Master of Malt:
- On Twitter: @MasterOfMalt
- On Facebook: MasterOfMalt

Design a label and win a £250 shopping spree at Master of Malt!

September 22, 2011

Design a label and win a £250 shopping spree at Master of Malt!

Calling all Graphic Designers! Master of Malt has recently launched a competition to design the label on a very exciting new whisky, and the winning submission will receive £250 worth of vouchers to spend at Master of Malt!

The label will be used for the winning blend from a competition aimed at whisky bloggers, in which Master of Malt asked ten of the top spirits bloggers to create their own blended whiskies, and then asked the public to vote for the best one.

The blend which was chosen will be called “St Isidore” after the patron saint of the internet, and Master of Malt is calling on graphic designers to come up with label designs for the new bottle, and the brief is simple: create a label which sums up St Isidore, the blend, and the whisky blogging community. Try and make it as amusing and as creative as possible.

Not only will the winning design receive a £250 spending spree at Master of Malt, they will also be credited on the back of what will certainly be an incredibly popular new whisky! The competition closes on the 5th October 2011, and the winning submission will be announced that same day.

To enter, simply email your label design to labeldesigns@masterofmalt.com

Tasting Notes for St Isidore

Palate: Thick, warming and balanced as it hits the tongue, it offers notes of really good vanilla ice cream, black pepper, and rum spices, whilst retaining a solid backbone of sweet woodsmoke and freshly-sawn timber. Hold it on the tongue for just a touch of salty popcorn and crème caramel.

Finish: Beautifully warming and spice. It fades away on freshly grated cinnamon and sugared peels. A faint flutter of pear juice on the very tail.

Overall: A perfect smoky blend. This is a very old school whisky, combining the smoke of Islay, and the rich, honeyed tones of the Highlands. A superb winter fireside dram if ever there was one.

Technical Specifications for the label

Please ensure your submissions meet the following criteria:

Dimensions: 10.5cm by 9.2cm
3mm Bleed
Resolution: 300 DPI
CMYK Colour

About Master of Malt:
- Established in 1985
- One of the UK’s leading Online Spirits Merchants, with a huge range of whiskies, rum, brandies, gins, cocktails and other fine spirits.
- UK Next Day Delivery from £6.95

Follow Master of Malt:
- On Twitter: @MasterOfMalt
- On Facebook: MasterOfMalt
- On the blog: Master of Malt Blog

Newly Released Old Fashioned Cocktail available at Selfridges

August 03, 2011

The Handmade Cocktail Company is proud to announce the launch of its newest pre-bottled cocktail, The Old Fashioned.

Made using a superb rye-rich bourbon, a secret blend of bitters and the finest orange peel - you can now enjoy this classic cocktail without having to buy all the separate ingredients. To serve, simply stir with ice and garnish with orange peel.

The Old Fashioned Cocktail joins The Handmade Cocktail Company’s range of classic “bottle-aged” cocktails, which includes Gin Martini, Manhattan, Negroni and others. The cocktails are all made from the best ingredients, which are expertly mixed to classic recipes, allowing the flavours to marry in the bottle. The result is six perfectly balanced drinks which have already received a multitude of excellent reviews from the press and the public alike.

The Old Fashioned and The Handmade Cocktail Company’s other cocktails are available from online retailer Master of Malt here: (http://www.masterofmalt.com/spirit/the-old-fashioned-cocktail/) or in all four Selfridges stores in London, Birmingham, Manchester Trafford Centre and Manchester Exchange Square.

About Master of Malt
- https://www.masterofmalt.com/
- Established in 1985
- One of the UK’s leading Online Spirits Merchants
- A highly rated independent bottler, all of whose single cask whiskies scored over 90 points in the Jim Murray Whisky Bible 2009

Follow Master of Malt
• On Twitter: @MasterOfMalt
• On Facebook: MasterOfMalt

Caskstrength is First Blog to Launch Own Whisky

June 28, 2011

To celebrate its 3rd birthday, the award-winning whisky blog Caskstrength.net has released a very special limited edition, single malt whisky from the Isle of Arran Distillery. This is the first time a blog has launched its own whisky, and it is made all the more exclusive as the Scotch is from a single cask that yielded just 92 bottles, which are set to sell out very quickly.

Caskstrength.net (http://caskstrength.blogspot.com/) was founded in early 2008 by two former rival A&R men working at Warner Bros and Island Records respectively. They created their blog to share their love of whisky with friends, but since then it has grown beyond all expectation, and now they regularly travel around the world to write about new whiskies and distilleries for publications including Whisky Magazine, The Chap, Imbibe and Aston Martin Magazine, as well as conducting high profile tastings and running the very popular whisky competition “Best in Glass” which celebrates the year’s best new releases.

Their first official whisky “Caskstrength and Carry On” was drawn from a single first fill bourbon cask (number 1554) which was filled in 1998 and bottle in May 2011. There are just 92 bottles from the cask, all of which were bottled undiluted at 49.9%abv. The whisky is retailing for £48.95, and it is exclusively available from online retailer Master of Malt here: http://www.masterofmalt.com/whiskies/cask-strength-and-carry-on-whisky/

About Master of Malt
- Established in 1985
- One of the UK’s leading Online Spirits Merchants
- Highly rated independent bottler
- http://www.masterofmalt.com/

Follow Master of Malt
• On Twitter: @MasterOfMalt
• On Facebook: MasterOfMalt
• Master of Malt Blog: http://www.masterofmalt.com/blog/

Whisky Samples for Father’s Day, from Master of Malt

June 09, 2011

Online spirits retailer, Master of Malt (http://www.masterofmalt.com/), have the perfect gift for Father’s Day 2011; a unique Father’s Day Whisky Tasting Set comprising 5 single malt whiskies selected for their quality and character.

Having launched a range of hundreds of whisky samples in practical 3cl-sized bottles, the company went on to create a selection of Tasting Sets made up of five 3cl samples. Each set is themed, from Super Peaty drams to Smooth and Supple malts, Old & Rare whiskies, and much, much more. Thanks to this, newcomers and connoisseurs alike can sample a vast range of whiskies for a fraction of the cost of full-sized bottles.

Master of Malt’s unique Father’s Day Tasting Set, which retails for £29.95, is the perfect gift for any whisky-loving dad and will appeal to all palates, and to both newcomers and connoisseurs alike.

To make the sets even more special, the whiskies in each set are individually selected by Master of Malt’s expert in-house tasting team so the contents will remain a surprise until the set arrives. One thing’s for sure: you won’t be disappointed!

