Whisky is no longer just the pride of Scotland’s glens, Ireland’s green hills, or Kentucky’s rickhouses. It’s being made in Mexico and Argentina, China and Denmark, South Africa and New…
Master of Malt blog
Category: Features
Featured news, interviews and articles covering whisky, rum, gin, tequila and mezcal and other drinks and spirits, as well as the drinks industry.
Ah, Mizunara oak. The whisky world’s high-maintenance muse. This Japanese oak species (Quercus mongolica) is prized in whisky-making for the distinctive flavours it imparts: sandalwood, coconut, delicate incense, spices, and…
The London Distillery Company (TLDC) is back, and it has unfinished business. One of English whisky’s earliest modern pioneers, TLDC helped lay the foundations for the category before quietly fading…
It’s no secret that casks are the unsung heroes of Scotch whisky. But behind every great cask, there’s a cooper. And behind every great cooper, there’s… well, usually another cooper….
Caol Ila – the Sound of Islay. Perched on Islay’s northeastern shores, the Scotch whisky distillery boasts magnificent views across the narrow sea channel that gives it its name, with…
The Dalmore Luminary Series has sadly ended with the launch of Edition No.3. The final chapter is a two-part release that includes The Dalmore 17 Year Old Luminary No. 3…
Remember when InchDairnie Distillery teased its follow-up to RyeLaw with two new single malts – KinGlassie Double Matured and KinGlassie Raw? Both have now arrived at Master of Malt, and…
In the world of Japanese whisky, Nikka sits comfortably on the shortlist of “legends.” Founded by Masataka Taketsuru, the man who studied distillation in Scotland and then brought that know-how…
There’s bourbon, and then there’s Blanton’s. The first name in single barrel whiskey, this Kentucky-born legend set the template for what premium bourbon could be – and still sets the…
When it comes to whisky, some people want mystery and intrigue. Others prefer to know where they stand. To drink whisky that does exactly what it says on the bottle. …
Havana Club Tributo 2025 is Cuban rum meets Irish whiskey. Not for some saccharine tale of star-crossed spirits finding each other across a crowded bar. But because it makes sense….
Glen Grant is a whisky distillery in Rothes, Speyside. It was founded in 1840. It’s one of the world’s best-selling single malt Scotch whiskies. It was a brand before brands…
Sometimes Mondays aren’t so bad. Yesterday, I headed to a tasting of The Singleton’s new Gourmand Collection at No. 41 Burlington Arcade, Mayfair, upstairs in the boutique and tasting rooms…
In the Irish whiskey aisle, two names dominate the conversation – Jameson vs. Bushmills. Yes, the Irish whiskey renaissance has broadened our horizons. And our options. But these two remain…
Glenturret might be Scotland’s oldest working distillery, but it’s not stuck in the past. Tucked into a scenic glen in Crieff, Perthshire, the Highland whisky maker has been producing the…
It’s back. Is it a Kraken? Is it a mermaid? A, wait, that’s just another Kraken, isn’t it? No, it’s Dr Squid Gin! Yes, the best thing inspired by brainy…
Whisky and chocolate. Two of life’s great pleasures – and, when paired properly, an outrageously good combo. Done badly? It’s chaos. Sweet clashing with smoke, tannins turning bitter, and expensive…
Three bold single malts, one distillery, and a whole lot of sherry-soaked splendour. Glendronach has unveiled its latest opus: The Master’s Anthology – a trio of Highland single malts curated…
There are rare whiskies, and then there’s this. Midleton Very Rare Silent Distillery Collection Chapter Six is the final release from the Old Midleton Distillery – a series-capping drop that’s as…
The fourth instalment of On The Way, Chichibu Distillery’s cult-status single malt series, has just been announced. Which means I get the excuse to talk about a very fine distillery….