Whisky Documentary by the BBC

Thanks! Something for tonight

I watched the video. It is only Part I, with one or more parts to follow.. It's a nice very general documentary. I am impressed by how very much is left unsaid,, e.g the stillman asserting that copper is the most important determinant of the flavour of a whisky without giving a single word of explanation why and how controversial ideas, e.g. that blending Scotch makes the flavours more palatable to the masses (rather than more affordable) are presented as simple fact.

Episode 2 & 3 are currently available on BBC iPlayer in the UK bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/…

If you use a VPN service you can probably watch from anywhere in the world.

@Victor sounds like it might be a documentary for a less educated crowd.

@Alexsweden , yes, this is a presentation for a general audience, and not so much for those interested in the details of whisky production, or for those interested in discussing the whisky market. This production is without question a promotion, even a self-congratulatory homage, for the Scottish whisky industry, including, prominently, Diageo and the Scotch Whisky Association. There is some nice video of the distilleries, though, and it is nice to hear quite a few industry leaders and whisky commentators contribute. Episode 1 spent a lot of time at Springbank. Episode 2 goes to Islay.

I don't know if anybody here has seen the documentary called SOMM about Sommeliers and wine (of which there is also a sequel), but I loved it and I wish that there were a comparable documentary for whisk(e)y. Something done in a fun way with style and for a more educated audience.

@OCeallaigh any links for online watching? Apart from whisky I really enjoy red wine

There is a 4 part BBC series called Addicted to Pleasure. It covers Sugar, Tobacco, Opium and Whisky. The whisky part is very interesting if you can find it. It was made in 2012.

@Alexsweden

Not quite something to watch but I recall a good book called 'Wine and War' by Donald and Petie Kladstrup that I really enjoyed.

@Jean-Luc

They are also available on YouTube. Glad to see a mention of the fledgling Aussie whisky in there!

@sengjc, Thank you! I've watched all 3 episodes on Youtube. Nice to see all the places and distilleries. Information whise it's ok, but it's not accurate at some points The presentor doesn't really seem to know what he's talking about and buy's the 'salesmen talk' as if it was the truth. Nevertheless, wonderfull whisky roadtrip, loved the item on Tasmania!

I guess it also might be a case of ''what' re you gonna do...'' he probably wouldn't be welcome if he asked all the tough questions and cut through the BS

@Alexsweden, You've got a point there.....

@Alexsweden @DutchGaelisch. I agree. Television lives and dies by audience numbers and the attention span of those audience members. They can't afford to program to a few whisky nerds, they have to entertain and appeal to a diverse audience. And in that regard, I thought the series was quite entertaining. And David Hayman, a Scottish actor of some note, did a decent job with the material and the people he was required to work with.

@DutchGaelisch

Yes there's a bit of that happening. Then again, I think the documentary is also made for the benefit of those who are fairly new to whisky with a purpose that is to promote whisky.

Well put @sengjc. You got it in a nutshell.

@DutchGaelisch , regarding the inaccuracies you noted: Remember Erwin Knoll's quote "Everything you read in the newspapers is absolutely true except for the rare story of which you happen to have firsthand knowledge."

And then consider how much garbage is in every other article you read and story you watch on subjects you're not familiar with. Pretty depressing.

@Ol_Jas, I have to agree with you.