Dram lovers across the country sent applications in the masses as The Single Cask, which houses a warehouse in Glenrothes with over 3,000 casks, revealed the formation of its first-ever expert panel, the ‘Taste Masters’.
This panel will help with the nosing, tasting, bottling, and creation of their spectacular single cask whiskies.
Eight whisky connoisseurs have now been meticulously selected as the ‘best of the best’ and will commence work immediately.
They will collaborate closely with The Single Cask’s specialist team, forming an exclusive group of flavour experts to narrate the story behind each unique whisky and help categorise it into a mood category.
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The Single Cask recently undertook the challenge of demystifying whisky flavours as they relaunched their brand.
By employing five mood categories—Cheerful, Playful, Bold, Curious, and Easy-going—whisky aficionados can swiftly navigate to the whiskies that suit their current mood.
The ‘Taste Masters’ will draw from their personal experiences to help classify whisky by mood.
Each Taste Master brings unique expertise to the table. Dr Christopher White, an award-winning whisky writer, presenter, and judge with impeccable whisky-tasting experience, is among the panel.
Mark Watt, who brings years of experience in cask selection after founding the Campbeltown Whisky Company with his wife Kate, will contribute his expertise from bottling under the Watt Whisky brand.
Imogen Russon-Taylor, with extensive knowledge and experience in the fragrance and perfume industry, was selected for her fascination with scent and storytelling.
Maria Scala will use her extensive knowledge of spirits and personal experience gained from working in fine-dining restaurants across London.
Lucy Connor, a recent OurWhisky Foundation mentorship programme graduate, offers a fresh perspective.
She will draw on her background in bartending and tour guiding, a role that has enabled her to interact with whisky lovers and introduce Scotch whisky to people worldwide.
With their finely tuned noses, this diverse range of highly experienced sensory experts will bring out the best in The Single Cask’s whisky.
The recruitment expands The Single Cask’s team of whisky professionals, who pride themselves on bottling only the most outstanding, characterful, and distinctive casks.
Jan Damen, General Manager at The Single Cask, said: “It is with great excitement that we announce our first-ever panel of ‘Taste Masters’.
“We only bottle exciting and entertaining whiskies worth talking about, so we wanted to work with exciting and entertaining flavour experts.
“All of our selected candidates have the charisma and creativity we were looking for.
“We are already so impressed with our talented Taste Masters, there’s lots of excitement on the horizon for The Single Cask!”
View the full range of the ‘Taste Masters’ panel here.
