Master of Malt Press Releases

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.

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 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 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
- On Facebook: MasterOfMalt
- 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
- On Facebook: MasterOfMalt

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
- On Facebook: MasterOfMalt

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
- On Facebook: MasterOfMalt

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

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

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’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.

Follow Master of Malt
• 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