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Top 10 Whiskies
September 2025
A lot of people ask us what the 'best whisky' is, and we usually explain that there is no universal 'best whisky' because it's such an individual thing – there's only the best whisky for you. It's like asking someone what the 'best film' is. You're going to get a lot of strongly held yet wildly different answers.
But nobody is ever satisfied by that, so each month we hold a battle royale an earnest and civilised* debate among the expert Master of Malt team to narrow it down to their 10 favourite whiskies that month – here are our picks for September.
Kingsbarns 10yo
Scotch single malt whisky, Lowland region
Kingsbarns 10 Year Old has arrived! A massive statement from a young distillery and a stark reminder of time's steady march, this Scotch whisky was distilled from local Fife barley and bottled at 46% ABV. The brand's signature light, fruity spirit has been matured in 90% bourbon barrels and 10% STR red wine barriques. It's an elegant Lowland single malt with aromas of summer blossom, ripe stone fruit and toasted oak.
"I not only love the sense of terroir in this whisky—distilled from local Fife barley—but it’s also an elegant dram. It’s surprisingly rich and complex too, with notes of toffee apple, red berries, and warming spices, to name a few."
Michael Monte
Spirits buyer, but in French (& sometimes Mandarin)
Tasting notes by the producer
Elegant and floral, with summer blossom, ripe banana, and tropical fruits layered over soft vanilla and apricot.
Silky and rich, offering pineapple tart, toffee apple, and red berry compote, balanced by soft fudge and warming spice.
Long and refined, with candied citrus, kiwi, and a touch of dry spice.
World Peat Highball Pre-Mix 8yo (Decadent)
World blended malt
A summer treat from the gang at Decadent Drinks! This is a world whisky blend combining peated malt from a host of different countries, including Scotland, Germany, and Sweden, aged in bourbon barrels for a minimum of eight years. Bottled at a satisfying 50% ABV – the Decadent folks have created this 'instantaneously mixable' blend with Highballs in mind, so grab some soda and plenty of ice and find yourself a spot to recline.
"I love everything about this. Blending the world of peated whisky for the purpose of the ultimate Highball base? You had my attention, Decadent Drams, now you have my curiousity."
Adam O'Connell
Whisky nerd and certified mate of Ainsley Harriott
Tasting notes
Sweet wafts of toasted vanilla pod and honeyed barley, then orchard fruit brightness and a touch of lemon zest. Campfire ember and dry pine.
Oak char, creamy malt and buttery pastry with peat weaving in and out. Singed herbs, tarry rope, citrus oils and green apple emerge among toasted coconut and vanilla-led sweetness.
Salted caramel, oak spice, and a wisp of eucalyptus.
Tobermory 29yo 1996 Single Cask
Scotch single malt whisky, Island region
Oh, so moreish Tobermory, bottled at a grand old age of 29 years by us right here at Master of Malt! This singe malt matured in a single refill hogshead between March 1996 and April 2025, yielding an outturn of 268 bottles. Bursting with sweet citrus and tropical guava, with rich old oak at its core, it's a superbly mellow sipper.
"I know, there are some periods of Tobermory production can be 'hit or miss'. The distillery has had a chequered history, but the 90s saw the beginning of some stability. When we pulled cask samples of this back in October 24, I said it was the best Tobermory I've ever come across, and I knew we had to bottle this. It's beautiful, and so complex, and a worthy first release under the 'Masterpiece' label."
Dave Worthington
Olive-fueled, affable & beardy award-winning whisky ambassador
Tasting notes
Sweet tropical fruits and summer berries, orange soda, Custard Cream biscuits, and white chocolate join wafers, milky coffee, chocolate limes, and oaken depth.
Soft and mouthfilling, with creamy apricot and peach, and juicy, sweet guava. Boiled sweeties, distant spice, mellow old oak, orange peels, and a touch of bitter pith.
Pink grapefruit (with brown sugar), vanilla shortbread, raspberry and white chocolate fudge draw into a long finish, with chewy oak, a hint of blonde tobacco, ginger wine, and lingering citrus peels.
Port Charlotte 10yo
Scotch single malt whisky, Islay region
Introduced as the flagship Port Charlotte expression produced by Bruichladdich in 2018, this 10 year old single malt from the Isle of Islay is a lip-smackingly smoky number indeed. It's peated to 40ppm, and drawn from a combination of first-fill American whiskey casks, second-fill American whiskey casks and second-fill French wine casks.
"Port Charlotte is peatier than a bonfire in wellies, but all that smoke is balanced by sweet elegance and salty sea air. And no, I didn’t pick this because my name’s Charlotte."
Charlotte Gorzelak
Social media empress & "the Dr. Frankenstein of cocktails"
Tasting notes
Salted caramel brownie, flamed orange peel, a hearty whack of seaweed.
Oak-y smoke and salty sea air, paired with sweeter notes of Custard Cream biscuits and white grape.
Ginger snaps, rye toast, drying peat smokiness.
Linkwood 8yo Oloroso Finish (Fragrant Drops)
Scotch single malt whisky, Speyside region
This Linkwood single malt was finished in a duo of fresh oloroso sherry quarter casks (#90029791/2) and bottled on 28 October 2024 at 57.2% ABV. A total of 294 bottles were filled by the Keeble Cask Company for their Fragrant Drops range.
"Beautiful people bottling beautiful whiskies in beautiful bottles at beautiful prices. Easy decision when I bought this delightful Linkwood."
Sam Simmons
Whiskevangelist, Blender of the Year & guitar shredder
Tasting notes by producer
Sticky dates, figs, fruitcake, sugared almonds, raisins, cocoa and most prominently, red apple skins.
Cola cubes, orchard fruits, cherry drops, amaretto biscuits and cooked apples.