You can order your set here: http://www.masterofmalt.com/tasting-set/fathers-day-whisky-tasting-set/

About Master of Malt
- Established in 1985
- One of the UK’s leading Online Spirits Merchants
- Highly rated independent bottler

Follow Master of Malt
• On Twitter: @MasterOfMalt
• On Facebook: MasterOfMalt
• Master of Malt Blog: http://www.masterofmalt.com/blog/

Win a £4,000 bottle of whisky with Master of Malt!

May 17, 2011

To celebrate Father’s Day 2011, online retailer Master of Malt is giving away a 50 year old, single cask, £4,000 bottle of Glenfarclas single malt Scotch. The one-of-a-kind whisky was bottled in a stunning engraved glass decanter, which celebrates the on-going partnership between Master of Malt and Glenfarclas.

The next 500 bottles of Glenfarclas sold on www.masterofmalt.com will each come with one free entry to win this unique bottle, and because it’s one entry per bottle rather than per order, if you order 10 bottles of Glenfarclas you’ll get 10 chances to win!

The competition closes either when the 500 chances to enter run out, or on Father’s Day (19th June 2011), whichever is sooner. The lucky winner will be announced by the end of June 2011.

Click here to read more about the competition and view the eligible whiskies: http://www.masterofmalt.com/glenfarclas-whisky-competition/

Terms and Conditions: http://www.masterofmalt.com/glenfarclas-whisky-competition-terms-and-conditions/

About the whisky
- 50 Years Old
- Single Cask
- Unique, One-of-a-kind decanter – number 1 of 1
- Bottled at 50% abv

About Master of Malt
- Established in 1985
- One of the UK’s leading Online Spirits Merchants
- A highly rated independent bottler, all of whose single cask whiskies scored over 90 points in the Jim Murray Whisky Bible 2009

• On Twitter: @MasterOfMalt
• On Facebook: MasterOfMalt
- Master of Malt Blog: http://www.masterofmalt.com/blog/

Master of Malt’s Whisky Blended by Bloggers

May 06, 2011

Online Retailer and Independent Bottler, Master of Malt (http://www.masterofmalt.com/), is creating a new blended whisky with a difference; it will be created entirely by bloggers. The company has called upon the great and the good of the whisky industry, including names such as Whisky Magazine, Edinburgh Whisky Blog, CaskStrength.net and Whisky Cast.

Master of Malt sent whisky blending kits to 10 prominent whisky bloggers. Each blogger’s remit was simple: create the best blended whisky they could using the ingredients provided, whilst keeping the cost to a minimum. All 10 of the bloggers’ recipes were then made up into sets of 3cl samples, and Master of Malt is now calling upon the public to vote on which of the recipes will be made into the brand’s next whisky.

“We’ve always known that some of the greatest palates and noses in the industry are held by the bloggers.” said Master of Malt’s Sales Director, Ben Ellefsen. “They know a simply incredible amount about their subject, and it seemed like an obvious step to get them involved in the creation of a whisky!”

Your Vote Counts

To cast your vote, all you need to do is purchase a sample set containing each of the 10 bloggers’ blends. The sets are on sale for £29.95. Click here to buy your set now: http://www.masterofmalt.com/whiskies/bloggers-blend-whisky-tasting-set/

You can read more about the Bloggers’ Blend on the blog: http://www.masterofmalt.com/Blog/post/The-Bloggers-Blend.aspx

The Bloggers:

- CaskStrength.net
- Dr. Whisky
- Edinburgh Whisky Blog
- Guid Scotch Drink
- The Jewish Single Malt Whisky Society
- WhiskyCast
- Whisky Connosr
- Whisky Magazine
- WhiskyWhiskyWhisky Forum
- Whisky for Everyone

Follow Master of Malt
• On Twitter: @MasterOfMalt
• On Facebook: MasterOfMalt
- Master of Malt Blog: http://www.masterofmalt.com/blog/

Master of Malt Launch the World’s Oldest Whisky Liqueur

May 03, 2011

Online Retailer and Independent Bottler, Master of Malt ( http://www.masterofmalt.com/), has launched the world’s oldest whisky liqueur. Based on the very finest 40 year old single malt Speyside whisky from one of Scotland’s most legendary distilleries!

From a Secret Distillery

The 40 year old single malt at the heart of this liqueur hails from a Speyside distillery, and whilst the exact origins remain a closely guarded secret, it is reputed to be one of the world’s most famous, and one known for its rich, sherry-matured whiskies.

“The key part for us was that the whisky shone through,” says Master of Malt’s Sales Director Ben Ellefsen, “this is a liqueur for single malt connoisseurs, so we spent an incredible amount of time picking subtle flavours which highlighted the malt, rather than creating something that was just sweet and overpowering. We’ve used top quality, authentic ingredients including cinnamon bark, cloves and orange peel, and we couldn’t be more proud of the results.”

The 40 year old joins Master of Malt’s range of single malt Speyside whisky liqueurs, and the prices range from £26.95 for the 10 year old, up to £219.95 for the 40 year old.

The Liqueurs
- Master of Malt 10 Year Old Speyside Whisky Liqueur - £26.95
- Master of Malt 15 Year Old Speyside Whisky Liqueur - £39.95
- Master of Malt 21 Year Old Speyside Whisky Liqueur - £59.95
- Master of Malt 30 Year Old Speyside Whisky Liqueur - £109.95
- Master of Malt 40 Year Old Speyside Whisky Liqueur - £219.95 - http://www.masterofmalt.com/liqueurs/master-of-malt-40-year-old-speyside-whisky-liqueur/

View All Here - http://www.masterofmalt.com/master-of-malt-whisky-liqueurs/

Tasting Set of all 5 - £29.95 - http://www.masterofmalt.com/tasting-set/whisky-liqueur-tasting-set/

Follow Master of Malt
• On Twitter: @MasterOfMalt
• On Facebook: MasterOfMalt
- Master of Malt Blog: http://www.masterofmalt.com/blog/

Master of Malt Are World’s First Stockist of Vintage Cocktails

April 06, 2011

Online retailer Master of Malt announce the arrival of the ready-bottled Vintage Cocktail range from The Handmade Cocktail Company.

The concept of the Vintage Cocktail range is simple; rather than going out and buying all the separate ingredients for a classic cocktail, consumers can now get them expertly pre-mixed in one bottle. All that is now necessary to make a classic cocktail is to stir it with ice, pour it into the appropriate glass and garnish (each bottle comes with mixing instructions and guides for garnish and glassware).

Each bottle also carries a subtle set of roman numerals in the top right-hand corner of the label indicating the year that the cocktail was ‘born’.

Several top cocktail bars have served their own versions of Vintage Manhattans and Rob Roys for many years, even going as far as to offer cocktails bottled in different years, as the flavour profile changes and develops with age. Consumers can now enjoy top quality cocktails professionally made with premium ingredients in the comfort of their own home.

