Comments on: My new Malt Advocate editorial: You spoke. I listened, and I’m spreading the word! http://www.whiskyadvocateblog.com/2009/11/28/my-new-malt-advocate-editorial-you-spoke-i-listened-and-im-spreading-the-word/ Thu, 09 Feb 2012 12:44:10 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: John Hansell http://www.whiskyadvocateblog.com/2009/11/28/my-new-malt-advocate-editorial-you-spoke-i-listened-and-im-spreading-the-word/#comment-13217 John Hansell Thu, 10 Dec 2009 13:45:57 +0000 http://blog.maltadvocate.com/?p=2745#comment-13217 Tony, time will tell. I bought a lot of whisky back in the 1990s and am very glad I did. The quality of the product varied more, but whiskies sure were a lot less expensive back then. I recall Dalmore 12 and Aberlour 10 year old both being below $20 a bottle. Tony, time will tell. I bought a lot of whisky back in the 1990s and am very glad I did. The quality of the product varied more, but whiskies sure were a lot less expensive back then. I recall Dalmore 12 and Aberlour 10 year old both being below $20 a bottle.

]]> By: Tony Perpignano http://www.whiskyadvocateblog.com/2009/11/28/my-new-malt-advocate-editorial-you-spoke-i-listened-and-im-spreading-the-word/#comment-13214 Tony Perpignano Thu, 10 Dec 2009 13:14:19 +0000 http://blog.maltadvocate.com/?p=2745#comment-13214 John: Very timely and accurate piece of writing, bravo! At this rate many of us will be drinking more beer and wine to weather this down turn. I suppose affordable and single malt whiskies are no longer words that belong together in the same sentence. A good example of that is the Dalmore 12 year old, once a very classy and affordable brand. "Nomore" But what I wonder about is if this industry over the long run might lose some of the more “average” consumers who are not fortunate enough to work on Wall Street. If the current high demand, low stocks and global recession linger for any period of time, I could see where some people might permanently move away from whisky. John:
Very timely and accurate piece of writing, bravo! At this rate many of us will be drinking more beer and wine to weather this down turn. I suppose affordable and single malt whiskies are no longer words that belong together in the same sentence. A good example of that is the Dalmore 12 year old, once a very classy and affordable brand. “Nomore”

But what I wonder about is if this industry over the long run might lose some of the more “average” consumers who are not fortunate enough to work on Wall Street. If the current high demand, low stocks and global recession linger for any period of time, I could see where some people might permanently move away from whisky.

]]> By: Davindek http://www.whiskyadvocateblog.com/2009/11/28/my-new-malt-advocate-editorial-you-spoke-i-listened-and-im-spreading-the-word/#comment-13163 Davindek Wed, 09 Dec 2009 03:02:00 +0000 http://blog.maltadvocate.com/?p=2745#comment-13163 I have a hard time seeing these outrageously priced whiskies as anything other than publicity stunts. And they work really well too. They grab lots of press, get the distillery name in front of the public (especially good when Christmas is approaching), and get the bloggers repeating the distillery name over and over. A year from now all the average person remembers is the distillery, with a vague recollection of it being something special. Can't hurt sales. I have a hard time seeing these outrageously priced whiskies as anything other than publicity stunts. And they work really well too. They grab lots of press, get the distillery name in front of the public (especially good when Christmas is approaching), and get the bloggers repeating the distillery name over and over. A year from now all the average person remembers is the distillery, with a vague recollection of it being something special. Can’t hurt sales.

]]> By: René http://www.whiskyadvocateblog.com/2009/11/28/my-new-malt-advocate-editorial-you-spoke-i-listened-and-im-spreading-the-word/#comment-13157 René Tue, 08 Dec 2009 20:31:23 +0000 http://blog.maltadvocate.com/?p=2745#comment-13157 Nicely spoken, John and Richard and all the other whiskylovers here, but will it help to get prices down to a more acceptable level? I doubt it, but we'll see! I personally think that the 'big' ceo's rules the waves and the the rest follows. Nicely spoken, John and Richard and all the other whiskylovers here, but will it help to get prices down to a more acceptable level? I doubt it, but we’ll see! I personally think that the ‘big’ ceo’s rules the waves and the the rest follows.

