This is a medium-dark bulk liquid malt extract at a fantastic price, especially handy for making whiskies and other malt-based spirits without needing to either mash grains or remortgage your house. If you’re new to distilling, don’t have the time for a full grain mash or just can’t be bothered, this is the way to go.

In response to a lot of requests from prospective distillers about cheap malt extract (either to start out, supplement a mash, or to stick with permanently if they're not interested in working with grain), we’ve sourced a reasonably priced malt extract that's perfect for making whiskies with. It costs less than half as much per kilo as the Mangrove Jack's extract pouches. It can also be used for brewing beer, but is only available in one style (medium-dark) so will limit the potential beer styles you can produce.

Does that matter for whiskey washes? Not one bit.

Advantages of this variety of Liquid Malt Extract if making whiskies:

1.      Potentially similar in value to grain when considering extraction efficiency and energy costs

2.      Slightly more characterful than basic distilling malts (it's a natural dark amber)

3.      Retains all-malt character and yeast nutrition, unlike dextrose

4.      No mash and minimal handling required

5.      Can be used to supplement a grain mash, keeping the mash small and manageable but still fermenting a full-strength wash

6.      Can still be used in conjunction with specialty malt grains (e.g. crystal, chocolate and roasted grains) without a mash, adding whatever malt character is desired. The specialty grains just need to be steeped in hot water in a grain bag, then drained and removed.

Disadvantages:

1.      More expensive than dextrose

2.      Miss out on the DIY experience of mashing your own malts

3.      Only available in 25 kg pails at this price

Usage guide:

If using a distilling yeast pack (containing glucoamylase enzymes), 9 kg (roughly 7 litres) of liquid malt extract should produce a wash of just under 14% ABV if made up to 25 litres with fresh water.