The Handmade Cocktail Company blends and bottles all their cocktails entirely by hand in ultra-small batches of fewer than 50 bottles. The current range includes the following cocktails:

The Manhattan Cocktail - £29.95 - http://www.masterofmalt.com/spirit/the-manhattan-cocktail/

The Rob Roy Cocktail - £29.95 - http://www.masterofmalt.com/spirit/the-rob-roy-cocktail/

The Sazerac Cocktail - £29.95 - http://www.masterofmalt.com/spirit/the-sazerac-cocktail/

The Gin Martini Cocktail - £26.95 - http://www.masterofmalt.com/spirit/the-gin-martini-cocktail/

The Negroni Cocktail - £22.95 - http://www.masterofmalt.com/spirit/the-negroni-cocktail/

Master of Malt - http://www.masterofmalt.com/

Follow Master of Malt
• On Twitter: @MasterOfMalt
• On Facebook: MasterOfMalt
- Master of Malt Blog: http://www.masterofmalt.com/blog/

Master of Malt Launch the World’s Oldest and Most Expensive Whisky

April 01, 2011

UK online retailers and independent bottlers Master of Malt have just announced the launch of the oldest and most expensive bottle of Scotch whisky ever released. The incredible spirit, which was discovered 8 months ago by a Scottish historian, has been launched with a price tag of £870,000, making it the most expensive spirit in history.

The 105 year old whisky was distilled on the 17th February 1906 at the Aisla T’Orten distillery in the Highlands. A catastrophic fire destroyed the buildings after just one day of operation, though a single ceremonial cask survived intact. The cask, a sherry butt, has spent the majority of the past century in the basement of Aberdeen-based historian, Allie Sisell. Mr Sisell contacted Master of Malt in 2010, and sold the cask for an undisclosed sum later in the year. The whisky was bottled in early 2011 after 105 years in cask.

Master of Malt’s Sales Director, Ben Ellefsen, explains the company’s hopes for the whisky: “We sincerely hope that the lucky buyer of this whisky will enjoy and savour it, rather than let it languish in a presentation case.”

“As with all our bottlings, from our 8 year old Blend right the way through to our 50 year old Speyside Single Malt, we've left out the extra cost incurred by fancy packaging. The fact that this whisky is on sale for almost a million pounds is a direct reflection of its unique provenance, and the cost of the construction of the distillery in the early part of the twentieth century in order to produce, sadly, just one bottle of unique spirit.”

About the whisky…

- Distilled 17th February 1906 at the Aisla T’Orten distillery in the Western Highlands
- Cask: Sherry Butt with an outturn of just one bottle
- Bottled 8th March 2011

You can read more about Aisla T’Orten 105 Year Old 1906 “Liquid History” on the Master of Malt blog:
http://www.masterofmalt.com/Blog/post/The-Worlds-Oldest-Whisky.aspx

Or you can view the bottle here:
http://www.masterofmalt.com/whiskies/aisla-torten-105-year-old-1906-liquid-history-master-of-malt/

Master of Malt are first to stock 70 Year Old Whisky

March 10, 2011

Online Retailer Master of Malt (http://www.masterofmalt.com/) are first to stock Glenlivet 70 year old, an extraordinary single malt that was launched in March 2011. The Scotch, with a price tag of £13,000 a bottle, has been described by critics as “stupendous”, and is one of just two 70 year old single malt whiskies ever released.

Distilled at the Glenlivet distillery on the 4th February 1940 during the height of the Battle of Britain, the spirit was filled into a Sherry cask, where it rested for the last seventy years. During the ageing process, whisky actually evaporates out of the cask, a phenomenon known in the industry as “the angel’s share”. Because of this, there was only enough liquid for 100 full-sized decanter bottles – adding to its rarity.

The 700ml decanters are on sale at Master of Malt with a price tag of £13,000, and there are also smaller, 20cl-sized bottles with a price of £3,200 each. The whisky was bottled in 2011 by the renowned Scotch whisky brand Gordon and MacPhail, and it is the second part of their “Generations” series, the first of which was the world’s oldest whisky, a 70 year old single malt from the Mortlach distillery.

The bottles are presented in hand-blown crystal decanters, with British hallmarked sterling silver stoppers, and silver bases. The wooden boxes are handmade out of Scottish Elm. Famed critic Charlie MacLean describes the whisky: “Although it resonates with aged character – and, indeed, characteristics from another era - it retains vitality, both on the nose and in the mouth.”

You can purchase a bottle of Glenlivet 70 Year Old 1940 from Master of Malt for £13,000: http://www.masterofmalt.com/whiskies/glenlivet-70-year-old-1940-whisky/

About Glenlivet 70 Year Old 1940
- Distilled in Speyside, Scotland on the 4th February 1940
- Aged in a First Fill American White Oak Sherry Butt
- Bottled with at a strength of 45.9% abv
- 100 x 70cl decanters released, 175 x 20cl decanters released
- Tasting notes and review can be found here: http://www.masterofmalt.com/Blog/post/The-Glenlivet-70-Year-Old-e28093-The-Worlde28099s-Oldest-Whisky-(Mk-2).aspx

About Master of Malt
- Established in 1985
- Master of Malt - http://www.masterofmalt.com/
- One of the UK’s leading Online Spirits Merchants
- Highly rated independent bottler, all of whose single cask whiskies scored over 90 points in the Jim Murray Whisky Bible

Follow Master of Malt
• On Twitter: @MasterOfMalt
• On Facebook: MasterOfMalt
- Master of Malt Blog: http://www.masterofmalt.com/blog/

Win an Irish Whiskey Getaway for Two

March 01, 2011

Master of Malt have teamed up with Cooley distillery to offer the ultimate whiskey prize this St Patrick’s Day. The prize includes flights out to Dublin, stay at the Bridge House Hotel and Spa, a personal distillery tour & tasting and more. To win, entrants simply have to buy any bottle of Connemara, Greenore, Locke’s or Tyrconnell Irish whiskey from Master of Malt (http://www.masterofmalt.com/) before the 18th March (the day after St Patrick’s day). The bottles have all been discounted by £5 and there are 250 chances to enter.

The prize:

One lucky winner and a friend will be flown out to Ireland. Upon arrival they will be chauffeured to Tullamore for a 2 night stay at the Bridge House Hotel and Spa. They will be treated to a personal tour and tasting at the whiskey distillery in Kilbeggan, where they will enjoy a meal at the distillery’s own award-winning restaurant. The prize also includes a signed bottle of very special whiskey to take away, as well as an evening at the Tullamore races. The prize includes flights to and from a UK airport.