]]> By: John Hansell http://www.whiskyadvocateblog.com/2009/11/28/my-new-malt-advocate-editorial-you-spoke-i-listened-and-im-spreading-the-word/#comment-13154 John Hansell Tue, 08 Dec 2009 17:49:16 +0000 http://blog.maltadvocate.com/?p=2745#comment-13154 Yes, Two-bit, we have come quite far since those days back in the '80s. In so many ways. Yes, Two-bit, we have come quite far since those days back in the ’80s. In so many ways.

]]> By: two-bit cowboy http://www.whiskyadvocateblog.com/2009/11/28/my-new-malt-advocate-editorial-you-spoke-i-listened-and-im-spreading-the-word/#comment-13153 two-bit cowboy Tue, 08 Dec 2009 17:45:41 +0000 http://blog.maltadvocate.com/?p=2745#comment-13153 As one who will likely never taste a 40 or 50 year old whisky, I continue to be interested in them. I am as intrigued by them as I am, say, the new Bentley Continental Flying Spur ($191,000 MSRP), as Richard suggests. And I find the decanters iconic. At a tasting I attended last April I was fortunate enough to sample several malts that retail for between $500 and $800 (I know, a mere pittance to some here). My favorite of the evening out of 20 samples? Uigeadail (with apologies to others who have grown tired of that annual story). I wonder, though, as consumers, should we, to avoid hearing about the prestigious bottlings, ask the distilleries to cast the whiskies into the sea so we're not taunted by their existence? Better yet, if the distilleries so irreverently allow some whisky to age to the point of being prestigious, should we demand that they vat it with some barely legal whisky, give it a worthy name, and offer it a price that fits our purses. Oh, no, can't do that, we don't like that concept, either, do we? Perhaps we should pine for the days when most countries' economies were strong, when there were fewer than a handful of single malts on any market's shelf, and when there were no electronic media that allowed us to so easily air our thoughts? Gosh, I just looked. My Glenfiddich bottle in its holiday tin from the early 1980s has no age statement, and I remember, it was double the tarrif of a good 12 year old blend. Ah, the good old days. How ever did we manage? But look how far we've come. As one who will likely never taste a 40 or 50 year old whisky, I continue to be interested in them. I am as intrigued by them as I am, say, the new Bentley Continental Flying Spur ($191,000 MSRP), as Richard suggests. And I find the decanters iconic.

At a tasting I attended last April I was fortunate enough to sample several malts that retail for between $500 and $800 (I know, a mere pittance to some here). My favorite of the evening out of 20 samples? Uigeadail (with apologies to others who have grown tired of that annual story).

I wonder, though, as consumers, should we, to avoid hearing about the prestigious bottlings, ask the distilleries to cast the whiskies into the sea so we’re not taunted by their existence? Better yet, if the distilleries so irreverently allow some whisky to age to the point of being prestigious, should we demand that they vat it with some barely legal whisky, give it a worthy name, and offer it a price that fits our purses. Oh, no, can’t do that, we don’t like that concept, either, do we?

Perhaps we should pine for the days when most countries’ economies were strong, when there were fewer than a handful of single malts on any market’s shelf, and when there were no electronic media that allowed us to so easily air our thoughts? Gosh, I just looked. My Glenfiddich bottle in its holiday tin from the early 1980s has no age statement, and I remember, it was double the tarrif of a good 12 year old blend. Ah, the good old days. How ever did we manage? But look how far we’ve come.

]]> By: John Hansell http://www.whiskyadvocateblog.com/2009/11/28/my-new-malt-advocate-editorial-you-spoke-i-listened-and-im-spreading-the-word/#comment-13133 John Hansell Mon, 07 Dec 2009 23:32:31 +0000 http://blog.maltadvocate.com/?p=2745#comment-13133 Well done, Red, well done. Well done, Red, well done.

]]> By: Red_Arremer http://www.whiskyadvocateblog.com/2009/11/28/my-new-malt-advocate-editorial-you-spoke-i-listened-and-im-spreading-the-word/#comment-13131 Red_Arremer Mon, 07 Dec 2009 23:25:48 +0000 http://blog.maltadvocate.com/?p=2745#comment-13131 Fair enough, John, criticism accepted. I aim for the message itself, but that mark can be hard to hit-- Especially when, as a whisky brand ambassador, Richard is part man part message. As a figurehead, he catches the flak for what his company does, and of course what he's able to say is extremely limited, which is a shame. In the spirit of conciliation, I'd like to mention that I do respect Richard. I have a high opinion of the Dalmore from the several that I've tried-- And I'm sure that there's much more of the man in the whiskies he creates than in the posts he publishes. Fair enough, John, criticism accepted.

