Jake Mountain
Jake Mountain, resident 'doer of things' and MoM OG
With well over a decade's experience in the spirits industry, Jake's worked across all areas of Master of Malt's retail, trade, editorial and marketing teams, and much more besides, managing various award-winning campaigns and initiatives. As well as Scotch whisky, he's an expert who loves a single pot still Irish whiskey, Japanese drinks, and boozy stirred-down cocktails, plus some funky agricole rhum or cachaça. Jake's passed the new, advanced WSET Level 3 in Spirits with a Distinction, and his comments have appeared in publications such as The Guardian and Jeff Cioletti's Drinking Adventurously. You can also speak to him about second division German football and an eclectic array of music from Britpop to rare funk breaks.
Jake's whisky of the month (December 2025)
SRV5 8 Year Old (Thompson Bros.)
Scotch blended malt whisky
From the Thompson brothers in Dornoch, SRV5 aka 'Station Road Vat 5' is married in the European oak vat illustrated on the label (by Yu Kurahashi of Bar Tre, Hiroshima). This also acts as a solera as it's never emptied to less than a third full when whisky is drawn off for bottling! Expect freshness, fruitiness, waxiness, and gentle smoke, bottled at a healthy 48.5%.
"I love this bright, bargainous (yet for the geeks), zesty Lilt/melon-led, practically effervescent blended malt with a solid Clynelish backbone and just a lick of peat. Phil & Simon have long been a vital part of the landscape, championing ‘old style’ production from hotel bar, to distillery, to lovingly integrated bottlings like this. Intentionally perfect for highballs too."
Jake Mountain
Resident doer of things, spirits buff & MoM OG
Tasting notes
Green apple, lemon curd, cucamelon, green olive, beeswax and a touch of burnt toast.
Mouth-coating and creamy, tomato stem and makrut lime leaves, marzipan and coal tar soap.
Rounded, gentle smoke and more fresh citrus, including orange.
