The Scotch Blog

This Just In...

Chris Bunting over at Nonjatta, writes to tell us that another site has joined the graveyard...

I feel like a cub watching the passing of the head of the pride. Taylor Smisson has announced that he will no longer be producing the Malt Drinker's Diary, which he has been publishing out of Tokyo for five years. This is sad news indeed.

"Although my enthusiasm regarding single malts has not waned and my health is still good, I find I no longer have the time required to search for, drink, photograph and write about good malt whiskies."

The Malt Drinker's Diary was a tour de force. As Smisson put it: "An ongoing bottle-by-bottle journey through the city that is the Scotch single malt drinker's heaven on earth - Tokyo." The whisky web will be a poorer place without the diary, which was published in both English and Japanese, and it is to be hoped that its 500 plus editions will be preserved as a resource. Smisson managed to taste more than 4,000 bottles of single malt during his odyssey and, though his public whisky adventure may be ending, his personal journey is by no means over. The final post finishes: "See you on the Malt Trail!"

If you are not familiar with Chris Bunting and Nonjatta, it's a fantastic site focusing on the whiskies of Japan - a topic much under-served in the western whisky world. In the future I hope to have Chris share some of his stories here.
     

In the Company of Easy Drinkers: The JMR Eulogy

Today's guest writer, Sam Simmons first fell in love with the water of life 5 years ago in Edinburgh, Scotland where he ‘researched’ whisky as the poet laureate of the Edinburgh University Water of Life Society and later pursued further ‘research’ as president. He has hosted whisky tastings in many countries, for fun as well as fund-raising (Amnesty International), and continues to act as an amateur whisky educator and propagandist. He currently lives in London where he has worked for Sukhinder Singh and the Whisky Exchange, is desperately trying to finish a PhD on Ezra Pound, fascism, and modernist literary aesthetics, and records his Malt Missions as Dr. Whisky.

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In the Company of Easy Drinkers: The JMR Eulogy

When I lived in Ottawa working to earn my Masters degree, I spent one wild night downing glass after glass of Gibson’s Finest with a woman, who I can say without trepidation, was one of Ottawa’s finest. But other than that lovely occasion, my Masters had very little to do with whisky. It wasn’t until I pursued a doctorate in Scotland that whisky really grabbed a hold of me. Masters of drink (and brothers) Jon and Mark Geary, along with Master distiller David Robertson had created a product that was to play a large part in my years in Edinburgh as a Master of Arts, in pursuit of a Doctor of Philosophy.

Sadly, while I still write paragraph after paragraph, edit footnote after footnote, and work to spend more time in libraries than in pubs to finish this dissertation project as old as the Easy Drinking Whisky Company itself, Jon, Mark, and Robbo is calling it quits… at least in the UK.

Yes, you read it here first (just like Kevin’s coverage of the innuendo and rumours in the run-up to the announcement of David Robertson’s move to Whyte & Mackay). If there is one place on-line where it is safe to beat the official presses it is the Scotch Blog. Yeah, I could’ve done it on my blog, but, for starters, my format is a little dry for this venue.

But what if the styles were merged… Malt Mission, history and tasting impressions AS WELL AS straight news with blunt comment… What would it look like?

Compass Box "Magic Cask"

Today's story comes from guest writer Darcy O'Neil. Darcy is a bartender with a formal education in chemistry. His motive for becoming a bartender was part by chance and partially to fulfill his culinary desires. Darcy currently works as a bartender and spends his time writing about his mixology, and spirit tasting, experiences on his website, The Art of Drink.

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Every once in a while you come across something at your local liquor store that catches your eye. Sometimes it is the bottle and sometimes it is what's in the bottle that peaks your interest. In this case it was both. Compass Box is well know for making a variety of unique scotch whiskies, that usually follow traditional taste profiles, however with the very limited release of their Magic Cask whisky, they have moved into new territory. The bottle is nicely designed, and heavier than you'd think, but it was the liquid inside that made the purchase necessary. When you take a 16 year old Linkwood malt and age it for an additional year in a Madeira barrique, then blend it with a 14 year old Clynelish malt, you've just got to try it.

In Vino, Veritas.

Tyler Colman, also know as Dr. Vino, writes one of the best wine blogs out there. He was recently  invited to sample the Bowmore line and wrote about it on his site.

It's great to see the views of someone who is a real wine connoisseur - and get his take on the water of life.

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A warming whisky on a wintry day

On a frigid day last week, I traversed the frozen tundra bundled in a coat, scarf, hat and gloves to attend a tasting. It wasn't the ordinary type of tasting I attend: a man with a kilt greeted me. I didn't ask him if he was, um, wearing the proper insulation given the fact that it was 20 degrees below freezing. But since he was a Scot and his bare knees were visible, I doubt it. [shudder]

The tundra was actually mid-town Manhattan and, fortunately for me, the tasting was of warming single malt whisky. The producer Bowmore is introducing some new packaging, new single malts and extended an invitation to me. Even though my bailiwick is wine, I figured it was worth a shot to check it out in the name of exploration. After all, I just went to cognac so why not explore another of the oak-aged spirits?

Bowmore, fully-owned by Suntory since 1994, is a top 10 whisky brand and has experienced 222 percent growth in recent years compared to a five percent growth for whisky overall. Despite this torrid growth, management is preparing a 20 million pound advertising campaign in the next few years.

