“There’s a moment in every football tournament where everything stops – the pub goes quiet, everyone’s leaning forward and the hairs stand up on the back of your neck.”
Says Sam Simmons, Head of Whisky at Master of Malt.
“That’s what we wanted to bottle. The whisky inside is exceptional – complex, characterful and worth every second of extra time. Exceptional independent bottlings that the gaffer would be proud of.
“Delighted as I am that Scotland is back in the mix; I am a Canadian. But my wife is Norwegian. So, since it’s the first time in 27 years that the country has qualified for the World Cup and our home is in Tønsberg, it’s got to be a Norwegian flag I will be waving this year.”
Leading spirits retailer and independent bottler, Master of Malt has announced a limited edition whisky range timed to coincide with a summer of international football. A love letter to the tournaments and the shared moments that unite fans. Whoever they support.
The collection spans whiskies from the qualifying UK home countries, each bottle kitted out in label artwork by in-house duo Ben McKeown and Chris Gunter – lovingly inspired by the iconic kits of the Italia ’90 and France ’98 games – the tournaments a generation still talks about.
Adnams 9-Year-Old is a single cask from Adnams in Southwold, Suffolk, one of England’s finest craft distilleries and producer of one of the best rye whiskies on the planet. Matured in a French oak wine cask, it is orange cream, ginger, Victoria sponge and honey on the palate.
An English Distillery 12-Year-Old is a cask strength single malt from an undisclosed English distillery matured in a bourbon cask. All melon rind, molasses, ice cream and waffles.
A Highland Distillery 12-Year-Old Single Malt matured in an Oloroso cask, with Simons describing it as:
“A reflection of everything we love about Scotch whisky, and indeed, the Scottish people themselves. Fruity, nutty and terribly friendly on the nose, with roasted nuts, sultanas, salt and sweetness on the palate.”
Ben Nevis 27-Year-Old Highland Single Malt from Nevis Distillery in Fort William is a single cask which has spent 27 years maturing through refill and refill PX casks before being disgorged in March 2026. It’s a tribute to the Tartan Army and the tournament they’ve been waiting 27 years to return to.
The range is not affiliated with, licensed by or endorsed by FIFA, UEFA or any national football association nor any kit manufacturer.
Master of Malt is one of the world’s premier platforms for premium spirits.
Coca-Cola is the official soft drink, Powerade the official sports drink and Diageo the official spirits partner for FIFA World Cup 26. Additional licensed beverage partners include Stella Artois beer and Casamigos tequila.
Buchanan’s has also announced the FIFA World Cup 2026 Spirit Collection, a series of limited edition bottles designed by LA-based lifestyle brand Kids of Immigrants.
The collection features:
- Buchanan’s DeLuxe – ‘El Ritmo | La Calle’ (The Rhythm | The Street)
- Buchanan’s DeLuxe – ‘Mi Gente | Mi Juego’ (My People | My Game)
- Buchanan’s DeLuxe – ‘Un Balón | Un Sueño’ (A Ball | A Dream)
- Buchanan’s Pineapple – ‘El Golazo | La Fiesta’ (The Goal | The Party)
The Buchanan’s FIFA World Cup 2026 Spirit Collection will be available online and at select retailers starting 1st April 2026. Those who sign up for early access on TheBar.com will receive a commemorative cup for the Buchanita, Buchanan’s signature cocktail for the FIFA World Cup 2026. These collectible cups will only be available at stadium concessions and FIFA World Cup 2026 Fan Fests during the tournament.
But the summer is not all about soccer.
For the 154th Open held at Royal Birkdale in Southport from 12th to 19th July and now in its ninth year as a partner for The Open, Loch Lomond has created The Open Course Collection 2026 and The Open Course Special Edition 2026.
Master Blender Michael Henry commented:
“As one of the purest tests of links golf, Royal Birkdalwehas provided the stage for some of the championship’s greatest moments. Through these new expressions, we have sought to explore the spirit of the course, the players and the craft that defines this historic venue.
“Each whisky is unmistakably Loch Lomond in character, showcasing our ability to create depth, balance and complexity while remaining true to our house style.”
The Open Course Collection 2026 is a 19-year-old whisky that was matured in American oak and finished for six months in Tawny Port casks. The whiskies are presented in Open-inspired designs.
The 46.9% ABV whisky has toasted oak, apple and vanilla on the nose, and toffee, pineapple, lemon and cinnamon spice on the palate. Its profile also includes layers of red berries and dried fruits from the Port casks.
The Open Special Edition 2026 was created in collaboration with Scottish golfer Colin Montgomerie. It was matured initially in American oak and finished for six months in Argentinian Malbec casks.
Bottled at 46% ABV, it features fruit, honey and soft smoke and notes of richer dark berries, red fruits and gentle spice from the Malbec casks.
The Open Course Collection 2026 retails for £195 (US$264), while The Open Course Special Edition 2026 is priced at £45 (US$60) and are available from Loch Lomond’s website, as well as Master of Malt.
Both bottles are also presented in packs from Bucket List Prints, which are inspired by vintage travel posters. The designs evoke both the ‘spirit of The Open’ and character of links golf on England’s north-west coast.
The Open Course Collection’s pack also pays tribute to the championship by featuring the date, venue and winner of every Open.
Loch Lomond Group’s gin brand, Ben Lomond is the championship’s official gin.
Author Bio:
Kevin Pilley is a former professional cricketer and chief staff writer of PUNCH magazine. His humour, travel, food and drink work appear worldwide, and he has been published in over 800 titles.
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