Glencairn GlassStudying spirits: the pros, the cons and the alternatives

Do you need formal qualifications like WSET to learn about and appreciate spirits like whisky or Cognac? Lauren Eads talks to various industry professionals to find out whether studying spirits…

Lauren EadsLauren Eads
Gothic GinNew Arrival of the Week: Gothic Gin

Today, we’re toasting the start of another week in the booze business with a super fancy gin that has taken America by storm and has now landed in Britain. It’s…

Henry JeffreysHenry Jeffreys
The Macallan The Reach C.jpg RSMacallan’s oldest ever whisky lands at Master of Malt

We’ve just had news that the oldest ever release from Macallan, an 81-year-old single malt distilled way back in 1940, has landed at Master of Malt. Yes, Macallan Reach is…

Master of MaltMaster of Malt
Talsiker 44The Nightcap: 10 June

The Spot whiskey range adds the golden touch, an all-singing gin trolley, and the oldest Talisker ever released. These are just some of the stories to feature in this week’s…

Master of MaltMaster of Malt
Procera Green Spot lifestyle imageProcera revisited: the Kenyan Gin story continues

Procera, the unique Kenyan gin made with African juniper, has been one of the biggest drinks success stories of the last few years. Now with two new versions on the…

Henry JeffreysHenry Jeffreys
The ZombieCocktail of the Week: the Zombie

In the last ten years, tiki cocktails have gone from a bit embarrassing to darlings of bartenders around the world. And with good reason as done properly, it is hard…

Henry JeffreysHenry Jeffreys
Matugga RumFrom Uganda and Jamaica to Scotland: the story of Matugga Rum

This is the story of Matugga Rum, and how it brought the spirit of Uganda and Jamaica to Scotland to create something different.  Paul and Jacine Rutasikwa didn’t really ever…

Adam O'ConnellAdam O'Connell
Ten gins for Father’s Day
Ten gins for Father’s Day

We’ve picked some of our favourite new gins and some classics which will make great gifts for Father’s Day. We’ve even included some tips on how to enjoy them. So,…

Master of MaltMaster of Malt
London dry ginWhat is London dry gin?

Ok, so we had some comments recently from people regarding London dry gin and it seems many still think the style must be made in the capital. This isn’t true,…

Adam O'ConnellAdam O'Connell
Fake MacallanHow to spot a fake whisky

The explosion in values for rare whiskies such as Brora, Macallan and Karuizawa in the last few years has seen an commensurate increase in the number of counterfeits coming onto…

Lauren EadsLauren Eads
Miltonduff 12 Year Old 2009 New Arrival of the Week: Miltonduff 12 Year Old 2009 (Signatory)

One of our favourite things to do in the New Arrival slot is to shine a spotlight on a lesser known single malt distillery. This week it’s a special bottling…

Master of MaltMaster of Malt
Can Mac Ferry IslayIslay travel misadventures

Part of the fun of visiting Islay is the journey. It’s not far from the Scottish mainland but it’s not always straight forward getting there. To round off our Fèis…

Henry JeffreysHenry Jeffreys
Hine Rare VSOP10 superb Cognacs to try in 2023

Lovers of malt whisky or aged rum should really be exploring the Cognac region, especially with a certain winter holiday on the horizon. It’s coming! If old sherried single malts…

Master of MaltMaster of Malt
Royal BracklaThe Royal Touch

As the Queen celebrates 70 years on the throne this long weekend, Dr Nick Morgan takes a look at the long interlinked history of the Royal Family and the Scotch…

Nicholas MorganNicholas Morgan
Lagavulin-whiskyCocktail of the Week: The Smoky Cokey

The Smoky Cokey cocktail won over the hearts and minds of the whisky-drinking public and proved that Islay whisky is ripe for mixing. As part of our Fèis Ile coverage,…

Adam O'ConnellAdam O'Connell
The Master of Malt Islay Festival 2021Islay: island or idea?

As part of our Fèis Ìle 2022 coverage, industry veteran and long term visitor to the island Ian Buxton reflects on how the romance of Islay is often very different…

Ian BuxtonIan Buxton