Sweet malt, mulled cider, apple pie and a hint of dark orange chocolate.
Ten Summers
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Ten whole summers rolled by as this Kentucky straight bourbon slumbered soundly, maturing for a full decade before bottling. It sure took its sweet time, but it was worth it. The result is a gloriously rich and full American whiskey, layered with mellow oak, buttery corn, and balanced rye spice. As long as a midsummer's eve, this is perfect for slow, laid-back sipping.
"10 years is impressive when it comes to bourbon – this one boasts plenty of character for neat sipping or a good Old Fashioned, though it works a treat with peach iced tea or cloudy apple juice too!"
Emma Symons
Whisky word-engine, rum nut, imperial stout maven & MoM OG
Tasting notes
Buttery maple and pecan plaits, fresh popcorn, and millionaire's shortbread open the way, with buttered rye bread in tow. A touch of spice develops in time, with milk chocolate on the tail.
Rich and full with buttery layers of corn and oak, balanced by chewy rye spice. A flash of pepper is tamed by silky grilled peach and vanilla cream tangled with crystalised ginger chocolate.
Toffee, dried chilli, peppercorns, condensed milk, chocolate buttons, iced tea, seeded bread, mellow oak.
Talisker 8 Year Old (Special Release 2020)
Scotch single malt whisky, Island region
A fantastic Talisker here, released as part of Diageo's 2020 Special Releases! This 8 year old expression was aged in ex-pot still Caribbean rum casks - a first for the distillery! The result is brilliantly balanced, with smoke, fruit, peppery spice and even a touch of meatiness to it. Definitely worth checking out!
"When Talisker dropped their very first Caribbean rum cask back in 2020, I just had to grab a bottle, and wow, it did not disappoint. Classic Talisker character meets vibrant, rum-kissed vibes… what’s not to love? It vanished in no time the first time around, so seeing this back in stock at RRP is a rare treat. Don’t hang about!"
Thomas Burton
Customer service guru, translator to the dev team & MoM OG
Tasting notes
First impressions are led by a sweet seaside vibe: seaweed, iodine, crystallised citrus fruit and charred meat. After a while, molasses and stewed tropical fruits come through, along with a wisp of smoke.
Silky smooth and mouth-filling, with prickles of that characteristic Talisker pepperiness. The fruit becomes more caramelised, and the smoke becomes more bonfire-like, but the nose and palate are beautifully aligned.
Long and warming, with the pepper turning more chilli-like, wrapped up in gentle smoke.
Yoichi 10 Year Old
Japanese single malt whisky
A very well-made single malt from Japan, Yoichi is the jewel in Nikka's crown, their 10-year-old offering notes of vanilla and fruit.
"It's back! (Okay, it returned in 2022.) Jake likes Japan. It is known. Gorgeous Hokkaido, the love story of Masataka & Rita, direct fired stills, subtle peat, age statement. Rather expensive, of course – with only limited amounts released annually – but a beloved fave is here again.
Jake Mountain
Resident doer of things, spirits buff & MoM OG
Tasting notes
Plenty of fruit notes - peach stands out in particular, ripe, vibrant and subtly floral. Then there's rich vanilla custard, peat smoke and a hint of nutmeg spice.
Oily and sweet, with peat smoke following swiftly afterwards. Light oak and developing fruit notes beneath.
Appealing oak lasts on the finish.
Irish 21 Year Old Boutique-y Whisky
Irish blended whiskey
After 10 years of bringing us spectacular independently bottled single-cask, small-batch, limited-edition whiskies, That Boutique-y Whisky Company is growing its own core range. Each one comes in a 700ml bottle, and this one has a lovely horse on the label! The breed is actually a Connemara Pony, but we think you'll agree, it's lovely. Ready to come galloping toward your gullet, this generously aged 21 year old Irish whiskey combines a marriage of malt and grain whiskies matured in rum barrels, refill bourbon hogsheads, and Pedro Ximénez and oloroso sherry butts for an elegant profile layered with soft stone fruits, runny honey, and vanilla.
"This was one of three new core whiskies released earlier this year, and at the beginning of August, it had been awarded Gold in the Irish Whiskey Masters 2025. It's a beautifully balanced, sipping whiskey, with a great deal of complexity from the ex-Bourbon, Rum, and Sherry influences. Get it in a tumbler, sit back, and relax..."
Dave Worthington
Olive-fueled, affable & beardy award-winning whisky ambassador
Tasting notes
Tropical notes of pineapple, banana, and peach join juicy pears, drizzled with runny vanilla honey.
The exotic fruits continue, with more layers of banana, ripe mango, and guava. Candied nuts and burnt brown sugar join woody spices beneath.
Dry spice, a hint of pungent green tea, and elegant, mellow old oak.
Daftmill 2012 - Summer Batch
Scotch blended grain whisky
A seasonal release from Daftmill’s meticulous Lowland farm distillery, distilled in 2012 from homegrown Concerto barley and matured entirely in first-fill bourbon barrels until 2025. A classic example of Daftmill’s elegant style.
"Delicate burst of orchard fruits and honeyed malt, layered with soft floral notes and a whisper of oak. Perfect before the temperatures are dropping, a clean and elegant dram with gentle spice that makes you want more!"
Michael Monte
Spirits buyer, but in French (& sometimes Mandarin)
Tasting notes
Lemon drizzle cake, green apple peel, vanilla cream and freshly cut hay.
Orchard fruits, white chocolate, malted biscuit and a flutter of mint.
Crisp, lightly oaked and quietly moreish, with citrus zest and soft grassiness.
*No humans were harmed this month during the 'debate'**
**Okay, relatively few were harmed***
***Fine, many were seriously injured, but the local A&E department was perfectly able to cope and they appreciated us sharing our samples with them.
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