Can you introduce yourself and tell us about your journey into whisky and your role at Whisky 1901?
I’m Matt Chambers, Master of Whisky at Whisky 1901. I’ve spent more than 18 years in the whisky industry, developing expertise in maturation, cask management, flavour profiling and premium whisky curation. My career has involved working with distilleries, brands, collectors and industry partners around the world, sourcing and evaluating whisky and helping people better understand what’s in their glass.
At Whisky 1901, I focus on identifying and developing exceptional cask opportunities and releases, with a strong emphasis on authenticity, transparency and long-term value. Ultimately, my role is about bringing together great whisky, good cask management and an informed approach to whisky ownership.
What inspired your interest in whisky? Did you have any misconceptions about the industry?
My wife and I went on a holiday to the Highlands in the mid-2000s. We took the railway all the way to the top and saw some stunning scenery and places. I’d highly recommend it. But we decided that we needed to do ‘something Scottish’. We were in Tain and decided to visit the Glenmorangie distillery. The place made an impression on us both – the location, the friendly welcome, the impressive still house, the tasting after our tour. We both acknowledge that without this visit, there would have been no whisky journey for either of us.
I guess the biggest misconceptions at that time were that you needed to know a lot about whisky to enjoy it. All the websites and blogs in the mid-2000s were connoisseur-led, so that led to us beginning our own website – Whisky For Everyone. This was aimed at beginners and was primarily for our own education. We wanted others to learn as we discovered things – we explained jargon, production process, how to taste etc. We obviously hit a nerve as the website became one of the most read whisky websites in the UK in very little time, and it continues today.
Can you give us a brief overview of Whisky 1901 and what sets it apart from other whisky producers?
Whisky 1901 is a modern independent bottler with a classic sense of luxury. We seek out exceptional casks from some of Scotland’s most respected distilleries, carefully selecting whiskies for their character, quality and individuality. Our aim is to showcase what makes each whisky special while respecting its heritage and the story behind the spirit.
The business began as a cask investment company, giving us years of experience in sourcing, assessing and managing Scotch whisky casks. That expertise naturally evolved into independent bottling, and Whisky 1901 is now our dedicated bottling brand, while the investment business has become The 1901 Group.
What really sets Whisky 1901 apart is that combination of experience, quality and authenticity. We’re not looking to simply put another whisky on the shelf; we want to bottle whiskies that have something to say – distinctive spirits with real character,
Can you tell us about Whisky 1901’s portfolio and the thinking behind the different ranges?
We recently launched The Ledger Series, our core collection of carefully selected casks, each chosen to showcase the character, flavour and provenance of the whisky. The range currently spans 11 to 21 years old, giving whisky lovers the chance to explore a variety of distilleries and styles.
The first release was Miltonduff Aged 18 Years last year, followed by five releases this year; Dailuaine Aged 12 Years, Tamnavulin Aged 13 Years, Ardmore Aged 12 Years, Glen Garioch Aged 11 Years and Invergordon Aged 21 Years. Each bottling has its own personality, from the depth and richness of the Miltonduff to the smoky character of Ardmore and the complexity of the 21-year-old Invergordon.
The Ledger Series follows the success of The Collection, which launched in 2024 as our luxury annual release of exceptionally rare casks. I personally select each cask, with two editions released to date: Edition One, a 35-year-old Glenburgie, which was named Best Single Cask Single Malt: Speyside at the World Whiskies Awards 2025, and Edition Two, a 25-year-old Jura. These set the tone for future ultra-premium bottlings, available in very limited quantities.
We’ve been delighted to receive some fantastic recognition. Most recently, our 12-year-old Dailuaine was awarded a Master at The Scotch Whisky Masters 2026, alongside three Gold awards. Our 18-year-old Miltonduff also received Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, alongside multiple awards at the IWSC. Every whisky released in The Ledger Series has now received an award, which is a real milestone for us and reflects the care and uncompromising standards behind every cask we select and bottle.
How has working with Whisky 1901 shaped the way you think about whisky?
Working with these casks has reinforced my belief that great whisky is ultimately about character and provenance. Every cask has its own journey, and understanding how maturation, cask influence and time shape the final flavour profile is what makes whisky so fascinating to me.
It has also strengthened my belief in taking a patient, considered approach. Rather than simply looking for rarity or age, I’m interested in what makes each cask genuinely distinctive and worth sharing with whisky lovers.
What was the first dram you had that you remember liking?
It goes back to that early trip to the Highlands and the Glenmorangie distillery. As mentioned, we had a tasting after the tour, with most from their core range of whiskies. However, they had one ‘special edition’ called Glenmorangie Cellar 13. This hit the spot for both of us, and it became the first ever bottle of whisky that we purchased. At the time I remember thinking it was expensive at £45 a bottle! My future self would’ve told me that it was a delicious bargain and to buy more. We opened that bottle on the sleeper train back to London.
Where is the most interesting or unconventional place you have enjoyed a dram?
This may be a bit of a safe answer. However, I firmly believe that a whisky never tastes quite as good as it does when sampled at the distillery that produced it. Some of my best and favourite taste experiences have been through such moments – standing on Lagavulin pier on Islay while sipping a rare whisky as the sun sets, sampling a 50-year-old dram in the iconic Bowmore Warehouse No.1, or cask sampling at Benriach in Speyside.
Outside of that, I have been lucky to sample whisky or host tastings in some fabulous locations. These include on a tall ship in the Hebrides, a castle in Jersey, on HMS Belfast and several high rise rooftop bars.
Which whisky are you reaching for most often at the moment, and what bottle do you save for special occasions?
That’s a tricky one as the whisky collection at home is ever growing. However, I always seem to return to whiskies that got me interested in whisky. They almost feel like a warm, welcoming hug in a glass. Examples include Balvenie Doublewood, Dalwhinnie 15 Years Old, Highland Park 12 Years Old or Lagavulin 16 Years Old if I want something smoky.
And the ‘special occasion whisky’ is much easier. Now it is our Glenburgie 35 Years Old from The Collection. I am especially proud of this whisky and for our first ever bottling to gain so many accolades in competitions around the world is amazing. I feel super privileged to be asked to pick casks for The Collection and The Ledger Series, but when a single cask whisky is this good then it makes my job easy. This whisky feels decadent, elegant and subliminal, and is packed with characteristics that only significant time in an excellent cask can bring. This makes it perfect to share and enjoy for special occasions or life moments.
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