I aim for the message itself, but that mark can be hard to hit– Especially when, as a whisky brand ambassador, Richard is part man part message. As a figurehead, he catches the flak for what his company does, and of course what he’s able to say is extremely limited, which is a shame.

In the spirit of conciliation, I’d like to mention that I do respect Richard. I have a high opinion of the Dalmore from the several that I’ve tried– And I’m sure that there’s much more of the man in the whiskies he creates than in the posts he publishes.

]]> By: John Hansell http://www.whiskyadvocateblog.com/2009/11/28/my-new-malt-advocate-editorial-you-spoke-i-listened-and-im-spreading-the-word/#comment-13119 John Hansell Mon, 07 Dec 2009 18:38:05 +0000 http://blog.maltadvocate.com/?p=2745#comment-13119 Red, I'd like to chime in here on your last comment. I don't think that it's fair that Richard take all the heat here. I think in many ways he's just doing the job his company is asking him to do. Richard is the Master Blender and ambassador. He's not Whyte & Mackay's marketing director (or CEO). Keep this in mind. Yes, I'm sure he has imput on all the new whiskies that come out, but maybe you're "shooting the messenger" just a little bit? Red, I’d like to chime in here on your last comment. I don’t think that it’s fair that Richard take all the heat here. I think in many ways he’s just doing the job his company is asking him to do.

Richard is the Master Blender and ambassador. He’s not Whyte & Mackay’s marketing director (or CEO). Keep this in mind. Yes, I’m sure he has imput on all the new whiskies that come out, but maybe you’re “shooting the messenger” just a little bit?

]]> By: Red_Arremer http://www.whiskyadvocateblog.com/2009/11/28/my-new-malt-advocate-editorial-you-spoke-i-listened-and-im-spreading-the-word/#comment-13117 Red_Arremer Mon, 07 Dec 2009 17:22:45 +0000 http://blog.maltadvocate.com/?p=2745#comment-13117 I posted a reply up on Richard's entry. But I have no idea if it will make it past moderation so I'll publish it here too. I really don't want to be hard on the guy, but these things just have to be said. Once you read his post, then mine will make sense: You really defend yourself here, Richard, and I understand why you or any corporate whisky ambassador would feel the need to. If you really want the negativity to stop, my sincere recommendation is that you stop sending press releases regarding hyper-expensive whiskies to media outlets that serve people who aren't hyper-wealthy. Here's why: You justify your hyper-expensive whisky with a gesture to your hyper-wealthy clientele. You praise economic diversity as if it were ethnic diversity. As compelling as this argument is, most folks experience it as both overwhelming and irrelevant. No sooner have whiskybloggers sworn to eachother that they simply must agree with it, than they have furiously banged out a hundred comments expressing their disapproval of the absurdity of the pricing on recent bottlings from Dalmore and other distilleries. Why? The reason is that most whisky bloggers are strictly middle class and half the bottlings that they hear about are aimed strictly at the hyper-wealthy. The dissonance this produces is too overwhelming to be brought back into harmony by the reminder that "these bottles were never meant for you." I posted a reply up on Richard’s entry. But I have no idea if it will make it past moderation so I’ll publish it here too. I really don’t want to be hard on the guy, but these things just have to be said. Once you read his post, then mine will make sense:

You really defend yourself here, Richard, and I understand why you or any corporate whisky ambassador would feel the need to.

If you really want the negativity to stop, my sincere recommendation is that you stop sending press releases regarding hyper-expensive whiskies to media outlets that serve people who aren’t hyper-wealthy. Here’s why:

You justify your hyper-expensive whisky with a gesture to your hyper-wealthy clientele. You praise economic diversity as if it were ethnic diversity.

As compelling as this argument is, most folks experience it as both overwhelming and irrelevant. No sooner have whiskybloggers sworn to eachother that they simply must agree with it, than they have furiously banged out a hundred comments expressing their disapproval of the absurdity of the pricing on recent bottlings from Dalmore and other distilleries.

Why?

The reason is that most whisky bloggers are strictly middle class and half the bottlings that they hear about are aimed strictly at the hyper-wealthy. The dissonance this produces is too overwhelming to be brought back into harmony by the reminder that “these bottles were never meant for you.”