How to enter:

Entry is simple. All you have to do is buy any 70cl bottle of Connemara, Greenore, Locke’s or Tyrconnell from Master of Malt (http://www.masterofmalt.com/) before the 18th March 2011. The bottles have each been discounted by £5, and there are 250 chances to enter. Entry will close either on the 18th March, or when the 250 chances have run out (whichever is sooner).
- View the competition details and eligible whiskeys here: http://www.masterofmalt.com/st-patricks-day-special-offer/
- Terms and Conditions: http://www.masterofmalt.com/st-patricks-day-competition-terms-and-conditions/

About Master of Malt
- Established in 1985
- Master of Malt - http://www.masterofmalt.com/
- One of the UK’s leading Online Spirits Merchants
- A highly rated independent bottler, all of whose single cask whiskies scored over 90 points in the Jim Murray Whisky Bible 2009

Follow Master of Malt
• On Twitter: @MasterOfMalt
• On Facebook: MasterOfMalt
• Master of Malt Blog: http://www.masterofmalt.com/blog/

Whisky Liqueur for Single Malt Connoisseurs

February 17, 2011

Master of Malt have created a whisky liqueur for single malt Scotch whisky drinkers.

Master of Malt’s (http://www.masterofmalt.com/) Whisky liqueur is made exclusively with all-sherry matured, 10 year old single malt whisky from a very famous Speyside distillery. It is flavoured with many Christmassy spices including cinnamon and cloves, and two kinds of orange peel. The result is a rich and complex liqueur aimed at the discerning single malt whisky connoisseur.

Master of Malt’s Sales Director, Ben Ellefsen, described the thinking behind the new venture: “We wanted to go against the grain and say “here’s a liqueur that a whisky connoisseur can enjoy”. Our new liqueur is made with all natural ingredients, based around an absolutely superb 10 year old Speyside single malt whisky, which was matured solely in sherry casks. The flavours we added were chosen to complement the Scotch, and bring it to a new level – this is in contrast to many of the mass-marketed liqueurs which use huge levels of sweetness and flavourings to hide the lack of complexity in the (often cheap, young, grain) whiskies they are based on.”

“Our new whisky liqueur is delicious neat or in a Rusty Nail cocktail, but we heartily recommend you have it in an ice-filled tumbler, garnished with a freshly cut strip of orange zest…”

You can buy Master of Malt 10 Year Old Speyside Whisky Liqueur for £26.95 here:
http://www.masterofmalt.com/liqueurs/master-of-malt-10-year-old-speyside-whisky-liqueur/

Master of Malt Whisky Liqueur
- Made exclusively with 10 year old, all-sherry matured Speyside Single Malt
- Flavoured with Christmassy spices including cinnamon and cloves, and two kinds of orange peel
- Handmade in very small batches

Follow Master of Malt
• On Twitter: @MasterOfMalt
• On Facebook: MasterOfMalt
- Master of Malt Blog: http://www.masterofmalt.com/blog/

Create Your Own Whisky with Master of Malt

December 13, 2010

Master of Malt have teamed up with whisky blenders Compass Box to launch a competition in which two lucky winners will undergo a blending session with master blender John Glaser. At the end of the session they will create their own whisky, which they can take away with them.

The prize also includes dinner at Hix Restaurant, an award-winning London eatery which was voted Best New Restaurant 2010 by Time Out Magazine, followed by a night’s stay at the High Road House hotel, an exclusive hotel and private member’s club.

You can enter the competition by purchasing any bottle of Compass Box whisky from Master of Malt (www.masterofmalt.com) and there are 250 chances to enter.

Winners will be treated to a Champagne reception at the Compass Box offices, followed by a tasting of rare limited edition whisky from the Compass Box range. The tasting will be followed by the blending master-class with John Glaser, at the end of which the winners will create their own unique whisky which they will take home with them. Later in the evening there will be cocktails at Mark’s Bar in Soho (voted London’s Best Bar 2010 by Time Out Magazine). The winners will then be taken to dinner at the Hix Restaurant, before finally retiring to the High Road House hotel for some well-earned rest.

You can read more about the competition here:
http://www.masterofmalt.com/compass-box-competition/

Click here to browse the range of eligible Compass Box whiskies:
http://www.masterofmalt.com/distilleries/compass-box-branded-whisky/

About Master of Malt
• Established in 1985
• One of the UK's leading online whisky and spirits retailers
• A highly rated independent bottler, all of whose single cask whiskies scored over 90 points in the Jim Murray Whisky Bible 2009

Follow Master of Malt
• On Twitter: @MasterOfMalt
• On Facebook: MasterOfMalt
• Master of Malt Blog: http://www.masterofmalt.com/blog/

Master of Malt Launches Cask Aged Whisky Bitters

November 30, 2010

Master of Malt have launched their own cocktail bitters which have been aged in a 38 year old Glen Grant cask! The bitters have been specially created with authentic, rare ingredients sought from all over the world before being painstakingly blended together using a unique array of artisanal techniques.

Master of Malt’s Sales Director, Ben Ellefsen, explains:

“We wanted to create a new breed of bitters, one which was utterly uncompromising in every respect. We started by developing what we considered to be the ideal flavour profile for a whisky bitters – flavours that would complement the best whiskies and Bourbons, not cut against them – so we’ve used lots of ‘Christmassy’ spices (cloves, cinnamon, orange peel, Cardamom) as well as a frankly obscene amount of fresh vanilla.”

The bitters join the marketplace alongside bartenders’ favourites including Angostura and Peychaud’s. For the uninitiated, bitters are like salt and pepper for cocktails – a mix of herbs, spices and other flavours to bring the best out of cocktails, and add an extra dimension to many classic drinks. Master of Malt believe they have discovered a niche in the market:

“To our knowledge, these bitters are the highest proof, most costly to make, and most expensive ever released for sale. To ensure that everyone can try them, we’ve released a 100ml bottle, and also a smaller, 50ml bottle for those who use bitters only occasionally, but still demand the best.”

You can purchase Master of Malt’s 100ml Cask Aged Whisky Bitters for £9.95 here:
http://www.masterofmalt.com/bitters-and-vermouths/master-of-malt-cask-aged-whisky-bitters-1st-edition-10cl-bitters/

Or purchase the 50ml version here:
http://www.masterofmalt.com/bitters-and-vermouths/master-of-malt-cask-aged-whisky-bitters-1st-edition-5cl-bitters/

Follow Master of Malt
• On Twitter: @MasterOfMalt
• On Facebook: MasterOfMalt
• Master of Malt Blog: http://www.masterofmalt.com/blog/

Win a Year’s Supply of Whisky from Master of Malt

November 15, 2010

Master of Malt have launched a Golden Dram Competition in which five lucky winners will receive a year’s supply of whisky from the world’s greatest distilleries.

