Adam O'Connell

Adam O’Connell writes for Master of Malt. He has visited distilleries, wineries, and breweries across the world and reviewed a frankly unreasonable number of whiskies, gins, rums, Tequilas, mezcals, brandies, vodkas, wines, beers, and cocktails. His work spans more than 1,000 articles for Master of Malt’s award-winning blog, The Whisk(e)y Wash, along with many guides and features you might have read while hunting for something good to drink.
Laggan Bay Distillery on IslayLaggan Bay Opens: The 11th Islay Whisky Distillery

Laggan Bay opens as Islay’s 11th whisky distillery. Family-owned company Ian Macleod Distillers confirms the news today, revealing the first cask was filled on opening day – 2 April 2026. Laggan…

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Football manager Alan Curbishley with fans in a stadiumJameson, Drinkaware, and Alan Curbishley Know Your Score

Is there any sensation quite like returning from the long weekend and seeing Alan Curbishley in your inbox? The answer is, no, of course, and I appreciate anybody who doesn’t…

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A lifestyle image of Talisker 47 Year Old Magma, pictured on the Isle of Skye at sunset with lemons and a glass of whiskyTalisker 47 Year Old Magma: Reviewing The Distillery’s Oldest Whisky To Date

When you get an invite to a tasting of Talisker 47 Year Old Magma, or Talisker’s oldest whisky to date, you don’t ask too many questions. You show up. Which…

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The Tomatin Core Range sporting the new labels released in early 2026Win VIP Festival Tickets to Belladrum with Tomatin

For years now, Tomatin has been part of Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival. Not in a corporate, logo-on-a-lanyard way. In a “we built a bar, poured drams, and hosted some of…

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A bottle of Dingle Single Pot Still Whiskey in IrelandSingle Pot Still Irish Whiskey: Ireland’s Greatest Style, Still Explaining Itself

Scotland has single malt. America has bourbon. Ireland has single pot still whiskey. And yet, when people talk about prestige whiskey, they still reach for single malt like it’s the…

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Ardbeg Dolce at a Sicilian sceneArdbeg Dolce Brings Marsala Sweetness to Islay Smoke

Ardbeg Dolce is the 2026 Ardbeg Day release, landing during Fèis Ìle on 30 May, with early access for Committee members from 26 May. The hook is simple. This is…

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The Whiskey sour cocktail is a classic whisky pairingTop 10 Whiskies for a Whisky Sour (That Bartenders Actually Use)

The best whisky for a Whisky Sour comes down to balance. You need a spirit that can handle lemon and sugar without disappearing. Something that cuts through citrus, brings its…

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Chivas Regal 18 Year OldBrown-Forman and Pernod Ricard Confirm Merger Talks

Today, Brown-Forman and Pernod Ricard confirm the merger talks are no longer rumour.  Both companies reveal they’re in discussions about a potential “business combination”, following reports that broke on 26…

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Lifestyle imagrey for the launch of the Jura Sherry Cask RangeJura Sherry Cask Range: Beyond the Gateway Whisky

Today we are reporting from the launch of the Jura Sherry Cask range. The new series showcases single malt Scotch whiskies each finished in a different sherry cask. The name…

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The logo for the World Whiskies Awards 2026What Is The World’s Best Whisky 2026? Bowmore 21 Year Old

The World’s Best Whisky 2026 has been named. The World Whiskies Awards were last night and named what its judges deemed the best of the best. The big headline. Bowmore…

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Deanston Orange Wine Cask 17 Year Old on a table with Glencairn glasses full of whiskyDeanston Orange Wine Cask 17 Year Old: When Whisky Means Something

Deanston Orange Wine Cask 17 Year Old has hit our virtual shelves today. But that’s not the reason I want to write about this whisky. For that, I need to…

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Torabhaig Taigh on the Isle of SkyeTorabhaig Taigh: The First Core Range Whisky Lands

News today has broken that Torabhaig Taigh will become the first permanent release from the Isle of Skye distillery.  Previously, Torabhaig has added whiskies to its Legacy Series, a range…

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Terroir in whisky, Waterford DistilleryWaterford Distillery Has Been Sold to Tennessee Distilling Group

Waterford Distillery, the farm-driven Irish whiskey project founded by Mark Reynier, has been sold to Tennessee Distilling Group (TDG) after collapsing into receivership in late 2024. If you’ve been following…

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Five New Releases from That Boutique-y Whisky Company include this Glen Garioch single maltTop 10 Single Malts Worth Splashing Out On

Got any picks for the Top 10 Single Malts Worth Splashing Out On? Suggest some in the comments below.  There comes a time when you want to buy a really…

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A bottle of The GlenAllachie 35 Year Old Cask Strength being poured into Glencairn glasses on a wooden table with a presentation boxThe GlenAllachie 35 Year Old Cask Strength: New Whisky Alert

The GlenAllachie 35 Year Old Cask Strength has landed. Want to learn more? Of course you do. It’s 35yo cask strength GlenAllachie. This Speyside single malt is a GlenAllachie master distiller…

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A bottle of Singleton 25 Year Old among other single malts from the same rangeWho Wants To Win A Bottle of Singleton 25 Year Old?

There are competitions where you might win a branded glass. Then there are competitions where you win Singleton 25 Year Old. This is the second kind. It’s worth £352.50. Right now…

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