]]> By: John Hansell http://www.whiskyadvocateblog.com/2009/11/28/my-new-malt-advocate-editorial-you-spoke-i-listened-and-im-spreading-the-word/#comment-13113 John Hansell Mon, 07 Dec 2009 15:00:22 +0000 http://blog.maltadvocate.com/?p=2745#comment-13113 Yep, BJ, and I already responded. So nice of Richard to take the time to do this and let us see his perspective on some of these issues. Yep, BJ, and I already responded. So nice of Richard to take the time to do this and let us see his perspective on some of these issues.

]]> By: B.J. Reed http://www.whiskyadvocateblog.com/2009/11/28/my-new-malt-advocate-editorial-you-spoke-i-listened-and-im-spreading-the-word/#comment-13112 B.J. Reed Mon, 07 Dec 2009 14:55:22 +0000 http://blog.maltadvocate.com/?p=2745#comment-13112 I see Richard Patterson has responded to your editorial John: http://www.themasterblender.com/2009/12/07/reply-john-hansell-malt-advocate/ I see Richard Patterson has responded to your editorial John:

http://www.themasterblender.com/2009/12/07/reply-john-hansell-malt-advocate/

]]> By: John Hansell http://www.whiskyadvocateblog.com/2009/11/28/my-new-malt-advocate-editorial-you-spoke-i-listened-and-im-spreading-the-word/#comment-13103 John Hansell Mon, 07 Dec 2009 12:40:19 +0000 http://blog.maltadvocate.com/?p=2745#comment-13103 You're right about simply responding to demand regarding upmarket whisky. As long as you have good, affordable whiskies for us regular folk--which you do--then I personally see nothing wrong with bottling some whisky for the ultra-wealthy too. And you're also make a very good point about whiskies without age statement. It does give you more flexibility to make good whisky, but also gives you (and other producers) the opportunity to charge a lot of money for younger whisky. As long as it's the former and not the latter, we'll all be happy and no one will be complaining. You’re right about simply responding to demand regarding upmarket whisky. As long as you have good, affordable whiskies for us regular folk–which you do–then I personally see nothing wrong with bottling some whisky for the ultra-wealthy too.

And you’re also make a very good point about whiskies without age statement. It does give you more flexibility to make good whisky, but also gives you (and other producers) the opportunity to charge a lot of money for younger whisky. As long as it’s the former and not the latter, we’ll all be happy and no one will be complaining.

]]> By: Richard Paterson http://www.whiskyadvocateblog.com/2009/11/28/my-new-malt-advocate-editorial-you-spoke-i-listened-and-im-spreading-the-word/#comment-13098 Richard Paterson Mon, 07 Dec 2009 11:20:45 +0000 http://blog.maltadvocate.com/?p=2745#comment-13098 Sorry, it's taken so long John but I've posted a reply to your comments here - http://www.themasterblender.com/2009/12/07/reply-john-hansell-malt-advocate/ - and I'll let people read that there and make their own minds up, but basically remember that most of the time we are replying to consumer demand - there is a market for the upmarket whisky. I've also covered off some of the issues raised here in the previous guest blog spot I did for you here: http://blog.maltadvocate.com/2009/07/31/guest-blogger-richard-paterson-master-blender/ Sorry, it’s taken so long John but I’ve posted a reply to your comments here – http://www.themasterblender.com/2009/12/07/reply-john-hansell-malt-advocate/ – and I’ll let people read that there and make their own minds up, but basically remember that most of the time we are replying to consumer demand – there is a market for the upmarket whisky.

I’ve also covered off some of the issues raised here in the previous guest blog spot I did for you here: http://blog.maltadvocate.com/2009/07/31/guest-blogger-richard-paterson-master-blender/

]]> By: A reply to John Hansell and Malt Advocate | Richard Paterson http://www.whiskyadvocateblog.com/2009/11/28/my-new-malt-advocate-editorial-you-spoke-i-listened-and-im-spreading-the-word/#comment-13096 A reply to John Hansell and Malt Advocate | Richard Paterson Mon, 07 Dec 2009 11:07:24 +0000 http://blog.maltadvocate.com/?p=2745#comment-13096 [...] been some buzz around the editorial and blog post that appeared in the recent (2009 winter) edition of the US publication Malt Advocate and it has [...] [...] been some buzz around the editorial and blog post that appeared in the recent (2009 winter) edition of the US publication Malt Advocate and it has [...]

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