The competition was launched to celebrate the release of Master of Malt’s dram sets – 24 different tasting sets showcasing the world’s finest spirits. Each set includes five beautifully labelled, wax-dipped samples, specially selected by the Master of Malt tasting team. There is a wide range of sets to choose from including an Old and Rare Whisky Tasting Set, a Regions of Scotland, a Super Peaty Whisky Tasting Set, and many more.

120 Different Whiskies

Golden Drams have been hidden in five lucky tasting sets, and if you find a golden dram before the end of November, you win a free Gold Membership (RRP £499.95) into Master of Malt’s Dram Club. Gold members receive a year’s supply of whisky, with 10 exquisite drams every month! That’s a glass of superb whisky every other day!

Dram Club

Master of Malt’s Dram Club is the ultimate chance to try exceptional whiskies from all over the world. There are three different membership options;

Bronze Dram Club Membership (£84.95) includes;
- A 5 dram box-set every three months
- Two Glencairn tasting glasses

Silver Dram Club Membership (£249.95) includes;
- 5 new whiskies to try every month
- Two Glencairn tasting glasses

Gold Dram Club Membership (£499.95) includes;
- 10 new and exciting drams every month (a year’s supply of whisky)
- Two Glencairn tasting glasses.

You can browse the range of dram sets here http://www.masterofmalt.com/dram-sets/

Or you can read up on membership into Master of Malt’s Dram Club here http://www.masterofmalt.com/dram-club/

For more information on the Golden Dram Competition, visit http://www.masterofmalt.com/golden-dram-competition/

About Master of Malt
- Established in 1985
- One of the UK's leading online whisky and spirits retailers
- A highly rated independent bottler, all of whose single cask whiskies scored over 90 points in the Jim Murray Whisky Bible 2009.
- www.masterofmalt.com

Follow Master of Malt
• On Twitter: @MasterOfMalt
• On Facebook: MasterOfMalt
• Master of Malt Blog: http://www.masterofmalt.com/blog/

Master of Malt announce the release of Professor Cornelius Ampleforth's Bathtub Gin

September 13, 2010

Master of Malt are proud to announce the release of Professor Cornelius Ampleforth’s Bathtub Gin, a brand new small-batch spirit made in a very traditional manner.

The gin harks back to Victorian times, and is produced using the finest copper pot-still spirit, which is traditionally cold-compounded with a selection of fine botanicals including Juniper, Orange Peel, Coriander, Cinnamon, Cardamom and Clove. This process tints the gin very slightly, giving it a faint yellow hue, and results in a spirit which is bold, creamy, and extraordinarily aromatic.

Bathtub gin is made in ultra-small batches of only 30 to 60 bottles at a time, and the focus is on quality and authenticity, even when it comes to the packaging. The bottles are wrapped in traditional brown paper, with a hand-drawn print adorning the labels, and each bottle is hand-dipped in black wax to give a very fine finish. Even the flax twine used to wrap the neck of the bottle is produced using 19th century methods.

Whilst Bathtub gin is superb neat over ice, or in a Gin and Tonic, it truly excels in a dry Martini with a twist of freshly cut lemon zest.

You can buy Bathtub Gin for £31.95 from Master of Malt.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: An initially Juniper-rich bouquet is backed up with a solid backbone of rich grain spirit. Topnotes of Cardamom and Orange blossom are evident with just a suggestion of Cinnamon.

Palate: The initial Focus is Juniper, but the earthier botanicals make themselves known in the initial palate too. Mouthfeel is exceptionally viscous and creamy – this is good spirit, and it makes itself known.

Finish: The juniper subsides and gives way to the Cardamom and Cinnamon, with a late resurgence from Orange Peel.

Overall: A most unusual, but quite entrancing Gin. This is one of the only cold-compounded gins currently available.

About Master of Malt:
• Established in 1985
• One of the UK’s leading Online Spirits Merchants, with a huge range of whiskies, rums, brandies, gins, cocktails and other fine spirits.
• UK Next Day Delivery from £6.95

Follow Master of Malt
• On Twitter: @MasterOfMalt
• On Facebook: MasterOfMalt

Master of Malt’s Movember Whisky gets a Pop Art Makeover

August 11, 2010

Master of Malt have release a limited edition range of whiskies featuring pop art cartoons of five leading whisky industry figures. The whiskies are being sold in aid of Movember, the annual men’s health charity, and all profits will be donated to Movember UK.

Two different styles of whisky have been release. Both are blended malts which were created especially for Movember. One, the Mo’land, is a sweet and malty Lowland whisky, the other, the Smo’key, is a peaty, smoky whisky from Islay. There are five different pop art labels to choose from, and each features a famous figure from the whisky industry, sporting a handsome moustache.

The labels include images of:
- Richard Paterson, master blender at The Dalmore and Whyte and Mackay
- Serge Valentin, a French whisky connoisseur and founder of WhiskyFun.net
- Charlie MacLean, a prolific author and expert on the subject of whisky
- Dave Broom, a taster, author and spirits writer
- Marcin Miller, Whisky Magazine’s co-founder, and an icon for both the Scotch and Japanese whisky industries

Just 840 bottles have been released, and all profits go directly to Movember UK.

You can browse the Master of Malt Movember whiskies here: http://www.masterofmalt.com/whisky-4-movember/

Follow Master of Malt
• On Twitter: @MasterOfMalt
• On Facebook: MasterOfMalt
• Master of Malt Blog: http://www.masterofmalt.com/blog/

Your Chance to Try Rare and Super Peaty Whisky from Islay’s Latest Legend

August 10, 2010

The hottest young distillery on Islay, Kilchoman, is kicking up a stir as a legend in the making. Thanks to its super peaty malt, the distillery will compete with giants such as Islay’s other distilleries Laphroaig and Lagavulin. Kilchoman was founded in 2005 and its whisky has only recently reached the minimum 3 years required for it to be classified as single malt Scotch. Amazingly, before it even came of age, Kilchoman spirit was heralded by critics – including top taster Jim Murray - as being delicious, and many predicted it would become the star of Islay (a region that many connoisseurs believe to be the best in Scotland). Jim even awarded one sample 94 out of 100 points.

Kilchoman’s extraordinary and rare malt is available to try as a sample from Master of Malt’s acclaimed sample service - “Drinks by the Dram” (a range of 3cl samples of whisky and other spirits including gin, rum, vodka, cognac and more). The service offers customers a chance to try before they buy – well worth it when some of the bottles available as samples sell for as much as £1,500!

For the first time ever, Kilchoman single malt is available for purchase in 3cl sample form (available from Master of Malt). This is a unique chance for whisky lovers and spirits connoisseurs to try something incredibly rare – even more noteworthy because the current batches of Kilchoman whisky have almost sold out. Whisky drinkers will be able to detect heavy peat smoke, iodine and pine oil on the nose, and the palate offers warm peat, fruit and malt. It is an unusual and wonderfully rich whisky; despite the fact it is only three years old!

