17/02/2023

Chapter 5

A chat with... Malt Mates - #1

Welcome to a new format of chapters from my whisky journey. A series of quick interviews to people and brands / distilleries that I came across with.

 

I have decided to open this series of interviews (I am in fact developing quite a few…) with a relatively new and very interesting brand called Malt Mates. 

 

Born during the 2020 lockdown when three mates initially took interest in collecting single malt whisky as a form of investment.

 

It all began spontaneously, to keep the mood high in those difficult days. After a brief spell of gathering their collection they realised that they could have “made” their own whiskies under a new banging brand.

 

 

They have released two bottlings to date, and the result is indeed banging.

 

 

A fun fact is that their identities are secret, we only know that they are three founders, based in Wales. Joking with one of them while chatting I defined them “the Banksy of the whisky industry”, Malt Mates a.k.a. Whisky Banksy.

 

Let’s see what they told us…

Malt mates volume 1

Hi Malt Mates, thank you for taking the time to chat with us. Please introduce yourself, and tell us a little bit about your whisky journey so far.

Our name is Malt Mates and we are a trio. (Hence the name).

 

Our journey started from a love of drinking whisky which steadily moved onto more collectable bottles. We began purchasing first release whisky from NEW distilleries during 2019/2020/2021. From here we also invested in casks from smaller independent distilleries looking for a return after the 3 year minimum aging process was up. In an attempt to turn a hobby into a business. 

When and how did you join this growing industry?

2020/2021 was the start of the journey when we discussed the possibility of releasing our own Malt Mates brand using whisky produced in Wales and Scotland. From here we grew a community of like-minded individuals who appreciate good drams.

Now tell us a bit more about Malt Mates, what is it that makes them stand out in the whisky industry?

Our attempt is to do away with the old fashioned and typecast image of whisky as an older person’s drink (predominantly male, of a certain age and such) making our product more fun, about the experience and including all walks of life into this fascinating world of whisky. Making people think again about who whisky is aimed at. It’s not all Tartan and Shortbread..

 

There is a generation of “new age” whisky drinkers including a huge female following choosing whisky as their go to drink. We embrace all markers with an open mind.

Can you tell us what Malt Mates' target audience is?

We have no specific target audience. Our followers and drinkers are from all backgrounds, all ages (over 18 of course in the UK) and a vast spectrum. We would never say…. “This is our whisky drinker”…. “This is what they expect from us…”. We basically do it our way, if people wish to join the ride, have fun and build a great community then that’s great.

Can you tell us how you select your casks, and anticipate anything about what we can expect to see next?

We typically go to smaller and less well known distilleries for our releases. Focusing on quality over quantity. Our first release was 300 bottles, our second release is 150 bottles. We very much enjoy anything with a port or red wine finish. It seems to hit the spot and if we like it, then it’s in the mix. We don’t believe you have to buy old and rare to get real flavour. Whilst we appreciate a good aged whisky, we enjoy the fresh hit your get from a dram that’s only 5/6/7 years old.   The next step? Who knows! If the right thing comes along then we make Vol. 3. If not, then we hang fire until it does. No rush. Only quality with a touch of fate.
Malt Mates vol 2

What advice would you give to a beginner that is approaching this world and perhaps starting his/her own collection?

Buy what you like, if it doesn’t make any money then you can always drink it…. So win win.


Our advice is to buy new, exciting and limited edition. Save the Macallans and top shelf drams to the multimillionaire business executives… Don’t try and enter a market you know nothing about.

 

Three core values for us when buying:

    1. Limited release – under 2000 bottles;
    2. Limited budget – keep it under £150 per bottle to see the quickest growth and return;
    3. Buy what you would drink – as mentioned above, you can always drink it. So then there is no loss.

Lastly, what is, generally speaking, your favourite whisky style (cask type, ageing, peated/unpeated etc.)? What’s your dram of choice at the moment and/or your go to drams on a Friday evening?

Some of our top pics are:

    • Peated and un-peated but like the smoky vibe alot.
    • Wine or port finished are always faves.
    • Anything from Badachro distillery…. Fantastic drams and a real artisan brand.
    • Anything with a port finish or influence – Tomatin 14 is a particular favourite.
    • Pretty much anything from Port Charlotte – big fave is PAC01 by them.
    • Go for that steady drammer Glenfarclas 25 for more high brow drinking with age on its side. Simple yet effective.

Thank you.

 

Much love, Malt Mates.

 

 

Official website: https://maltmates.co.uk

Contact us

Drams

and more...

Today's drams

  • Malt Mates Vol.1 – “Now That’s What I Call Whisky” (300 Bottles Release) – 46%
  • Malt Mates Vol.2 – “Sweet Drams” (150 Bottles Release) – 46%