The Islay Unveils 16, 20 & 30 YO Continuous Single Casks

Master of Malt Partners with Studio Minerva for Geology-Inspired Whisky in Continuous Sister Cask Concept

UK retailer and independent bottler Master of Malt has teamed up with London-based design agency Studio Minerva to create a new single malt whisky brand, The Islay. The brand's core range introduces an innovative continuous single cask model, highlighting the regional terroir and sense of place of the island.

The Islay debuts with three core expressions, all bottled at 700ml and 46.3% ABV: 16 Years Old Basalt, 20 Years Old Red Sandstone, and 30 Years Old Quartzite. The series is named after Islay's geological formations rather than disclosing distillery sources. Each release comes from a single cask; once a batch sells out, it will be replaced by a sister cask of the identical age statement, name, and 46.3% ABV, ensuring both unique single cask nuances and ongoing availability.

Highlighting Maritime Peat and Mineral Character

Dr Sam Simmons, head of whisky at Master of Malt, noted that the range aims to showcase unmistakable Islay character, spotlighting minerality, underlying sweetness, and maritime peat. The focus is specifically on mineral peatiness rather than medicinal notes, while allowing the intrinsic distillery character to shine without being overwhelmed by oak influence. Simmons also mentioned that this continuous single cask model has room to evolve, with plans to partner with newer Islay distilleries for younger releases in the future.

As co-creator of the brand, Studio Minerva—whose prior portfolio includes designs for Brugal, Bushmills, and Courvoisier—embarks on its first brand co-ownership venture through co-founders Coral Harker and Daniela Nunzi-Mihranian, overseeing liquid conceptualisation, brand identity, and packaging design.

Master of Malt: Brand Heritage and Evolution

Founded in 1985 as a mail-order business, Master of Malt is based in Tonbridge, England, and is part of Atom Group, spanning retail, bottling, distribution, and wholesale. Atom Group was acquired in 2018 by ZX Ventures (AB InBev) and subsequently bought back by founder Justin Petszaft in 2024. Celebrating its 40th anniversary last year, the company introduced its own Master of Malt bottled whisky line to global retail channels for the first time.

📅 Published Date: 2026-09-08

🔗 Source: The Spirits Business