Order your 3cl sample of Kilchoman Single Malt at http://www.masterofmalt.com/whiskies/kilchoman-spring-2010-release-whisky/

About Drinks by the Dram
- Hundreds of inexpensive 3cl (30ml) samples to try before you buy
- Revolutionary new concept in online drinks retail
- See a list of drams at: http://www.masterofmalt.com/drinks-by-the-dram/

About Master of Malt
- Established in 1985
- One of the UK’s leading online whisky and spirits retailers
- A highly rated independent bottler, all of whose single cask whiskies scored over 90 points in the Jim Murray Whisky Bible 2009.

Follow Master of Malt
• On Twitter: @MasterOfMalt
• On Facebook: MasterOfMalt
- Master of Malt Blog: http://www.masterofmalt.com/blog/

Only 88 Chances Left to Win a Once in a Lifetime Irish Whiskey Experience

July 27, 2010

Master of Malt are offering a once in a lifetime opportunity to win a free trip for two to the Cooley distillery in Ireland. The prize includes flights; wining and dining in Dublin; and two nights stay at a luxurious hotel.

Following the competition’s unprecedented success, there are only 88 remaining chances to enter, and only a few days left (the competition closes at 6pm on the 1st August 2010).

The lucky winner and a friend will be flown out to Ireland from any UK airport. They will be treated to an exclusive tour of the Cooley distillery, a whiskey tasting, two nights stay at a luxurious hotel, wining and dining for both nights, as well as a very special personalised bottle of Tyrconnell whiskey, and a bottle of the brand new Kilbeggan Distillery Reserve. It’s incredibly simple to enter; all entrants must do is buy any full-sized (70cl) bottle of Cooley whiskey from the Master of Malt website (www.masterofmalt.com).

The Cooley distillery has a large range, made up of some astonishing whiskeys, including Tyrconnell, Connemara, Kilbeggan, Greenore and Locke’s. Entrants will receive one entry for every bottle they buy, and the cheapest eligible whiskey is Kilbeggan, at just £17.95. Great value for money for a whiskey that tastes of creamy, sweet malt, and one that offers the chance to win a once in a lifetime prize!

The draw will close at 6pm on the 1st August and the lucky winner will be named on or before the 7th August 2010. This really is the ultimate Irish whiskey experience, and one not to be missed.

Thanks to the limited number of chances to enter, participants have a very high chance of winning the competition. Because of this, the draw is likely to sell out before the closing date.

Read more about the competition on the Master of Malt Whisky Blog or browse the full range of Cooley Whiskeys.

Follow Master of Malt
• On Twitter: @MasterOfMalt
• On Facebook: MasterOfMalt
- Master of Malt Blog: http://www.masterofmalt.com/blog/

Win a Free Trip to Cooley distillery in Ireland with Master of Malt

July 07, 2010

The lucky winner and a friend will be flown to Dublin and put up at a luxurious hotel for two nights. They will be wined and dined each night and treated to an exclusive private tour of the legendary Cooley distillery. At the end of the tour they will even receive a personalised bottle of Tyrconnell malt whiskey as well as a bottle of the newly released Kilbeggan Distillery Reserve to take home.

There is no limit to the number of entries per person, with one free entry being given out with every single full-sized (70cl) bottle of Cooley Whiskey bought from www.masterofmalt.com. Don’t hang around though, because there are only 250 chances to enter.

The limited number of entries (just 250) means that anyone who enters will have an unusually high chance of winning and, unlike most competitions, even if more people enter, that chance doesn’t reduce. Because of this, the draw is likely to be fully subscribed long before the closing date.

Master of Malt are an award-winning Online Retailer and Independent Bottler of Whisky and other fine spirits. The Cooley whiskey competition forms part of Master of Malt’s 25th birthday celebrations and it will feature an exclusive private tour of Ireland’s only independent, Irish-owned whiskey distillery. The tour will culminate in a whiskey tasting and the winner will even receive a very special personalised bottle of Tyrconnell whiskey and a bottle of the newly released Kilbeggan whiskey – two malts which are held in high esteem amongst Irish whiskey connoisseurs.

The Cooley whiskey distillery has become well-known for its production of a number of Ireland’s most critically-acclaimed whiskeys; malts from the Tyrconnell range regularly score upwards of 94 points in the Jim Murray Whisky Bible (Jim describes whiskeys in this bracket as being “Superstar whiskies that give us all reason to live”!) In 2010, the Cooley distillery was even declared “Distillery of the Year” by Malt Advocate’s John Hansell who commented on the quality and variety of whiskeys made at the distillery, “In an era where hundreds of small distilleries are starting up across the globe, Cooley can be an inspiration to them all”.

To enter the Cooley competition, all participants must do is buy any full-sized (70cl) bottle of Cooley whiskey from Master of Malt before 6pm the 1st of August 2010 arrives or the 250 chances to win run out. The lucky winner will be named on of before the 7th August 2010.

The entire Cooley range is available to try before you buy through Master of Malt’s new Whiskey sample service, Drinks by the Dram.

Read more about the competition on the Master of Malt Whisky Blog or browse the full range of Cooley Whiskeys on www.masterofmalt.com. You can browse through the range of Cooley whiskeys here:

Follow Master of Malt
• On Twitter: @MasterOfMalt
• On Facebook: MasterOfMalt
- Master of Malt Blog: http://www.masterofmalt.com/blog/

World’s Largest Whisky Sample Service

July 01, 2010

In May 2010, Master of Malt launched a large selection of 3cl whisky and spirits samples. Since the project’s inception the samples have become incredibly popular, as spirits connoisseurs and newcomers flock to the site to try tasters before they buy full bottles. It also gives drinkers the opportunity to experience spirits they might not otherwise be able to, thanks to the low price point of the samples. The selection of 3cl “drams” increased in size rapidly, and at the end of July the count had reached a lofty 250.

The collection started with the Glenfarclas single malt range, including the impressive Family Casks which sell for as much as £1499.95 a pop for the 1952 vintage. Whiskies like this were previously unavailable for a lot of people, but you can now try out a sample for £77.95.

The range now includes spirits from all over the globe such as bourbon, gin, Cognac, Vodka and even lesser known spirits like the Mexican drink, Sotol. If you’re simply interested in enjoying a range of spirits you could order a sample of Doorly’s XO, a fine rum from Barbados. The sample costs just £1.95, and the rum was awarded 5 stars by spirits expert Dave Broom who commented on its “vanilla-laden complexity” and notes of “baked bananas”. You could even sample an amazing Evan Williams bourbon. Aged for a whopping 23 years, it offers a rich palate of cocoa and molasses with black pepper and coffee notes. The full bottle costs £109.95, but you can order 30ml for £6.25 and find out for yourself why it was a Whisky Magazine Editor’s Choice!

