www.VattedMalt.com

A while ago, for some inexplicable reason, I decided to buy the domain www.vattedmalt.com.

No plans for it really. But recently the fates revealed why I had made the purchase.

It was to create a site to gather stories about just how many people are against the SWA proposed Blended Malt Category.

I may get around to creating a proper site, but for the time being www.vattedmalt.com will bring you to this page.

Let all your friends know about the issue and send them to www.vattedmalt.com.

This page will continue to be updated with more news and information.

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GREAT QUOTES

“The term blended malt is ambiguous. It seems like a deliberate attempt by the members of the SWA to increase the value of some of their blended whiskies.”

- Mark Reynier

"The new category was potentially the biggest mistake in the industry for 100 years. It is boom time for the industry but this is totally confusing and it has to be stopped.”

- Jim Murray

"I don't know what they (the SWA] were thinking of when they came up with this ludicrous term blended malt whisky. There is a growing groundswell of opinion forming that they should drop it altogether."

- "Anonymous Prominent Whisky Writer"

 

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DEFRA - Consultation on proposals for Scotch Whisky Regulations 2008

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SIGN THE PETITION

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READ THE SCOTCH BLOG STORIES

• A Rose By Any Other Name (August 19, 2005)
  
• John Glaser's Opinion (August 12, 2005)

• Call A Spade A Spade (July 17, 2006)
  
• Call A Spade A Spade: Industry Response (July 24 2006)
• Call A Spade A Spade: SWA Response (July 31, 2006)

• An Open Letter from John Glaser (March 31, 2008)
• A Modest Proposal Revisited (April 3, 2008)
• Blend Fury (April 7, 2008)
• The SWA Responds (April 9, 2008)
  

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READ THE BLOGS

• Recipe for Confusion - Bruichladdich
• Whisk(e)y 2.0 (March 31, 2008)
  
• The Growing Controversy over Blended Scotch Whisky - Luxist (April 4, 2008)
  
• Dr. Whisky Malt Mission 275 (April 13, 2008)
• Dr. Whisky Malt Mission 274 (April 10, 2008)
• Dr. Whisky Malt Mission 271 (April 1, 2008)
• Vatted Malt - Bruichladdich (April 15, 2008)

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READ THE NEWSPAPER STORIES

• Blend Fury (Scotland on Sunday- March 30, 2008)
• Confusing 'blended malt' category a recipe for disaster, warn whisky experts  (The Scotsman - March 30, 2008)
• Distillers turn back on SWA in petition over new whisky rules (Harpers - April 11, 2008)
• New label will Dilute Scotch, Say Purists (The Times - April 12, 2008)
• Small Distillers Fight 'Blended Malt' (UPI - April 12, 2008)
• Whisky industry split over 'blended malts' (Telegraph - April 14, 2008)

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READ THE DISCUSSION GROUPS

• Bladnoch
• Whisky Magazine (2005)
  
• Whisky Magazine (2008)

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Comments

[sku]

Okay, I've been following this debate on the internet for the past month. I tend to agree with the opponents of "blended malt," and I signed the petition.

But I have to ask, are we being a tad bit too alarmist about this issue? The "biggest mistake in the industry for 100 years"?

I mean, it's not as if the term "vatted" is much better or even very well known.

While this may not have been the best outcome, is the situation really as dire as people are making it out to be?

[Kevin Erskine]

Steve,
It's all about the confusion here and now.

Here is an example:

No one disputes the amazing growth of the vodka category... And what could be more simple to understand than Vodka?

Well I have been helping an American potato-based Vodka.
We tell people that one of the USPs is that it is made with potatoes.

The response is 'Well all vodkas are made from potatoes' (they aren't - by a long shot); and Vodkas are made in Russia. (not most of the ones you can get).

A little misinformation createsa lot of confusion down the line.