Whisky Buyers Guide for beginners

This guide is for anyone with very little or no experience when it comes to buying whisky. Maybe you've tasted some and aren't sure what type of whisky you were drinking? Perhaps you don't know what your options are, or where to look next. If you are interested in whisky and have no idea where to start - then our buyers guide to whisky is perfect for you!

Author: Henry Jeffreys
Reading time:10 minutes

Why should I buy whisky?

Whisky for the first time buyer

Price and affordability of whisky

Where do I start?

Newly released whisky

Whisky and lifestyle

Why should I buy whisky?

The short answer is because it’s delicious! Whisky is a versatile drink, it can be drunk neat or in a variety of whisky cocktails like the Highball or an Old Fashioned. And the whisky world is amazingly diverse in flavour from the sweet and fruity to smoky and spicy. There really is a whisky for everyone. Just thinking about Scotland, there is a wide variety of single malts, blended whiskies, and single grains. And that’s before you get on to whiskies from America, Ireland, Japan and beyond.

Did you know?

We have also written an 'Ultimate Guide to Whisky' which has in depth content about all manner of things whisky related.

Whisky for the first time buyer

Though some people love the big pungent flavours of an Islay single malt like Laphroaig on first sip, most beginners are probably best off trying something a little more easy going. Bottles with a sweet approachable profile include Jack Daniel’s Tennessee whiskey, Hankey Bannister blended Scotch whisky, from Ireland Jameson’s, or for a first step on your journey into single malts, Speyburn 10 Year Old.

Price and affordability of whisky

Whisky, especially Scotch whisky, has a premium reputation. You can spend hundreds or even thousands of pounds on a bottle. But you can also find dozens of delicious bottles at more everyday prices. £20-30 will buy you a surprisingly diverse array of bottles from famous bourbon brands to entry-level single malt Scotch whiskies to blends that offer a lot of flavour per pound. You really don’t need to spend a fortune to get a whisky worth drinking.

We sell a large amount of whisky samples too, many of which are highly affordable and won't stretch your budget. If that's not enough - Master of Malt have an extensive range of whiskies on special offer - so grab yourself a deal on Single Malt or Scotch here!

Find the perfect whisky

Master of Malt has the largest selection of whiskies and spirits in the UK drinks space. (In case you were wondering - 16,000+ product lines!)

We've also got the best in-house experts who have put together a list to help you find your way with what whisky to drink. Take a look below at some of the best whisky money can buy and take a punt!

On a budget?

Here's the finest premium whiskies for under £50

Gifting?

We have the widest range of Whisky advent calendars and Whisky sample sets available! No matter what kind of budget, or what kind of special occasion it is; we've got you covered.

With Christmas coming into view - we've already got the perfect present for anyone who loves whisky - our amazing 'Whisky Advent Calendar'.

Go large

If you are looking to go the extra mile and spend a little more - we've put together a shortlist of some rather expensive first rate whiskey. Why not 'go large' and try a premium bottle on for size?

Edgy

Want something a little daring? Here's the most adventurous whiskies we currently stock.

All whisky

Where do I start with whisky?

Find out what your tastes are. The best way to do this is to visit a bar and taste a few whiskies. Or you can buy drams, 30ml sample bottles, from Master of Malt and even sign up to Pour & Sip subscription where you will be sent different whiskies to sample every month. From there start buying a bottle or two, or three. And then once you have discovered what you like, keep exploring as your tastes may well change as you get further into whisky.

Pour & Sip whisky subscription box with drams

Whisky Producing Countries

The big three countries to explore for beginners are Scotland, Ireland and America, though there are plenty of other places that make great whisky.

Scotland:

We’ll start with Scotland as it is the biggest whisky producer in the world. We recommend that you try three whiskies: a blended whisky (see this explanation) like Famous Grouse and two single malts: a smoky one like Seaweed & Aeons & Digging & Fire 10 Year Old, and a fruity one like Balblair 12 Year Old.

Ireland:

The Irish whiskey (in Ireland it is usually but not always spelt with an ‘e’) scene is expanding at a dizzying rate but we’re just going to recommend two classics which are a great introduction to the country. Both are made by the same giant producer Irish Distillers: Jameson, a blended whiskey and one of the world’s bestselling spirits, and Redbreast 12 Year Old. The latter is a single pot still whiskey, a uniquely Irish whiskey that’s made from a mixture of malted and unmalted barley.

America:

America’s two great gifts to the whiskey (usually spelt with an ‘e’) world are bourbon and rye. Bourbon is made all over the country largely from maize aka corn and is always aged in new oak casks giving it a sweet profile. Woodford Reserve is a great place to start. Rye is made in a similar way but the predominant cereal is the spicy rye producing a pungent, aromatic style of whiskey. Try Rittenhouse Straight Rye 100 Proof Whiskey. Both rye and bourbon are excellent in classic cocktails like a Manhattan.

Buying a whisky that's just been released

Once you have picked up a love for whisky, one of the joys of the category is that there’s always something new to try. Most producers have a core range but then release unusual things to tempt fans such as single cask releases, rare vintages or ageing in unusual barrels. Then there are brand new producers and even new countries releasing whiskies the whole time. The New Arrivals page on Master of Malt is a cornucopia of whisky-based excitement for enthusiasts.

Whisky and lifestyle

Whisky conjures up certain images that can be immensely appealing. Think Mad Men types in sharp suits sipping J&B on the rocks or betweeded Scots walking through the mist before enjoying a fine single malt by a roaring fire. But these archetypes can be limiting too as they suggest that whisky can only be enjoyed in certain situations when it’s equally at home in a long drink sipped in the garden, drunk when out dancing in a nightclub with your friends, or in front of the telly in your pyjamas.

Frequently asked questions

Here are some helpful answers to your questions

Is all Scotch whisky smoky?

No, many aren’t or only have a very subtle smokiness.

Can I mix a single malt?

Yes, of course you can. Single malt whiskies are particularly good in simple cocktails like an Old Fashioned.

Is a single malt better than a blended whisky?

No, they are just different. Blends come from a variety of distilleries and tend to be balanced and highly versatile while single malts come from just one and usually have deeper, more individual flavours.

Is an older whisky better than a younger whisky?

Not necessarily. Older whiskies do tend to be more complex but younger ones can be brighter, fruitier and more vigorous. It’s really down to personal preference.