The 250th whisky to be made available as a 3cl whisky sample was the critically acclaimed Nikka Taketsuru 21 Year Old rrp £75.95 (a sample of which is available for just £4.85). It’s a blended malt whisky – meaning a blend of single malts – and it won the coveted title of “World’s Best Blended Malt Whisky” three times in four years at the World Whiskies Awards run by Whisky Magazine. Critics noted flavours of juicy fruit, sweet cereals and sherry, with a fragrant nose of oak and malt.

Taketsuru 21 Year Old’s stable-mates in the Nikka whisky range include a number of other award winners, one of which is Yoichi 20 Year Old – a single malt that top whisky critic Jim Murray rated with a staggering 95 points in his Whisky Bible. Thanks to Master of Malt’s Drinks by the Dram sample service you can now order a 3cl (30ml) sample of Yoichi 20 for just £10.45, which is significantly cheaper than the full-sized bottle price of £184.95 – not your every day dram!

Master of Malt has made some of the world’s most revered spirits available to nearly everyone for the first time. You can try out a 3cl sample before you buy at just a fraction of the cost of a full-sized bottle, mitigating the risk of purchasing something you don’t enjoy. Imagine being able to try out anything from world class cognac like Maxime Trijol XO Grande Champagne rrp £77.95 (dram price is £4.95) to 25 year old Calvados like Berneroy XO rrp £35.95 (dram price is £2.75).

Alongside the Nikka drams, a broad selection of small batch Bourbon and American whiskey was recently made available; including a well-rated selection from Kentucky Bourbon Distillers Ltd. Amongst these was Johnny Drum Private Stock, a high strength American whiskey which the producers describe as “The proudest achievement in the art of Bourbon making.” You can buy a sample of Private Stock for £2.65.

Another notable addition to the whiskey samples selection is Georgia Moon - quite literally a modern day version of moonshine. Unaged whiskeys like this (known as “new make” in Scotland and “white dog” in America) have become very popular recently, and are something of a growing trend in the market. They offer consumers a chance to taste the effects that ageing has on a spirit, and a number of them - Georgia Moon included - are very enjoyable in their own right – often full of sweet popcorn and cereal notes. You can try a sample of Georgia Moon for £1.85.

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• On Twitter: @MasterOfMalt
• On Facebook: MasterOfMalt
- Master of Malt Blog: http://www.masterofmalt.com/blog/

The World’s Most Luxurious Single Malt Whisky Samples at Master of Malt

June 23, 2010

Glenmorangie and Ardbeg now available as 3cl samples from Master of Malt

One of the world’s largest luxury goods companies, LVMH (Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy), has joined Master of Malt’s whisky sample service, Drinks by the Dram. Whisky drinkers can now order 3cl samples from the Glenmorangie and Ardbeg range of single malts, including very rare, hard to find expressions.

Master of Malt, a UK online whisky retailer, launched its whisky sample service in May and, since then, connoisseurs and beginners alike have flocked to the site to try out all sorts of spirits at just a fraction of the price of full-sized bottles.

For many whisky drinkers, Ardbeg is the pinnacle of single malt Scotch whisky. Its whisky is the peatiest in Scotland, and it offers exceptional balance and complexity. Because of this, and its inherent collector’s value, the rarer Ardbeg editions command very high prices.

Now, though, anyone can afford to sample any whisky from the Ardbeg collection. You can try anything from the 2009 Whisky of the Year, Ardbeg Uigeadail, (a sample of which is available for £3.35) to the ultra rare Ardbeg 1977 - a whisky described by top critic Jim Murray as “simply one of the greatest experiences”. A 3cl sample of the 1977 costs £16.25, which is considerably cheaper than the £299.95 bottle price.

This also means that you can now taste the year’s most talked about single malt, Ardbeg Supernova 2010, for just £4.95. Supernova is one of the peatiest whiskies in the world with over 100 phenol parts per million (four times more peaty than Ardbeg 10 Year old).

Glenmorangie, on the other hand, is known for its creamy, fruity style of single malt. Since LVMH acquired the distillery in 2004, it has been positioned as a high-end, luxury brand; the packaging has become far more lavish and the marketing flaunts the whisky as being decadent and chic – a strategy which thoroughly suits the sumptuous style of Glenmorangie whisky.

Anyone wishing to buy the recently released Sonnalta PX, a Pedro Ximenez dessert sherry finished single malt, can try a 3cl sample before they buy for just £3.95. For £4.85 you can sample the stunning Glenmorangie 18 Year old – highly rated by whisky critics and drinkers, or for £10.75, Glenmorangie 25 Year Old – a whisky redolent of creamy tropical fruit, fruitcake and stewed plums.

A full range of Ardbeg single malt is available at Master of Malt:
http://www.masterofmalt.com/distilleries/ardbeg-whisky-distillery/

A full range of Glenmorangie single malt is available at Master of Malt:
http://www.masterofmalt.com/distilleries/glenmorangie-whisky-distillery/

For further information please visit www.masterofmalt.com
Read the Master of Malt blog: www.masterofmalt.com/blog
Or follow Master of Malt on Twitter: www.twitter.com/masterofmalt

Sample the World's Most Expensive Whiskies (on a Budget)

May 20, 2010

Online Retailer and Independent Bottler, Master of Malt, Have Launched a Revolutionary Whisky Sample Service Called "Drinks by the Dram"

For the first time ever, whisky lovers and drinks connoisseurs will be able to purchase inexpensive 3cl (30ml) samples of a rapidly growing range of Scotch whisky and other spirits from across the globe.

The inability to sample high-end drinks like Scotch whisky before making a purchase has been a clear stumbling block for online off-licenses since their emergence in the late 1990s. "Drinks by the Dram" neatly solves this problem allowing by connoisseurs and beginners alike to 'try before they buy' on a huge range of whiskies and other spirits.

Master of Malt's Sales Director, Ben Ellefsen, explains that the idea originally grew out of an informal sample service for friends and staff:

"As pretty serious whisky fans ourselves, we wanted a way that we could sample new releases from our favourite distilleries and bottlers without the expense of committing to a whole bottle of each before we'd even tried it. Drinks by the Dram started life as a way of allowing our staff and friends to compare and contrast a range of whiskies safe in the knowledge that the investment required was not one that was likely to land them in the dog-house on a semi-regular basis."

He continues "We soon found the friends we gave samples to often came back and bought the rest of the bottle! When we showed the idea to the distilleries and brand owners, the reaction was so unequivocally positive we decided make the service available to our customers as well.