Coffee. But better...

Today's story comes from guest writer L. Borger.

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Before there were double frappacinos and caramel macchiato, there was Irish Coffee, perhaps the first popular flavored coffee drink.  Each year since this creamy concoction was invented new consumers discover it as a delicious way to warm up a cold winter day.  In fact the drink was invented back in the  1930’s to welcome-and to warm up the first transatlantic travelers.

It was the dawn of transatlantic plane travel, when a trip from America across the Atlantic was only possible on an 18-hour flight by “flying boat.” On landing, passengers were ferried from these early seaplanes, arriving chilled and damp at Foynes Airport in County Limerick, Ireland.  By 1942, a restaurant had been established at the airport to welcome the travelers, which by then included such VIP’s as Humphrey Bogart, Eleanor Roosevelt, Edward G. Robinson, Ernest Hemmingway and Douglas Fairbanks.

A new chapter for Bowmore

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Today's story was contributed by Ian Buxton.

Just in case you are not familiar with Ian's work, there is a brief bio at the end of the story. Suffice it to say, I'm honored that Ian reads The Scotch Blog, and I'm bowled over that he thinks enough of it to actually write a story for exclusively for us.

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There were bright lights, fireworks and lasers on Islay recently as Morrison Bowmore unveiled some radical new changes to their flagship single malt range and revamped visitor facilities.

As part of a "strategic review" of their business the Japanese-owned distiller has decided that new packaging and new advertising is in order for Bowmore, the world's tenth best-selling single malt. Morrison Bowmore sells 132,000 cases of Bowmore worldwide each year but believes there is scope for further growth - but driven by the brand's quality and positioning not aggressive pricing. Key markets are the USA, Asia and tax-free, with a planned £20m investment (approx $39m) scheduled over the next five years.

Glen Moore, the global brand director for Bowmore, said it was "very much a new chapter" for the brand. "This is the most complete review of the Bowmore range in the company's 227-year history and we expect it to put the brand in good shape for the future," he said.

Hey! Can you spell?

Better yet, can you write?

I'm looking for contributing writers to submit stories for The Scotch Blog.

But we are not looking for any old dreg...

A. It has to be interesting
B. It has to be pertinent
C. It has to be at least at a 5th grade reading level (hopefully a little better than that)
D. It has to be "post-worthy" (Who decides what is "post-worthy"? Me.)
E. It has to fit in with the spirit of the Scotch Blog (i.e., no non-sensical rants (that's my job)

We don't do reviews of whisky here (unless it is a part of a larger story) so keep your tasting notes to yourself. Nobody cares that you detect plums and body liniment).

We do opinion; event reviews; travelogues, news, and news commentary, etc. - but it has to be interesting to an audience from around the world. Remember our mantra - blunt comment & straight news.

No, we don't pay - I don't make any money doing this, why should you?

But you will get credit, and all the glory that goes with writing free on line articles. (That is to say - not much).

And a dose of reality:

• Just because you submit something, doesn't mean it will get posted. We have standards.
• You'll probably be edited, and/or will be given suggestions for improvement, which if ignored, means, your story won't appear here.

Too many Bruichladdich editions?

Mark Reynier of Bruichladdich took some time to expand on and respond to the issues I raised in the recent story "The Laddie" - specifically the discussion of whether or not there are simply too many Bruichladdichs in the market.

As always, Mark is blunt and to the point.

Read on...

On the Road with The Malt Project - Part 2

Today we bring you part 2 of On the Road with The Malt Project by guest writer Jack Oswald.

At the end of the story there is another chance for one lucky reader to win an "I'm a Peat Freak! Are You?" t-shirt from The Malt Project.

Click here to read part 1.

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On the Road with The Malt Project Part 2 – by Jack Oswald

So, it’s about this time that you ask “why are they doing this?”. We’ve asked ourselves that a number of times.  The real answer is a labor of love. I lived in Scotland for nearly four years, while I was an Air Force Officer. Our two oldest kids were born there. (I guess that’s why Jeff is a malt freak).  We’ve gone back to visit several times and usually wound up at a distillery. My production associates are all great single malt fans and we just felt it was something we wanted to share with our viewers.  As we say on our web site “This is a Whisky DVD series designed for all, from the novice to the serious connoisseur.  It’s valuable as an entertaining visit to Scotland and as an educational reference companion when you’re sharing your malts”.

At this point, you’re supposed to be asking, “What can we expect in Volume Six?” Glad you asked.  It’ll be another two disc volume probably titled The Islands, the Shores, and Campbeltown and off the beaten path Speysides”.

On the Road with The Malt Project - Part 1

I had been planning for some time to write a story about The Malt Project. If you are not familiar with The Malt Project it is a five (and soon to be six) volume DVD series all about Single Malt Scotch.

When I started corresponding with Jack Oswald, I found out that he was in the midst of completing production on the latest volume in the series.

I thought it would be great if Jack could tell us, in his own words, about The Malt Project and how it got started. Jack was happy to oblige, and here is the result...

At the end of each segment of this 2-parter there is a chance for one lucky reader to win an "I'm a Peat Freak! Are You?" t-shirt from The Malt Project.

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On the Road with The Malt Project Part 1– by Jack Oswald

Seventeen days, seventeen hundred miles, 8 car ferry trips and 22 distilleries later, we arrived back in Phoenix with 16 hours of new high quality digital video for The Malt Project.