Online spirits retailers launch whisky gift sets

Online retailers The Whisky Exchange and Master of Malt have launched whisky gift sets showcasing excellence in the category.

Created in collaboration with Glenfiddich, the Master of Malt gift set is a celebration of this Highland distillery's Scotch whisky.

The tasting collection  includes four expression from the Glenfiddich range - including the newest addition to its Grand Series, Glenfiddich Grand Couronne 26 Years Old - as well as a previously unreleased expression, the single cask Virgin Oak 2010, all in 30ml samples.

Each tasting collection also includes details for virtual tasting events, hosted by Glenfiddich global brand ambassador Struan Grant Ralph, taking place every Thursday in April at 8pm.

Guy Hodcroft, spirits buyer at Master of Malt, said: "It's always exciting to work with family-owned distillers like Glenfiddich, and they have included some of their tastiest recent drops within this pack."

The Glenfiddich and Master of Malt Tasting Collection is available for UK delivery for £59.99 through masterofmalt.com.

Meanwhile, The Whisky Exchange is celebrating the global nature of the whisky category with its 20 Whiskies that Changed the World gift set.

The collection has been curated to represent the remarkable evolution of whisky since Sukhinder and Rajbir Singh founded The Whisky Exchange two decades ago.

The gift set includes 20 samples (each 30ml) which have been grouped around four themes:

• Whisky Revolution (including Compass Box Hedonism and Johnnie Walker Blue Label)
• Magic of the Cask (including The Dalmore King Alexander III and The Macallan 18 Years Old Sherry Cask)
• Peat Makes the World Go Round (including Lagavulin 16 Years Old and Octomore 10 Years Old Fourth Edition)
• The New World (including Nikka Coffey Malt and Michter's US*1 Single Barrel Rye)

Alongside the samples, the gift set also includes a tasting book featuring producer profiles, tasting notes and online tasting videos.

Sukhinder Singh said: "In the 1980s, when my brother Rajbir and I were living above and working in The Nest, our parents’ off-licence in north-west London, the world of whisky was very different to the thriving, innovative industry we see today.

"Whisky was always magical – to us, at least – but the new ideas, innovations, techniques and personalities who have graced the whisky stage so far this millennium have elevated the world of whisky to a new level. We hope people enjoy drinking these whiskies as much as we enjoyed choosing them."

The 20 Whiskies that Changed the World Perfect Measure tasting set (pictured) is available from 24 May 2021 at thewhiskyexchange.com, priced at £150. 

15 April 2021 - Bethany Whymark