A few months down the line, and we're starting to see excellent results, grateful customers, and slightly more haggard-looking employees… We hope to have several hundred drams available soon, and are currently working tirelessly to offer an even bigger selection for whisky fans everywhere."

Try before you buy

One of the most exciting parts of the service is the wide range of samples available. The selection is vast, and numerous styles of spirits and whiskies are available; from 10 year old Bourbon, to 40 year old single malt Scotch whisky.

The range isn't just high end malts though; there are samples of "everyday" whiskies, with prices starting from only GBP1.95.

The drams are labeled with handmade paper, and each bottle individually wax dipped to seal it.

The initial range includes samples from many world famous brands including Glenfarclas, Bruichladdich and Edradour whisky distilleries, and several outstanding independent bottlers, including Murray McDavid; Renegade Rum; Alchemist; Signatory and The Vintage Malt Whisky Company.

The range is expanding rapidly, and there will be several hundred more samples available by the end of May, with over a thousand expected by Christmas. A full list of samples is available at: www.masterofmalt.com/drinks-by-the-dram

About Drinks by the Dram
- Inexpensive 3cl (30ml) samples to try before you buy
- Revolutionary new concept in online drinks retail
- 50 drinks currently available as "drams" with over 200 expected by the end of May
- See a list of available drams at:
www.masterofmalt.com/about-drinks-by-the-dram

About Master of Malt
- Award winning Independent Bottler
- Online Whisky and Spirits retailer with over 25 years of experience.
- Website: www.masterofmalt.com
Follow Master of Malt on Twitter: www.twitter.com/masterofmalt
Keep up to date with whisky and spirits news on the Master of Malt blog:
www.masterofmalt.com/blog

Master of Malt's Bowmore Declared "Whisky Master"

May 15, 2010

2010's results are in from the prestigious Spirit Masters competition, run by The Spirit Business, and whisky retailer Master of Malt has yet again received glowing praise for one of their exceptional whiskies.

2010’s results are in from the prestigious Spirit Masters competition, run by The Spirit Business, and whisky retailer Master of Malt has yet again received glowing praise for one of their exceptional whiskies.

A panel of the great and the good from the spirits industry was assembled to judge an array of the world’s best whiskies. The panel included The Whisky Exchange’s Sukhinder Singh, Chap Magazine’s Neil Ridley, True Spirit’s drinks writer Dominic Roskrow, Matt Chambers from The Whisky Shop, Marcin Miller of Quercus Communications, The Spirit Business’ Contributor, Richard Woodard, and Shane Lee Safi, the manager of The Cinnamon Kitchen.

Master of Malt stole the show with their 26 Year Old Bowmore – declared the “Master” (the highest possible accolade) in the Islay 25 Year Old and Over category.

The news marks the second award for Master of Malt’s Bowmore in 2010; the single cask whisky was also named one of the winners of CaskStrength.net’s Best in Glass Awards, announced earlier in the year. CaskStrength.net (www.caskstrength.net) noted its incredible character: “It certainly is one of the most unusual whiskies we've come across in a while - and delivers on every front.”

It shows yet again the incredible breadth of flavour in single cask whisky. A standard single malt is often a blend of multiple casks of whisky from a single distillery, whereas a single cask whisky is the product of one cask, or barrel. The result is often something with much more character, and single cask whiskies are usually kept at “cask strength” – meaning they are left undiluted and are the rarest and most highly sought after whiskies in the world.

Heralded by all as a mind-blowing malt, Master of Malt’s 26 year old Bowmore is something entirely out-of-this-world. It’s the truly unique flavour profile that makes it stand out and critics have described it as being like an old-fashioned sweet shop; it’s loaded with flavours of sherbet, white chocolate and, most noticeably, a dominant flavour of Parma Violets. The Bowmore distillery is known for its floral, often violet-like flavours and this is due to the yeast used in the fermentation of the barley, as well as other distillation techniques – the result is absolutely delicious.

Visit Master of Malt to read full reviews of the 26 year old Bowmore.

Notes to editors
- Master of Malt’s 26 Year Old Bowmore is available now from Master of Malt priced at GBP99.95, and for a limited time only will come with a tasting glass and a big bag of old-fashioned tuck shop sweets.
- For further information please visit http://www.masterofmalt.com and for the latest news about Master of Malthttp://twitter.com/masterofmalt and http://www.masterofmalt.com/blog.

About Master of Malt
- Master of Malt was established in 1985
- Master of Malt is now one of the UK's leading online whisky merchants
- Master of Malt are one of the UK's most highly rated independent bottlers - all of whose single cask whiskies scored over 90 points in the Jim Murray whisky bible 2009

Fry says 'Aye' to Master of Malt Whisky

October 08, 2009

Online whisky merchant Master of Malt has received a ringing endorsement from Stephen Fry, who proclaims their 19-year-old Tomatin to be his new favourite dram.

Britain's favourite celebrity, TV host, comic actor, raconteur and all-round wit saluted the Highland single malt in a letter to Master of Malt. In typically baroque fashion, Fry praises the whisky as "astoundingly delicious… like ethereal Dundee Cake" and goes on to give a description of Tomatin:

"…one of the most magnificent yet approachable malts I've ever had the delight of sampling. It is full, rich and malty as one would hope, but with a delightful zinging topnote of peardrops and peachiness that softens into a magnificent plummy grandeur. I'm fully aware of how pretentious I'm sounding, but I don't care."

Fry's effusive praise only corroborates what the whisky world knew already. Renowned whisky critic Jim Murray gave Master of Malt's Tomatin 96 points in his 2009 whisky bible - just 1.5 points shy of Ardbeg Uigeadail, the official 'best whisky in the world'. The Master of Malt Tomatin is a cask-strength, non-chill filtered, single cask whisky bottled at 57.6% ABV.

It's not the first time that Fry has declared his love of whisky. On the release of his 1994 novel The Hippopotamus, which over-zealous fans marked by inundating him with toy hippos, he said: "it really is very kind of them. But I have decided that my next book will be called '18 Year Old Malt Whisky'."

Whisky-lovers the world over can now add the erudite Fry to their ranks, happily quoting Stephen's assertion that this dram is "stunning from first nosing to final swallow…. The 19 year old Tomatin is now officially my favourite whisky".

Visit Master of Malt to sample Stephen's favourite dram and explore their exceptional whisky range at http://www.masterofmalt.com.

About Master of Malt:

- Master of Malt was established in 1985
- Master of Malt are now one of the UK's leading online whisky merchants
- Master of Malt are one of the UK's most highly rated independent bottlers - all of whose single cask whiskies scored over 90 points in the Jim Murray whisky bible 2009