Master of Malt unveils a new bottling: from April Fools’ prank to cult whisky

It started out looking like an April Fool’s joke, but it turned out to be dead serious. Last year, Master of Malt unveiled the Dalry M*** whisky. It caused quite a stir at the time, and now it’s back: once again a genuine single grain whisky you can actually buy, just dressed a little differently.

The now-notorious Dalry M*** whisky has returned and this time it’s stronger than ever. Last year’s bottling made waves not only for its playful wink, but especially for its surprisingly high quality. That’s exactly why this single grain Scotch whisky is getting a second life.

When the first release of Dalry M*** whisky landed around April 1, many whisky lovers assumed it was a gag, but nothing could be further from the truth. Behind the humor was a serious whisky that launched to real acclaim.

Its success took an unexpected turn, though. The original packaging evoked a well-known chocolate brand, prompting a friendly yet firm request to halt sales. The result: a brief disappearance from the shelves.

A year on, Dalry M*** is back with a fresh look. The packaging can no longer cause confusion, and the liquid inside remains unchanged.

This is a 16-year-old single grain whisky, distilled at the North British Distillery in Edinburgh. It matured in a combination of oloroso and palo cortado sherry casks, a distinctive aging that delivers a rich, layered flavor profile.

A sherry finish lifts it even further. On the nose, expect creamy notes of condensed milk, flapjack, and biscuit, rounded out by hints of breakfast cereal and caramel.

On the palate, a sweet, full-bodied array unfolds: vanilla custard, fudge, milk chocolate, and ripe fruits like peach and pear. The finish is long, creamy, and gently spiced, with notes of nuts, rice pudding, and a subtle ginger warmth.

The whisky is bottled at 45.4% ABV.

There’s a personal story behind Dalry M***. Whisky maker Sam Simmons drew inspiration from childhood memories of the Gorgie and Dalry neighborhoods in Edinburgh. Once upon a time, the streets around the distillery and the former brewery were filled with the aromas of malt and yeast. Those scents have since disappeared due to modern regulations, but they live on in this bottling.

Priced at €38.35, this whisky offers remarkable quality for its category. But as with the first release, when it’s gone, it’s gone. You can secure a bottle via the Master of Malt website.