Whisky of the year 2021

@Victor A loose translation of the wovon man quote from the one and only Frank Zappa: "Shut up and play yer guitar."

@BlueNote - whiskysponge.com

Just came upon this and then checked the thread. Ha! I've never been a fan of 'Big Jim' but I'm inclined to agree with @Victor's view here.

For what it's worth, I think Jim's point about free speech is fair, if a little over the top in this context, and I also think some industry shenanigans is at play - has to be. That said, his language does come across as out-dated and crass but I'd be a hypocrite if I never thought a good whisky could be related to in terms of a sexy lady, I just have the good sense not to attempt to publish it

Smacks of sour grapes and the, attempted, character assassination of someone who isn't cheering for the right side anymore ... Classic British tropes at play. That and someone who has, perhaps, run his course.

If you don't like it, don't buy it etc etc

Big Jim's retort - thespiritsbusiness.com/2020/09/…. Looking very Alan Partridge

@RianC I'm not a religious man, but perhaps I could paraphrase and say if god had wanted us to say every thought that came to our mind he / she / it would not have given us a frontal lobe.

I doubt that anyone living has never had a thought or two that might offend someone else. The difference between people like JM who get in trouble and others is that they can filter out which thoughts they should share.

And for the record, I can't recall ever drawing comparisons between whisky and women, but if I did, I would be wise enough to keep it to myself.

@Nozinan - He's a 'shock jock' in a writers body though and made his career on saying 'edgy' things so I doubt it's (all) simply spontaneous internal dialogue put to paper ...

I'm getting whiffs of Jeremy Clarkson in his Top Gear days

Big Jim's favourite request ... shudders!

@RianC The Alan Partridge Whisky Bible, I’d love to see that, can you imagine?

@RianC I'm sure you've seen Saxondale; Coogan as a pest control guy? Very funny.

@BlueNote - is that the guy who was an ex roadie? That was OK but I loved early Partridge and the other character based stuff he did. Did you ever see Coogan's Run?

@RianC Oh yeah, that was a good one too. Very versatile guy. The Trips with Rob Bryden are good too. Just to get back on topic; he probably likes a good single malt.

A bit late on this one...I'll admit to feeling a surge of national pride at the award, but also dismay at what it entails (i.e. no stock, soaring prices). Also it means the whisky doesn't get judged fairly in reviews, on its own merits, but is rather judged against all the best whiskies in the world.

The award isn't even called "Best Whisky in the World" for crying out loud. Not to mention that it is adjudged by one guy. Why the media, or anyone, treats this as an official designation is beyond me. Take his reviews for what they're worth. People were scandalized when he gave Northern Harvest top honours. But if anyone had been paying attention, they would have seen him give Ballatine's Finest (the cheap one) 96 points that same year. So that passes without comment, but when Northern Harvest gets 97.5 everyone is yelling "Fixed!"

As for the controversy: I won't say he doesn't deserve it. But telling an independent writer to watch his language is slightly absurd. It's not like his books are marketed to children. I mean, look at the chart-topping song of the day and then tell me how bad it is that he calls a whisky "sexy"?

ADL (or should I say, Beam Suntory) played their cards well. Never called him out when he was tooting their horn and dishing out 95-point reviews one after another. Then, as soon as they snag the big fish, they distance themselves. Now they get all the benefit and none of the backlash. Nice work!

@Megawatt You make some very good points, but I think the reason he is in hot water these days goes well beyond calling whisky “sexy.”

Don’t get me started on the sad state of today’s music.