maltster started a discussion
12 years ago
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most influential Whiskies
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Abunadhman replied
For me, a great moment in the evolution of Malt Whisky is now! To be able to go to a Liquor Super Store & be able to stand before 50 or so different Bruichladdich bottlings and many, many other fine Whiskies, still leaves me 'thunder-struck'. Between my local, reasonably adjacent, large outlets most Brands and many expressions are represented. It's a daunting task choosing one bottle but having said that, one tends to come away with the right choice (most times), which, I'm sure, is a combination of mood, tastes remembered, cost, an untried Whisky etc. When in doubt I buy both!
Cheers.
12 years ago 0
bwmccoy replied
Great topic and comprehensive list! Here's my thoughts;
To expand on your Glenmorangie comment; Dr. Bill Lumsden is such an innovator. In addition to wood managment, his early use of wood expressions has had a major influence. Dr. Bill is now bringing that same creativity and innovation to Ardbeg as well.
Along that same line, Diageo's Distillers Edition line Is another example of great use of wood finishes.
Jim McEwan and the re-opening of Bruichladdich with their almost endless number of different expressions and experimental whiskies.
Pip Hills and the Scotch Malt Whisky Society was one of the first to bring single cask, cask strength whisky to the whisky drinking community.
12 years ago 0
maltster replied
@bwmccoy, good points - the SMWS really did some of the first cask strength/single cask Releases and they were the first who introduced the "members only" distribution which is a unique business model with different chapters etc.
I forgot to name the original "Rare Malts" Series from Diageo in my list- many of these hidden distilleries appeared for the first time as (official) bottlings and were available for the consumer.
12 years ago 0
As I see a growing interest in Whisky everywhere I would like to know what are the most influential whiskies/movements for you regarding the last one or two decades which led to the rise of the malt? It is a big topic and I´m not a professional but I think it is fascinating to see what happened in the last years and what great quality is produced so I want to share my thoughts with you and it would be very interesting what you think.
Here are my top ten of the most influential Whiskys/Milestones:
Glenfiddich - they started selling Single Malts in supermarkets, did a lot for all Single Malt producers (Glenfiddich 12) and is widely considered as "the" starters whisky. Classic Malt Series: genius idea and very clever strategy - showed variety and made it accessible for everyone Glenmorangie: started finishing and took woodmanagement to a new level by even buying a forest (Glenmorangie Portfinish 1995) No Age movement: Laphroaig Quarter Cask; Ardeg Uigedal etc showed that excellent whiskie doesn´t have to be old Ardbeg: reopening of the Distillery, took marketing/premiumisation to a whole new level Single Cask Whisky: Balvenie 15 showed that big Volume Whiskies could differ and are affordable; later a´bunadh did the same for cask strength in "small" batches World Whisky: Yamazaki 12 and other Whiskies (Karuizawa in the high-end segment) showed that truly outstanding whisky is no longer a scots-only party; another example is Amrut Fusion from India Blends: Compass box with highly innovative Whiskies (Spice Tree) and the Johnny Walker Range for consistency and high quality in the mass market (green label/black label) Artisan Distilleries: small companies like Stranahans Colorado, Kilchoman, Bruichladdich etc. can be different,successful and appreciated because of the intrinsic qualites of their products Underdogs: the rise of quality in Ireland and the U.S. - Redbreast 12/15 is affordable and different world class stuff - the Beam small batch series showed variety and excellence in bourbons
That would be my top-ten List. There are many other great whiskies or ideas - please share your thoughts with us...